bead soup ingredients (for melissa)

 I had no idea what I wanted to send my bead soup partner.  

I know I often find inspiration in a vintage piece...either a rhinestone brooch, necklace...earrings.

This time was no different, yet totally different.

It really began with a small stash of vintage lockets I had bought from a favorite dealer I head to each Spring and Fall at the antique festival.

She travels from Pennsylvania twice a year carrying with her an amazing stash of vintage lace, ribbon, tulle, buttons, dollies and on this occasion, these.

She pulled a small bag of lockets out from under one of her tables ~ last Spring.  Yes, I have had these for almost a year, and not even touched them until last Christmas actually.  

I bought all she had, as their patina was what I loved most.

So, as I sat at my bench, holding one of them in my hand, 

I decided this was it.  The beginning.  I felt relieved.

I opened it, closed it, then opened it again....yes, 

I did indeed see two spaces that needed begged to be filled =)

How about one of my cool "sisters" covered with mica?  Or, how about resin?  

Yes, but resin would take a day+ for curing.  

Did I mention I can be impatient?

I have to confess, I have a pretty good stash of resin filled bezels I had prepared for Marburger last Fall, and have yet to use in a single piece of jewelry.  

I looked at several, deciding on the one that had a most favorite picture of a Texas Scissor-tailed Flycatcher I had taken last year while RVing on Lake Sommerville.

And, the vintage text I had put in it said A LOT.  I knew hoped Melissa would like it.

The bonus, the bezel fit perfectly inside the wells of the locket.

It was attached in the top.

 Then, bet you know what happened next. 

The bottom had to be filled too.

I decided to form what I call a "nestie" to place down in the bottom well.

And, of course it needed an egg or two.  

This seemingly simple task became more than I anticipated, as it had to be just the right height.  I didn't want it too thick (which is exactly what happened when I added three baroque pearl eggs), as it put extra pressure on the resin piece placed in the top. 

I think I struggled worked on this part of the project the longest, 

but it did start another idea, which I would incorporate a little later...in the rest of the soup.

 Once I worked it out...using one egg, the well was a still a little too empty.

I took a piece of etched metal and made two little tags with Melissa's name on it. 

One to place inside the well,

  and the other I attached to a roll of Dupoini silk strips,

also sent to Melissa.

Oh yes, and the front needed a little deco too!

So I plucked one of the Olivine Jade beads from my bin and attached it in a favorite cold join method.  

Now, it was coming together, as I had chosen a string of these "lemony-green" Olivine Jade beads to go along with a few other goodies....

  A couple of Brass Bouquet filigree connectors, my favorite brass vintage infinity chain, another few lengths of brass rolo chain, several brass lanyards, one of my simple bronze clasps, a couple sizes of brass jump rings, strips of Dupoini silk, bronze wire and a vintage Czech glass button picked up at a bead show.  

Now, this all had to go into a vintage PINK satin jewelry bag I had scored at one of my favorite antique stores in Katy.  

I loved the bag when I saw it and had picked it up to send to my partner, so now it was time to tie it together, along with all the other goodies. 

So, remember when I told you earlier about the challenge I faced when making the "nestie" for the locket?  I first had made one that had way more baroque pearl eggs (three =), and would not fit in the locket as I wanted, so I decided to attach it to the top of the bag.

Which....I really like!

This was fun.  A total unexpected chain of events.

I think know that is how it always happens for me when working on a project, 

and it probably happens just as many times to you.  

It made me realize, once again...how excited I am to be doing this.  Living my dream.  

It keeps me going....makes me happy, 

and now fills most of my day. 

I feel so very blessed.