Saturday 6 December 2014

Bead Hoarders Blog Hop is here!



I am so excited to be participating in the Bead Hoarder’s Blog Hop and yes like all of you I am a hoarder.  I never started out to be one but it is pretty much impossible not to become one…there are just so many beautiful little pieces of art out there.  I am particularly excited about this hop because it is a party hosted by Lori Anderson and I am so glad she is back. There is excitement in the air and it’s because the wonderful Bead Soup Cafe is open once again…I never realized how much I would miss it until I didn’t have it. I know Lori has a long road to recovery ahead of her but this is such a positive step and we will all be there in her corner cheering her on.

I love the Bead Hoarder’s Blog Hop…it makes one visit tucked away treasures and remember design ideas and then come up with new design ideas.  And let’s face it I just love bead blog hops…such positive reinforcement for creative minds.

A dear friend gifted me with her mother’s little treasure box of jewellery, knowing I love beading she thought that perhaps I could use some of the beads in the necklaces for my projects. I tucked away these treasures for another day and now that day is here. Isobel’s treasure box was filled with many pieces but most noticeably there were several strands of pearls. Some were obviously favorites because there were old and well worn, some were newer but all suggested Isobel’s love of the finishing touch.   “Isobel’s Pearls” combines all the pearls from these necklaces in one piece. Gold lace became the backdrop to showcase the precious pearls enhanced with tiny gold seed beads and a crystal drop as the final touch.  It is old world charm reinvented, a vision of love, age and wisdom.

Isobel's Pearls
I had in my stash several Raku beads that were crying to be seen but I had no idea what to do with them. I love Raku, the deep earthy richness and the obvious love put into creating them. When creating a Raku piece one never knows the outcome, hence the meaning “happiness in the accident” … so unpredictable and unique.  I also had some beautiful shibori silk ribbon…what a wonderful combination of two very natural elements coming together. I had never used a brass collar insert but had one on hand and the design process began…by this I mean I had a dream.  I needle felted a piece of lacy stiff stuff with some gorgeous silk hankie and then added the shibori ribbon, Raku beads, crystals and seed beads; encased the brass insert by adding crystals along the edge for a wonderful earthy neck collar… “Elemental”

Elemental


Thanks Lori, you are the best and now for the fun…let the hopping begin!

Lori Anderson

Audrey Belanger
Jenny Kyrlach
Kathy Lindemer
Lori Schneider
Dee Elgie
Dolores Raml
Rebecca Ednie
Lili Krist
Marybeth Rich
Hannah Rosner
Nicole Prince
Deana Hager
Jackie Ryan
Elsie Deliz-Fonseca
Mowse Doyle
Evelyn Shelby
Lisa Johnson
Terri Gauthier
Patti Pruhs
Shai Williams
Andrea Glick
K Hutchinson
Marci Brooks
Jo-Ann Woolverton
Jasvanti Patel
Laurie Vyselaar
Lisa Knappenberger
Mary Lindell
Niky Sayers
Sandra McGriff
Patricia Handschuh
Erin Prais-Hintz
Maria Rosa Sharrow
Kathleen Breeding
Monique Urquhart
Jackie Locantore
Sheryl Stephens
Becky Pancake
Mona Arnott
Michelle Escano
Denise McCabe
Carolyn Lawson
Sheila Prose
Kim Dworak
Iveth Caruso
Deborah Apodaca
Elizabeth Bunn
Janine Lucas
Kari Asbury
Inge von Roos
Divya N
Debbie Rasmussen
KJ
Klaudete Koon
Ghislaine Kruse-van Erp
Ginger Bishop
Kelly Schermerhorn
Mischelle Andrade
Sue Kelly
Rachel Mallis
Susan McClelland
Mary K McGraw
Tania Spivey
Stephanie Perry
Mitzie Crider
Nicole Rennell
Nicole Valentine
Karen Mitchell
Tammy Adams
Patty Miller
Blanca Medina
Stephanie Haussler
Roxanne Mendoza
Claire Fabian
Bridget Torres
Donetta Farrington
Lee Koopman
Deb Fortin
Susan Walls
Cece Cormier
Heather Otto
Lizzie Clarke
Elizabeth Hodges
Fay Wolfenden
Kelly Hosford Patterson
Nan Smith
Jayne Capps
Robin Kae Reed                                       http://www.willowdragon.blogspot.com/

Melissa Trudinger                                   https://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/