What started it all.

A little bit of Bead Soup. Lori Anderson from Pretty Things blog holds the Bead soup party. Next one will be January or February next year and this is the final reveal for this cook off. I sent these lovelies to my partner Miko Wirapati who is in Indonesia. That was WAY BACK when.

In return Miko sent me these.

Not the best pic but it is here.

So I have been thinking and thinking.What to do? In the meantime I fell through my floor in my office.The timber gave way and we had to move out of upstairs to replace the floors.

Dust and dirt EVERYWHERE for about 3 weeks. So my soup lay still on my bench while I worked on the Web site for reveals and madly commented on all the other participants blog posts.

The third page is underconstruction and should be done tomorrow if I am on time. 250 hours to edit and assemble the page. It has been fun.

In the meantime if you want to recap the 1st and 2nd reveals they are here.
https://sites.google.com/site/beadsoupparty2012/

Reveal 3 participants are here.

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads 
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming

Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones

Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'

Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage

Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads

Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog

Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash

Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents

Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart

Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen

Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle,  Jasper Gems
Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space
Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog
Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure
Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Eileen Snyder, Dorset Hill Beads
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda
Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels
Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation,  Art Food Lodging

Hannah Annear, Squintessential
Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier
Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?
Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs

Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels
Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home

Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time
Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show

Klaudette Koon, Only Road
Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities

Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures
Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN

Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops
Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio

Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival
Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Milla Hope,  LB Creative Arts and Crafts
Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts
Natalie McKenna, grubbi

Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color
Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner
Penny Neville, Copper Penny
Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry 

Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog
Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog
Sally Anderson, Wild Sally Road
Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Goode, Pookledo

Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire
Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila

Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs
Solange Collin,  Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stephanie Dixon, The Dixon Chick
Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs
Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created
Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design

Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo 
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs

Ok back to my bench.
Two different workers fell through the floor upstairs dislodging the suspended ceiling and as a result there was a layer of dirt on all my tools, beads and what a mess on my bench.

You can see some of the dirt in the top left hand corner and parts of my poor soup peeking out in the bottom right corner.

So I spent 5 hours cleaning it and much better now.

So what did I make?
Well it was a CHALLENGE. I havent used wood beads ever. I havent used ceramic focals ever. I have not really ever used anything but metals and gemmies and glass, so let me show you what came out.
First up is the Dragon focal. I made this for my daughter because she loves Dragons and I made it very long because she wont wear short. It is simple stringing on a brass wire because my tiger tail that I usually use rusts way to fast.I used one of the toggles here as well.

Then the butterfly focal.Its a chunky solid piece and quite heavy to wear so needed balancing with a lighter stringing. I have not used string before so knotting was fun.

I added some small black agate beads to the lampwork barrels so that they stayed in place better. Another toggle used with another focal.


The wood....the wood....what do I do with the wood? The rings had no drill holes, the others all had huge holes and I have not ever worked with wood before. To me they felt kind of fly away light so I added a couple of huge Black agate and wire wrapped them with heavy weight brass.
A three piece set emerged.

The necklace finishes in the back with a Brass chain and a simple lobster clasp as it is long (approx 24 inches) and doesnt need to be opened as it will slip over your head. I hand made the brass wires as well. The Black Onyx matte finish rondelles add a little bit of weight to the wooden beads.
This set is for give away. How to enter ? Join my new FB group Fusion and Muse and leave a comment. Looking forward to see you there.


Still had more soup pieces to go.
A breakfast break was needed and so we have a Breakfast Bracelet with fried Eggs and Fruit Loops. After all no day is complete without a decent brekkie.

Delicious. This one is mine LOL

I spent a little time at my bench while the floor was in progress and made a prototype design to use the other big focal and toggle clasp. It is my Goddess Bracelet. Using beautiful seed beadies I got in another swap for Pantone colours I matched the lampwork rondelles with loads of seed beads and lost of brass wire. This one turned out very chunky but it looks awesome.

and yes lucky last. I can hear you...but you had that skull focal.

I wondered how to honour it.

Tada.....

A little bit of silky thread wrapped about on some small gauge Brass wire and floating baby skullies. I made the hook and loop toggle (not really seen well) out of heavy brass wire and added a "diamond" to his front tooth and forehead as the anchor point for the dual strands. A funky style semi bangle that is definitely One of a Kind LOL.
And this guy is for give away as well. So take the time to comment,Share my blog post about my give away of 60 + carats of Emeralds and Sterling silver set (link is here) and I will pop you in the draw.
Both pieces for this give away will be drawn on the Blue Moon 31st August 2012.

Thank you for reading my ramble.Come back and often and see what I am doing.
Love and hugs Tanya

Free Beads for blogging is going great guns and I am happy to say all five spots were filled last week.
Yes I am late again. My head and a little bit of life got in the way.Let me explain.

Suglite Cab

This lovely stone as cut for me by an inexperienced cutter who unfortunately cut the rough the wrong way to get the best colour. This is one of the rejects and looks a little black when not in full sun but has divine purple colour otherwise. I have this and few more if you are interested email me.

So I was introduced to a new guy.....Well he promised me as part of the contract we made he would only cut the rest of the rough to get the best colour out of the stone that was left. I figured there was about 20-40 carats of colour in the stones I left him with. I was excited because Sugilite is a beautiful stone and quite rare and expensive. I went back when they rang to say they were done and he had cut all the rough and ALL the stones were black.Only one had a streak of colour that was in the middle and NO purple in the others. I told him I was not paying and he suggested he recut it for me to see if there was anyway to improve on his work. I told him not to bother but he did anyway.

So I went back and now even the one that had colour has no colour and this man wants me to pay $1.20 a carat for cutting.There is about 500 carats in the bundle. I refuse because he still hasnt done what he said he would do and I left.

This was about 2 weeks ago. Since then the phone has not been quiet and the threats started so I went to the police to sort it all. Truth has prevailed and he is in trouble if he doesnt leave me alone. 

The biggest problem was that the stress set me off.My head has had really bad days and I was not able to focus on anything more complex than a simple FB posting for many days. Sleep was had but it didnt help much. I think the last giveaway blog post was the biggest thing I did in a short while (check that out too and go in the draw for the Rubies and Pearls). So now I am back on track.

Oh and we had baby bunnies.Will post about them another day. 

Here are the winners from last week. This weeks will be announced on Sunday and cut off day for this week is today. If you have tried before and want to still be in the running then please comment on a post  and I will put you in the draw for the week. Fair's fair. 

So who this time? 

Beti of Stringing Fool  

Her pieces are lovely and here is a peek.

Tammie of TTE Designs 

Wow her pieces just jump off the page. 

Linda of Lily's of the Valley Jewelry Creations and Designs 

Linda does other crafts not just Jewelery 

And Amanda of AWJewelry

With her lovely pieces and such helpful Tutes.  

And last but not least 

Lisa of Pine Ridge Treasures

Go and check out her page for giveaways and fun as well.

Ok all from me for today.I will catch up more soon.Got a web page to complete for the first Bead soup reveal and that is FUN FUN FUN.

Love and hugs

Tanya

I know this was supposed to go a few days ago but I have been held up by a combination of things that were totally out of my control. Hence the late post but it is here now, better late than never.

We had 5 lovely ladies add our Free beads button to their blog side bars and I have sent parcels. How long until they arrive? How long is a piece of string ? LOL  For what ever reason the post takes its own sweet time no matter how quickly I get the bundles to the post office. So expect 10-21 days.
So who won?

Drum roll Please
Sarah from Pookledo.
This is her lovely work and you can find her at the links below.

http://www.pookledo.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Pookledo

http://pookledo.blogspot.com

Kashmira from Sufalee

Her lovely work is here and her links below.

 http://sadafulee.blogspot.com
 http://sadafulee.luulla.com
 http://facebook.com/sadafulee

Rana from Definitive Designs by Rana Wilson

Ranas work is here and at her blog as well. 

http://definitivedesignsbyrwilson.blogspot.com/

Sandra at Skye Creative 

Pretty Jewelry and Art work as well.

Jewelry blog - http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com
Art/Writing  -  http://chaoticskye.deviantart.com

And last but not least is the lovely Leah. 

You can find her here http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.co.uk/ and this is just a small sample of her work. 

Enjoy the eye candy and feel free to contact the lovely ladies if you want to purchase a piece of their work. Handmade by the artist is a wonderful way to go and you get designer originals that no one else will have. 

See you soon.

Tanya  

Normally I would be featuring someone on a Friday and we will start with guests as of next week. I have had such a fun time kick starting the blog again and getting the free beads competition running and sorting out swaps that the week ran away. I have a jump start on next week though and have it almost finished.
So today let me tell you about me.
I am originally from Australia and grew up in Sydney.I now live in Bangkok and love it here.

Loads of new stuff coming in the second half of this year and many projects that I have been working on for a few months are finally starting to unfold.


I have a hobby and make lovely jewelry to suit many different tastes and styles. I love to use great gems and silver but am now branching out into Brass and Copper as metals of choice. This is because I can get them easily and my new pieces....well I am wanting to melt metal and hammer more.Love my tools.

We have a cat we rescued and 4 bunnies, 2 of whom were blogged about in an earlier post and we all live happily in a small townhouse in the suburbs of Bangkok.

We will be running competitions, giveaways and other fun things as time goes by. What a busy life we lead.

On that note it is time to go and start my next task.
Love and Hugs
Tanya