Saturday, April 13, 2013

It's time for a cup of Spring Bead Soup!

It's reveal day!!  I am so happy to be participating in another Bead Soup Blog Hop.  Thank you so much to our very talented, kind and generous host Lori Anderson for organizing this wonderful event.  Please take a moment to hop on over to her blog and check it out.  She is an awesome lady!!  Thank you Lori!!

Thanks also to my wonderful bead soup partner Kiersten Kern!  Kiersten sent me beautiful beads to play with.  Be sure to visit Kiersten's blog and see what she made with the stash I sent her.  Click on Kiersten's name and it will take you to her blog. 

Here's a reminder of the bead soup I received from Kiersten. 

Blue sandstone beads, green wood beads, dark green ceramic beads, beautiful lampwork beads by
Kiersten and sterling silver clasp


Hmmm!  What do with the clasp.  I must admit to being a little stumped on this one!  I have never worked with a clasp like this before so it was a good challenge.  I originally thought I could make a bracelet but I wasn't happy with the look of it when I had strung the beads and put it together.  I put the clasp aside for a while and concentrated on the focal bead. This bead is stunning!  Love it!  

I made the "Spring Flowers" necklace below - trying to keep it simple so that all the attention is on the stunning focal bead. I used brass tube beads, Czech glass beads, Swarkies and green ribbon.  





Spring Flowers Necklace

 I made some earrings with the beautiful blue lampwork beads.  "Morning Mist" Earrings - I added some delicate brass chain and brass dragonfly charms. 




Morning Mist Earrings


The scrummy faceted blue sandstone beads went well with some coca seed beads and citrine beads that I found in one of my beadie boxes.  The little brass charm has "believe" stamped on it.  The blue Czech glass flower charm is topped with brass bead caps.  "Believe in Dreams" Bracelet. 

Believe in Dreams Bracelet

Belive in Dreams Bracelet



I used the dark green ceramic beads paired with some bone beads to make the earrings shown below. I embossed some brass blanks, coloured and sealed them.  "Stormy Day" Earrings

Stormy Day Earrings
Here is how I used the gorgeous sterling silver clasp. It took me a few attempts but I got there in the end Lol!  I used three of the beautiful lampwork beads Kiersten sent me and paired them with some pale blue glass crystal beads.  I used silver crimp beads as spacers and hammered some 18 gauge wire to form the paddle drops.   


Lotus Flower Choker Style Necklace

Again, thank you so much to Lori Anderson for all her hard work and organization of this huge event.  Thank you also to my lovely bead soup partner Kiersten for sending me such beautiful beads to work with.  I had great fun working on these designs.  I can't wait to see what Kiersten made with the soup I sent her! 
For a list of all the participants in this 2nd Reveal go to this link and start hopping! http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/2013/04/7th-bead-soup-blog-party-2nd-reveal.html




Thanks so much for visiting my blog ♥
Happy Blog Hopping!
Have a wonderful day ~ Karen 

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Bead Soup Partners

Hello!  I am very happy to be involved in another Bead Soup Blog Hop.  My lovely partner is Kiersten Kern of Red Opal Designs.  She makes the most beautiful lampwork glass beads.  Kiersten lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  You can check out her gorgeous jewellery at Red Opal Designs.  Stop by Kiersten's Facebook page and say "hello".  Our reveal date is April 6th and we have both sent and received each others beads.  Here are the beautiful beads I received from Kiersten. 

Scrummy Bead Soup Arrival!




Gorgeous bag containing beading goodies


 

 
Beautiful lampwork beads made by Kiersten :)




Gorgeous Greek Ceramic Beads and Blue Soapstone with Sterling clasp.

Stunning Focal Bead by Kiersten
The complete Soup




I can't wait to get cooking with this gorgeous soup!  The lampwork focal bead is gorgeous - love it!  I dabble in a bit of glass bead making myself and would love to be able to create beads like Kiersten's. I already have a few ideas of what I am going to make so stay tuned!  As always a huge "thank you" to Lori Anderson for organizing this wonderful Bead Soup Blog Hop.  Check out her blog and click on the  Bead Soup link to see who else is participating. 
Have a wonderful week!! 
~ Karen ~ 



Monday, February 4, 2013

What's on your bead table?

I have several unfinished necklaces on my bead table :)  I have been playing around with Ice Resin again and have made a couple of sealed pieces with image art from my friend Tina at http://www.etsy.com/shop/Glimmersmith.  Check out Tina's shop for individual images.  I love being able to buy just one image instead of a whole sheet for maybe one or two that I would want to use.  I fell in love with this image of peacocks and just knew I had to have it!  Unfortunately my Ice Resin is rather old so I think I will end up redoing this one.  The beads are Czech glass with smaller faceted green glass beads.
Green is one of my favourite colours. 

What colours do you like to work with?  I'd love you to share what's on your bead table too. If you would like to leave a comment that would be awesome!

Have a wonderful evening!
~ Karen ~

Saturday, August 11, 2012

I think it's time for Bead Soup!



Hello and welcome to the Bead Soup Blog Party!  This is the second time I have participated in this wonderful event.  I would like to say a huge "Thank You" to Lori Anderson for all her hard work and organizational skills in putting this event together.  Lori - you are amazing!!!  My lovely bead soup partner is Christina Stofmeel.  She lives in the Netherlands and is a self taught lampwork bead artist.  She teaches classes and has written a couple of books.  Check out her beautiful beads on Etsy.  Yay!  I just received my beads on Thursday evening.  Here is the bead soup I received from Christina :) 


Beautiful lampies in blues and greens
 

Gorgeous hollow bead, frit beads and pebble spacer beads by Christina  
 
Beautiful ribbon, Russian amazonite, Mykanos beads, czech glass beads
As you can see I had a wonderful selection of beads and beautiful colour combination to work with.  The hollow focal bead was a bit of a challenge (in a very good way).  I have never made anything with a hollow bead before and I must confess that it had me flumoxed for a a few minutes.  After studying it a bit longer I decided that it looks like one of those glass buoys you see with fisherman's netting around them. I love anything to do with the sea so I set about making the necklace below. 


"Diving Bell" Necklace
I used the Russian Amazonite chips with freshwater pearls and dangled a teensie seahorse charm and an anchor charm.  The chunky/rustic chain reminds me of old treasures from the ocean.  I wound wire and hammered it flat and then added a brass bead I had coloured with patina and then the gorgeous focal bead.  The chain,wire and charms are beautiful Fallen Angel Brass.

The bracelet below also has a beach theme.  I love the frit beads and the pebble spacer beads.  They are such gorgeous blues and greens.  I paired them with silver spacer beads, freshwater pearls and peanut beads.  The starfish charm is pewter and matches the toggle clasp beautifully. 

"Tide Pool" Bracelet
For the earrings I used Christina's gorgeous frit beads and added flattened Vintaj Brass bead caps.  I repeated the look of the bracelet by using the little silver spacer beads and the tiny czech glass seed beads. 
Sea Urchin Earrings


Thanks to my wonderful bead soup partner Christina for sending me such beautiful beads to play with.  Click on a name below to visit other participating blogs.  Have fun!!! 
Thanks for visiting ~ Karen

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Adlinah Kamsir, Dream Struck Designs
Adrienn Lukacs, Raszputyin Designs
Agata Grygiel, Cytherea Bijoux 
Alenka Obid, Pepita Handmade 
Amy Dickerson, Damyjo Designs 
Amy Schmidt, Amy's Treasure 
Amy Severino, Amy Beads 

Andrea Trank, Heaven Lane Creations
Anke Humpert, Anart Island Studios
Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye
April Grinaway, Brooklyn Bead Goddess 
Ashley Bunting, Miss Ashely Kate 
Astrid Boyce, Astrid Boyce Beads 
B.R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem Studios 
Barbe Saint John, Saints and Sinners

Beata Benkone Meggyesi, Beahobbi
Brandy McNair, Bella Vita Handmade Jewelry 
 Bryna Lumb, Bryna's Bead Box
Carmen Lau, Little Maketto
Cate van Alphen, Fulgorine
Cathie Carroll, Cathie Carroll's Studio
Cathy Khoury, Touch Jewelry 
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads 

 Collette Collins, Fire Fly Myst Artisan Jewelry
Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul 
Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons
Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures
Deana Hager, Just Deez'Art & Life
Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing
Dhea Powers, Java Bead


Diana Welte, Lilyweeds
Dita Basu, alankarshilpa
Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas 
Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals
Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs
Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant
Eva Sherman, Eva Sherman Designs
Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead and Metal Works
Francy Inman, Francy's Studio


Ginger Bishop, lilmummy likes...
Giorgia Rossini, Jo in Wonderland
Ine Vande Cappelle, Jewels by Ine 
Iveth Caruso, Creative Atelier 
JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
Jackie Ryan, Kydo Jewellery
Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog
Jelveh Jaferian, Jelveh Designs
Jenna Tomalka, Twin Birch Studio
Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Beads


Jennifer Van Horn, Jennifers Jewels and Junk
Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
Johanna Rhodes-Nash, Fire Phoenix Creations 
 Joyce Blair, Bent Wire West Coast
JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin
Karen Vincent, Swallow Tail Jewellery
Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads
Kayla Potega, The Eclectic Element 
Kim Dworak, CianciBlue
Kris Lanae Binsfeld, Cherish Designs by Kris Lanae


Kristen Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs
Kumi Fisher, Malie Kai Designs
Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs
Lennis Carrier, Windbent
Leslie Wayment, AA Beads & More
Linda Murphy, Bonita Bead
Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders


Lisa Sittniewski, Love, Yesterdays
Lois Moon, Que Onda, Q'Town?
Lola Surwillo, Bead Lola Bead
Lorelei Eurto, Lorelei's Blog
Lori Bowring Michaud, Artfully Ornamental
Lori Finney, Using My Beads
Margareta Saari, Mags-koruja
Maria Horvath, Horimarika Beads
Marian Hertzog, M's Place


 Mary Ellen Parker, BeeTree by m.e.
Mary K McGraw, MK's Creative Musings
MaryLou Holvenstot, time2cre8 
Martha Aleo, Ornamento
 Maybeline Tay, The Jewelry Larder
Megan Collins, Churchy & Her Sailor
Melissa Meman, Art. Life. Love.
Melissa Mesara, One-Eared Pig Beads
Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs


Pam Farren, re-maker
Pam Hurst, Pam Hurst Designs
Patricia Handschuh, The Color of Dreams
Patty Miller, CabariBeads
Penney Klapoth, Faerie Acres
Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings
Rhea Freitag, starrgazer creates
Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle


Sabine Dittrich, PerlenDschungel
Sandra McGriff, Creative Chaos
Sandra Neights, Petalo Azul
Sandra Young, It's a Bead Life!
Sara Oehler, SoftFlex Girl
Saturday Sequins, Saturday Sequins
Shanti Johnson, Sunshine Bliss
Shari Replogle, Plays With Paper
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads


Stefanie Teufel, Stefanies Sammelsurium
Tammie Everly, TTE Designs
Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs
Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures
Tina Holden, Polymer Clay Bytes!
Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends 


Tracey Nanstad, A Beadiful Mess
Tracy Choy, BumbleBeads Designs
Valerie Norton, Hot Art

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Another Cup of Bead Soup!

Hello! 
Well it is sad to say that I have very much neglected you dear blog over the past couple of months!  Yikes - didn't realize how long it was since my last post.  Hope that everyone is enjoying the summer and keeping cool!
I am excited to be participating in the 6th Bead Soup Blog Hop Party.  You can find out more information about the blog hop by going to Lori Anderson's blog.  399 people signed up and there are three reveal dates.  My thanks to Lori Anderson who organizes Bead Soup so wonderfully - it is a lot of time and effort on her part and it is very much appreciated! Lori Rocks!! :)
Yay!!  My partner this time is Christina Stoomfel from The Netherlands.  Christina is a jewellery designer and a self taught lampwork artist and her beads are just gorgeous!  Check out Christina's work on Etsy and also on her blog.  I am thrilled to be Christina's partner for my second Bead Soup Blog Hop!  I am looking forward to getting to know Christina over the coming weeks. Stop back and see photos of our Bead Soup soon!  Our reveal date is August 11th 2012. 
Thanks for stopping by! 
~ Karen ~

Friday, April 20, 2012

And the Winner of our Giveaway Is ......


Good Morning! 
It's time to reveal our giveaway winner! First we want to say a big "thank you" to everyone who entered.  We had a wonderful time reading everyone's comments and we welcome our new blog followers.  Random.org was used to draw the winner.  We put in 88 names - minus our one comment - Lol :)  The winner is Kim!!  Woohoo!!  Congratulations!!  Kim if you could please email us with your address at swallowtailjewellery@gmail.com we will send you the earring and necklace set below :) 


We currently have 280 FB fans and will announce another giveaway when we reach 350 fans.  Stay tuned to this page! 
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
~ Karen ~




There were 88 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
  1. Kim
  2. Alicia
  3. Kimberly, Bakin#39; Goddess
  4. Despina
  5. Quiltingjewel39
  6. Shannon
  7. Ginger Bishop
  8. Lisa Chapman
  9. Melinda Orr
  10. Tumblestone Handmakery
  11. Helen Bowen
  12. Pixiloo
  13. Penny Neville
  14. Shannon
  15. Sandra
  16. Alicia Coats
  17. Kristibasket
  18. Patti Van
  19. Shannon
  20. Sweetrose 74
  21. RoEnchanted Designs
  22. Shyme
  23. Fireflymyst
  24. Lorraine
  25. Sarah Bunney
  26. Pine Ridge Treasures
  27. Cheri
  28. Kashmira
  29. Sweetrose 74
  30. Despina
  31. Cheri
  32. Marla James
  33. Rochelle
  34. Lisa Chapman
  35. Yolanda M
  36. Marla James
  37. Kashmira
  38. Fireflymyst
  39. Pine Ridge Treasures
  40. Marla
  41. Hurrundi
  42. Helen Bowen
  43. Rochelle
  44. Quiltingjewel39
  45. Yolanda M
  46. Alicia
  47. Kim
  48. Quiltingjewel39
  49. Sweet Freedom
  50. Alicia Coats
  51. Sarah Bunney
  52. Kashmira
  53. Patti Van
  54. Penny Neville
  55. Kim
  56. Sweetrose 74
  57. Kimberly, Bakin#39; Goddess
  58. Dreaminofbeads
  59. RoEnchanted Designs
  60. Patti Van
  61. Shyme
  62. Shannon Chomanczuk
  63. Fireflymyst
  64. Shyme
  65. Kimberly, Bakin#39; Goddess
  66. Lisa Chapman
  67. Sweet Freedom
  68. Lorraine
  69. Lorraine
  70. Helen Bowen
  71. Mary Hicks
  72. Marla
  73. Patty
  74. Tumblestone Handmakery
  75. Dreaminofbeads
  76. Dreaminofbeads
  77. Marla James
  78. Quiltingjewel39
  79. Sandra
  80. Lisa S
  81. Ginger Bishop
  82. J-Lynn Jewels
  83. Alicia
  84. Sweet Freedom
  85. Penny Neville
  86. Traci
  87. Marla
  88. Stepha
Timestamp: 2012-04-19 20:16:45 UTC

Monday, April 9, 2012

Woot! Woot! It's Giveaway Time!!

Hello and Welcome to our new blog followers! We've had a wonderful month with some gorgeous weather.   Hope you have all had the chance to enjoy some outdoor time too.

Exciting news!! We hit 250 fans on our Facebook Page so to celebrate we are hosting a little giveaway. If you would like to win the earrings and necklace in the photo below, here's what you need to do :)

You can enter to win up to 3 times. 
1.  Leave a comment on this post.
2. Share on Facebook and leave another comment on this post to say you shared.
3. Join our blog and leave another comment on this post to say you joined. 


GOOD LUCK!
We will pick a winner with Random.org on Thursday 19th April 2012.
We will post the winner's name on our blog on Friday 20th April 2012.

Have a wonderful day!
~ Karen ~