February 10, 2010

We got our party on!

Lori had a wonderful idea that culminated in oodles of beaders coming together to have some fun.  I know I did!

Remember that Erin girl over at Every Heart Crafts that I mentioned? The one who makes ceramic beads and focals that are absolutely to die for?  She was my swap partner, and I am calling DIBS on getting her next time, too.  I'm serious internets.

Did I mention that I adore the cabochon focal she sent?  Everything was so right up my alley it's like she was peeking in my windows.  I live on a small lake.  For most of the year my yard is inundated with dragonflies.  I love them.  I also love Erin's assymetrical take on this one:


I know, right?  Love the texture, love the placement of the dragonfly, love love love it.  I knew almost immediately what I wanted to do:


There is a 3" dangle that can be worn either in front or back.  I like it in front~ It hugs the focal and lends the notion of the dragonfly in flight.



A huge thanks to Erin for sharing such an awesome gift. 

Rest assured you will be seeing more of her ceramics in my work.  She has a keen eye for detail on what I consider the important stuff~ the consistent thickness and organic textures of her work are exemplary.    You should go pick yourself up an Erin bead or 10.  And you'd better do it quick because I'm headed that way too, and I want one of everything.   SHOP

Now it's confession time.  Erin also sent me a beautiful copper toggle clasp which I failed to use.  It was perfect for the organic theme of the bead soup, but it didn't work with my vision for the necklace.  Sorry about that.   I'll go stand in the corner for a few minutes.


Also?  You should go check out the necklace Erin made with my lampwork.  Is it so wrong that I want it? BECAUSE IT IS AWESOME.
~~

And here is where it all started!



Thanks again to Lori for bringing this together.  You rock, lady!
Here is a list of all the participants.  As soon as I hit publish on this post I will be brewing some Vanilla Chai Tea and surfing these pages.  You should join me!

1. Lori, Pretty Things
2. Mallory, For the Love of Beads
3. Terri, Blooming Ideas
4. Cindy, Sweet Bead Studio
5. Lorelei, Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
6. Kerry, Kabs Creative Concepts
7. Erin, Treasures Found
8. Jeannette, Jeannette Blix Wire and Metal Jewelry
9. Adrienne, Adrienne Designs
10. Nan, Spirit Rattles
11. Laurel, Rue's Daftique
12. Nancy, Beading From the Heart
13. Mary, MK's Creative Musings
14. Cassie, The Glass Beadle
15. Dot, Winchell Clayworks
16. Sharon, Sharon's Jewelry Garden
17. Lisa, Lo and Behold
18. Norma, Bead Dreams and Moonlit Fantaseas
19. Judith, Judith B.
20. Debbie, Prairie Emporium
21. Maria, Garden Path Beads
22. Susan, Kaplan Creations Jewelry and Glass Design
23. Melissa, Melissa Meman: Art, Love, Life
24. Marianna, Pretty Shiny Things
25. Lisa, Joolz by Lisa
26. Cristi, 2 If By Sea
27. Sandra, Marbella Jewelry Design
28. Maria, Greene Earth Originals
29. Barbara, Jewelry of Distinction
30. Leslie, Bei Mondi
31. Loretta, Designs by Loretta
32. Linda, Bella Bead Jewelry
33. Kathie, The Bead Cult
34. Patty, Plays With Fire
35. Nicki, Nicki's Reef
36. Anne Marie, Heart's Desire
37. Mary, Mary Harding Jewelry
38. Jayne, Mama's Got to Doodle
39. Emanda, Artemesia's Studio
40. Whitney, Whitney Lassini
41. Marcie, La Bella Joya
42. Suzann, Beadphoria
43. Jen, Jen Judd Rocks
44. Julie, Credit River Art Glass
45. Janiece, J Birds Garden
46. Kate, Organic Odysseys
47. Laurie, The Mermaid Tale
48. Michelle, My Crazy Crafty Adventure
49. Sue, Sue Beads
50. Janeen, Janeen 365
51. Nancy, The Rabbit Muse
52. Kristie, Artisan Clay
53. Regina, Regina's Writings
54. Tari, Pearl and Pebble
55. Lyn, Lyn Foley
56. Beth, Sunshine Daydreamz
57. Cathryn, Chile Cats
58. Emma, Fred Bean's Nook
59. Connie, Cetta Cheese Chatter
60. Julianna ~ YOU ARE HERE!
61. Julie, RockerJewlz
62. Libby, LibbyLeu and Glass Too
63. Melanie, Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
64. Katie, My Life and My Beads
65. Zuleykha, Zuleykha's Polymer Clay
66. Rekella, Me But a Little More in Depth
67. Ricki, What's New at Ricki Voges Design
68. Lisa, Lucid Moon Studio
69. Jo, Daisychain Jewellery
70. Lynette, Rock Hill Designs
71. Lynne, Island Girl's Insights
72. Chas, One Woman's Haven
73. Ruthie, Rose Works Jewelry
74. Elizabeth, Turquoise Sky
75. Maire, Maire Dodd
76. Janet, Singing Woods
77. Eileen, Dorset Hill Beads
78. Julie, Miss Kitten's Jewels
79. Joann, Jo's Jewels
80. Patti, PJ Clark Designs
81. Mel, Kookie Designs
82. Erin, Every Heart Crafts
83. Dale, Flights of Fancy
84. Dee, Runako Designs



~~

47 comments:

  1. Spectacular beadwork! I suppose we'll have to let that override the clasp situation....how was your time in the corner?

    You DID stand in the corner....right???

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  2. This piece is stunning!!
    Jeanette Blix

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  3. Oh my goodness this piece is amazing.
    So much work and such a beautiful combination of colors. Your work is stunning.

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  4. The beadwork is stellar! Really beautiful!

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  5. Fabulous, this is truly beautiful xxx

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  6. LOVE it! And your beads are wonderful too, Erin's necklace was amazing. You two made a great team.

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  7. Well I hope you are out of the corner now as youw piece is exemplary. You both did stunning art work with your swaps, makes me not worthy. :)

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  8. That is amazing! Seed beading totally eludes me, and I am in awe of anyone that can do it. Wonderful, wonderful work!

    (And you can come out of your corner now!)


    Thanks for being a part of the party -- we'll do it again soon!

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  9. beautiful! the seed beading is perfect & I really like the small dangles over the larger focal. is clasp lust a bad thing? the copper piece is really gorgeous

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  10. Don't think you should have to stand in the corner for very long... It looks wonderful... haven't tried that style of seed bead work yet!

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  11. Totally beautiful design! I love the dangles it gives it such an organic, glowing feel, very natural looking, I can see why you're in love! :)

    Enjoy the Party!
    Kate Organic Odysseys #46

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  12. Be still my heart! This is fabulous and earthy! It's an amazing, stunning piece that every woman will want!

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  13. You are forgiven for not using the clasp....Such a stunning necklace. I am in awe of your skills!

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  14. That is just one loverly delightful design--great job!

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  15. This is gorgeous. You did a great job with some beautiful beads.

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  16. Just beautiful! Love dragonflies, and am a big fan of seed bead work (although I'm often too impatient for it).

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  17. I am alway so amazed by the bead weavers! This is absolutely stunning!!! It's gorgeous and I love the way you composed the pendant in a sort of free-form manner. The colors are just beautiful! Enjoy wearing this!!!!

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  18. Your piece is FANTASTIC! I'm so jealous of how you can turn a cabochon into something so cool!! I'm in Alabama, too...down in Montgomery, at least until the summer. Maybe we could meet up for some crafting (or just crafty shopping! haaaaaaaaa) Take care!! Jen

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  19. I am in LOVE with your piece! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!


    You are welcome to stop by for a cup of “Spring” soup on my blog.
    http://www.mariagrimes.blogspot.com

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  20. Stunning..you do amazing work..it's a wowza piece!

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  21. Love the beadwork! I don't think you need to stand in the corner. I'm sure you'll come up with another creative design that uses the clasp!

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  22. ...Just a sec...Ok, I needed a minute to pick my jaw up from the desk! This is even more amazing than I had imagined! It's just STUNNING, Juls! I love it so much! I love everything about it. Love the intricate beading and the stones and the organic shapes and the dangles. It's so magical, I feel like I'm sitting in your yard watching the dragonflies! You are a master! I'm honored to have one of my pieces apart of your work.

    I've gotten so many comments on your gorgeous lampwork today! Your beads really made the piece all by themselves!

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  23. Love the design! So well put together and the symmetry is spot on!!

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  24. Fabulous work, gorgeous piece -- with matching earrings!

    Hasn't this been fun?!?

    Emanda
    www.ArtemisiaStudio.blogspot.com

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  25. Seriously? You are a MAJOR talent young miss! I love everything you did and I am not bothered one bit that you didn't use that clasp. Just look what you did with that! And I love what Erin did with your beads. Divine! You are a force to be reckoned with, I can tell. (Oh. And you have a new follower in me!) Thanks for sharing this heaping serving of great soup! Be sure to stop by and taste some of mine. Enjoy the day! (the other) Erin :-)

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  26. Oh I do love this. It flows so nicely from one element to the next. Erin's attention to detail and design is fantastic so I can see why you want more. The clasp? Heck, I gotta admire a girl who breaks the rules.

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  27. Beautiful beadwork and so organic in design. Love the color and the texture.

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  28. That's amazing! It makes me want to learn beadwork, too! I just love it! Thanks for sharing!

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  29. Oh wow, Juli.... your creation is a show stopper!! I am amazed by the amount of work you put into the beaded bezels... they're absolutely stunning & a perfect complement to Erin's breathtaking focal piece. Truly beautiful.

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  30. Awesome! This has been so fun! Cheers :)

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  31. Yes this is very Spectacular beadwork! Such a vibrant pc you made!!Your pc really stands out!

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  32. Such a stunning piece. I love seed beads and the focal design worked perfectly with the leather... perfect.

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  33. Such a stunning necklace! I love the colours and the textures. I think I'm going to have to learn how to make beaded bezels.

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  34. Great work!! And I mean *work*. Fantastic design! You did an amazing job! You'll just have to post something else with the clasp.

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  35. Juls, this is magnificent - you've made an entire collection of gorgeous jewelry. Very nice work!

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  36. Oh how earthy and organic and delicious your necklace is! I am so envious of your seed beading skills, it's so yummy and intricate and bohemian! Wow.

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  37. It is breathtakingly beautiful! Something very serene about the design and colors. Love it!

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  38. This is GORGEOUS!! I peeked around and all of your work is gorgeous. What you do with already pretty stones and glass is breathtaking!! Anyone with the patience to do seed work I take my hat off to them! This piece is totally something I'd wear often...awesome job!! I think it's safe to say you can skip the corner this week :) and your blog...bookmarked!!

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  39. The piece is outstanding! You are a wonderfully talented artist.

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  40. I'm still making the Bead Soup Party rounds...and oh my. It looks like I saved the best for last! This piece is simply a work of art. I LOVE what you did with Erin's bead...that seed bead work really blows my mind. This is drop dead gorgeous!

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  41. I call "Dibs" on the gorgeous piece! It is just exquisite! BRAVO!...even if you didn't use the clasp :) You can come stand in my corner anytime!

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  42. I am not a seed beader but I love what you did with the focal, and especially this color of the seed beads you used. Very earthy. Beautiful.

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  43. Wow.

    I have loved seeing the versatility and gorgeousness of everyone's contributions to this swap, and you can bet I'll keep visiting your blogs.

    I've been meaning to thank you all for such positive and incredibly kind feedback, but because of your generous words I broke both arms patting myself on the back.

    Time to bead the casts!

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  44. You broke the rules - and you fessed up. You are a better woman that me. . .I didn't send my partner a clasp because I simply didn't have one. Clasps are not my thing. I try hard to make necklaces (and bracelets) that don't use them! Love your beadwork, as I am also a seed bead gal. Will have to look around further!

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  45. I am still getting through the Bead Soup, but it is SO much fun! Your necklace uses Erin's piece in such a creative and unique way! I am in awe of your beadwork, especially since I don't know how to do it! Great work!!

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