Button Swap Reveal!

Not long ago I signed up for Cindy Wimmer's Button Swap.  My sweet husband would like to personally thank Cindy for getting me hooked on vintage buttons, and dragging requesting his presence as  I went on my search through many antique stores looking for treasures!  I did happen upon a LARGE bag of buttons, and then as if guided by The Good Lord Himself, found a bag of antique mother of pearl buttons in his grandmother's sewing box...little sneaky compartment!!

We're off to Natural Bridge today to celebrate my birthday/Mother's Day, so I won't get a chance to hop til later this evening...

My partner is Teresa Gagne of Going to Pot! Teresa had a visit from good ol' Mr. Murphy and his laws...and received more than a headache when someone ran their car through her yard...causing ALOT of damage.  Hence, Teresa's buttons got delayed, but I received them this afternoon!!

So, unfortunately I haven't had a chance to create anything with these beauties yet!  I adore the colors though, and ideas are already coursing through my wee little brain!  There will definitely be a funky fabric cuff made with at least one of these!!

And being the scatterbrain that I am, I didn't photograph the buttons I sent Teresa...so typically me!  I made some resin buttons from antique photographs, some of the vintage mother of pearl buttons from Granny's hidden treasures, and a few buttons left over from a stash that Tari Sasser sent me during Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party! 

Please visit the participants....and I will post my reveal some time in the upcoming week!

Alice Peterson  and Kim Bender

Angie Blasingame and Billi R.S. Rothove

 Billi R.S. Rothove and Angie Blasingame

 Birgitta Lejonklou and Pam Farren

 Bonnie Coursolle and Tania Hagen

 Brenda Salzano and Hope Smitherman

 Cat Kerr and Heather Powers

 Cece Cornier and Jeannie Dukic

 Celeste Thurston and Christine Damm

 Christine Damm and Celeste Thurston

 Christine Stonefield and Dana James

 Cilla Watkins and Lori Bowring Michaud

 Cindy Wimmer and Mimi Gardner

 Cynthia Machata and Julia Johnson

 Cynthia Riggs and Lori Finney

 Dana James and Christine Stonefield

Diana Ptaszynski and Erin Prais-Hintz

 Emma Thomas and Rebecca Anderson

 Erin Prais-Hintz and Diana Ptaszynski

 Erin Siegel and Sharon Borsavage

 Heather Powers and Cat Kerr

 Holly Westfall and Sally Russick

 Hope Smitherman and Brenda Salzano

 Jayne Capps and Kim Dworak

 Jeannie Dukic and Cece Cornier

 Jenna Meyers and Kristi Harrison

 Jenna Tomalka and Karen McKillip

 Jenny Davies Reazor and Sandi Volpe

 Julia Johnson and Cynthia Machata

 Kalaya Steede and Kylie Dickman

 Karen McKillip and Jenna Tomalka

 Karen Mitchell and Renetha Stanziano

 Karla Morgen and Mary Govaars

Kay Thomerson and Shannon Chomanczuk

 Kim Ballor and Laurel Steven

 Kim Bender and Alice Peterson

 Kim Dworak and Jayne Capps

 Kim Roberts and Partner unable to participate at this time.

 Kristi Harrison and Jenna Meyers

 Kylie Dickman and Kalaya Steede

 Kym Hunter and Lynda Moseley

 Laurel Steven and Kim Ballor

 Linda Djokic and Patty Gasparino

 Line Labrecque and Teri Baskett

 Liz DeLuca and Lorelei Eurto

 Lorelei Eurto and Liz DeLuca

 Lori Anderson and Niky Sayers

 Lori Bowring Michaud and Cilla Watkins

 Lori Finney and Cynthia Riggs

 Lynda Moseley and Kym Hunter

 Marianna Boylan and Tracy Statler

 Mary Govaars and Karla Morgen

 Mary Harding and Stacie Florer 

 Maureen Baranov and Tracy Bell

 Melissa Martin and Theresa Fosdick

 Michelle Hardy and Peggy Johnson

 Mimi Gardner and Cindy Wimmer

 Nicole Valentine Rimmer and Niki Meiners

 Niki Meiners and Nicole Valentine Rimmer

 Niky Sayers and Lori Anderson

 Pam Farren and Birgitta Lejonklou

* Pam Ferarri and Stefanie Teufel (will share their reveal on a later date)

 Patty Gasparino and Linda Djokic

 Peggy Johnson and Michelle Hardy

 Rebecca Anderson and Emma Thomas

 Rebekah Payne and Sue Kennedy

 Renetha Stanziano and Karen Mitchell

 Rose Binoya and Shanti Johnson

 Sally Russick and Holly Westfall

 Sandi Volpe and Jenny Davies Reazor

 Shannon Chomanczuk and Kay Thomerson

 Shanti Johnson and Rose Binoya

 Sharon Borsavage and Erin Siegel

 Shirley Moore and Veralynne Malone

 Stacie Florer and Mary Harding

* Stefanie Teufel and Pam Ferarri (will share their reveal on a later date)

 Sue Hamel and Terry Carter

 Sue Kennedy and Rebekah Payne

 Tania Hagen and Bonnie Coursolle

 Tania Spivey and Teresa Gagne

 Teresa Gagne and Tania Spivey

 Teri Baskett and Line Labrecque

 Terry Carter and Sue Hamel

 Theresa Fosdick and Melissa Martin

 Tracy Bell and Maureen Baranov

 Tracy Statler and Marianna Boylan

 Veralynne Malone and Shirley Moore

Could This Week Get Any Longer?

Seriously...the longest week in history!!  Saturday's Bead Soup Blog Party reveal is a little more than 24 hours away...the "hurry up and wait" syndrome is hitting me hard!

What better way to pass the time than to stroll down previous Bead Soup Lane?

My partner for the September 2011 BSBP was Tari Sasser of Creative Impressions In Clay...I always get a fabulous partner!!  I mean, just take a look at the soup she sent!

And my creation.  I wear this ALOT, In fact, just last week.  I only completed one piece before reveal day, but I've since made myself a bracelet with the awesome tie dye beads from my soup...I need to get a picture posted.

And the soup I sent to Tari:

Tari worked miracles with my soup!

Now, rest up, and run back here, at midnight tomorrow (really 3/3/12) and get to blog hopping with me!

Thinking Aloud....

Just a thought...

1.  As much as I LOVE designing  & making jewelry, I'm debating on starting an Etsy shop with bead sets & components.  The Blog Hop really opened my eyes to how diverse jewelry design can be, and my partner Tari, of Clay Buttons, proved that what I thought were "dainty" beads can really be turned into anything!!  Just take a look:

Pictures of Tari Sasser's work from the Bead Soup I sent her...amazing!!

Of course I'll still be a regular at shows, and hopefully soon, I can find a reliable, affordable site host to boot!  There's so much to work out like pricing (DEFINITELY not my strong point), set sizes, did I mention pricing? :) 

Any suggestions, advice...and slaps in the face are more than welcome!!

Day 1 of Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Hop

Psssst:  If you're looking for my Bead Soup creation...it's in the previous post!

Day 1 of  Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Hop:  Wow!! I've been able to visit approximately 1/2 of the blogs today, and with each new blog, I'm nothing short of amazed at the soup mixes sent/received, the talent, the creativity and craftsmanship of my fellow hoppers.  I honestly can't begin to pick  a favorite...every single piece created has a uniqueness all it's own! 

I always try to take something away from every experience...the good ones (in this case) and also the bad (too many to count!)  and here's what I've learned so far:

1.  Having someone pick out what you will base your creation around is a completely foreign concept to almost all of us!  Whether we create our own beads & components, or prefer to purchase we're still making the choice...take personal choice away...and well, you have 362 people scratching their heads for quite some time! :)

2.  Every piece I've viewed today is completely different...further proving that each one of us is an unique individual...yet we all share a bond of beads/jewelry.  Something as simple as that brought us all together, where nothing about our differences mattered...maybe we should encourage Congress to start their own Bead Soup party?

3.  The encouraging comments, thoughts & accolades make me proud to be a part of this community.  I know all too well the feeling of not "being good enough" at times...and the  inspiring comments I read today could just be the little lift someone needed...myself included!

4.  Lampwork artisans still amaze me!!

5.  As well as the intriguing work of bead weavers!!  I have little experience with seed beads (mostly limited to picking them off of the floor, after dropping more than I've strung)...I can't imagine the hours that go in to these tiny works of art!

6.  Visiting all 362 blogs in a weekend was just a pipe dream of mine...nothing more!  I got way too side tracked reading more than just "The Soup" blogs...story of my life!  Of course having 4 kids, a silverware bending husband, and the world's most needy dog stuck inside on a rainy day wasn't much help!

7.  Lori Anderson deserves some type of medal, to be knighted or the like! :)

8.  I drank way too many cups of coffee...could be the reason why I'm still blog hopping 18 hours later...please Lord don't let the kids wake up before noon!

9.  I should of explained my work in a more detailed description...I was just too eager to start my trip around the world!  I know we were encouraged to dig deep into our own stash for complimenting accents for our pieces, but I didn't want a piece that was more me, than my partner!  I want to look at my necklace and be reminded of Tari...therefore, I left it simple.

10.  After the said 18 hours, I have deleted more of this post than I will end up posting...and I need to back away...especially when I can't even string a coherent sentence together!

Soup. Is. On!!!

Yes Ma'am....today is the day...or should I say the start of MANY days!!  I know for myself, it will take me all day weekend to visit all 362 blogs!!  The weather here will be perfect for an all weekend blog hop...rainy, dreary, and a little chilly.  That's ok...I have my own pot of soup (chicken n' dumplings) simmering, hot coffee brewing and plenty of eye candy to look forward to, with Moobie Grace herself by my side!  She loves to peruse all the beautiful creations!

I know this hop was more than an overwhelming task for Bead Soup Blog Hop Hostess Lori Anderson of Pretty Things, during less than ideal circumstances, but it's SO appreciated!!

My perfectly matched up Bead Soup partner is Tari Sasser of Creative Impressions in Clay and to recap this is the haul of ceramic goodies she sent my way...I'm a lucky girl!

Cool, funky, bright & fun...Tari sent a little box of happiness my way!

Although, completely out of my comfort zone (funny how Lori knew exactly where that was!) I was determined to create something...all for myself this time!!!  I don't think I could possibly do justice to Tari's beads & buttons...especially since I'm used to making my own components and beads...who knew working with someone else's fantastic creations could prove so difficult?  Here's what I came up with...and actually didn't reconfigure after my 874 attempt. 

Tari's bold pendant and coordinating beads on my copper hammered wire wraps and copper chain.  Finished with Tari's funky and fun toggle clasp.  I *heart* all 20+ inches of this!!!  I'm thinking chunky sweaters, boots & jeans with this pop of color this winter!!

ETA:  I'll be adding a full shot of the necklace tomorrow.  It's pouring here, and my sub par camera doesn't like the lighting in the house!!!

And the beginnings of another:

These beads are my favorite!!  An eclectic tie dyed effect that I'm still debating on how to use to their full potential.  I also want to use the cool button as the clasp...somehow.  I'll be sure to post pictures of the new piece just as soon as my creativity kicks in!  Please, take a minute to browse Tari's site:  Clay Buttons, I promise you'll find something that you just have to take home for yourself!

For those of you that missed what I sent my partner, Tari...here's a quick shot:

I can't wait to visit Tari's blog to see what she created!

Again, a HUGE thank you to Lori Anderson and all that it entails to pull off a hop of this proportion.  Now, I'm off for a hop around the world...literally...just take a look for yourself!

Just in awe!!!

HAPPY HOPPING!!!

Creative Impression In Clay - Tari Sasser: Bead Soup Partner

I wanted to finally share what my Bead Soup partner Tari Sasser of Creative Impressions in Clay sent...

Tari's Website:  Creative Impressions in Clay

Tari's Blog:  Clay Buttons

Where you can find Tari's work: http://claybuttons.com/NearYou.html

Brilliantly colored ceramic beads, toggle clasp, pendant, buttons & "supporting cast."  Eeeek!  I love them!  I tend to shy away from such vibrant and colorful creations...not because I don't love them, but because my creativity seems to hit a brick wall when it comes to designing with them!  Lori Anderson certainly knew how to make me step outside my comfort zone, that's for sure!!  

Mark your calendars....Sept 17th marks the day of the big reveal of over 300+ Bead Soup participants' creations!! 

Only In Virginia....

Last Sunday we took a few of the kids to hike to Spy Rock in Nelson county, VA.  It was quite the hike...complete with everything hurting by Monday morning!  On our way down what we thought at the time was only a thunderstorm graced us with torrential downpour!

Here's a few highlights:

Definitely worth the hike!

Breathtaking views from atop of Spy Rock.

Only a 10 year old thinks that running on top of a mountain is a great idea!

Great spot for a nap.

On the long, albeit scenic drive home, we encountered numerous detours due to downed trees.  No problem...we're flexible like that.  My heart lurched when I glanced to my right and noticed a 10 foot wide path right through the middle of a countryside church.  I didn't take any pictures, as I was always told by my mom "not to become an obnoxious tourist during someone else's misfortune."  Turns out we just missed a tornado by about 15 minutes.

Tuesday morning was like Christmas in my mailbox!  I received a few expected packages and also my Bead Soup beads from my partner Tari Sasser!!!  Woot-woot!

I quickly snapped some shots (next post...stay tuned) of the colorful ceramic creations she sent, and got to work.  I stepped out on the back deck so a few of my pieces could take a quick dip in liver of sulfur when the ground started shaking...and the dog and I were slowly getting shaken off of the deck.  Yep....what everyone has watched on t.v. for the past 2 days....earthquake in Virginia....epicenter approximately an hour from us, in Mineral, VA.  Now, a 5.9 quake is a just a Sunday picnic out west...not so much for us east coast country folk!  We've had a few aftershocks...the worst being around 1 a.m. last night...but now we've moved on to bigger things heading our way today....hurricane Irene!

My lights are flickering as I type...so I'm going to batten down the hatches for now....