Bead Soup Book and New Website Sale!

I've been waiting patiently for my day ... but enjoying the posts by the other artists involved in the Bead Soup Book blog tour! 

Raise your hand if you thought Lori's first Bead Soup Party Swap with 60 participants would lead to a multi-national event and a book?  Who knew?  But anyone who knows Lori knows she's a pixie on the outside and a dynamic powerhouse on the inside! We love you, Lori!  

I think we all have our personal reasons for being involved in Lori's Bead Soup Party Swaps. For me, the Bead Soup Party Swaps got me into the studio to MAKE JEWELRY!  Imagine that! The other thing Lori's swap did was to encourage me to stretch my creative wings.  While you may be receiving some jaw-droppingly beautiful stuff from your partner, the stuff might not be what you would normally work with.  It's about staying true to your aesthetic while creating from the work of another.   

So, I was over the moon when Lori asked me to submit work for the book.  We all understood that she couldn't guarantee whose work would be accepted by Kalmbach, but I, for one, was extremely honored to be asked.  These feelings were magnified when I found out who else was involved!  

What I received from Lori was this cup of bead soup.   

The copper beads and toggle clasp were from Shannon LeVart and the rest was from Lori.  I laid out a bunch of different arrangements, but what kept calling me was an asymmetrical design with the leaf dangling to one side.  I beefed up the arrangement with some enamel and patinated pieces. The chains were patinated ... one in verdigris and the other in a dye-oxide patina in red. You'll have to look in the book for the vintage copper flower and more enameled pieces! 

"Autumn Harvest" Necklace

"Autumn Harvest" bracelet

My partner in the swap was Cindy Wimmer of Sweet Bead Studio!  Wow, Cindy hit it out of the park!  Make sure you visit her today!

My bead soup to Cindy!  

Okay, now down to the stuff you've all been waiting for.  First of all, Lori's having a drawing for this Grand Prize.  Everyone who leaves a blog post at her site or any of the other sites on the Book Tour will be entered in the drawing. Please check Lori's site for details about the drawing. 

But for my prize, you're going to have to do a little  work ... like visit my new website:  www.paintingwithfirestudio.com.  Take a look at this photo ... 

These are just a few of the Just Sayin' Pendants and Charms at the site.  The ones that are face down are meant to spark your interest in turning them over!  You can do a cyber-turnover if you visit the website, but right now you may be asking yourself, "What kind of other inspirational or perverted sayings does Barbara have on those pendants?" To find out, you'll have to go to the site, click on "Artisan Beads" under "Beads + Filigree."   

The large, slightly domed pieces are 1" in diameter and the others are 3/4".  The winner can select one pendant and two charms ... whichever you'd like.  Just make sure to leave a comment on my blog and on October 9 I'll randomly draw a winner and announce the winner here.  By leaving a comment at my blog, you'll also be entered into Lori's drawing for the Grand Prize! 

While you're at our website, please take a look around because we're celebrating the opening of the new site with a sale.  

The site has been a long time coming, but I'm pleased with the outcome. But for now, I'm off to make some more pendants.  These are going to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so please come back to the site in a few days to look around. We'll be donating a dollar from the sale of each of these new pendants to the Suncoast Chapter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  

Today, make sure you also visit Brandi Hussey of "Brandi Girl ... a Life Inspired by Color," another contributor to the Bead Soup Book and, of course, don't forget that Lori's having another giveaway today ... in addition to the main prize!