Soup’s on!

Now that my partner Stefanie has received her Bead Soup mix I can reveal what I have sent her. I sent a big variety. We’re supposed to send one Focal Bead, a nice Clasp and Coordinating beads that must be used in at least one piece we create. We must at the very least create something with the focal bead and the clasp.
I decided to send something Canadian since Stefanie sent me something German…Chocolate…mmm… and Gummy Bears…mmm. I love Gummy Bears, lol.  Ok…well, I didn’t send edibles, but beads such as Metal Totem Beads (Orca, Pookmas, Thunderbird and Eagle), a really nice quality of flash Labradorite rondelles, Hematite and BC Jade.

The Focal Bead I sent, well, I sent 2 because one can be used as a Focal or as a clasp. I made this one from polymer clay and resin and the other one is a swirl lentil polymer clay bead.

These are the Coordinating beads I sent, although there is another clasp, a fold over magnetic one which I really like. I included some of my handmade faux coral, Lampwork, chevron trade beads, a Nepal bead, spacer beads and African glass.
 
And there is more! I wasn’t sure how much or how little to send. On the left are some of my pink handmade polymer clay flowers, more pink polymer clay beads, blue African glass, green African sinter glass, Turquoise nuggets, Czech glass stars and pink crazy lace agate.

I blogged in my last post what Stefanie sent me, but have to admit I am having trouble with some of the beads as any one of them could be a focal since there aren’t really any pairs for the larger ones, so the obvious choice seems to be the copper heart as a focal, along with the chain and of course the copper clasp. I’m too spoiled making my own beads with polymer clay and I’m not sure what to do with all the single little beads yet either as I tend to work symmetrically or with pairs. The challenge is ON!! I will make this work as these are some of my favorite colours! The  green jade discs might work for some earrings.Oh boy, what did I get myself into!!! haha. Helps creativity! yes it does.
There is also this extra little pack of stuff…what to make, what to make!? Again…what did I get myself into!!! lol…I know I will do something with these. After all it’s a create challenge too, right?

I’m looking forward seeing what Stefanie will create with all the beads I’ve sent and I’ve been checking her blog, but she hasn’t updated since May so hopefully she will soon as we’re supposed to share not only our finished creations, but about the bead soups themselves.
Anyway…it’s Sunday, I’m going to make some Coffee and get busy. Help!!! lol

Summer blog hops, birthdays and gifts

While many are wishing for some rain and cooler weather, our summer has been unseasonably cool and when the sun does come out it gets foggy and you guessed it …even cooler! Just on the other side Vancouver Islanders have been enjoying some Hawaiian Winter temperatures. Well, maybe next month we get some here…I can only hope.

Not that it really matters. I’m having to work and so it’s been difficult to maintain my blog. Even the 52 Earrings a Year, while I’m making many earrings right now, I haven’t had much time photographing anything before it’s packed in a box and being sent away. I have to try and pause a little to photograph more! Over the last couple of days I made 160 polymer clay starfish, sand dollars and scallop shell Earrings, 40 pairs of gemstone earrings and taking a breather to write this, lol.  So how do I make myself have some fun? It can’t be all work and no play right? Yay! Lori Anderson’s Bead Soup Blog hop…I received my beads from my partner Stefanie Teufel in Germany who hopefully will soon receive the beads I sent her. Come on Canada Post! Hurry up!! Here is the Bead Soup Stefanie sent me, including some of my fave real fruity gummy bears and Fine Dark and Peppery Chocolate. Imagine, pink pepper!! Surprisingly decadent! Among the copper chain, heart and clasp are some Turquoise and Jade disc beads, Agate, some lampwork, Indian Clay beads and a crochet bead.

Wonder what I’ll be making…but here is also a second set that might make a cute charm. I like the filigree button. We’re supposed to create something with at least the focal and clasp…so stay tuned for the reveal date…August 11th.

My Father in law was visiting for a few days. We helped him celebrate his 83rd birthday  and I made him this pen holder which he was quite happy about. Here he is with my daughter and a yummy chocolate cake my husband made. I may be crafty, but I suck at making cake, lol.

The penholder made with my Orinendo Technique, in case you are curious about it. This one I made a sort of turquoise green mix. I actually made this whole thing in a hurry because my husband decided that maybe we should have some gifts along with that cake. I had about 2 hours to come up with something before he would arrive in town. I got it done just in time. To cool it faster I plopped it into a bucket of cold water…

So much more to tell you about…but it’s early morning and I better go to bed, haha. Stay tuned for more soon. I promise I won’t let this blog hang another 2 weeks…