Blog Hop: Bead Soup

This is the first reveal date of several that Lori is hosting for the next Bead Soup Blog Hop. There are over 350 participants, so Lori has been one busy lady setting this up and coordinating the hosting of 3 separate reveals.


My partner is Cindy over at Mommy's Dream who sent me a beautiful stash of beads to work with back in the beginning of July. I didn't quite get through all of the beads she sent, but I did make it through most! I made four separate pieces starting with the pretty shell focal she sent me. I created a simple helix chain for the base of a choker and added a peyote stitch loop to hang the shell from. I used peyote again in the back to create the triple button closure where I used some antique mother-of-pearl buttons. The necklace is very light weight as I used wood beads and small seed beads, so it is very comfortable to wear. 


Next I got to work using the silver toggle. I recently found some pretty black & brown agates, which I had never used before. Their color is somewhere between carnelian and amber. Very pretty. I decided to use a simple macrame knot bracelet so the focus remains on the stones and the toggle. I used black waxed linen which brought out the veining in the stone. 


Cindy also sent me some really pretty Venetian foil beads that I love. I wanted to use these as a focal and decided that I'd use them in a hoop drop earring design. I used several of the seed beads she included in my package to create a fun pair to wear with you hair pulled up.


The last piece I made used some pretty amber and blue beads that were included. I love this color of blue and wanted to pull the color out by using come cord to braid a bracelet and weave in the beads. I also stitched on another row of beads and finished it with a robin's egg blue wood button. Very comfortable and light weight to wear, and quite Boho.


I pushed myself with this blog hop to try all different types of beading. I used beadweaving, wire wrapping, stringing, sewing and macrame. Perhaps I can come up with a few more ways to challenge myself since I still have beads left. Thanks Cindy for a lovely bead soup! 


Check out all the other beaders (here) participating in this first reveal.