and the winner is....

Christine

of 

Sweet Girl Design

You are the winner of the Bead Soup Book Blog Tour Give Away...

Please contact me with your address so I can get your goodies out to you right away =)

Congrats!

 

Book Blog Tour Give Away

Just as promised, 

here are the goodies I have gathered (and made!) to give away to one very fortunate reader who leaves a comment here for the book blog tour

of Lori Anderson's new book,

Bead Soup.

If you look at my previous post,

you will know what it's all about, and who's involved.

Many wonderfully talented jewelry artists, not to mention the super creative and equally talented author of the book, Lori Anderson. 

Just stop by each and every designer, comment on their post, and you will have the opportunity to win their stash of goodies!

Not to mention the GRAND PRIZE that Lori will be giving away between the 8th & 9th!

Details again for the Grand Prize are: 

For every blog you comment on, your name will ALSO go into the BIG bowl for the Grand Prize! 

How cool is that?

Be sure and check back here between the 8th & 9th to see who wins my

Bead Soup =)

~diane

xo

book blog tour for BEAD SOUP

More than a year ago, my friend Lori Anderson, 

asked if I would like to be a part of her upcoming book called

Bead Soup.

I was to design a piece (or pieces) of jewelry using the above goodies, along with some of my very own...just as I had done in the Bead Soup Blog Parties several times before.

Of course I accepted, with much gratitude....

I have to tell you I had never used a cameo in any of my designs, so this bead soup challenge stayed true to the test!

Here's the jewelry i designed, 

named Old-Fashioned Oyster Stew by Lori.  

If you just flip over to pages 84 & 85 in the book, 

you'll see a list of all my ingredients, 

including the ones sent to me (pictured above) by Lori, and how you too can design your very own necklace using ingredients just like or similar to these.

So with much anticipation, AND to celebrate Lori's new book...

beginning tomorrow, 

there will be 8 straight days of reviews & giveaways from a good number of the 25 contributing artists in the book, including me =)

Each day just hop over to the artist's blogs listed below, 

to see what she will be giving away! 

My giveaway....a bead soup stash that I put together just for you!

And, if you know me, there certainly will be some vintage rhinestones in that stash =)

I'll pick a winner, from those who comment on my post on Wednesday, October 3rd, 

doing so the night of October 8th or morning of the 9th.

In addition to the drawing I'll have here, don't forget to leave a comment on Lori's blog and/or on the other participants blogs each day to be eligible to win the Grand Prize -- because for each & every comment you make, 

you'll be in the running for some pretty cool prizes, some of which are shown here.

See you again on the 3rd.

Have fun!!

Monday, October 1st

Lori Anderson -- http://www.PrettyThingsBlog.com

Rebecca Anderson -- http://www.songbeads.blogspot.com-

Barbara Bechtel -- http://secondsurf.com/wordpress/
 

Tuesday, October 2nd

Lori Anderson -- http://www.PrettyThingsBlog.com


Kerry Bogert --   http://kabsconcepts.com/wp/

Melanie Brooks -- http://earthenwood-beads.blogspot.com

Jennifer Cameron -- http://glassaddictions.blogspot.com 
 


Wednesday, October 3rd

Lori Anderson -- http://www.PrettyThingsBlog.com

Diane Cook -- www.rosa-josies.blogspot.com

Malin de Koning -- www.beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.com 



Thursday, October 4th

Lori Anderson -- http://www.PrettyThingsBlog.com

Cassie Donlen -- http://cassiedonlen.blogspot.com

Jeannie Dukic -- http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog  

Nan Emmett  -- http://www.spiritrattles.blogspot.com/ 


Lyn Foley --  http://lynfoleyblog.com  


Friday, October 5th

Lori Anderson -- http://www.PrettyThingsBlog.com

Brandi Hussey -- http://www.brandigirlblog.com

Cindy Wimmer -- www.SweetBeadStudio 
 

Barbara Lewis -- Painting With Fire

Saturday, October 6th

Lori Anderson -- http://www.PrettyThingsBlog.com

Melissa Meman -- http://www.melissameman.blogspot.com/ 


Stefanie Teufel -- http://stefaniessammelsurium.blogspot.com/

Shannon LeVart -- http://missficklemediacom.blogspot.com/



Sunday, October 7th

Sharon Palac -- http://sharonsjewelrygarden.blogspot.com

Heather Powers -- http://www.humblebeads.blogspot.com

Erin Prais-Hintz -- http://treasures-found.blogspot.com  

Bead Soup Blog Hop

"Blue Laurel"
This is my third time to participate in the Bead Soup Blog Party,

the brainstorm of an idea by my friend,
Lori Anderson.
Each time seems to get better than the last, so here we go...

When I opened up the package from my partner,

Lyn Foley,

that held this vintage sterling silver book marker,
I knew I had to use it. But, how?

I didn't exactly know, but it was here that I started.

I began by layering "Laurel" with a wonderful vintage brooch. 

I wish I could remember where this one came from, but alas I don't.

  I just know I liked it because of its shape, dainty rhinestone dangles, and great old rhinestones set in vintage pot metal.

When I pulled it out of my stash, 
it just looked like it belonged on top of the book marker, 
as it matched its shape so perfectly.

I tried it in all different directions, before deciding to slide it down just a bit to expose the wonderful curves at the very top of the marker.

 Next, I started traveling down to the lower part,
wrapping it with some of these tiny beauties from Lyn.

 I chose the peacock seed pearls to work with,

even though I tried desperately to squeeze in those beautiful creamy white ones.

I added a faceted crystal quartz dangle,
using a cool new bead cap I bought after one of my students, 
Michele, showed me some she had brought to class.
I pulled the pieces together by stringing a simple choker using the same peacock seed pearls and the gorgeous sterling silver clasp given to me by Lyn, 

then made some of my favorite rondell bead connectors.

 Lyn sent these clear, blue lined glass ones in my package.

I often use this style, sandwiching tube beads (sometimes long, sometimes short) in between two oxidized crystal rhinestone rondells.  

I sprinkled in some wire wrapped oxidized crystal rhinestone ball beads, vintage rhinestone buttons, some great chain, and all of the Indian silver beads sent to me by Lyn.

Now I have a great 4-piece set.

 Each piece can be worn individually or separate on their own.

 ~Next~
I had to use some of Lyn's gorgeous lampwork beads.
She's a master of color and style.
She sent a good stash of her wonderful ruffles of glass, 
in colors I adore.

I began by laying three of my favorites down on the table.
I tend to use things left lying on my work bench, and magically it always works out.
Once again it did, as I spotted one of my etched hearts sitting just to the right of my  beading pad, just waiting to be used.
I strung the ruffled beads onto three pieces of sterling silver wire,
using more of the rhinestone buttons, now as centers to the beads;
twisted more wire around the base to hold the trio together,

 then pulled the wire thru a piece of brass filigree, sort of arrow style...
punching and lacing this little sandwich onto the etched heart. 
I don't wear pins, so I knew this had to become a necklace.

I was stumped and had to sleep on it, which works for me. 

The next day I looked through my jewelry trays and found a necklace I had bought on Etsy,
one that had beautiful rhinestones that just seem to match 
the rhinestone button centers of my heart pendant so perfectly. 
First I had to set two eyelets, one in the heart, one in the filigree.

Then I used a technique I enjoy and incorporate into my designs often.  
I re-purposed a vintage Eisenberg ear bob into a connector.  
That's it just to the left of my heart.

 I did use one of the two vintage faceted earring drops Lyn sent, 
as the dangle beneath the heart.  It matched the ruffles perfectly.

~Next~ 
I wanted to use the last three of of Lyn's glass ruffles,

 so I made a fun cascade necklace, using them 
along with several brass crucifixes,
and the acid green freshwater pearls she also sent in my soup.

 If you have stuck thru with me all the way to this point
you get to see all of my soup pieces together.

 

 So now you also can watch a sneak peak 
of my new online tutorial which I talked about 
here.
Leave a comment (along with an email address if it's not connected to your name), 
and you too will be entered in the drawing, 
as two people will win one of my tutorials called,

Transforming Vintage Jewelry into a Connector,

which is exactly what I did when I re-purposed the Eisenberg ear bob talked about earlier.
You can see it again, just below in the necklace I call

"Flower Power"

Thanks for sticking all the way to the end.
Don't forget the drawing to win this tutorial,
(that will be is in my Etsy Shop on Monday, March 5th now)
will be on the first day of Spring,
March 20th, 2012!
Here's a snip-it.  Enjoy!

bead soup and a drawing

I don't think I've had the opportunity to share the big news about my east coast friend 
Lori Anderson's

Bead Soup book coming out this fall.
Not only that, I am honored to be a part of it.
Lori is the brainstorm queen behind the semi-annual
Bead Soup Blog Hop...
which resulted in the Bead Soup book!
This Saturday, March 3rd, you will be able to see the creations made by
200 participants.
This is my third participation, and I must say,
it really is one of the highlights of my year.
It stretches me and gives me a refreshing prompt.  If you are a new jewelry designer, 
or an ole' seasoned metalsmither, you will like it.  I promise.
Taking what you receive from your swap partner and putting your stamp on it,
is what it's all about.
I like to think of what Forest Gump's mama said,
Life is like a box of chocolates.  You just never know what you're gonna get. 

 The same goes for the Bead Soup Blog Hop.

Take what you get and make it work.  Make it yours.

You have no idea where it can take you, and where you can go from there.

In celebration and preparation for this fun event,

I am having a itty bitty drawing.

I would love if you would leave a comment, talk about it on Facebook, tweet about,  or whatever.

And, if you decide to follow along with me on my blog, well that will be icing on the cake,

and another drop in the hat for you =)

So, now...what will you win?

Well, since using vintage rhinestone jewelry in my jewelry designs is one of my many passions, I have created a little video tutorial called

Transforming a Vintage Earring into a Connector, 

which is about to end up in my Etsy shop.

If you have ever wanted to know how to make a connector out of a vintage scatter pin, brooch, ear bob or screw back earring, this will show & tell you how.

It is one of the techniques I used in a piece of jewelry I'll be revealing for the hop on Saturday! 

I will be giving away two of these tutorials

on the first day of Spring, which is

March 20th!

 Here's a sneak pic.

 So please stop by on Saturday to see my blog hop jewelry.

I've made several pieces with the stash of goodies sent by my bead soup partner, 

Lyn Foley.

And, don't forget to leave your comment here and there~BOTH DAYS~if you like.

All names on these two days will go into the hat for the drawing.

I will also have a snippet clip of the video on Saturday!

BTW...here was my post from the last Bead Soup Blog Hop, 

when I was paired up with the ever talented,  

Kerry Bogert.

And, the one before that,

when I was swap buddies with a wonderful lampwork bead artist named,

Melissa Mesara.

P.S. Don't forget to let me know how to get in touch with you, if your email address isn't attached to your name via your comment!

third time's a charm

A taste of goodies I sent to my bead soup partner...

faceted ruby quartz and druzy crystal quartz hearts.

This is my third time to participate in Lori Anderson's  

Bead Soup Blog Party.

 I was fortunate to be paired with a fellow Texan

and gifted lampwork glass bead artist,

Lyn Foley.

I received her lovely package that was filled to the max with a mix of goodies.

 Freshwater pearls and more....

 Antique beads from India.

And, of course, 
some of Lyn's gorgeous ruffled glass beads.

Super light and airy.

My mind is buzzing.

What I sent to Lyn, begins with the picture you saw at the opening of this post.

A group of faceted ruby quartz beads...in graduating size.

A couple of druzy hearts.

And...

a vintage faceted glass necklace AND large vintage rhinestone brooch.

All tucked inside this antique love bird pewter box.

Do you think I had Valentine's Day in mind?

Yep, I did.

I almost chuckled when I read Lyn's post about what I sent her here.

Can't wait to see what she designs. 

Can't wait to see what I design.

Stay tuned.  Big reveal date is March 3rd.

xoxo

it's all in the ingredients

" Drops of Confetti"

This is my second Bead Soup Blog Party to be a part of, 
started by the very talented jewelry designer, Lori Anderson.
If you go here, you'll get the whole scoop on just how the party works.

Once again I had the privilege of being paired with a great swap partner, 

Kerry Bogert, an artist/author, who designs the most beautiful glass beads.

For the second time this year, 
I found myself pushing past the type of beads/gemstones 
I normally love to use.
I am the one who adores vintage jewelry ....rhinestones, pearls, brass.  

Miriam Haskell, Wiess and Eisenberg. 

Using vintage earrings, brooches, necklaces and bracelets is where I "spend my time".  
It is a happy place for me.  It is where I find myself....working and reworking time worn pieces from the past that lie dormant, 
until I bring them back to life into jewelry that can be worn and enjoyed once more today.

I (most often) begin my jewelry with the focal.  This is the heart of the piece.  
The place where its life begins.

  The colors, and ultimately the style, is born from the gemstones, 

beads or components I then choose to add. 
This time was no different.

The glass headpins Kerry designed, and sent for my soup shared here, had the most luscious drops of color....almost confetti-like....light and dark topaz, deep translucent turquoise, sades of brown, and an icy baby blue.  They were perfect!

The focal was most unique, and one that called out to be "held".  
I began by cold join attaching a vintage style piece of brass filigree from Brass Bouquet, to a piece of red brass I had etched over a year ago.  
It is here the focal came to rest.

I used a narrow piece of etched brass to design the bail, attaching it with a Fleur de Lie studded ornament, purchased from Thomas Mann also much over a year ago.

 The next decision involved the chain.  I chose one that 
had traveled all the way back with me from California earlier in the year. 

 Nancy, at Gilding the Lily, parted with just a small stash of her most precious brass chain at the trunk show she had while I was there teaching in May.  

This particular hammered piece of chain was not very long, but simply stunning.  

I want more.

The next step was the most fun, as I began placing Kerry's beautiful glass headpins, 

along with faceted Czech fire polished glass beads, next to the chain.

I love how they compliment each. 

Next, I added some of my favorite Brass Bouquet components.  

(I have many you know).

Tiny brass puffy heart charms, itty bitty fleur and antique connectors, tiny daisy bead caps and my oxidized crystals rondells.  

I added a splash of vintage by attaching teardrop rhinestone dangles, which by the way, are becoming extremely hard to find.

The most challenging part of my soup came when adding the clasp.

Kerry sent a most unusual, yet fun clasp.  One that compliments the focal, and is held together by tiny, yet very strong, magnets.  I "pulled" the opposite ends together by adding some of the faceted Czech glass beads next to the clasp, 

which at the same time extended the length of the hammered brass chain.  

(Nancy let go of only a very small piece of her precious chain).

 I added a touch of recycled sari silk to soften the focal up just a bit.

Then, at the last moment decided if I wanted to really dress up and go "out on the town", 

I would add the vintage rhinestone necklace you now see lying just inside the necklace.  

It has a total of nine stunning rhinestone dangles, 
which match the ones I used in the necklace.

Perfect.

Just in case you want to see the list of blog soup participants,

(there are 362 this round)

go here to see the list and each of their blog links.

Hop around!  It IS a party!

Leave a comment or two or three....it will make someone's day =)