So, I thought it would be a fun little diversion to participate in this Lori's annual Bead Soup Blog Party and was lucky to be included in the draw, this year. The idea is for two artists to swap materials and make something. Fun...yes?
My soup partner is the very talented glass bead artist and jewelry designer, Cassie Donlen.
When I saw her site, I was delighted to be paired up with her. I don't work with a lot of glass beads, lampwork or otherwise, but I do love a good challenge!
Friday, Cassie's package arrived and everything was wrapped so beautifully...
I had quite a wonderful time ripping through the packages!
Cassie sent me a lovely pile of her gorgeous lampwork beads...
The disks on the right are handmade pmc links, done by Cassie as well. Upon opening the packages, I could see just how multitalented Cassie really is.
Some of my favorite things in the box are Cassie's handmade etched bead caps.
Another favorite...these lampwork head pins. I nearly swooned when I saw these!
Another favorite...wow, there's a lot of great stuff going on here!...Cassie made this gorgeous clasp. A focal, clasp and accompanying accent beads are requirements for the swap.
The focals Cassie sent me are incredible.
And really, I could use these as focals, as well; aren't they clever? Love...love, I tell you! I'm SO looking forward to working with all of these elements.
For my part, I wasn't sure what to send Cassie so I sent her things that I would love. As I was choosing things, I was designing a piece, in my head...I couldn't help it! My materials frequently inspire me and dictate what my design will be like.
The elements that I sent Cassie have a definite spiritual feel. I'm all about it, as you probably know. I sent Cassie this resin focal (bezel from Susan Lenart Kazmer) that features my own cemetery photo.
I had to include a cross or crucifix. This one is from Italy. The green stones are tourmaline...I love it rough. The black stone is...??? But, it's pretty and goes with the green/cream/charcoal/black color scheme.
I sent Cassie a vintage rhinestone clasp and some crystal roundelles. The big pearls are gorgeously wonky in shape and the small defects are fascinating, to me. Soft green new jade and rough prehnite are part of the package, along with black snowflake obsidian.
I threw in these tiny French rosebuds...just because. They're so dang sweet!
I'm hoping Cassie loves all of these things, as much as I do. I think she'll be challenged. We'll both be busy now, designing and building our pieces. It's intriguing to me to know that Cassie is thinking through her design process at the same time I'm contemplating my own design with the things she sent. Hopefully, I can come up with something that does justice to her beautiful bead making skills.
deryn xxoo
Great stuff coming and going. Quite a haul for each of you to work with. It will be fun to see what you come up with.
Posted by: Ann Sherwood | Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 11:48 AM
Wow these are both delicious looking soups!
Posted by: Keri Lee Sereika | Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 06:38 AM
Both soups are amazing! As you said, Cassie is so multiple-talented! I can tell that each of you put a lot of thought into your bead soups, which makes this party so special! Two very lucky women, indeed!
Posted by: Patti Van | Thursday, February 09, 2012 at 05:02 AM
OMG! You hit the mother lode. Packaging is great too!. I would have loved to receive those rosebuds. They're very sweet.
Posted by: Jeanniek | Thursday, February 09, 2012 at 03:22 AM
Wow, both of you have an amazing style, I can't wait to see what you guys came up with;)
Greetings
Sabrina
Posted by: Sabrina staub | Sunday, February 05, 2012 at 12:40 PM
I'm having horrible bead lust after seeing all those amazing pictures of the beads you got for the BSBP. I can't wait to see what you do with them!
Posted by: ShadeTree Studio | Sunday, February 05, 2012 at 11:36 AM
Just a word: jealous!
Cassie sent you wonderful beads and metallic elements. If I were you I would be really thrilled. I cannot wait to see what you are going to do with this soup.
Ambra
Posted by: chic and frog | Sunday, February 05, 2012 at 05:19 AM
I love all of that, both received and sent...can't wait to see what you two do with your lovely soup
jenni
Posted by: Jenni Connolly | Saturday, February 04, 2012 at 11:30 PM
Reminds me of my old daze doing "mail art" exchanges. I loved getting envelopes full of other people's art!
Posted by: Donna Whiteside - Barking Dog Gallery | Saturday, February 04, 2012 at 08:46 PM
I keep coming back -- wondering how I can slicky both our your soups to my table!
Posted by: Lori Anderson | Saturday, February 04, 2012 at 03:11 PM
Wow you got a great mix from Cassie. Really wonderful. You are going to have so much fun. I love your mix too. So eclectic and fun.
Posted by: Libby | Saturday, February 04, 2012 at 02:10 PM
Oh Deryn ~ I'm positively jealous and green with envy! You and Cassie outdid yourselves! Each of you are lucky to have been paired up with the other! I can't wait to see the final results!
Posted by: Barb Solem | Thursday, February 02, 2012 at 09:51 PM
what a sellection. Can't wait to see the results
Posted by: jennifer | Thursday, February 02, 2012 at 09:05 PM
Great pics. I'm so looking forward to designing with your goodies. I have the beginnings of some ideas on how to precede and show off your awesome focal. Time is gonna fly by.
Posted by: Cassie Donlen | Thursday, February 02, 2012 at 08:38 PM
Wow you scored girl! Cassie's collection, especially her lamp work beads are awesomely gorgeous. I can't wait to see what you design with them.
Hugs
Diana
Posted by: Diana Frey | Thursday, February 02, 2012 at 12:12 PM
Those beads look good enough to eat! YUMMY.
Posted by: Lee | Thursday, February 02, 2012 at 07:08 AM
Looking at a beautiful post like this is making me inspired to add more beads to my metalwork...it's like being trapped in a Willi Wonka Bead room...what a lot of inspiration here!
Posted by: Stacie | Wednesday, February 01, 2012 at 10:00 AM
it will be fun to see what you guys come up with - the little french rosebuds, so so sweet....and your own cemetery photo in the bezel, very beautiful....
hope you are charging forward with mended shoulders!
Posted by: nina | Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 02:19 PM
Two amazing bowls of Bead Soup here! Lori really has a knack for pairing people. I am really looking forward to seeing what you do with these beads, which are so different from your usual materials.
And that black bead - I think it is labradorite - it reminds me of those countertops...
Posted by: Renate | Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 12:52 AM
Gracious the loot you received! There's definitely a ton of inspiration in what you received as well as what you sent. I cannot what to see what comes from these two packages! :)
Posted by: CraftyHope | Monday, January 30, 2012 at 11:01 PM
Wow, the two of you exchanged some beautiful beads and components. You both should have a really fun time making something with these.
Posted by: Jean A. Wells | Monday, January 30, 2012 at 09:59 PM
Oh my, you received some wonderful goodies! And, sent some wonderful goodies! I know you are going to enjoy this as much as I have =) We just love a good challenge don't we!!
Posted by: diane cook | Monday, January 30, 2012 at 04:20 PM
OMG I want ALL of that! I can see you making some awesome things!
Posted by: Lori Anderson | Monday, January 30, 2012 at 03:19 PM
Dang, I'm reeling from the gorgeousness of it all. I look forward to the creative conclusions; I have a feeling it's going to be awesome.
Posted by: sharon palac | Monday, January 30, 2012 at 03:07 PM
Wow! What a stash you got from Cassie. Just so much stuff and all so gorgeous. I know you will do her beads justice and can't wait to see what you make. Also, truly gorgeous stuff that you sent her. Love the colors in both stashes.
Posted by: Cynthia @ Ornamental Style | Monday, January 30, 2012 at 02:54 PM
Wow Deryn, this looks so fun... Love the stuff you sent to Cassie, but also was intrigued by her beautiful creations she sent to you too. Although, I don't use lampwork either, she really sent some beautiful items to create with. I will look forward to seeing your designs from the swap.
Gretchen~
Posted by: Gretchen Schaumann | Monday, January 30, 2012 at 02:35 PM
WOW! That bead swap looks totally yummy! Looking through what you got in the mail - so textury and buttery, so in tune with your style...and what you sent was equally inspiring and amazing...those greens make me want to jump into them and enjoy the peace and tranqulity!
Posted by: Mary Franzenburg | Monday, January 30, 2012 at 12:28 PM
Wow! What beautiful packages of beads in both directions! I'm looking forward to seeing what you each do!
Posted by: Michelle Mach | Monday, January 30, 2012 at 11:05 AM