A Creative Chelle: March 2012

I've joined, not one, but two more challenges for next month. A lot for me to handle? Yes, but I really enjoy these because they force me to try new things, and in the past I have learned a lot each time I've participated. So in book, that makes them well worth it :)

The first challenge is very similar to the Bead Soup Blog Party, only this one is being hosted by the talented Keri of Pink Lemonade. Keri also happens to be my partner for the bead swap! She sent me the most beautiful beads and her own handmade copper focal pieces and clasp. Everything arrived in this cute little suitcase box with her little note, "Have fun creating!". How could I not with all of these amazing beads!

Here is a great picture, taken by Keri, of the beads I sent her.

I am also participating in a challenge hosted by Lorelei Eutro. This is a different challenge, in that each of the 10 participants received a pair of handmade lampwork headpins. The color and style were a surprise. What makes these headpins so unique and challenging is that they have a ball-style end. Confused now? I think I know just what to do with this beauties though!

Welcome to my Bead Soup Blog Party reveal!

Here is a little refresher of the beautiful beads I received from my blog soup partner, Shannon of For My Sweet Daughter.

The first necklace I put together features the porcelain pendant (by Marsha Neal) and the picture jasper rounds sent to me by Shannon. I used rose quartz, mauve glass pearls and green Czech glass beads from my own stash. As well as a glass flower bead and silver toned leaf to layer on the pendant. The two strands are finished with large sterling silver chain and lobster claw clasp.

It seems every Bead Soup round, I am given a new metal to work with as a challenge. Last time it was gold and this time I got to work with Vintaj brass. I love the color of this toggle, but I don’t actually have anything else to match, only silver. I hunted through some old jewelry and long forgotten beads, but it wasn’t until I picked up a pile of fabrics that I saw exactly what I needed. On an old shirt, sewn around the collar, were these round brass disks. I pulled a few off (which I’m assuming was the plan all along) and found they matched the toggle almost perfectly! I used a mix of coral and brown colored beads with Amazonite, then added an old skeleton key and a large amazonite pendant to the clasp.

I had originally tried to pair the pendant with the clasp and make one necklace with my bead soup. I struggled for days to come up with something, but I couldn't see the design until I looked at the pieces separately.

Many thanks to Shannon for the beautiful beads. She also sent a pendant that she made herself! I wasn't able to complete a piece with it yet, but it is in the works! It might just be my favorite of them all.
Please, be sure to stop by her blog and see what she created with the Bead Soup I sent her!

Complete List of Participants

Hostess, Lori Anderson

Special Book Sneak Peeks, Cindy Wimmer

1. Adlinah Kamsir (Singapore) and Hajer Waheed (Kingdom of Bahrain)

2. Adrienn Lukacs (Hungary) and Agata Grygiel (Poland)

3. Agi Kiss (Hungary) and Carolien Muller-Genger (the Netherlands)

4. Agnes Asztalos (Hungary) and B.R. Kuhlman

5. Alesha Conklin and Becki Mendivil

6. Alice Peterson and Carol Dillman

7. Alicia Marinache (Canada) and Dita Basu

8. Amanda Dittloff and Brandy Thomason McNair

9. Amanda Tibbetts and Andrea Trank