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 

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 ~ 





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 ~

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 

Ana Krepel, Cat's Pajamas, Dog's Tuxedos

Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey

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 

Barb Fernald, Barbara S. Fernald Jewelry 

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 Davis, Natural Treasures by Deb

Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing

Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That

Dhea Powers, Java Bead

Diana Welte, Lilyweeds

Dita Basu, alankarshilpa

Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas 

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Eleanor Snare, The Magic Square Foundation

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

Krafty Max, Krafty Max Originals

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 Florian, Lilys of the Valley Jewelry Creations

Linda Murphy, Bonita Bead

Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders

Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures

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 Callahan, Dancing Wire and Beads by Lori

Lori Finney, Using My Beads

Marcia Dunne, The Alternative Foundry

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

Melissa Muir, Kelsi's Closet Jewelbox

Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs

Pam DeBoer, Purple Notes from the Studio

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

Tanya Wiles, Tenebrous Hollow Studio

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

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 ~

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

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 ~