BEAD SOUP PARTY...she LOVES it!!

I haven't blogged yet about what's going on w/ the Bead Soup Party that I'm participating in! We were partnered up last week & I was so excited to find out that my partner is Jess Italia Lincoln from Vintaj! I LOVE Vintaj...have been using it for a few years now & shared w/ Jess that her style... Vintaj's style, is what helped me the most when I was trying to form my own personal jewelry style when I needed to start making jewelry w/ my own beads. I knew that I didn't want to do just your standard lampwork dangle earrings or strung lampwork necklace, etc... the layering & such that they do just gave me such a wonderful direction to head towards, I'm really grateful.

I'm sure Jess has mundane tasks to do @ Vintaj :o) ...but she also gets to design jewelry & blog daily. Here's a little of what wonderful pieces Jess makes...

Look @ this beautiful piece below!

Focal by Barbara Fajardo, Glass leaves by Lisa Kan

Anyway... I was going to post a teaser picture for Jess before she got the package, but I've been so busy that I forgot all about posting it on time & she received her soup today, so I can show the teaser...

...AND a picture of the actual Bead Soup I sent her. :o)

The heart focal, ivory spacer/accent beads & toggle were made by me, of course. I struggled w/ the clasp... I couldn't just send her a sterling one, even a fancy one... too easy & she works for VINTAJ, she sees clasps & findings & components all day long, so I knew it had to be something different. I started the toggle bar out of thick gauge copper wire, hammered it flat & shaped it... then hammered a copper washer so I could have a nice spot to put a hole in it, then I torch enameled them!! I just learned how to do that & it was a bit tricky, especially the bar, tough to balance on a little metal tripod!! LOL. They're not perfecd, but I love how they turned out! 

Jess eMailed me today when she got the package & said WOW, she LOVED it!! I'm so glad! I didn't think about the fact that I mailed it to her work... so I'm getting all warm & fuzzy thinking about her running around showing everyone what I sent. LOL. :o)

Anyway... can't wait to see what Jess sends me! I'm ready for a challenge! Will post a picture of what I receive when it arrives!

Till then....

Julie

BTW.... 210 Bead Soup Party participants!!! I hope I have the time to do some major blog hopping on reveal day!! 

HAPPY 4TH ANNIVERSARY TO ME....

I realized a few days ago that my 4 year lampworking anniversary had passed on the 18th! I still totally remember that first day in class w/ Connie... I couldn't wait to light my little HotHead torch & get melting glass! I had an idea that I was jumping into something that was going to become trouble, it excited me so much. I was right, it changed my life!

It's been such an awesome year. So many wonderful & exciting things have happened... my feature article in BEADWORK Magazine is definitely @ the top of that list.

Can't wait to see what's going to happen next...

Till then...

~ Julie

THIS WEEK'S BOOTY....

I love taking pictures like this.... beads soaking in water. :o)

This is what I've been up to the last few days.... making hearts, hearts & more hearts. See the big beautiful round bead (marble w/ a hole, actually! LOL!) up there around 10 o'clock? Love it... took me too long to make & it's cracked. :o( Hate it when that happens. The rest is FABULOUS, though.

YOU'VE BEEN INVITED TO A PARTY...

but you have to hurry...

...& there are guidelines, too....

...........(someone's got to keep us in line!)

Lori Anderson of Pretty Things is hosting another virtual BEAD SOUP PARTY.... I participated for the first time last year this time & it was a BLAST...so I decided to join her again!

You need to have a blog to participate.... so if that's YOU, hurry yourself over to Lori's blog & get all of the details. You have until January 14th to sign up!

Check it out... who knows, you may end up w/ something from ME! :o)

Can't wait!!

I'VE BEEN CHALLENGED...

I've been asked to do the Challenge Bead for the upcoming Madison Art Glass & Bead Show (AGBS) in March! How exciting! I've decided to do a heart bead design that represents the newer work that I'm doing these days. They will range in size from 1 1/2" - 1 3/4" long.

Registration for the show, classes & challenge will begin this coming Saturday, January 15th. The Challenge Bead will be unveiled on their website on the 15th as well, so you're getting a sneak peek!

There will be 25 beads available to purchase for the challenge, with delivery in early February. If you simply want to purchase a challenge bead for your collection, there will be an additional limited number of beads available for purchase @ the same reduced rate, just choose this option when ordering w/out the obligation to participate in the challenge. Between now & the show @ the end of March, these heart beads will ONLY be available for purchase through the AGBS website.

HOW DOES THE ART GLASS AND BEAD CHALLENGE WORK?

• Purchase the Challenge Bead from the Madison Art Glass & Bead Show Website (at a discounted rate!).
• If you accept the Art Glass and Bead Challenge, you will create a wearable piece of artwork using the Challenge Bead and any other materials of your choice.
• All entries need to be received on or before Friday, March 25th, 2011, the eve of the show. (Participants do not have to attend the show to be eligible.)
• Your entry will be displayed and judged by your peers and participating vendors on Saturday during the show. 
• Winners will be announced on Sunday. There will be 2 winners... POPULAR VOTE (peers) & HONORABLE MENTION (vendors) 
• See AGBS website for complete info & rules. 

NEW BEADS...

I shared these beads on Facebook a few weeks ago, but I never posted a picture of them here. I love these.... organic & contemporary all @ the same time. 
(click image to enlarge)

I made them for a customer to check out & pick a few & the rest will go up on Etsy soon. She loved them. They have larger, Pandora size holes... copper caps & sterling silver lining. They're not petite bracelet size, more necklace focal size... so I've designed a necklace that these will fit perfectly on.... just ordered the chain & findings to make them. Will be debuting that sometime in the near future.

Till then....

Julie

2011...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

...recycling last year's New Year's post...

My wish for you

is a new year full of

blessings

good health

wise choices

& much much happiness.

For myself, I wish the same.

Still looking for that balance that I've mentioned the past three January 1sts, but life IS so good.

2010 was another fantastic year of growth & exposure... many firsts w/ much excitement & emotion. Great times w/ friends & family... travel, tattoos, celebrations, etc. 

2011 is going to be another year w/ many possibilities... my resolution, again, is to take full advantage of these possibilities & make great things happen!!

Happy New Year, all!

Till next time...

~ Julie