It's Bead Soup Time!!!!

Yay! Today is THE DAY!!! What day you ask? Why, Bead Soup Blog Party, of course! The brainchild of the incredible Lori Anderson. I have been so very privileged to be in this awesome challenge several times. Each time, I've learned and grown as a designer. You just can't thank someone enough for that, you know?
My partners have been very diversified, and I have loved working with each one. This time, I was paired with the very talented Rose Rushbrooke. Please go check out her gallery of design when you get a chance.
She is a bead weaver as well, which would make you tend to think....oh, that's not a challenge, they are both bead weavers. We are, and the focal she sent to me is one that I've actually made before, which would make you think that it would be even easier for me, right?
Wrong!!!

The colors immediately made me think of some pearls and fiber I had recently purchased, so I set up my kumihimo disk, and got to work. This is the rope I was planning on using for the focal, and attaching the clasp to it as well.

That stunning fuschia yarn really set off the emerald green pearls. I also accented it with a deep green size 11 seed bead, and a flashy little hot pink alongside the fiber. Alas, this was not meant to be. The more I worked on it, the more I just felt that it was overwhelming the focal. But I still wanted to use those colors and that fiber. So I started another rope, without the pearls.  As I was working on it, my daughter remarked that it reminded her of Christmas. I agreed, and continued braiding.......

That idea just wouldn't go away. But wait!!! I always make jewelry for Bead Soup! I can't make an ornament!!! Well, yes, I could, because that's what it wanted to be. You see, I have a very special Christmas tree. It is made of iron, and I bought it for myself a couple of years ago to hang only my special ornaments on it. I have participated in a couple of ornament swaps now, and I have some stunning, precious pieces for my tree, and this wonderful star wanted to be a part of that party!

I created the collar for the kumi rope from the extra delicas that Rose sent with the focal. I love the burnt orange in the star, and wanted it to step up a bit in the design, since that fuschia fiber had such a strong presence.

 Now I'm wishing it was closer to Christmas, so I could see this beauty on my tree!

And what did I do with the clasp? Well, check it out!

 I was determined to get a piece of jewelry!!! I created this lovely RAW embellished bracelet, taking my color cues from the clasp, and again, picking up that gorgeous burnt orange for the backdrop.

I used the teal pearls that I didn't get to use in the necklace, and some very sparkly amber fire polished beads. The pearls go in a zigzag across the bracelet, and the fire polish trail after them. I embellished the 'empty' windows with  a strand of seed beads in the amber and green in a matte finish.

Here's a pic showing the back of the bracelet, cause I always want to see all of the construction when I'm reading a post!

I know you have a lot of blogs to visit, and I thank you for visiting mine. Have a wonderful hop! Blessings, Shirley

First and Last Name	Blog URL
Alicia Marinache	http://www.allprettythings.ca/
Amber Dawn Goldish	www.InventiveSoul.blogspot.com
Barb Solem	http://www.vivimagoopresents.com
Bev Breisinger	http://countryfrogcreations.blogspot.com
Birgitta Lejonklou	www.lejonklou.blogspot.se
Breana Fry	www.vault31.blogspot.com
Brenda Sue Lansdowne	http://www.bsueboutiques.typepad.com/
Bridget Torres	www.Shears58.com
Carol Dee Myers	http://caroldeezigns.blogspot.com/
Carolyn Chenault	www.carolynchenault.wordpress.com
Cassi Paslick	http://cassisbeads.blogspot.com/
Cece Cormier	Http://www.thebeadingyogini.com
Cheryl McCloud	www.cherylmccloud.blogspot.com
Cindy Wilson	www.itsmyseaofdreams.blogspot.com
Crystal Thain	http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/
Cynthia Riggs	http://cynthsblog.blogspot.com/
Dana Hickey	http://magpieapproved.blogspot.com/
Dana James	http://danasjewelrydesign.blogspot.com
Darlene Fortier	www.darliciousrejuvenations.blogspot.com
Deana Hager	http://justdeesarts.blogspot.com/
Deanna Cox	www.deannaaki.wordpress.com
Deb Brooks	http://www.fromtheheartcreations.blogspot.com/
Debra Behrends	http://www.hopefuljourneys.blogspot.com/
Denielle Hagerman	http://www.somebeadsandotherthings.blogspot.com/
Denise McCabe	www.cabewoman.blogspot.com
Diana Frey	www.dianafrey.blogspot.com
Diana Welte	http://lilyweeds.blogspot.com
Dini Bruinsma	http://angazabychanges.blogspot.nl
DiYana Alcalde	http://agapecreationsjewelry.blogspot.com/
Dolores Raml	http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com/
Donna Millard	http://fyrebeadz.blogspot.com/
Dot Lewallwn	http://speediebeadie.blogspot.com/
Duane Clark	http://biz-e-bead.blogspot.com/
Dyanne Cantrell	http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com/
Eleanor Burian-Mohr	http://cornerstoregoddessjewelry.blogspot.com/
Elisabeth Auld	www.beadsforbusygals.com
Elizabeth Owens Dwy	www.1996shabbylane.blogspot.com
Emily Greer	http://www.gaiacopia.com/blog-2/
Enikö Fabian	http://perleni.blogspot.co.at/
Erin Grant	http://ErinsJewelryCreations.blogspot.com
Eva Kovacs	http://ewagyongyosvilaga.blogspot.hu/
Eva Sherman	http://evashermandesigns.blogspot.com/
Gina Hockett	www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Grace Rotenberg	http://rivkasmomcom.blogspot.com/
Gretchen Nation	www.artfoodlodging.blogspot.com
Hannah Rosner	http://goodrivergallery.wordpress.com
Heather Davis	http://www.blissfulgardenbeads.com/
Heather Marston	http://www.cswdesignsbyhehe.blogspot.com/
Heather Powers	http://www.humblebeads.blogspot.com
Ingrid McCue	www.wrappedinsilver.com
Jacqueline Marchant	http://jaacquelinesjewels.blogspot.com/
Jan Petek	www.janpetek.com
Janeen Sorensen	http://wildvanilladesigns.com/
Jane-Michael Stallings	http://www.craftvacuum.blogspot.com
Jasvanti Patel	www.Jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Jayashree Paramesh	www.nchantme.com
Jayne Capps	http://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com
Jean Yates	http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Cameron	http://glassaddictions.com
Jennifer LaVite	http://www.drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com
Joan Williams	www.lilrubyjewelry.com
Jodie Marshall	www.Marshalljodie.blogspot.com
Judy Riggs	www.rigglettes.blogspot.com
Julie Anne Leggett	www.thepeacefulbead.com
Kat Barron Miller	http://mkpbeadart.blogspot.com/
Kathy Lindemer	http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Kim Hora	www.kimmykats.com
Kim Houston	http://thepinkmartiniboutique.blogspot.com
Kim Sparks	http://beadabunch.blogspot.com
Krafty Max	http://kraftymax.blogspot.com
Kris Lanae Binsfeld	www.cherishdesigns.wordpress.com
Krista French	http://expressyourfaith.webs.com/apps/blog/
Kristen Stevens	http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com/
Kristi Harrison	http://kristibasket-itsanewday.blogspot.com
Kumi Fisher	http://maliekaidesigns.blogspot.com
Laren Dee Barton	www.larendeedesigns.blogspot.com
Laura Bracken	http://laurabrackenblog.blogspot.com/
Laura Demoya	www.Thebeadtherapist.blogspot.com
Laurie Hanna	http://jewelrybylh.blogspot.com/
Laurie Keefe-Cecere	http://treeofliferootedinmysoul.blogspot.com/
Lea Avroch	http://www.LAJewelryDesign.blogspot.com
Leanne Loftus	Http://firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.com
Lee Anne Messerschmidt	http://wiredhammerednworn.wordpress.com
Leslie Schenkel	http://twistedchicken.wordpress.com/
Linda Anderson	http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/
Linda Djokic	www.lutkaandco.com
Linda Murphy	www.bonitabead.blogspot.com
Linda Sadler	http://idalouisejewelry.blogspot.com/
Lisa Liddy	http://lisaliddy.wordpress.com/
Lisa Suver	http://fanceethat.blogspot.com/
Liz DeLuca	http://www.creativeartyfacts.blogspot.com/
Liz Engriser	http://www.beadcontagion.blogspot.com/
Lola Surwillo	http://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com
Loretta Carstensen	www.designsbyloretta.blogspot.com
Lori Anderson	www.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Lori Bergmann	www.LoriBergmann.blogspot.com
Lori Bowring Michaud	http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Lori Poppe	http://lorillijeanscreativecorner.blogspot.com/
Lori Schneider	www.Beadaddicted.blogspot.com
Lyn Foley	www.lynfoleyblog.com
Maddison Langford	http://maddy-moo.blogspot.com
Magdalena Sikora	http://porannagazeta.blogspot.com/
Mallory Hoffman	http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/
Marcella Austenfeld	www.goodtogojewelry.blogspot.com
Marcy Lamberson	http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com
Maria Clark	http://sweetwillowdesigns.blogspot.com/
Maria Rosa Sharrow	www.willowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Marianna Boylan	www.stargirlshop.blogspot.com
Marie Covert	http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.com/
Marti Conrad	www.marticsclay.blogspot.com
Mary Ellen Merrigan	http://www.MaryEllenBeads.com
Mary Harding	www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com
Molly Alexander	http://beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com
Nan Emmett	http://spiritrattles.blogspot.com/
Niky Sayers	http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Pam Chesbro	http://afortunatesoul.blogspot.com/
Pam Farren	http://www.re-maker.blogspot.com
Pam Sandy	http://pamseclecticstuff.blogspot.com/
Pam Traub	http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com
Pamela Gangler	http://shealwayslovedpink.blogspot.com/
Patricia Buchanan	http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/braceletstoo
Patricia Johnson	http://patricialjohnsonglassart.blogspot.com
Patty Miller	http://cabaribeads.blogspot.com/
Paula Hisel	http://simplybeadiful.weebly.com/simply-stated.html
Peggy Gabrielson	http://georgiamountainarts.blogspot.com
Perri Jackson	http://shaktipajdesigns.com/blog/
Rachel Baron	http://www.rbarondesigns.blogspot.com
Rachel Stanley	http://2catchahummingbird.blogspot.com
Rain Hannah	http://honeyandollie.com
Rana Wilson	http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com/
Renetha Stanziano	www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Robin Reed	www.willowdragon.blogspot.com
Rochelle Brisson	http://www.acreativechelle.blogspot.com
Rose Rushbrooke	www.roserushbrooke.com/blog/
Ruth Szapa	www.trudicrufus.blogspot.com
Sally Russick	http://thestudiosublime.com
Sandi Volpe	www.sandivolpe.com
Sandra Pendragon	http://sandrapendragon.blogspot.com/
Sandy Richardson	www.SandyColoringBox.blogspot.com
Sarah Small	http://bysalla.blogspot.com
Shannon Hicks	http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/
Shari Replogle	www.playswithpaper.blogspot.com
Sheila Daniels	http://www.cheekymagpie.com
Sheila Davis	http://www.stonedesignsbysheila.blogspot.com/
Shiraz Biggie	www.secretsongdesigns.blogspot.com
Shirley Moore	www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com  You are here
Skylar Bre'z	http://brisingbeads.blogspot.com/
Staci Smith	www.stacilouiseoriginals.com
Stacie Florer	http://www.soultosubstance.com
Stacy Pomerleau	www.craftenvilleblog.com
Stephanie Weiss	www.uniquelymebwd.blogspot.com
Sumi Rani	www.HundredColors.blogspot.com
Susan Sheehan	http://susanasheehan.blogspot.com/
Suzette Bentley	http://elliesbijoux.blogspot.com
Tamera Norris	www.beadsinspireme.com
Tracy Choy	www.bumblebeadsdesigns.Blogspot.com
Tracy Stillman	www.tracystillmandesigns.com
Valerie Norton	www.hot-fused-glass.com
Vicki Holliday	http://flopcatdesign.blogspot.com/

Resin Bauble Slider Challenge

Well, that was a mouthful, huh? So, by now, ya'll know I'm rather addicted to challenges. Thus it comes as no surprise to you, that when I was reading blog posts a couple of weeks ago, and saw Lorelei Eurto's post, asking who would like to play, I jumped in with both feet!
Here is a look at the challenge item.

I purchased both color sets, because I wanted the purple and orange ones, and my daughter wanted the aqua set.
I honestly thought this would be a walk in the park.
Not.
You see, I did not pay attention to the fact that the way you connect this item to something was ON. THE. BOTTOM.
I happily beaded up an awesome section of a Heather Collin pattern to create a bracelet....and then discovered that I couldn't connect it. Ugh.

So then I decided I needed a frame around it. I beaded one up....and it was too big. Yes, I was starting to feel like Goldilocks.
Ok, I know!! Me, the non-wireworker, will make a wire frame....umm, it's a little ugly, so I'll macrame around it...and now it's ugly and took a long time to tie knots on, and it still doesn't work. (Insert some hair pulling at this point)

I'm tellin' ya'll, I was starting to get a little....MAD at this goofy thing!
Finally, inspiration struck, and I came up with an idea...let's see what you think...

 A wrap bracelet, with the component all pretty and front and center.A beautiful metal button by Barbara Bechtel is the closure.

The C lon cord is a perfect match to the purple in the component.

 If you've ever worked with goldstone, you know how pretty it sparkles. It was such a great complement to the sparkle in the resin beads.

This was a great challenge, and I'm so very glad I got to finally play in one of Lorelei's challenges. Here's  the links to the other participants.

Lola

Denise McCabe

Mustard Bead

A Polymer Penchant

Pearl and Pebble

Peacock Fairy

Beads for Busy Gals

Dawn Williams

Shirley Moore

B Street Studios

Sally Russick

Pamela770

Erin Prais-Hintz

Heather Powers

MirandAck

Lily

Karen Firnberg

Tanya

Mary

Rosebud101

Ann

Toltec Jewels

Micha

Terri

Thanks Lorelei!

I Baked!!!!!!

Sad, isn't it? My blog title is Beads and Bread, and yet, the bread side of it has fallen by the wayside. I would change it, but then all my followers would lose me, and I really don't know what I would call it....so I'll just try my best to occasionally get some bread in there, 'k?
Anyway, life has been incredibly busy, with exciting new things constantly popping up. One, not so exciting thing, has been the state of my health. Went to the doc, and all the standard tests say 'normal'. You would think that would be a good thing, right? Yes, it most definitely is, but why have I gained so much weight? Why do I now have rosacea and psoriasis? In my attempt  to discover the truth, research has suggested that my whole wheat bread baking may be a cause. What?!!! Have to tell ya, I was not happy about that statement, and have been kicking the wall in denial. Unfortunately, what happened is that I just quit making bread. Does that mean my family quit eating it? Nope. Means that now my hubs was buying store bread. Yes, there are some delicious breads out there, but I don't think they are as healthy as what I was making.
Therefore, my family suffered as well. My youngest has been having stomach issues lately, and we are trying to figure out why.
So I made some Oat Banana Bread today!!! Yes, I have oat groats. I ground them, mixed up the bread, tossed it in the oven. Since I was already baking, and the oven was hot, I also ground up some Red Wheat, and made the rest of the fam banana muffins with chocolate chips. Yeah, they are both awesome!

Not sure if it is because the oat flour is less dense than wheat, but it didn't rise like my normal banana bread. But it was super yummy, and, since I was out of eggs, I also used flax seed, so double nutritious! 

 Guess I should have broken one of these open so you could see the goodness. So I'm a tease, huh? ;)

Hope you have  a wonderful weekend!!! Blessings, Shirley