Unfold

In between the thick of teaching classes, writing class proposals and submissions, 

and end of season RV trips, 

I am once again enjoying the thrill of Lori Anderson's 

Bead Soup Blog Hop.

If this doesn't ring a bell in your world, 

I'd like to suggest that it would (the next one will be in Feb. 2012),

as for now sign-up has ended and packages are beginning to arrive in the mail.

Just last Spring I participated for the first time.
Here was the result of the soup I received from a talented lamp work bead artist,
named Melissa Mesara.

There are 362 participants this time around, and when the names were dealt,

I was fortunate to be paired with Kerry Bogert.

A wire working, bead designing, book author.

She received my box of goodies and made a video as she unwrapped it.

How clever!

It was filled with quite a fun stash.

Not typical of what she would normally work with...which is exactly the point.

I included a vintage chandelier crystal that dangles from a focal made with a vintage rhinestone earring attached to a filigree focal.
Just above, I wrapped in a vintage crystal dangle.  Kerry is also a knitter,
so I thought I'd slip in a bundle of "Merlot" colored recycled sari silk ribbon.
I gave her the choice of two clasps ~ one a vintage rhinestone, the other, 

an oxidized sterling silver hook and eye which I designed.

I also included vintage rhinestone dangles, additional vintage crystal drops and dark ruby red garnets.

Lots and lots of garnets, silver disks and oxidized crystal rondells.

A group of my favorite vintage rhinestone buttons to play with.

 So, here's the whole shebang...
which includes a string of unusual crystal nuggets & AB crystal beads,
found at my local antique store.
Awe, this was fun.