Yay! The Bead Soup Blog Party Bead Hoarders' Edition is on! Today is the big reveal. I can't wait to see what everyone has made and I intend to curl up with my laptop and a glass of wine this weekend to check out each and every link. I especially can't wait to see what my partner Judy Jacobs has made with the beads I sent her.  When she posts her creations, I will post them here. 

For now, though, here is what I made with the beads she sent me. She was so generous with the package she sent me. I wanted to use all of the beads and goodies she sent in time for the reveal. But as it was, I was only able to finish one item with the main hoarded bead. She was kind enough to part with a gorgeous glass bead made by a favorite glass artist from Germany.  Anastasia of Anastasia Beads.   http://www.anastasiabeads.com

So here was the package she sent me.

Here is the bead from Anastasia bead from the package.

And here is the necklace and matching earrings I made. This bead really took me out of my wheelhouse. While I would describe my style as eclectic and evolving, it has mostly been sort of tribal, or boho hippie chic. And I usually use copper in my designs, This bead had a very modern feel to me so I decided to incorporate dark annealed steel into it.  All of the links and the hoops are made of steel. The ear wires are sterling.  The black and grey Czech glass beads mimic the shape of Anastasia's bead. In keeping with many of my designs, I did add soft black leather on the neck with a hand fabricated steel clasp.

I am so happy to participate this year. As I said in an earlier post, I have been wanting to be part of a bead soup swap for years. But the first time I discovered Lori Anderson 

http://www.prettythingsblog.com  

and her swaps, I was too late.  The second time, she got very sick and was unable to continue with the party. 

http://lemonsugarholdthelyme.blogspot.com.    

I'm so glad she decided to do it again! I'm so glad she is feeling better. I know she still struggles with Lyme disease and has many down days, but she is an inspiration to us all.  Thank you Lori from the bottom of my heart. 

If you want to see everything everyone who participated made, click the link below and then click each name. That will lead you to either their blog, or their Pinterest Page. Get a glass of wine and join me this weekend...

http://www.prettythingsblog.com