Lori Anderson ... our next stop on the tour!

Look at this darling girl ...  she's the next stop on our Virtual Book Tour ... the famous bead soup lady herself, Lori Anderson!  She's so much fun to be with ... all giggly and everything!  Just like she looks!

Lori Anderson burning the heck out of a bead! 

Lori has some surprises for you at her blog.  She has this great giveaway:  a complete kit for the Harem bracelet project.

Harem Kit, complete with everything! 

Not only that, she's got a downloadable version of the Harem project for you.

Here are versions of the Harem bracelet that were completed by students at Art and Soul/Portland.

Remember, you're at the Virtual Book Tour for this book!

So you don't miss out on any of the blog posts, here is the list of hosts for you to follow:

October 6, Mary Jane Dodd, www.mairedodd.blogspot.com

October 7, Gaea Cannaday, www.gaeabeads.blogspot.com

October 8, Linda Larsen, www.objectsandelements.typepad.com

October 10, Andrew Thornton, www.andrew-thornton.blogspot.com

October 11, Lori Plyler, www.waterstonejewelry.blogspot.com

October 12, Diane Cook, www.rosa-josies.blogspot.com

October 13, Lori Anderson, http://www.prettythingsblog.com

October 14, LeAnn Weih, www.summersstudio.blogspot.com

October 15, Jen Judd Velasquez, www.jenjuddrocks.blogspot.com

October 17, Melissa Meman, www.melissameman.blogspot.com

October 18, Lisa Crone, www.abeadaday.blogspot.com

October 19, Shannon LeVart, www.missficklemediacom.blogspot.com

October 20, Cindy Wimmer, www.sweetbeadstudio.com

October 21, Laura Twiford, www.souvenirsfromlife.blogspot.com

October 22, Erin Prais-Hintz, www.treasures-found.blogspot.com
October 24, Jennifer Cameron, www.glassaddictions.com

To thank you for following along, we will have a BONUS PRIZE at the end of the book tour! All of the entries will be included in the drawing for a kit containing all the elements of "Floral Cascade," one of the projects in the book. You'll receive everything you need to make the necklace, including the chain, jump rings, clasp, enamel beads, and head pins!

But that's not all! Really? Seriously? Seriously.

For a chance to win the Grand Prize - a Torch-Firing Kit (or $110 shopping experience atwww.paintingwithfireartwear.com) - please leave a review at Amazon.com by November 24. Remember, leave an honest review... the book must stand on its own.

Thanks for playing along! This is going to be a lot of fun!

P.S. Unfortunately, we have to restrict the giveaways to U.S. residents. Winners should contact me with their name and address through my author website: www.torchfiredenameljewelry.com so that you can receive your prizes!

The Bead Soup Party Jackpot!

Boy, did I hit the jackpot when I got Nancy Schindler as my partner.  I have to admit that when I received Nancy's components, as beautiful are they are, I was in a quandary ... which is one of the great benefits of Lori's party ... it forces us all to stretch.  I looked at her focal piece and thought "Should it go this way or that way? Hmmm.  I think most people would have it go this way, so I'll have it go that way."  Going "that way," encouraged a triple strand necklace, which was perfect because I remembered a great clasp I've had kicking around her for some time.

Here are the results ... a piece I call "Twilight."

The pearl strands are hand-knotted.  Labradorite makes another appearance, as does some patina work on a flower bead cap (learned from Shannon LeVart).  Love the beryl beads and rhinestones with Nancy's companion piece on the other side of the necklace as a counterpoint.

I felt incredibly "rich" wearing this the other day in the studio after I had just finished it ... with my sloppy mock turtleneck with food stains on the front.  The drape of the necklace is incredible, which I owe primarily to the hand-knotted pearls.  I am in love with this piece ... really! And, I owe it all to Nancy, for providing me with such rich "ingredients" for my Bead Soup.  It is delicious!

Please check out the other Bead Soup Partiers at Lori's Blog.