Blog Hops and Holiday Swaps 2012

I am so excited about the upcoming weeks!  I have three different beady type events coming up:

#1  

I was accepted into Erin Prais-Hintz's Challenge of Color...I am beside myself with excitement about this one.  Erin is the first artist I really admired when I started this journey into jewelry.  The first blog hop I entered just happened to be her very first Challenge of Color.  At that time I had no blog...or concept of what I was doing.  Erin was such a doll, she made me feel welcome and I admired and appreciated that in so many ways.  I have learned a lot since then and I still appreciate and admire Erin...probably even more now. 

This challenge is, of course, based on color.  Erin from Tesori Trovati Jewelry and Brandi Hussey of BrandiGirlBlog got together this year and HOLY WOW, the color palette's are incredible!  You really need to click on the Challenge of Color Link above to read how it all came together.  Erin tells it so well... 

Here is a sneak preview of my color palette, isn't it just gorgeous?

Reveal day is Friday, Nov 30th

so please come back to see what I do with it.

#2

Lesley Watt, The Gossiping Goddess, and owner of THEAJewellery and THEAtoo Components has been very generous this year with a Free Beads Giveaway.  I was lucky enough to be one of the winners of her stash.  

There is a catch though...we have to actually make something with these lovely beads she shared.  How dare she ;P

Two of the beads Lesley sent me are in this picture.  Can you guess which ones?

Reveal day is Wednesday, Dec 12th.  Be sure to come back then to see what all the winners have come up with.

#3

Lori Anderson put together a fun Holiday Gift Exchange 2012 for the Bead Soup Cafe group (our BSBP Facebook Group).  I am paired with a fellow bead lover and jewelry designer, Melissa.  Lori paired those of us who signed up but she is leaving it up to us to decide on the rest like cost, dates, etc.  Once we exchange gifts I will post mine here to share with you!

I have more exciting news coming but I think this is really enough for one post so sorry but you'll have to wait.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

Lori Anderson's Giveaway

Lori Anderson is doing a 5 part giveaway from the stash she got at the Bead and Button show.  The giveaways she has put together are just delicious.

Lori Anderson's Pretty Things Giveaway

First, she has a great stash of beads and other jewelry related items from the B&B show.  The other items are a copy of Lori's Bead Soup book, her online book Blogging Inspirations, a nice large tote with the BSBP logo and a mystery soup that she is putting together herself (that's what I want to win!)

If you want a chance to win one of these great prizes better hurry, she is picking winners on Friday the 13th!  Click on Lori's name above to go to her blog for all the details.

My Bead Soup Revealed...Kinda

Here is a little teaser of the Bead Soup I sent to Jami Shipp from Celebrating Life, my BSBP Partner.  She should get it by Friday and she has sent mine too!!  I am so excited and nervous to see it and see what I can do with it.

More coming soon...

Spotlight on Bayouland Beads and a Happy Mardi Gras

It's Fat Tuesday...Happy Mardi Gras!!

In honor of this festive day I want you to meet Peggy from Bayouland Beads.  Wait till you see what she does with her Mardi Gras beads...

Fleur De Lis Mardi Gras Bead Art

  OMG aren't these fun!!!

Mardi Gras Bead Art Mask

I actually ran across these fabulous framed gems while creating a treasury of Etsy artists.  My hubby is from New Orleans and a HUGE Saints fan so this one caught my eye...

Mardi Gras Bead Art Saints

I love that Peggy uses Mardi Gras beads and upcycled frames for her artwork too.  Her beads come from the many parades she attends with friends and family.

LSU Mardi Gras Bead Art

Peggy has been making fun things with Mardi Gras beads ever since she was a child.  Luckily everyone she knows gives her all of their beads.

Mardi Gras Bead Art BayoulandBeads

She told me "Everybody loves to catch them, but no one knows what to do with them after the parade. They usually wind up at the bottom of someone's closet or getting thrown away."  What a wonderful way to recycle those beads!


Peggys recent retirement has given her much more time to enjoy her crafty side and open a shop on Etsy.  She also hopes to add more ways to use these beads to her Etsy shop soon. 

Cross by Bayouland Beads Mardi Gras Bead Art

 Want something custom made just for you or as a gift, just ask...Peggy is so friendly and I am sure she would love to work with you on a special design.

You can check out her shop BayoulandBeads or join her on facebook to learn more about this talented lady.

There are so many fun, beautiful ideas that can be made with this technique, which one is your favorite?