8th Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal

Welcome everybody to the 8th  Bead SoupBlog Party Reveal!!!

An amazing event created by Lori Anderson with about 500 partecipants every year!

Let me start by saying how life is a never ending learning experience, and the Bead Soup Blog Party is one of the most exciting occasions to learn: not only you meet a new fellow beader, but you get to know new materials, new countries, costumes and tastes - yeah tastes, because there’s often a lot of chocolate involved!

Last year I was blessed with an incredible partner, Dorota, who spoiled me rotten with a huge amount of goodies.
To honor her generosity I decided that this should also become a way of learning new techniques, so I tried myself at bead embroidery, a bit of chain maille, knotting and new shapes in general. I was very proud of the result, which you can see here. It was a celebration of spring and happiness and colors while I was actually spending a lot of time at home, looking for a job.

This year my situation is completely different, as I moved to Austria 3 months ago and I am going to school (again) to learn the language, I am proving myself at living in a foreign country with a really different mentality – and did I mention German is not exactly the easiest language…but I am loving every second of it.

And again I was lucky to be paired up with a really interesting woman, Rosantia, who chose the most beautiful variety of beads and materials for me.

If you would like to know her better, jump to my post about her and visit her blog, because I am sure she will have prepared something amazing for the reveal!

I MUST APOLOGIZE AS I AM STILL BEADING FOR THE SOUP, SO I WILL PUBLISH FURTHER WORKS DURING THE WEEK. What can I say, my Muse likes the last minute inspiration!

With no further ado, here is my main piece, which is so close to my heart

I used the focal and the toggle clasp from the soup, with the matching ceramic beads, and added some beadweaved elements – I just love this shade of light aqua turquoise with orange and blue.
I felt so alike to the little birdie, I guessed he was looking for a place to call home just like me.

The second piece, quite simple, was made using the crazy washi paper beads that Rosantia made herself for me. They are so luscious and beautiful, but I decided to use them in pairs instead of all together

Something about this pendant I won last year looked like the perfect match. Wood, gold and aqua green.

I had a lot of fun playing with the 12 mm beads Rosantia sent me. They are the perfect size for a variety of designs that can really make a difference out of a simple stringed necklace. So again, I played with both beadweaved elements and simple beads.

I love this green chrysocolla, a gorgeous, rich color. Patterns here are from Kerrie Slade (flower pendant) and Eveline (3er Kringel).

For these yellow quartz beads I used Carol Ohl’s tutorial Earthly Hues and just continued with other beads in my stash. 

Did I ever mention how much I love grellow??? :D I guess I did.

Finally a sneek peak of another piece I am working on...

More washi paper beads, a czech button from my previous partner Dorota, some beaded beads and gorgeous ceramic beads. Still have to figure it out!

Take a look at what my partner Rosantia created, here you'll find her blog which is so full of inspirational handmade creations!

I hope you enjoyed this hop, which continues here:

http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2014/05/welcome-to-8th-bead-soup-blog-party.html

or, for a fast look, on our BSBP Pinterest board here:

http://www.pinterest.com/limamike/8th-bead-soup-blog-party/ 

So many eye candy goodies are waiting for you on all these blogs, please take the time to jump over and scroll over and you won't be disappointed!

The 8th Bead Soup knocked on my door

A little bit later than it should have been, my amazing Bead Soup partner Rosantia and I finally sent each other our soups.
Mine arrived this morning in only a couple of days!

I think images will speak louder than words here. Better to just look at the beads, or I will write an endless list of adjectives that wouldn't convey how I feel anyway.

My super sweet partner Rosantia is at her first Party, yet she can put up a terrific soup like this:

What we have here is an arrangement of cool ceramic beads, that I love so much, so SO much. The shade of green is perfect and also look at those complementing lampwork beads.

Two words: POLKA DOTS. Love them.

Then yellow quartz  and green chrysocolla12 mm beads.

Something funny: I love to find healing properties of crystals online. It said chrysocolla crystal has "an energy that helps to calm the nervous person who has difficulty in keeping silent"...seriously??! That's perfect for me!

Some beautiful copper chains and bead caps, as well as coordinated cords that I so much needed, having left my stash in Milan.

Then look at those crazy beads. Covered in washi paper, handmade by her, just gorgeous. Can you feel my Japan-radar activating?!

A beautiful Greek casting antiqued copper toggle clasp, with a cool patina treatment, the right compromise between the copper elements and the aqua-green beads, right?!
Then let's have some drum roll before I introduce the gorgeous focal I received.
Here it is

A ceramic birdie from Shaterra. Need I say more?!
I am so overwhelmed right now that I can only keep looking at this soup and hope to make some order in my mind to decide what to use first.

A huge thank you to Rosantia and hope your soup comes fast!

In the meanwhile head to the BSBP board to see what everybody else has received from their partners!

8th Bead Soup Party Partner

Hello everybody!
I am finally writing again about beads, and bead parties.
That time of the year has come and I have a new partner for the amazing Bead Soup Blog Party, which reached the 8th edition and has as usual hundreds of partecipants.

Without further ado let me introduce my Bulgarian Partner, Rosantia Petkova.
She is a 360° crafter and likes to experiment with every kind of material and shape. And I am not talking only about beads.

Let me show you some of her works:

Textile necklace, how clever is that?!!

Crocheted earrings

Gorgeous color choices here!

It is always inspiring to have partners who like to play with new materials and love challenges, I am so curious of how things will develop!

We are both still "stirring" our soups and adding the final touches, so stay tuned for more news about the soup!

In the meanwhile jump to the official Bead Soup blog to see who the other partecipants are and what they're up to!

The 8th Bead Soup Blog Party is coming...

Seems like yesterday, but a whole year has already passed...and the Bead Soup Blog Party is coming back!

Next sunday will be the only day for sign ups, so be sure to head to Lori's BSBP blog!

This year we're also going to have only one reveal date, so plenty of time to create and visit every blog.

• Why should you partecipate?

Because it is a unique occasion to meet new people, with a different culture and habits and also beading techniques. You exchange ideas and preferences and sometimes friendship.

You get to swap beads and you might receive something that you would never be able to find in your own country, or even handmade by your partner!

• Why should you do your best to visit every blog?

Visiting blogs is an amazing source of inspiration.

You see what other people came up with their soup and most times the reaction is: "I would have never thought about doing so!" Or, you just get an idea of how YOU would have done that.

You see people experiencing things for the first time (new materials, new techniques, new colors!) and that makes you realize you also can do that. It gives you the confidence you were missing.

So if you are still not convinced on partecipating, check the past editions on Lori's blog or on last year's Pinterest board!

Last day cleaning?

This morning I received 2 unexpected mails while cooking for tonight.
One was from Preciosa Ornela...amazing neon seed beads!

The other one was, well, one thing I didn't thought I would receive.
Remember my necklace beeh chosen by Nina Design as one of the Bead Soup winners?
Seems like after so many months my little price arrived...

So much generosity from our amazing hostess Lori Anderson, who provided basically everything except the silver Nina Design pendant. Thank you!
The post label says it was sent on april 1st...seriously! Do post office make last day of the year cleaning???! If so, I would love to have my necklace back!

In the meanwhile, here are some better shots of the necklace been published on Jewelry Affaire.
I am so proud!

First shot of the article!

The before shots

I guess we can close this year properly now.
I wish a sparkling new year to everybody!

Published and lost

This will be long and boring, but I had patience enough and deserve to steam off a little.
Let me start by saying how deeply I respect the work of anybody and that I am always extremely polite when addressing people, no matter what. I know what it means to work in customers care, and I would never be a nasty, angry, rude customer.

Last June I was contacted by a magazine to publish my Red Lady necklace in an article related to the amazing Bead Soup.

I was so happy! Couldn't believe it!
I didn't want to part from my necklace, but I was going to leave in a couple of days and didn't have time to take proper pictures as they wanted. So I sent it.
I didn't receive any news from them for almost 2 months, as they went on vacation in august. I was kind of resigned that my necklace was lost, but nope: it had arrived safely!
The magazine was due on 5th october and I couldn't wait to receive my copy.
I was sent an e-mail that I had actually been published (yeah!!!) and I was going to receive a copy and my necklace in my hands within a couple of weeks.

Weeks passed by and no sign of any package behind my door.
I wrote to the magazine and was answered, after 6 days, that the necklace had been sent to my address...I look at it and it says n.16 instead of 14...
What? SERIOUSLY??!?!?

Rules are you need to write down your address almost everywhere, on the box, envelope, on a card tied to the piece of jewelry. No way I could have written 16 in any of these places.

Also, it was too late to go nextdoor (that's where n.16 was) and ask to people if they could pay attention to any mail they would receive with my name on. It was already lost or going back to the magazine.
Well, after one more month I can say it never went back to the magazine.

The nasty thing is, the mail wasn't trackable since day one, when it still was in the USA. Tracking number didn't work - I don't know why, they didn't know why.
They left me with promises of sorting things out for me, but they obviously didn't.

How should I feel now???
Devastated. Especially because the raw materials were a precious gift from what has become a dear friend.
So I only have 2 pics of the magazine, my BF took them yesterday night with his phone so you need quite a lot of imagination....

Looks gorgeous and can't wait to have in my hands.
It's a bittersweet triumph for me.
I am thankful for being published but I am so sad now. And I miss my beads so much.

Christmas in August

I wasn't a fan of soutache, until I saw a necklace at a fair in March.
I was astonished by how tiny and full of microscopic details this work was.
Colored thin ropes, precious stones and some silver charms all together in a beautiful ensemble.
I don't feel I am precise enough for this kind of work (maybe I'll change my mind one day as for bead embroidery) so I asked my dear BSBP friend and partner Dorota if she could make some for my mom.

She ambushed me.
I just received a huge pack from Poland...again!

A big baby in my arms!

When I opened it, it was like Christmas again - just in August!

This is the chocolate. Insane, ah?!!!  Those in the big cup are plums in chocolate. They are the most delicious thing in this world! They are a typical product of the region Dorota is from.
Maybe this will kick my back on the running field again.
Then I found a beautiful box, with some real treasures inside:

Southache earrings for my mom, then...

...southache earrings for me too and an amazing crocheted rope to match them, plus an amber bracelet from the Baltic sea.
And these insanely beautiful buttons!

My mind is exploding with projects for these!
Can you believe this girl took all this trouble for me? I am going to meet you someday my dear, and I'll make you regret all of this! LOL.

Here is my mom already wearing her earrings

Turquoise has always been her favorite color and suits her so well.
I burnt my face and back despite the high sunscreen yesterday so running will be hard today, but all that chocolate isn't going to eat itself...

Features and sold item

Please visit Nina Design blog to read about their experience as judge for the Bead Soup Blog Party and to see their choices.
It's so nice to be there!
Just got back home from a milanese happy-hour with my friends and found this beautiful surprise, plus another one in the form of a sold pair of earrings

and a couple of surprises to talk about in the next months...
Good night now!

7th Bead Soup Blog Party® contest

I am truly honored (and pretty confused since it's 2 am here) to announce that my Red Lady necklace is one of the winners of the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party contest!!!

The fact that I was chosen by Nina Design together with another amazing artist as Malin de Koning, who I absolutely adore, is already a big prize for me.

Please take a moment to look at ALL the winners here, there are 46 of them and all are astonishing creations!

I would like to thank someone before I pass out asleep:

-first of all Lori McDaniel Anderson, the mind and body behind the Bead Soup Blog Party - because it takes a whole lot of energy and physical strength to do all that's required for such a big event with more than 500 partecipants, and she made all of this despite a lot of problems. She's a warrior and we all appreciated her big efforts to make this party such an amazing experience for all of us.

-Nina Design, one of the jurors who chose my piece, a huge honor I wasn't expecting at all!

-my partner Dorota, who sent me that amazing cabochon which led me to bead embroidery in the first place, and a lot of other goodies that stimulated my creativity. Knowing you was a big pleasure dear Dorota, you are such a nice, creative and generous person!

-last but not least, my wonderful boyfriend.
He often makes fun of me saying "I'm going to throw away all your beads!" but actually always pushes me to explore my creativity and bears the presence of all these tiny little things everywhere. I've become much more tidier with time and we don't find beads in our meals or bed anymore, but still he hears me swearing whenever I accidentally pour beads on the floor, and he still loves me.

Thanks for visiting everybody and for taking the time to write kind, thoughtful comments!

7th BSBP 3rd reveal!

The Bead Soup Blog Party has come to its 3rd reveal.
You can find the complete list for blog hopping here!

It's a pity I'm posting this so late, but I was out of town these days without computer, internet or anything.
I attended 3 exhibitions, one of them being Manet in Venice (I finally saw the Olympia live!). The other 2 were De Nittis in Padua and  the Maison Goupil in Rovigo.
So I had my dose of beauty and art anyway.

Even in the hotel.

I'm happy this is blurry. It was scary. Reminded me of The Shining scene...the rest of the hotel was awesome though.
Back hopping now!!!

BSBP 4th item: The Indian Flower necklace

If you are still hopping on the BSBP second reveal, here is the link . I'm showing my BSBP pieces one by one all over the week, here is the 4th one.

This necklace has been an ever changing project until the very last minute. This beautiful clasp is not so simple to use, and those freshwater pearls were great to match it, but other than this I didn't know what to do with them.

I was making a multistring bracelet, when I found 2 beautiful ceramic green flowers in my stash. They have the same size and shape of the clasp, so I decided to make some sort of big leaves with these flowers in the centre.

I wanted to put the toggle between them, so it would have been on the frontal part.
But the leaves were too big and I didn't like the first one, the second I liked more but wasn't sure about the shape...
I was confused, until I decided to make 2 small leaves and use the clasp as focal. Something simple.

But then I cut the big leaf making it a big flower shape, and decided to use THAT as focal.

I like this color combo with green and fuchsia/purple, which is by the way the color combo I offered my partner.
Finally I needed something to put in between the pearls, which have a semi-spherical shape. I added some green crystal to mix together the 2 main colors and voilà:

I'm still looking at those leaves, can't realize I actually made them. I won my fear of bead embroidery pretty fast!

Siete pronti? Siete già caldi?

In far 1987 Madonna came to Italy for a massive concert, aired live on tv. I was only 4 years old but I swear I remember everything about that night...until I fell asleep.
She started the show asking "Siete pronti? Siete già caldi?" which literally means "Are you ready? Are you already hot (warmed up)?"...
So before the second BSBP reveal starts, before a crazy blog hopping I won't be able to stop, before the excitement starts...are you ready?

(how exciting is this map?!!! Thanks Lori!)

 Have you warmed up your fingers to click links and leave (nice) comments all over the web? To pin amazing pictures and drool over the abilities of hundreds of artists?
The countdown has begun...