And finally... the soup is done...

Bead soup... easily one of the most awesome things I have ever participated in.  I have had SO much fun meeting all these wonderful people, especially my partner Elisabeth Auld of Busy Beads for Busy Gals... such an amazing woman.  The soup she sent me was... challenging.  Which is exactly what I hoped for!  It is in a color palette and a style that is new for me and was SO exciting!  I tend towards very muted colors, lots of blues... and she sent me vibrant oranges and coppers and white and... oh such wonderful things :)  The focal she sent me was my greatest challenge, I think.  Because I have never used anything so large, but it is such an exquisite piece, it was so much fun!  I pondered it for two days... and then got to work.  I knew exactly what I wanted... I'm very into using asymmetry in my necklaces these days and decided to continue with that.  The focal is so large and so gorgeous I didn't want to overwhelm it, but I did want to be creative... so I used the gorgeous leather cord (something else new for me!) and a couple of the beads... and then used the gorgeous clasp Elisabeth made for me to balance it out on the other side.  I really, really love it.  I think it is beautiful and am so proud of going so far out of my comfort zone :)

I hope you guys like it!

And Elisabeth was so generous.... and my soup so fabulous... that I managed to finish a bracelet and earrings too.  Again... challenges for me!  LOL  I loved it!  I wanted to see what else I could do that was different and new for me!  So I set up to use one of the large stones as a focal on a bracelet... and it gave me all sorts of trouble.. because I wanted to do it with three strands of beads... and, well, it still doesn't satisfy me, but... it has potential I think.  I made my own clasp for it, but I'm thinking I might end up switching it later if I can find one that would be better.  I re-did it twice already... ;)  but it still looks pretty cool as is.

And then... I decided that the gorgeous lampwork beads she sent me needed to be earrings!  Now... with my minimalist tendencies I longed do keep them really simple... even just wrap them and hang them from wires... but!  Be proud!  I forced myself to be adventurous and make something bold :)  I think they turned out rather well!
Please excuse the photograph... had an off day lol

I rather like them, I think :)  I had SO much fun doing this!  It was such a challenge for me!  Such a stretch in such a great new way!  Now I'm eager to use these colors again!  I will definitely be playing with the oranges and coppers more now!  Thank you, thank you, Elisabeth!  You are the best partner a gal could wish for!
And here is the link for Elisabeth's blog:
http://beadsforbusygals.blogspot.com/
and her shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadsforbusygals
and her FB:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beads-for-Busy-Gals/104432549617439

and.... for the rest of the hop list!  Please, please check them out!  This is an enormous hop, yes, but just imagine the cool things you'll see if you keep going!  The amazing ladies you'll meet!  Here's the link to the Mistress of the Bead Soup herself, Lori Anderson!

THE LIST:
http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/

362 Amazing blogs!  Please check them out!!

These are the partner pairs.

The Hostess, Lori Anderson and her partner, Manuela Wutschke

1. Aimee Wheaton and Barbara York

2. Alice Craddick and Sandra Richardson

3. Alison Sachs and Amy Severino

4. Allison Scott and Cynthia Abner

5. Amanda Cargill Austin and Charlene Sevier

6. Amanda Davie and Patsy Evins

7. Amber Dawn and Kim Ballor

8. Ambra Gostoli and Christine Hansen

9. Amy Freeland and Christine Altmiller

10. Ana Krepel-Novak and Eleanor Snare

11. Andrea Morici and Hope Smitherman

12. Andrea Trank and Jayne Capps

13. Andrea Turini and Charlene Jacka

14. Angela May and Emanda Johnson

15. Anitra Gordy and Elizabeth Owens Dwy

16. Ann Rishell and Debbie Price

17. Ann Sherwood and Lynne Bowland

18. Anna Lear and Barbe Saint John

19. Anna Sabina­­­­ and Erin Siegel

19. Nan Emmett and Erin Siegel

20. Astrid Boyce and Birgitta Lejonklou

21. B.R. Kuhlman and Deanna Chase

22. Barbara Bechtel and Bryna Lumb

23. Barbara Blaszczyk and DaviniaDesign

24. Barbara Judy and Holly Westfall

25. Barbara Lewis and Cathie Carroll

26. Barrie Edwards and Lyn Foley

27. Becky Fairclough and Jana Tarhala

28. Bella Borgouise and Gillian Lehman

29. Beth and Evie McCord and Erin Prais-Hintz

30. Beth Bricker and Heather Pyle

31. Beth Emery and Cassie Donlen

32. Bobbie Rafferty and Cindy Cima Edwards

33. Candice McGinnis and Sally Anderson

34. Carol Bradley and Cece Cormier

 35.  Cathy Khoury and Molly Alexander

 36. Carol Tannahill and Hilary Frye

37. Carrie Tahquechi and Cris Peacock

38. Cat Pruitt and Cindy Gimbrone

39. Charlene Gary and Doris Stumpf

40. Charlotte Pevny and Kate Gardenghi

41. Cherrie Fick and Cathie Carroll

41. Claire Maunsell and Cherrie Fick

42. Cheryl Roe and Jenny Vidberg

43. Chris White and Norma Turvey

44. Christa Murphy and Kathy Alderfer

45. Christie Murrow and Dana James

46. Christina Miles and Collette Collins

47. Christine Brandel and Elizabeth Woodford

48. Christine Damm and Cynthia Deis

49. Christine Hendrickson and Debbie Goering

50. Christine Stonefield and Dee Wingrove-Smith

51. Cilla Watkins and Johanna Rhodes

52. Cindy Wimmer and Riki Schumacher

53. CJ Baushka and Cory Celaya

54. Courtney Breul and Joanna Matuszczyk

55. Cristi Clothier and Kathleen Robinson Young

56. Cryss Thain and Serena Trent

57. Cynthia Tucker and Kitty Durmaj

58. Dana Johnson Jones and Eva Sherman

59. Davinia Algeri and Janet McDonald

60. Deci Worland and Lara Lutrick

61. Diana Ptaszynski and Kristy Abner

62. Diane Cook and Kerry Bogert

63. Diane Hawkey and Jen Judd Velasquez

64. Dorcas Midkiff and Jill Harris

65. Doris Radlicki and Heather Goldsmith

66. Dot Lewallen and Gaea Cannaday

67. Elisabeth Auld and Jennifer Justman

68. Erin Fickert-Rowland and Geanina Grigore

69. Erin Grant and Julie Jones

70. Eszter Czibulyas and Helena Fritz

71. Fiona Christie and Michelle Heim

72. Gail Zwang and Genea Crivello-Knable

73. Geneva Collins and Jana Haag

74. Gretchen Nation and Heidi Post

75. Heather DeSimone and Karin Slaton

76. Heather Marley and Terry Carter

77. Ingrid McCue and Jennifer Pride

78. Jackie Ryan and Nicole Keller

79. Janna Harttgen and Joanne Tinley

80. Jean Yates and Lori Anderson

81. Jelveh Jaferian and Jenny Davies-Reazor

82. Jenni Connolly and Jennifer Heynen

83. Jennifer Cameron and Kristi Bowman

84. Jennifer Geldard and Lisa Liddy

85. Jennifer VanBenschoten and Kim Hora

86. Jess Italia Lincoln and Lori Greenberg

87. Jill MacKay and Lori Bergmann

88. JJ Jacobs and Karen Tremblay

89. Joyce Becker and Kathy Welsh

90. Judy Glende and Karen Sinkowski

91. Judy Riley and Kelly Morgan

92. JuLee Wolfe and Julie Bean

93. Julianna Cannon and Julianna Kis

94. Julie Nordine and Lesley Watt

95. K. Hutchinson and Shea Zukowski

96. Karen Firnberg and Karyn Bonfiglio

97. Karen Williams and Kimberly Roberts

98. Karen Zanco and Polly Barker

99. Kari Carrigan and Laura Twiford

100. Karin von Hoeren and Laura Blanck

101. Kate Richbourg and Lorelei Eurto

102. Kathleen Lange Klik and Maria Clark

103. Kathy Engstrom and Keri Lee Sereika

104. Kay Thomerson and Loretta Carstensen

105. Kelley Fogle and Laurel Bielec

106. Kelly Ramstack and Sally Anderson

107. Kim Stevens and Tiffany Long

108. Kristi Harrison and Mandy Williamson

109. Kristi Kyle and Lana Kinney

110. Kristina Johansson and Sue Hodgkinson

111. Kym Hunter and Laura Sanger

112. Laura Zeiner and Susan Kennedy

113. Laurel Steven and Mary McGraw

114. Laurie Hanna and Lisa Boucher

115. Lesley Weir and Liz DeLuca

116. Linda Djokic and Tracey Weiser

117. Linda Inhelder and Pam Brisse

118. Linda Landig and Lori Dorrington

119. Linda Murphy and Lisa Hamilton

119.  Line Labrecque and Marianne Baxter

120. Lisa Lodge and Monica Johnson

121. Lois Moon and Melissa Muir

122. Lola Surwillo and Therese Frank

123. Lori Bowring Michaud and Marci Brooks

124. Lupe Meter and Norma Agron

125. Maggie Towne and Marge Beebe

126. Malin de Koning and Susie Hibdon

127. Mallory Hoffman and Shirley Moore

128. Marcie Abney and Patty Miller

129. Marcy Lamberson and Melissa Clarke

130. Margot Potter and Suzann Sladcik Wilson

131. Maria Grimes and Wendy Blum

132. Maria Horvath and Melinda Orr

133. Maria Rosa Sharrow and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp

134. Marian Hertzog and Melissa Mesara

135. Marianna Boylan and Sandi Lee James

136. Marina Dobrynina and Michaela Pabeschitz

137. Marsha Neal and Miri Agassi

138. Mary Ellen Parker and Melissa Meman

139. Mary Elliott and Tamara Soper

140. Mary McGraw and Laurel Steven

141. Melissa Pynn and Michelle Buettner

142. Michelle Hardy and Niki Meiners

143. Michelle Mach and Moira McEvoy

144. Missy Rappaport and Mags Sarri

145. Molly Alexander and Poranna

146. Mylene Hillam and Nicole Rennell

147. Nadezhda Parfyonova and Stacey Curry

148. Nan Emmett and Nancy Peterson

149. Nancy Boylan and Natalie McKenna

150. Natalie Monkivitch and Niky Sayers

151. Natasha Lutes and Pam Ferrari

152. Noemi Baena and Penny Ilagan

153. Pamela Petry and Rebecca Sirevaag

154. Pat Haight and Mary Shannon Hicks

155. Patty Gasparino and Vonna Maslanka

156. Penny Neville and Sandi Volpe

157. Pepita Bos and Wendy Chamberlain

158. Raida Disbrow and Rebecca Watkins

159. Rebecca Anderson and Sabrina Staub

160. Regina Santerre and Rose Binoya

161. Rhea Freitag and Tari Kahrs

162. Rochelle Brisson and Teri Baskett

163. Sally Russick and Tracy Bell

164. Sandra McGriff and Shay Williams

165. Sandra Wolberg and Sara Hardin

166. Sarah Elder and Salla Small

167. Saskia Kaffenberger and Sharon Gardner

168. Sharon Palac and Shannon Chomanczuk

169. Shay Stone and Suzette Bentley

170. Shiraz Biggie and Tammy Powley

171. Staci Smith and Tracy Stillman

172. Stacie Stamper and Tracy Martin

173. Stefanie Teufel and Vicky Taylor

174. Stephanie Dixon and Stephanie LaRosa

175. Stephanie Haussler and Valerie Norton

176. Suzanne Tate and Terri Wlaschin

177. Sweet Freedom Designs and Tammy Jones

178. Tania Spivey and Tari Sasser

179. Tara Plote and Terry Matuszyk

180. Terri Gauthier and Deana Hager

181. Theresa Fosdick and Tracey Nanstad

Thank you, thank you Lori!  For doing this!  You are amazing!!

It's coming....

http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/

Eek!  Almost here!  Only two more days until the party begins!  :)  I'm so excited!  Can you tell?  Note all the exclamation points...  I am feeling a very big girl because I wrote my blog post last night :)  Set it up so it should publish at 11:59 tomorrow night, thank you, Lori for telling us how lol.  Not that I won't be up at midnight tomorrow night, because honestly these days I rarely make it to bed before that.

I got behind on new things for the shop this week because I actually had some special orders!  I did five sweet bracelets for a lady who is getting married in November :)  She wanted matching bracelets for her mother, future mother-in-law, and grandmothers.  I think they turned out really lovely.

I also had a request to alter one of the wrap bracelets I had up in the shop.  She really loved hummingbirds and wanted to swap the dragonfly out for one.  I think it turned out really sweet :)

And lastly... I am getting ready to create some new goodies for the shop and thought I'd give you a sneak peek...

Let your imagination run wild... and we'll see what comes from my fingers.  Hopefully I'll have them for next week!  And actually the middle charm is for my next blog hop, the sari silk blog hop next month... which I'm excited about.  But the other two are for the shop :D  Ok, enough talking!  Bead Soup Blog Party!  Two days!!  Make sure you come back and see!  :)

~Jennifer

I'm late, I'm late... to blog.

I've been meaning to write, I swear it.  But life has been dragging me down a bit, I've been fighting with this crazy rash and it has just... well, made life miserable.  I have been trying to get into a doctor for over two weeks, but the office my new insurance assigned me to really didn't want to see me apparently.  They wouldn't call me back when they said they would and when I called they would put me on hold and it hung up... then I FINALLY got an appointment with them last Tuesday for last Thursday?  But they insisted I had to have all of my past records to them before the appointment.  I spent all day Wednesday on the phone attempting to get my records to them, calling records departments, leaving messages, dealing with endless waits... in the end?  Couldn't get the records.  But I thought, surely my rash speaks for itself, surely they will see me?  Help me?  At least tell me something?  No.  I went into the appointment on Thursday and the woman said flatly, "No records, no appointment, you were told.  It was your responsibility." I tried to explain, told her about spending all day on the phone, and I had even tried to call her several times to tell them I was having trouble and ask advice.  But their phone system repeatedly hung up on me when they put me on hold.... repeatedly.  I was polite and honestly? Almost begged.  But she said in the same flat voice no.  And was looking at me as if I were a bug she would like to squish.  My children were with me.  My husband was with me. I am ashamed to say I burst into tears right in front of her because I have been in so much pain for so long, scratching myself bloody at night in my sleep.  In a benadryl haze trying to control the itching during the day... watching this rash spread for what feels like forever.  And my daughters both asked me why the doctor wouldn't help me in front of the entire office staff... and I just shook my head and we left.

My husband called our insurance as soon as we got home.  They encouraged me to make a formal complaint against the office, because apparently I am not the only patient they have treated like that.  So I did.  Usually I just... let things go if they pertain to me.  I will fight like a tiger for my kids, but when it comes to me... not so much.  But the gentleman on the phone said it needed to be done.  They switched me to a new office in town, unfortunately they have no appointments for another three weeks... so Friday I gave in and went into the Urgent Care to beg for help.   The doctor looked at my arms for a very long time, he pulled out a magnifying glass and studied the sores/spots/rash on my arms, on my legs... ruled out all the things it could be but told me that "this was new".  Not particularly reassuring when my hands are getting stiff with the rash and the itch is worse daily.  But he said it looks like an allergic reaction of some kind... sort of.  And some of it looks like eczema... so he rx'd prednisone, told me to take claritin in the mornings an benadryl at night, to continue using eucerin... and to get an appointment with a regular doctor in hopes of a referral to a dermatologist.

Here's what the rash looked like as of yesterday morning on my arms:

So this is why I've been slow getting a new post up... new listings... just been a very slow week for me.  I did however manage to take my daughter to her first part of kindergarten orientation and she is so very excited!  She got to try a school bus even though she won't be riding one on a daily basis lol.  She thought it was the coolest experience ever.  :)  I have been working some and will have new listings up probably tomorrow morning :) And I have started a piece with my Bead Soup!  It is... going to be something!  LOL  It is pushing me to try new things and I am really excited.  I think it will be wonderful and am finding it so much fun!  I am so grateful to Lori Anderson for hosting it!  Bead Soup Blog Party

Alright, off to get back to chores and such.  If I'm feeling ambitious I might try to take some teaser pics for you guys of what I've been working on :)  Have a great holiday weekend!

~Jennifer

Bead Soup!

Ohhhh, I am so excited!  My amazing partner Elisabeth (Beads for Busy Gals) sent me the most incredible collection of goodies for my bead soup!  It is absolutely gorgeous!  Ready?

Isn't the tin so pretty? *happy sigh* I do so love pretty packaging!

And then I opened it...

The focal Elisabeth sent is from the Queen Bee Mine in Arizona!  She sent me this picture from her trip there! Isn't that so amazing?  And then....

This is the amazingly beautiful clasp she made for me!  Isn't she so talented?

And then... it kept getting better and better!

Isn't the copper focal just divine?  I cannot wait to get started!  I literally squealed like a little girl when I opened this box of beautiful things!  Elisabeth is just so wonderful!  I am so very fortunate in my fabulous partner, am I not?  *happy dance*  I hope she likes what I sent her half as much as I like what she sent me!!

~Jennifer

Blah Days

Do you ever have those days?  Blah days?  Days where you just would rather stay in bed?  I do.  I've had several of those lately... and it was starting to affect my work.  So I took a couple of days off and then was able to get back to work :)  I managed to do a pair of earrings for Heather's Dragonfly challenge last week that I really love.  I didn't win, but hey, it was fun to try!

I love the way they turned out :) And if you love them too they are for sale in my shop now.  I'm now pulling out those autumn colors and have started designing a bracelet which should be done today I think! Yay!

And last but not least... I got my Bead Soup buddy!  Elisabeth Auld of Beads for Busy Gals!  She is such a cool lady!  I am sooooo excited!  I finished my soup for her now I just need to get it mailed off!  We've started chatting and I have visited her really cool Etsy shop, make sure you check out her blog and her Etsy!  She's amazing!

~Jennifer

Carnivals Lead to Autumn

It's odd, but even though carnivals and fairs are truly the children of summer they remind me that autumn is coming.  Perhaps it is because growing up our fair was always so deep into August that school was just around the corner.  So today begins the voting on the Carnival Ferris Wheel Challenge at the Vintaj blog, which I have an entry in... *wink* number two if anyone is interested.  And it made me realize that my favorite season is whispering sweet somethings on the edges of the summer breeze.  So... I have a few links for you and my first autumn inspired piece :)

First, the Vintaj Carnival Ferris Wheel Challenge link:

http://vintaj.com/wpblog/?p=12876

Next... I made an autumn inspired treasury on Etsy this morning, featuring many of my favorite Etsians:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTQ1NTI2OTl8NTQ5NzgxMDcz/falling-into-autumn

And lastly, though I adore the warm fall colors, I was inspired by the cool autumn breezes to create this bracelet:

I've been feeling a little blue... so maybe that's why the cool breeze struck me more than the changing leaves... but I know that the gorgeous autumn golds, browns, oranges, and reds will be inspiring me soon.  Happy Monday, everyone!

~Jennifer

Vintaj...

I love Vintaj... and I mean LOVE.  I might be becoming slightly obsessed.  I love their brass, it's just so beautiful!  And all of the ladies who work there are just so cool, so inspiring, so fun!  I love to read their blogs, to see their creations... and, of course, to enter their contests and giveaways :).  I just finished a piece for their carnival ferris wheel challenge and need to photograph and send in my submission... In the meantime, they are having a giveaway!  A gorgeous selection of Vintaj AND gorgeous beads from Creative Impressions in Clay!  How exciting is that?  Check it out on their blog: http://vintaj.com/wpblog/
If I win... I solemnly swear to create beautiful jewelry with all of the goodies ;)  If you win, I swear I will cheer!  :)

Regardless, I still love Vintaj and am looking forward to submitting my piece for their latest challenge!  I'll post a pic after they have finished accepting submissions on Friday.  For now, here is my piece from their Caribbean Sunset Design Challenge (which I didn't win, but was fun!!!)

Happy Monday, everyone! :)