Bead Soup Reveal - Check it Out

I just finished looking at all the designs from the first reveal of the Summer 2012 Bead Soup Blog Party. What a talented group of women! I saw so many unique designs and so much enthusiasm and support for each other. If you haven't checked it out, go to Lori Anderson's Blog Pretty Things and have some fun looking at all the great bead work.

Here are some pretty bead soups for inspiration before you go!

 Hollow lampwork glass, Tibetan beads, pearls and more!

Lampwork discs, Mamacita Beads Pewter Heart, Czech glass flowers!

 Bumpy lampwork glass, Ruby Zoisite, bronze toggle and charms!

Donna Millard focal, amethysts, resin flowers!

Beads Soup Blog Party Reveal Number One!

Happy Caturday! Today is the first reveal in this summer's Bead Soup Blog Party. Yeah!!! I am hopping as fast as I can to see all the amazing designs our beady sisters have created. Head on over to Lori Anderson's Pretty Things Blog and check it out! Here is another shot of my soup for inspiration. I am participating in the third reveal August 25th.

And here is the soup I sent my partner Loretta.

Have fun hopping!

Second Surf Pendants

A few months ago, I was lucky enough to win an auction for jewelry from Barbara Bechtel whose website is Second Surf .This is the beautiful ring I got along with matching hair pins.

I had been following Barbara's blog and admiring her work for some time. In May, I purchased a set of small pendants from her and was so happy to get them! Her designs are very unique and organic.

I was immediately inspired to combine leather and freshwater pearls with the nautilus pendant and the leaf pendant. I have always worked with wire, so this was a big challenge for me and I went for simplicity.

I really like the way they turned out! Check out Barbara's other designs at her website Second Surf .
You might get lucky and snag one of her cool Sampler Sets! 

BEAD SOUP IS HERE!

It's Bead Soup time again! I received my package from my partner Loretta and what a beautiful collection of beads!

She sent me a patriotic mix of red, white, and blue beads. :) What fun! Look at the pretty blue and white pottery shard pendant, sweet little pearl charm, and "love, mind, soul, body charm. She included a heart clasp too! I <3 hearts!

The rest of the soup includes a lampwork bead, Sodalite chips, Blue Agate nuggets, red Chinese crystals, German Silver, seed beads, and some sweet little pearls. I tend to work with blues and greens or earth tones like tan, gold, and green. I am looking forward to playing with this lovely mix! Please visit Loretta's blog Designs by Loretta and her Etsy store Loretta's Boutique