Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Party Swap!

Gosh, this was fun!  My uber-talented partner, Cathie Carroll, sent me such nice things to work with.  I simply love "Grampa's Farm" by Jubilee and the carvings on the rings and clasp by Lois Venarchick of Wynwood Beads add so much ... they're very sweet.  According to Cathie,  "pearls, a piece of jade, chunks of chalcedony, and red glass beads that belonged to a Civil War Army Nurse" were a part of her Americana Bead Soup. I was thrilled with these things.  The colors appealed to me as did their texture. 

The focal raku pendant was perfect for a technique I used in my book on a project called "Flying Trapeze." It's a fun way to suspend a pendant.     

I put the sterling silver rectangle for the pendant trapeze through the rolling mill first to get this floral texture.  I just love that brass pattern sheet with the little flowers.  It's perfect for so many things.

I love making these bead clusters.  The project "Pink Ink" from the book shows how to make them, but it's not hard to figure out just by looking at these.

Lots of twisty wire adds a touch of opulence. 

I adore milky translucent beads!  Absolutely adore them!!!

A big hug goes out to Lori Anderson for organizing this event.  It just keeps getting better and better!  Thank you, Lori.  And, thank you Cathie for selecting such lovely items for me to work with.  I was thinking of you the whole time I worked. :-) To follow the trail of beads, please go here.

Cathie Carroll ... my Bead Soup Partner!

I wanted to tear into these gorgeous packages so bad, but I also wanted to savor their beauty and share them with you! The photos don't need much explanation because their preciousness is evident. 

I love that Cathie has joined her obvious love of fabric with her love of jewelry.  I already have ideas about how to use these gorgeous pieces.  

  

Look at this unique raku pendant!  It's a teeny, tiny red barn with teeny, tiny trees in a plowed field.  I love it! And the stones Cathie sent are some of my favorite.  I love stones that have a milky translucent quality!  I always think of calcedony as being blue, but these are some gorgeous green ones. 

Wynwoods findings were some of the first things I bought when I started making jewelry.  I just love these ... and the buffalo nickel button is also a favorite.  I think Cathie has been rooting around in my jewelry stash!  I can't wait to get started! :-) Barbara

Cathie Carroll ... my Bead Soup Pardner!

I'm so excited to participate in the Bead Soup Party Swap again.  I think one of the reasons is that it encourages me to stretch in directions I might not ordinarily go.  I think another reason is that I know what I'm going to send Cathie.  I've been working on some things in the studio in preparation for Bead Fest Philly and have come up with a great clasp ... and that's all I'll say!  I can't wait to experiment on her!  LOL

I think Cathie and I might be clones.  Her love of fabric and her expression of it's beautiful qualities appeals to me so much.  Fabric was my first love.  Here are some of Cathie's magical pieces.  I especially love her Poetry Pieces where she hides a message in the piece for you to find.  I can imagine these would be a great purchase for yourself, but imagine receiving something from a loved one with a special message!  Wouldn't that be cool!  I know it's going to be hard, but please stop drooling on your keyboard!