Bead Soup Fall Version

I debated whether to participate in this Bead Soup event. It is a very busy time for me, school starting, friend's son's wedding preparations, an art show, etc. But I really enjoyed the last one and decided, what the heck.

When you sign up for the event, Lori Anderson asks if you are willing to have an international partner. I have said yes both times. I was a little disappointed in the spring that I did not get a international partner, but New York is so much different from Kentucky, it was ok, and I loved my partner Amber Dawn. We are so different, it was a wonderful experience.
Well this time I did get a international partner, Sweden, in fact. She is Jenny Vidberg of Shyme Designs. The funny thing is we sent very similar color palette soup. She sent the most awesome focal, a ceramic piece. She also sent crystals, which I love, and amazonite beads which I have admired many times but would not buy because I knew I would not part with them. The clasp is copper, just as I sent her a copper toggle. I visited her blog and loved her style of design.

Just as in the first Bead Soup I participated in, I plan on making something for myself, and not selling it. I make very little for myself and just could not sell something that is given to me from another designer's heart. Lots of participants either give the items away or sell them. Lucky people that end up with them, is all I have to say.

We both received our items within days of each other. Her packaging was over the top pretty. I really need to get a consistent and protective packaging strategy. Even the tissue paper was a pretty design white on white.

What was inside was even better.
Click on the picture to enlarge, it really doesn't do the items justice. I hope I can design something that will. I am looking forward to seeing what she will do with the beads I sent her.
I had in my head that I would send a color combination that went with copper findings and beads but when I sat down at the torch I made several things in a blue palette and made one set of aqua teal beads and a focal to match. I ended up sending the items that I just did as a whim. I liked them much better than the ones that I had in mind from the beginning. Go figure.
I always agonize about what to send. Am I sending enough? Am I sending to much? Last time I sent a lot of different choices and Amber Dawn used the focal, the clasp and maybe a couple of the other beads and that is all. This time I decided to send a more concise group and let Jenny's imagination run.

Funny thing also she is a teacher, and I work for a school in the office. So we are both very busy at this time of year. Did you catch the similar colors?

I will have to hustle as I am attending a big wedding out of state (Florida Beach) on the day of the reveal. I will post on time from afar. Maybe train Danny to do it.