Okay now I get to show you the bead soup I sent my partner! Keep in mind I selected and packaged these before I even knew who my partner was...and I think as things went, it was a good choice for her. Especially because she is a glass artist! And also because she admits to having a thing for purses.

I sent her a large pink vintage pressed glass button and and twelve vintage Venetian glass beads. I found both of these treasures at the DC Big Flea which is a a huge antiques market that is held several times a year in Chantilly VA.  

http://www.thebigfleamarket.com/dc-show/

The little purse charm is sterling silver and opens! I honestly don't remember where I found that little treasure, but it has been in my stash for a long time.

The two flower charms, I made myself. They are forged from a vintage tin that I found at a junk shop. I cut the flowers, shaped them, riveted them together, and coated them with a thin layer of resin to protect the finish. 

Judy says she is happy with my soup and can't wait to start cooking. She is going to do something "non-jewelry" with the button for the reveal.  She has me very curious. Follow her blog and check out her lovely paintings and glass art on her website. 

https://mycreativesoulrevival.blogspot.com

This Bead Soup Blog Party is so much fun and has challenged me to "up my game" creatively.  In the past month or so, I feel like I'm beginning to find my voice, so to speak. I've been all over the map with my projects thus far because I've been trying technique after technique. Right now, I'm zeroed in on metal and I'm loving where I'm going. I think I might have something with my up-cycled tin flowers.  I've also been getting a lot of soldering practice in. 

Stay tuned to see what I create with Judy's incredible gift and what she makes with mine. Also check out Lori Anderson's Blog to see all of the participants' soups and creations on March 25, 2017 at the reveal party!

http://www.prettythingsblog.com 

Squeals of delight! My partner in the Bead Soup Blog Party- Bead Hoarders' Edition sent me the most incredible, beautiful, amazing, glorious, fantabulous beads and components EVER! She sent me an entire soup with beads, focal, clasp, ribbon, and many other beads that match for inspiration. Thank you so much Judy Jacobs.

I knew I was in for a treat first of all because she is a very talented painter and glass artist. How lucky am I to get paired with someone who makes art for A LIVING! You must check her out here.

http://www.judyjacobsart.com

Second, because the box the beads came is was a work of art in itself. No doubt I will be able to use that shell in a creation at a later date.

So here they are......

My soup.

1. Beautiful glass bead made by Anastasia who lives in Germany and two spacers. (More to come about her if I can find her website)

2. Two beads made by Judy herself. I love the colors. They remind me of the beach.

3. The asian coin is right up my alley. And the gorgeous sterling clasp. 

4. An assortment of matching beads for inspiration.

What a generous lady. This is awesome. I don't have to work very hard to make a masterpiece out of these components.  I could literally just attach them to string and make a gorgeous necklace.  I can't wait to get to work this project. And again, I have been waiting to participate in a Bead Soup swap for a long time. Thank you Lori Anderson 

http://www.prettythingsblog.com

 for doing this again and inviting me to be part of it.

Stay tuned.......

SaveSaveSaveSave

Well I thought I hit pay dirt when I found the Sanctuary in Davidson. A gift shop in the small college town where local artists could consign their hand-made items.

https://www.sanctuaryofdavidson.com

So far, since mid October, I've sold 16 items. What more could I want? A local place to sell my jewelry which I make as a hobby because I just LOVE to make it!  I don't even really wear that much jewelry myself. And I've given a lot away to friends and family. So if it doesn't sell, it just piles up into a mountain of jewelry in my workshop. Oh sure, I get the pleasure of looking at it, fondling it, admiring my own handiwork..... but to have someone like it enough to pay money for it and wear it! Wow! That is a great feeling.  The point is, I HAVE A DAY JOB that pays the bills. I don't want to get rich making jewelry, I JUST WANT TO KEEP MAKING IT!!!

Why the rant?  Well, I just found out that the Sanctuary is closing her doors on March 31st. Whaaaa!  

What now?

Anyway, below are some pics of my handmade creations for sale at the Sanctuary in Davidson NC. 

Yay! Let the Bead Soup Blog Party-Bead Hoarder's Edition begin!  These are my beads wrapped and ready to send to my partner Judy "JJ" Jacobs of Judy Jacobs Art. She is a talented painter and glass artist from California and I am so excited to see what she sends me. I took a peek at her website and her gorgeous paintings.  Check her out here.

http://www.judyjacobsart.com/paintings.html

Lori Anderson, the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party wanted this party to have a bit of a twist. Instead of sending a whole "soup" as in the past, which included a focal and clasp and assorted beads, she wanted us to look deep into our stashes to find beads that we have been hoarding....special beads we've been saving, because we saw them, we loved them, and we bought them.  BUT, we still haven't figured out what to do with them.  Even though she knew that they would be very hard to part with, she asked that we give from a generous heart. Inside the box are several of these special beads. I can't show them to you yet. Not until after my swap buddy sees them. But soon.

What happens next? I send these beads to her, she sends some to me, we both make something beautiful. Then we show everybody!  In the past, Lori has had a panel of artists pick the ones they like the best and  prizes were given.  The really lucky (and talented) participants got their creations showcased in her book!  see it here.    

https://www.amazon.com/Bead-Soup-Projects-Happens-Beaders/dp/0871164426

Also visit her blog Pretty Things to find out more about her and these fun exchanges.  She also makes some pretty cool jewelry herself!  

http://www.prettythingsblog.com

Stay tuned for more pics in the upcoming month.

FINALLY! Bead Soup Blog Party Bead Hoarders Edition

I am finally going to get to participate in a Bead Soup Blog Party! This is the whole reason I started a blog! Due to my bad timing and Lori Anderson's unfortunate battle with Lyme disease, I have not been able to be part of any of the previous Bead Soup Parties.  This bead hoarder addition's focus is gift giving. We are to pick one special bead from our stash. One we LOVE! One we may have been saving for just the right time, person, thing.....and trade it with a complete stranger. Here's how it works......

1. You sign up.

2. You pick your bead and package it up.

3. Lori pairs you up with someone else who has signed up. People from all over the world have participated in her Bead Soup Parties.

4. You trade beads with this person.

5. You make something wonderful with the bead you received.

6. You post pictures on your blog all along the way showing what you sent, what you got, what you made!

Everyone shares the experience either on their blogs or on a Pinterest board.  How much fun is THAT!?!

GreenBirdStudios: Welcome to the grand re-opening of my ETSY shop.

GreenBirdStudios: Welcome to the grand re-opening of my ETSY shop.: Green Bird Studios Grand Re-opening https://www.etsy.com/shop/GreenBirdStudios Original, hand-made, wearable art. Jewelry H...

Welcome to the grand re-opening of my ETSY shop.

Green Bird Studios Grand Re-opening

https://www.etsy.com/shop/GreenBirdStudios

Original, hand-made, wearable art.

Jewelry

Hi. I'm Leslie. I've always been creative in one way or another. I inherited that gene from my mother who always had us

doing some kind of crafts as kids. For many years I was a knitting fool! I love fibers and marvel at the way you can take string and sticks and turn it into….. well, things! Like scarves and clothing, socks, and purses, and shoes, and jewelry. 

My latest creative craze however is jewelry making. That started when I saw a beautiful designer bracelet that I wanted to purchase but couldn't afford. I decided to try to make it myself. Which I did. And it turned out great! Just as beautiful at one tenth the cost. But without the designer logo. That was the start of the journey I've been on for the past few years.

My creative journey with jewelry is evolving as I learn technique after technique. I love beading. I love working with metal. I am a beginning metalsmith. I am learning to make lamp work beads from glass. I am dabbling in enameling. I've used macramé and knitting in some of my jewelry designs. My favorite techniques involve fire I've found. (To my husband's dismay!) I love using my torches to manipulate materials. 

I work with copper a lot. Not only because of it's affordability, but because of the warm beautiful variety of color. When heated or treated with various chemicals it changes to a myriad of reds, golds, greens, browns, and blues. It is an amazing metal I also like to work with leather and silk….soft fibers that feel good on your skin and add a bohemian dimension to my work. 

I am also an animal lover, bird lover, nature lover, wife, and most importantly a Christ follower. 

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." 

Psalm 139:13-14 

I give thanks and praise to the Ultimate Creator and Giver of life.

Below is a small sampling of new items in my shop. 20% discount offered to my blog readers. Just type GBSblog20 at checkout.