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!!