7000 Bracelets For Hope Blog Hop!

Lori Anderson, you work much too hard!

We're up for a new blog hop for a good cause with The Global Genes Project, an advocacy group who has created the "7000 Bracelets for Hope" initiative, a children's rare disease campaign.  Bracelets are made by jewelry makers all over the world and sent to families who have children afflicted with rare diseases to show them love and support.  The only condition of the bracelet is that it's main colour must be blue - their awareness ribbon is blue denim!  :)  I had signed up a little late for this blog hop, so I looked to my stash right away for some 'true blue!'

Some really excellent options, but there was one idea that kept leaping out at me.  Here it is!

If this bracelet was going to be sent to a special family, I wanted to make sure it was going to be a treasure.  These Czech glass beads glow with the most vibrant sapphire blue, they were my favourite of the bunch.  I love the brass cap detail that adds a delicacy to such a bold colour.  The headpins (a recent Etsy purchase!) were too thin for the beads to feed through and stop at the ball end, so I turned them into little 'curly cues' for an added detail.  The chain and lobster clasp both came from a thrifted necklace.

This bracelet, along with a note of encouragement, will be sent to one of seven thousand families who have children suffering from rare diseases.  This important campaign helps raise awareness for the needs of millions of these children around the world, and I am only too happy to help boost a family's spirits.  Learn more about The Global Genes Project to see how you can contribute!

Visit Lori's blog to check out the rest of the 7000 Bracelets of Hope Blog Hop! ... there's only 112 of them in this round, don't worry!  Thanks again to Lori Anderson at Pretty Things for organizing this Blog Hop!

Bead Soup Blog Party: THE BIG REVEAL SEQUEL!

Hello!  I'm so glad you could make it back!

Well, the laptop's still an expensive paperweight, so here I am on hubby's computer once more.  I took advantage of the beautiful sunny weather we had yesterday and put together a new photo shoot of my Bead Soup pieces, made with the beads lovingly chosen by Sue at Hello Gorgeous Design, my Bead Soup Partner for this round.  Y'know, I really like how these photos turned out - so much, that I had already replaced the photos on the 'prequel' post.  Check out this post to see what Sue had sent me and previously revealed pieces, and let's get to these beauties!

Desert Heart necklace.  This one was just waiting to happen, because I had this gold heart pendant for so long, waiting for the right inspiration.  I had purchased it as a necklace in a department clearance section a few months ago, and there was something about the odd symmetry of the heart shape itself.  The pendant was strung through a simple gold rope chain without any other embellishments; I would imagine it being worn in a 'multistrand' look with a few other pieces.  Well, the chain's still around here somewhere, and I'm sure I'll use that for something else, but I immediately saw everything come together as soon as these lemon honey jade nuggets and polished flourite in burnt orange were unwrapped from the tissue paper.  The clasp is left at the side of the necklace for easy access, the loop handmade from a brass headpin.  The gold tone bead holding the clasp is repurposed from a vintage necklace I bought at a thrift store.  The small fire agate bead that hangs inside the heart and faceted carnelian nugget are both from my own stash; gemstones bought from Earthworks, one of my favourite local bead stores.  Antiqued brass findings are used in the whole piece, adding to the aura of warmth the stones give in energy and colour.  Warm earth tones have always been a favourite of mine to use, and I was very lucky to have such a generous partner to spoil me with these delightful gems.  I'm going through a severe separation anxiety with this one, I love how this turned out so much.

Bead Soup a la Gorgeous!

My Bead Soup Blog Partner, Sue at Hello Gorgeous, has been a loving daughter and attending to her father's ailing health as of late, which you may have been following on her blog.  I am sending lots of love into the universe for Mr. Hodgkinson and that his health returns and his recovery is speedy.  Sue, you are a wonderful lady for taking good care of your parents, and we all wish you and your family health and happiness, no matter what the future brings.

With all the attention she's been showering on this dear man, she's finally had the time to photograph the ingredients I had sent her for the Bead Soup Blog Party!  I spent quite a bit of time in my favourite local gemstone bead store, Earthworks, handling beads, trying to figure out a palate that would excite her and challenge her.  Sue had written that she was considering venturing outside of her usual repertoire of summery colours, sterling silver and gemstones.  Although I stuck to gemstones - because gemstones are just so gorgeous! - I thought I would try a different approach to the colour scheme ... or lack thereof!

Here's what's in the soup!

• black onyx and crystal quartz chips
• zebra agate rounds and focal bead
• white freshwater pearls
• silver triangle spacer beads
• 'kitty clasp'

The stripes in the focal bead ultimately lead to the purchase of the clasp ... my childhood cat, Thumper, was a beautiful gray-and-black tabby, and the focal bead reminded me of him very much.  The freshwater pearls and chips came from my very own stash, and the zebra agate gemstones, silver spacers and 'kitty clasp' came from Earthworks.  I'm interested to see if Sue will feature other colours or keep the 'black and white' theme going!

Bead Soup Sneak Peek!

Without giving too much away, I've already made a few pieces from the lovely batch of beads sent to me by Sue of Hello Gorgeous Design!  Here's a sneak peek before the big reveal on February 26th!

No hints!  Nada!  Nothing!  Other than the colours ... that's about all I'll give you.  Keep an eye on the BEAD SOUP! page for more updates!

Tasty Ingredients for Bead Soup from Hello Gorgeous!

My package had arrived a few days ago, and I couldn't wait to tear it open!  I must say, Sue's just too generous for words - and she knows my weakness for candy!  Check out the surprises in the package!

Here we've got a Hello! British tabloid rag, a package of Percy Pigs, a Galaxy chocolate bar (which I'm told is the best chocolate), and a couple rolls of Love Hearts.  And, of course, not one - but two! - Bead Soups!  Take a look below!

Hello Gorgeous! Time For Some Bead Soup!

I am very excited to introduce to you Sue Hodgkinson and her blog, Hello Gorgeous!  We've been matched as Bead Soup Partners!

hellogorgeousdesign.blogspot.com

Sue hails from Cardiff, Wales, where she lives with her husband, three teenage boys, two cats and a "gorgeous, sweet-souled dog named Millie."  New to the jewelry-making scene, Sue has been keeping her hands busy since 2008 making beautiful and inexpensive pieces featuring unique gemstones and Karen Hill Tribe/Sterling Silver components.  Strikingly elegant and poignantly simple, her pieces highlight the natural beauty of the beads she chooses, making them glow with sterling silver chains and settings.

Moss bracelet

Soup du Jour: Bead Surprise!

This is too intriguing to pass up!

Lori Anderson of Pretty Things is hosting another successful Bead Soup Blog Party!  Open to international beading bloggers, it's a chance to get to know some of your fellow beaders, bloggers and shop owners for new favourites and inspiration!  Once you sign up and you're matched with your "Party Partner," you'll put together a "Party Pack," consisting of: 

• A focal piece
• Coordinating spacers or beads
• A special clasp (lobster clasp excluded!)

"The idea is you will use the focal and the clasp, and some of the coordinating beads, incorporating beads from your own stash," says Lori on her blog.  The idea is to help you think outside the box and word outside your normal comfort zone, pushing you in directions you may have never gone."  A fantastic way to bring together a creative community while flexing some important creative muscles!  Check out some of the sample "Party Packs" others participants have received from previous Bead Soup Blog Parties.  I betcha those gears are turning already!