7th Annual BEAD SOUP BLOG PARTY

I am taking part in the 7th annual Bead Soup Party for the first time.  More than 500 people have signed up.  The artist's, beaders, creaters are from around the world. I am so excited.  Once we are partnered off, we must send our Partner a bead soup. To Make bead soup ( Lol) you Take a Focal, add a unique clasp, mix in an assortment of beads and Wahllah the soup is started.  The receipient adds imagination, creativity, some of their stock and presto the reveal date arrives. Follow me as I follow the members and report on the going ons. I need to mention this Fantastic Party is the creation of Lori Anderson. After sponsoring 6 of these parties she wrote a book last year.  I cannot begin to tell you of the support and encouragement this lady gives.  She inspires me to keep on going when I began to think I just dont have it any more.  She has the ability to laugh at her self and cry through her ups and downs.   Please make sure you visit her blog.  http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogcrystals.    Right now I am hopping all over the shops looking for my Focal and that Special clasp. Wish me luck.

Memories And Thanks Blog Hop

Reading Lori's Blog realizing her sadness for a lost freind was a feeling I know all too well. My Best Friend in the world was Willie Bell Beans. I lost my friend some 14 years now.  It happened during xmas holiday during simple knee surgery. Sometimes it feels like yesterday.

 Bell was a big Girl with a big heart. She could always find the good in everybody. We'd been friends since I was 18. She was a Beautician and I an Office Assistant. We were single mothers strugling. We loved our children, dancing, food and Jewelry.  We were each others strength when we felt the world had beat us down. We cried through our heartbreaks, My wedding, our divorces, Her first gand. She was my friend and I loved her.

 Bell especially loved purple and red.  As I crafted this pendant I could see her smiling and saying I have the perfect dress, let me put on some lipstick.  Her lips would be Plum some shade of purple an her outfit purple or red or both. LMBO.  Although I miss my Bell this Memories and Thanks bought back some happy fun memories.

This pendant features an Artisan Lampwork bead I believe from Patricia Dugmore of PJBeads. The purple beads are vintage from Grain of Sand.

 
Thank you so much for stopping by.  I value your comments and thoughts. Please visit other Participants
Hostess, Lori Anderson       Pretty Things

 Adlinah Kamsir                   Dream Struck Designs

 Aimee Biondolillo               Aimee's Jewelry Treasures

 Alicia Marinache                 All the Pretty Things 
 Andra Marasteanu               Handmade by Indra Marasteanu 
 Andrea Trank                      Heaven Lane Creations
 April Grinaway                   Brooklyn Bead Goddess

Barb Solem                         Vivi Magoo Presents

Becky Pancake                    Becky Pancake Bead Designs

Beth Emery                         Stories by Indigo Heart

Bonnie Coursolle                Jasper's Gems

Cassi Paslick                       Beads: Rolling Downhill

Catherine King                    Catherine's Musings

Cece Cormier                      The Beading Yogini

Chandra Leitz                     Juniper Goods

Charissa Nesler                   FireStorm Designs
Charlie Jacka                       Clay Space

Christina Hickman              Vintage Treasures Jewelry

Christine Murrow               Charis Designs Jewelry
Christine Stonefield            Sweet Girl Design

Chrizette Bayman               Bead Soup Mix

Cindy Wilson                      It's My Sea of Dreams

CJ Bauschka                       4 His Glory Creations by CJ

Crystal Thain                      Here Bead Dragons

Cyndi Lavin                        Beading Arts

Debbie Rasmussen             A little of this, a little of that

Denielle Hagerman             Some Beads... and other things I like
Diana Gonzalez                  Arte y Poemas

Diane Hawkey                    diane hawkey

Dita Basu                            ankarshilpa

Donetta Farrington             Simply Gorgeous

Dyanne Everett-Cantrell     Deeliteful Jewelry Creations

Emma Todd                        A Polymer Penchant

Erin Kenny                         beadiful therapy

Erin Prais-Hintz                  Treasures Found

Gina Hockett                      Freestyle Elements

Gloria Allen    you are here  Innovative Dreams Jewelry

Heather Marston                 CSW Designs

Inge von Roos                    Inge's Blog

Iveth Caruso                       Creative Atelier

Jacqueline Marchant          Fiddledeedee Jewelry

Jami Shipp                         Celebrating Life!

Jean Yates                          Snap Out of it Jean, There's Beading to Do!

Jennifer Reno                     Musings of a Crafty Jenny
Jenny Robledo                   Peppa's Dream

Jennifer VanBenschoten    Jewelry, Art and Life
Jessica Klaaren                  Cellar Door Jewelry

Jessica Murray                   Whimsical Monkey

Joan Williams                     lilruby jewelry

Jo-Ann Woolverton            It's a Beadiful Creation

Joanne Browne                   josjewels1

Jodie Marshall                    Jodie Marshall Lampwork Beads Wearable Art

Johanna Rhodes                 Fire Phoenix Creations
John Rasmussen                 Rasumussen Gems and Jewelry LLC

JuLee Wolfe                       The Polymer Penguin

Julie Bean                           Blue Pig Blog

Karen Mitchell                   Over the Moon Designs

Karin King                         The Sparklie Things Blog
Karin Slaton                       Backstory Beads

Kat Douglas                       Washoe Kat's
Kay Bolton                        Toodles and Binks

Kelly Hosford Patterson     The Traveling SideShow

Kim Ballor                          Vitamin C ... A Daily Does of Creativity

Kim Dworak                       CianciBlue

Kim Houston                       The Pink Martini
Kym Hunter                         Kym Hunter Designs

Laren Dee Barton                Laren Dee Designs

Lea Avroch                          LA Jewelry Designs

Leanne Loftus                      First Impression Design

Liddy McLaughlin               Liddy McLaughlin Art

Linda Florian                       Lily's of the Valley Jewelry & Creative Creations

Linda Inhelder                     Must-Haves Jewelry

Lisa Hamilton                      Simply Irresistable Jewelry
Lisa Suver                            Fancee That

Lori Bowring Michaud        Artfully Ornamental

Lori Poppe                           Adventures in Creativity with Lorillijean

LouAnn Elwell                    Southpass Beads

Mandi Effron                       Craft-o-licious

Marcia DeCoster                 MadDesigns

Marcia Dunne                     The Alternative Foundry

Marie Covert                      Creating Interest

Marjorie Savill Linthwaite     bennubirdrising

Marlene Cupo                        Amazing Designs by Marlene

Martha Aleo                           Ornamento

Marti Conrad                          Marti's Buttons -n- Beads

Mary Ellen Parker                  BeeTree by m.e.

Mary Govaars                        MLH Jewelry Designs

Mary Lindell                          Mary Lindell Artisan Jewelry

Maureen Connolly                 Mrs Beadsley's Workshop

Maybeline Tay                       The Jewelry Larder

Melissa Elgin                         The Addicted Beader

Melissa Mesara                      one-eared pig beads

Menka Gupta                         Menka's Jewelry

Michaela Pabeschitz              la mar de bonita

Mischelle Fanucchi               Micheladas Musings

Mona Rae Baroody               Who Does She Bead She Is?

Nan Emmett                          Spirit Rattles -- Spirited Earth

Nancy Pedersen                    Something Heartfelt by Nancy

Natalie Davidson                  NorthShore Days
Nikki Douglas                      Bead It and Weep

Pam Farren                           re-maker

Pam, the Crazier Sister        The Crazy Creative Corner

Pam Traub                            Klassy Joolz
Priya Krish                           Hellopalz  
Rebecca Anderson               Song Beads

Rebecca Sirevaag                 Becca's Place

Robin Kae Reed                   Artistry HCBD

Rochelle Brisson                  a creative chelle

Rosa Maria Cuevas              Helena de Troya

Sabine Dittrich                     perlendschungel

Sandi Volpe                          Sandi Volpe

Sandra McGriff                    Creative Chaos

Sarah Goode                         Pookledo
Sarah Singer                         String a Song of Sixpence

Serena Trent                         All Things Made Jewelry

Shai Williams                       Shaiha's Ramblings
Sharon Palac                        Sharon's Jewelry Garden

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson    Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections

Sheila Davis                         Stone Designs

Shelley Graham Turner        Fabric of My Life

Sherri Stokey                       Knot Just Macrame

Sherry Baun                         Unicorns Jewels

Skylar Bre'z                         Brising Beads

Stephanie Haussler              Pixybug Designs

Tania Spivey                        Moobie Grace Designs

Terri G.                                Blooming Ideas

Terry Carter                         Tapping Flamingo

Terry Matuszyk                    Pink Chapeau Vintage Jewelry

Toltec Jewels                       Jewel School Friends
Tracy Kruse                         Goldkisses Art

Tracy Martin                        Nutkitten's Jewelry

Zia Parks                              Anzi~Panzi's Work Shoppe

Zoe Marcin                          Beads, Tea and Sweets

  

Gray Days Of Winter

I know some will be upset ... But I need to be revived. I know somewhere in the world someone is feeling the same.  While I was thrown into the midst of the Holiday frantic shopping watching people buying gifts they couldn't afford for people they felt obligated to buy for,I asked myself why?  Where is the Luv! people? I began to feel depressed, aggravated and couldn't shake the feeling. I couldn't keep my mind on the good things that happened all year just the bad stuff. Taxes went up on the Mortgage.   I Tore my Miniscus, don't know how, After Surgery and 16 weeks of physical therapy, I'm still asking why?  Don't get me wrong, I am grateful I can walk again.  Somehow that's not the thought that stays on my mind.Why?  I have lost three of my Staff members due to retirement.  Do you know how hard it is to find people with Switchboard experience (can't spell today) more less, three of them.  Then they have to be trained. Oh my God the exhaustion that follows.Some people can't be trained so I am stuck 3 months later still looking....Why? I degress.... Then there is me and my Gray Hair.
At what age can and do women stop dyeing those Gray Hairs. I noticed Gray roots all around my face.  I refuse to dye my hair. Take me as I am.  How long am I gonna feel like this? My mother is 74 and only has a few Grays at her ear temple.  So unfair I must be destined to be like my dad.  He was gray in his 20's.
I have three pieces of Jewelry due this week for three challenges. (of course I didn't realize it). Furliz Navidad, Memories, and Year Of Jewelry Project all due on the 12th,
YOJP inspiration Word is Grace. To me Grace is calm, clear and not Fussy. Let me Present Grace Bracelet:

Give-a-way Magic

I know everyone is so busy, just a short blog.  Ever feel like you just cant win.  Well there were So many Give-a-ways, I would love to win 1.  Well I did. An Absolutely beautiful Bracelet from +Whimsical Monkey.  I was awed when I recieved this Beautiful Red Gift box.  I opened and inside to my surprise silver wrapping.  Inside the silver wrapping the plastic with the gift.  Such care was given to the wrapping and shipping of the Jewelry it showed how much she cared about the Jewelry.  Inside was my Treasure.  The Pink Bracelet with the Pink Tree of life charm. Gorgeous.  I think sometimes when your having a rough day (for me month) something pretty just makes you feel a little special.  That is what winning this Give away did for me. Such beautiful wire wrapping and I love the magnetic clasp.This Bracelet has a lot of texture to it.  Well Tomorrow is Christmas, Happy Holiday Everybody!

 

Season of Joy



Season of Joy Inspiration Photo

 Today is the reveal for Season of Joy Challenge.  The Green, Turquoise blue and pink were shouting at me.  Well I shouted right back with this Necklace of a Green Seashell focal with wire wrapped blue glass beads, round and squared. Vintage pink pearl bead dangles with swavorski crystals, blue and bronze glass beads.

I then embelished silver wrapped beads by wrapping them with red and green beads adding silver mesh balls and square red beads for a mis matched pair of Holiday earrings.

Thank you for visiting. Please stop by and see my new FB page www.facebook.com/gloriaallendesigns

Berries and Leaves November Challenge

Atrisan Whimsey is having a Berries and Leaves Challenge.  Although I am not yet published, the Aries in me likes the challenge. It makes me think, it makes me create using techniques maybe never tried.  I saw this challenge and thought, oh yeah,I have those leaf beads I purchased from Michaels on a whim, and up to now no way to use. Now,  what for berries, and what to hang them on?  Well I have some green wire purchased at Beadfest and for the life of me can't remember the gauge.  What to do, what to do. Hmmm.  Oh I have that thing a majig, lets play.  So I cut lengths of wire and twisted it on the Jig.  I then took the spiral twisted twists and twisted those.  I had a pretty piece of Green Agate, love Agate. That became the focal with a Leaf and glass Berries.  I strung my componets together and "Oh my"  Gorgeous. Love it.  Does everyone once in awhile just create a piece that comes out better than you could have imagend.  I present to you "Berries and Leaves Necklace"

CHAOS

Welcome to my Chaos.

I went Blog hoppin.  looking at your work spaces and mine.  I sat down to ponder,I drank a glass of wine  And then I had a thought, some storage to be brought. So I took a little trip, to Ikea in my whip, Now I can design, A more organized space, is mine.  View my pictures of the draw file I purchased and put together.  Then hop over to  Sky's Creative Chaos for a FREE GIVE AWAY. A Marsha Neil pendant with some bead soup.   

Opening my files to put together

Finished file

File of goods

I now have a drawer for Findings, a drawer with tools,  a drawer with seed beads,  a drawer with projects currently being worked on and a drawer with some Gemstones http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50167158/

BRACELETS FOR HOPE

Hello, Its me again, I don't really do bracelets but Are you familiar with the 7,000 Bracelets for Hope campaign? Many of us bead makers and jewelry designers are. It's a bracelet program for people or families who suffer rare genetic diseases. Here's a bit of information directly from their *donation page*: "Cause bracelets have been available for breast cancer and heart disease but there has never been a unifying symbol, color or bracelet that represents the rare and genetic disease community. That’s why we started the 7,000 Bracelets for Hope™ So I grabbed my collection of Blue beads

I Made a strand of seed beads, attached it to a strand of Dark Blue Freshwater Pearls, light blue beads, I caged a Pearl in copper, I love copper and mixing the metals. Strung a Crystal bead on one side and a Silver mesh Bead for balance on the other side. I have added silver metal bead caps in assorted sizes according to bead size. I must always have a little dangele. I used 3 Swavorsky crystals to make a dangle and on the strand to bring it all together. A nice clasp and chain makes it adjustable for the reciever of this Gift. I hope someone will enjoy wearing it as much as I enjoyed making it.

Oregon Made Jewelry: I am doing a Lampwork Beads Galore giveaway. Thes...

Oregon Made Jewelry: I am doing a Lampwork Beads Galore giveaway. Thes...: I am doing a Lampwork Beads Galore giveaway. These are my orphan beads; left over from projectsw and cleaning out my bead stash. There are...

Hello, Its me again. Last month I attended the Grain of Sand Trunk show. I purchased some lovely clasps and met the lovely Maggie Roschyk. Maggie was wearing the necklace from her book and of course, I have my autographed copy.

I wish I had taken a photo with her. Hindsight Im still learning. This Necklace that is made out of seed beads Oh my God. Gorgeous! Simply Gorgeous. You know sometimes when we buy a strand a beads and their not all perfect? Maggie's book has a beautiful solution of what to do with those less than perfect beads. Now I am gonna sit down and see what I can challenge myself to do from the book. I don't play with seed beads but they Jewelry from them facinate me. While I sit Lets have a slice of Pumpkin Streusel Coffee Cake. Oh did I forget to tell you, I like to Cater as a hobby. (lol) Going to read now, Until next time Be a Beader.

www.beadsoupblogparty.com

Solar Flare Bogg Hop Challenge





The Challenge create using these Photo's as your insperation.

I Loved the Purple Hues, Orange and Yellow.  I found a Bead that looked exctly liked the Solar eclipse.