BSBP 8 Swap

My partner for Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party this year is the talented Miss CJ Bauschka.  I recognized CJ from past hops but she has been busy so I haven't seen her around in a while.  CJ is very sweet and I'm glad she's back!

Here are some pictures of our BSBP swap...

What CJ sent to me

CJ sent me an Antique Bronze Multi Strand Focal piece and a stamped metal charm.  The clasp is a cool swivel style also in the dark broze color which I really like.  To round it off she added some teal (my favorite color) button pearls, bronze firepolished czech beads and Golden Shadow Swarovski bicones.  The ideas are just swirling in my head!

What I sent to CJ

I was a little late in sending my soup to CJ.  I really wanted to send her some of my new polymer clay art beads but I had many trials and errors before I decided on these.  I picked a lampwork focal that Marcia Seever from ShaZazz Creations in Glass made, isn't is gorgeous?  The clasp is a copper toggle handmade by Cheryl Foiles Designs (I got one for me too!).  I added some chain and czech beads and, of course, a few Swaros for bling.  I can't wait to see what CJ makes with this soup!

The reveal date is May 3rd so stop back by to see what we make!

Summer Elements Blog Hop

This is my entry for Toltec Jewels Summer Elements Blog Hop.

My inspiration for this bracelet was water, as a water sign (Pisces) I have always loved being close to the water.  In the summer I like to go out in the boat or just relax on a float soaking up the sun.

Check out everyone else's inspiration below...

The Summer Elements Blog Hop Participants: 

Toltec Jewels (Hostess)     http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/

Marlene Cupo                   http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com/

Cheri Reed                        http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/

Ailsa Cordner                    http://www.bramalfiebeadsetc.co.uk/

Nan Smith                         http://www.wirednan.blogspot.com/

Sherri Stokey                     http://www.knotjustmacrame.com/

Christie (Charis Designs)    http://charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/

Carolyn Lawson                 http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com/

Susie Harris                        http://jewelleryjunkie.blogspot.com/

Andrea Glick-Zenith           http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

Nelly May                          http://smellynelly.blogspot.com/

Melissa Trudinger               http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/

Dini Bruinsma                     http://angazabychanges.blogspot.com/

Kathy Lindemer                 http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/

Cory Tompkins                  http://tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com/

Robin Reed                       http://willowdragon.blogspot.com/

Gina Hockett                     http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com/

Karen Martinez                 http://www.fairiesmarket.blogspot.com/

Liz                                    http://beadcontagion.blogspot.com/

Jasvanti Patel                     http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com/

Solange Collin                    http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com/

Gerda                                http://gerdascraftsblog.blogspot.com/

Karla Morgan                    http://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com/

Anindita Basu                     http://alankarshilpa.blogspot.com/

Alicia Marinache                http://www.allprettythings.ca/

Andrea Trank                    http://heavenlanecreations.com/

Dyanne Everett-Cantrell     http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com/

Mischelle Fanucchi             http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/

Tanty Sri Hartanti               http://tjewellicious.blogspot.com/

Shaiha Williams                  http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/

Mary Govaars                    http://mlhjewelrydesigns.com/

Becca Sirevaag                  http://godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com/

Lennis Carrier                    http://windbent.wordpress.com/

Regina Wood                     http://www.gina-design.blogspot.com/

Sue Kennedy                     http://suebeads.blogspot.com/

Kathleen Breeding             https://www.facebook.com/99BOBOTW

BSBP #7 Bead Exchange

 I am part of Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party again this year.  My reveal date is next week, April 6th which is coming up really fast!  Before the reveal I wanted to show you what I received from my Bead Soup partner Gloria Allen.

Let me start with the focal...

I am a bit obsessed with this bead!  This lampwork borosilicate focal bead is really thick with lots of incredible layers and the colors are just beautiful!  It was made by Two Sisters Designs and came with two smaller matching pieces.  I wish I could capture the sparkle that is wound inside of the yellow side of this bead.  I carried it around in my pocket for a few days (I couldn't help myself) and when I held it in the sun the sparkle was so cool!

Gloria sent another focal bead that she hand wrapped with wire.  She also made me some wire swirls and a clasp...

Here is a picture of everything Gloria sent, she was very generous....

Here's the soup I sent to Gloria...

funny how we sent very similar colors.

Come back next week on Friday, April 13th to see what I make with these beautiful beads.  There are so many people participating in this blog hop that Lori had to break us up into 3 groups so we didn't shut down the internet with so much activity all at once :O)

Check out the 1st reveal here...Lori Anderson's Pretty Things Blog.

The Gossiping Goddess Giveaway and Blog Hop

A while back I told you about a giveaway that Lesley Watt did on her blog The Gossiping Goddess.  I was one of the lucky winners of some adorable lampwork glass beads handmade by Kaz Baildon.

I showed a sneak peek of what I received in this post and, of course, I forgot to take pictures of the beads Lesley sent me before I started playing with them.  I  had lots of ideas for using these triangular beads but I went back to my first thought when I saw them which was earrings, they just scream earrings don't they?  

The colors of the beads are teal and baby blue, I paired this with an opaque blush pink and dark cranberry.  I think they look Christmas-ee, in a Dr. Suess kinda way...don't you?

Thanks Lesley for hosting this fun giveaway and blog hop.  I also received 4 spacer beads in the same teal color that I will be using soon! 

Maybe I will use some Christmas money and get myself one of Lesleys gorgeous textured metal clay components to go with them!

I am going to go see what everyone else made...come with me and check out these great artists!  Don't forget to leave a comment below, I love to hear from you.

Lesley Watt - http://www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.co.uk/

Cory Tompkins - http://tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/ (You are HERE)

Rebecca Anderson - http://songbeads.blogspot.co.uk/

Marie Cramp - http://skyejewels.blogspot.co.uk/

Claire Braunbarth - http://smittenbeads.blogspot.co.uk/

Heidi Post - http://expostfactojewelry.blogspot.co.uk/

Tiffany Smith - http://southerngalsdesign.blogspot.co.uk/

Sharyl Macmillan-Nelson - http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.co.uk/

Ailsa Cordner - http://www.bramalfiebeadsetc.co.uk/

Linda Landig - http://lindalandig.wordpress.com/

Caroline Dewison - http://blueberribeads.co.uk/

Renetha - http://www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.co.uk

Kari Asbury - http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.co.uk/

Niky Sayers - http://silverniknats.blogspot.com

Purple Cobwebs - http://www.purplecobwebs.blogspot.co.uk/

Cilla Watkins - http://www.tellyourgirlfriends.com/

Therese Frank - www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com

Claire Ennis - http://clairescrystalclassics.blogspot.co.uk/

Emma - http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.co.uk/

Kathy Lindemer - http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.co.uk/

Alicia - http://www.allprettythings.ca/

Sandy Huntress - http://keepsakecrafts.net/blog/

Lori Bowring Michaud - http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.co.uk/

Amy - http://copperdiem.blogspot.co.uk/

Katherine Gale - http://terrabeadworks.blogspot.co.uk/

Thanks!
Cory

Reveal Day - 2012 Challenge of Color

Here is the challenge...I was given a choice of two color palettes to work with.  Here is the one I chose. 

 I just love anything in the "berry" family. 

Add caption

I am always drawn to greens and blues in my designs.

The printed version of the USGS photo has different colors than the version on my computer screen which made it even more of a challenge!  

I started and stopped several times before I came up with these three designs. 

 What did I learn?
1.  I need more beads!
2.  Don't wait so long to get started.
3.  Erin is awesome...I already knew that!

Hope you like what I made...please share your comments with me below.  

Also, enjoy the rest of the wonderfully talented artists in this challenge...

Erin Prais-Hintz
Brandi Hussey
  Rebecca Anderson

Kris Auderer  

Chrizette Bayman

Lori Bowring Michaud  

 Courtney Breul 

Lynsey Brooks 
Stephanie Buss 

Iveth Caruso 
Shannon Chomanczuk
Lisa Cone
Cece Cormier

Lori Dorrington
Dawn Doucette
Jeannie Dukic    (life threw her a curveball, spread some sunshine to her anyway!)
Kim Dworak
Beth Emery
Janice Everett
Pam Farren
Donetta Farrington
Gloria Ferrer

Cherrie Fick
Therese Frank 
Patty Gasparino
Tanya Goodwin
Ambra Gostoli
Jess Green
Denielle Hagerman
Mary Harding
Karla Hartzog 
Kim Hora
Emanda Johnson
Jennifer Justman
Sue Kennedy

Ema Kilroy
Lee Koopman
Linda Landig
Kirsi Luostarinen
Cynthia Machata
Alicia Marinache
Beth McCord
Mary K McGraw
Karen Mitchell
Cheri Mitchell-Reed
Aimee Moisa
Karla Morgan
Penny Neville
Becky Pancake
Kashmira Patel
Alice Peterson
Kayla Potega 
Debbie Price
Bobbie Rafferty
Caron Reid
Nicole Rennell
Cynthia Riggs
Andrea Ross
Sally Russick
Annie Scherz
Pam Sears
Renetha Stanziano
Sandra Stein
Kristen Stevens  (her Muse is on vacation - hop over and give her Muse a nudge ;-)
Tracy Stillman   (hard to bead with a wrist injury, send healing thoughts)
Sherri Stokey
Lola Survillo
Kay Thomerson
Jo Tinley
Emma Todd
Cory Tompkins (ME!!)
Pam Traub
Melissa Trudinger
Michelle Tucker
Shelley Graham Turner
Monique Urquhart
Rachel Van-Walsh  
Patti Vanderbloemen
Lesley Watt
Lynn White
Joan Williams

Challenge of Color Entry is in

I just signed up for Erin Prais Hintz 3rd Annual Color Challenge.  She is only accepting the first 80 so my fingers are crossed.  I'll let you know if I get in!!

Wish me luck!