A Credit River Nut

Well, it's actually an acorn, but I think the word "nut" is funnier.  And, even though it looks natural, it's a handmade work of art from Julie Nordine's Credit River Art Glass.  This little piece of glass and copper goodness that came in the mail today is just the most wonderful thing to appear on this Monday!

This is Julie's photo from her Etsy shop...this is the actual nut that's
on my kitchen counter--but the lighting in my
apartment is so crappy I can't get any good photos myself.  :)

For me, Mondays are all about itchy uniform shirts and getting back in the swing of overwhelming amounts of email after a relaxing weekend.  But, the cooler weather and refreshing sunshine makes me so happy...autumn is absolutely my favorite time of the year.  I lost my mind (in a good way) the other day with all the cinnamon candles, pumpkin spiced coffee, and orange everywhere while shopping!  That smell is unbeatable.  Throw in some crunchy leaves and I'm hooked.  I'm immediately transported back to my huge yard at the house where I grew up on Juliana Street with the trails and mazes we'd make out of the huge piles of leaves, much to my raking parents' dismay.  As soon as they could get them in piles, we'd make sure they were spread back out.  I know my mom and dad will read this and remember that I've always been such a super helpful daughter!  haaaaaaaaaaaa

Anyway, back to the nut...and my original Bead Soup partner, Julie Nordine who I met back in the party in February.  She's been off the blog scene for a while getting her production and sales on, so I was thrilled when she celebrated a big Beadwork feature by putting some of her latest work in her Etsy shop.  If you're in the mood for some gorgeous organic glasswork combined with wonderful etched copper...Julie's your girl.

She etches these cool copper leaves that work beautifully
with the acorns...and she sent me one to work with!! 
I'm going to end up keeping it for myself, I just know it.

Julie's also filling up the galleries on her website with more photos, including a designer gallery.  She's including this piece from our Bead Soup swap that I crafted out of her artisan glass and copper bits...

Thank you, Julie, for the nutty treasures and the wonderful autumn sensations.  :)

The Big Reveal!!!! It's Party Time!

I can't believe this Big Bead Soup Party started with just one post from Lori Anderson way back in December! She took on the coordination for over 80 artists (click to go to yesterday's post that has the whole list, with links!) who signed on, swapped favorite beads, and then created something new to reveal today--so, it's a big day!

First off, I have to say whooo hooooooo about my partner, Julie Nordine from Credit River Art Glass. We hit it off from the very beginning...even though she lives far from Alabama up in Minnesota and we actually haven't met in person. :) So, as much as I looooooove the pieces she sent me to work with and my final result, the coolest part of the party was meeting someone who shares the same enthusiasm and passion about life! So, thanks, Julie for being such a generous new friend!! As a reminder, here's the stash she sent me that includes tons of goodies that she had her hands on making or modifying:

Click on the pic to go to her blog post that describes each piece in more detail.

I couldn't stop fondling the copper washers! I studied them and finally figured out that they were etched. Well, I'm not really into acid or electro-whatevering to try that myself, but I can sure wield a mean chasing hammer!!! haaaaaaaaaaa So, I took out a few plain old washers and pounded to my heart's content...I even bought a new hammer with texture just to change things up! I just loved all the circles and the rings and while playing around with them on my work table, I ended up here....

It's a Free Fall of etched copper, textured copper, and textured silver all linked together with copper jump rings that highlight the gorgeous Credit River Art Glass focal bead and smaller coordinating round beads. There are even lovely etched copper bead caps on each of these glass beauties that tie them into the piece perfectly! It's all finished off in the back with an etched copper toggle.

Another cool tip I learned from Julie was this trick for photography with the "spotlit" background...makes it look like a really professional feature! haaaaaaaaaaaaaa

In case you're wondering how it hangs, it's asymmetrical, as most of my pieces tend to be, because I wanted the falling "bib" portion of rings to balance the focal and I'm totally satisfied with the way it flows. I even did a wear-test out with some friends last week and made a few tweaks as soon as I got home (even with Buffalo wing sauce in my cuticles!)
This "Soup" created some great inspiration:
- I've come to love working with copper...it's been in most of my pieces in the last two weeks.
- I'm not afraid to deal with jump rings to hold things together
- I'm now willing to spend hours reworking designs, even if that means taking most of it apart!
- I dig blogging and all those folks out there who are doing the same thing!!

So, many thanks again to Lori and Julie and to all the other designers, artists, crafters out there who were part of the party!!

Jen

The Bead Soup Party Reveal's Tomorrow!

I love my piece and I can't wait to show it off...so here's a little hint so you'll be so excited to come on back tomorrow and see the whole thing!

But, what's more exciting is that there'll be party goodness on all of these sites and I'm going to see them all!!! If you're one of my non-beady friends or my family, you don't have to see them all but at least now you'll know that I'm not the only one who obsesses over stuff like this. haaaaaaaaaaa

1. Lori, Pretty Things Blog (Our Host)
2. Mallory, For the Love of Beads
3. Terri, Blooming Ideas
4. Cindy, Sweet Bead Studio
5. Lorelei, Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
6. Kerry, Kab's Creative Concepts
7. Erin, Treasures Found
8. Jeannette, Jeannette Blix Wire and Metal Jewelry (My first wire teacher. :)
9. Adrienne, Adrienne Designs
10. Nan, Spirit Rattles
11. Laurel, Rue's Daftique
12. Nancy, Beading From the Heart
13. Mary, MK's Creative Musings
14. Cassie, The Glass Beadle
15. Dot, Winchell Clayworks
16. Sharon, Sharon's Jewelry Garden
17. Lisa, Lo and Behold
18. Norma, Bead Dreams and Moonlit Fantaseas
19. Judith, Judith B.
20. Debbie, Prairie Emporium
21. Maria, Garden Path Beads
22. Susan, Kaplan Creations Jewelry and Glass Design
23. Melissa, Melissa Meman: Art, Love, Life
24. Marianna, Pretty Shiny Things
25. Lisa, Joolz by Lisa
26. Cristi, 2 If By Sea
27. Sandra, Marbella Jewelry Design
28. Maria, Greene Earth Originals
29. Barbara, Jewelry of Distinction
30. Leslie, Bei Mondi
31. Loretta, Designs by Loretta
32. Linda, Bella Bead Jewelry
33. Kathie, The Bead Cult
34. Patty, Plays With Fire
35. Nicki, Nicki's Reef
36. Anne Marie, Heart's Desire
37. Mary, Mary Harding Jewelry
38. Jayne, Mama's Got to Doodle
39. Emanda, Artemesia's Studio
40. Whitney, Whitney Lassini
41. Marcie, La Bella Joya
42. Suzann, Beadphoria
43. Jen, Jen Judd Rocks (Uh, you're here already.)
44. Julie, Credit River Art Glass (My awesome party partner!)
45. Janiece, J Birds Garden
46. Kate, Organic Odysseys
47. Laurie, The Mermaid Tale
48. Michelle, My Crazy Crafty Adventure
49. Sue, Sue Beads
50. Janeen, Wild Vanilla Designs
51. Nancy, The Rabbit Muse
52. Kristie, Artisan Clay
53. Regina, Regina's Writings
54. Tari, Pearl and Pebble
55. Lyn, Lyn Foley
56. Beth, Sunshine Daydreamz
57. Cathryn, Chile Cats
58. Emma, Fred Bean's Nook
59. Connie, Cetta Cheese Chatter
60. Juli, Jul's Beads
61. Julie, RockerJewlz
62. Libby, LibbyLeu and Glass Too
63. Melanie, Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
64. Katie, My Life and My Beads
65. Zuleykha, Zuleykha's Polymer Clay
66. Rekella, Me But a Little More in Depth
67. Ricki, What's New at Ricki Voges Design
68. Lisa, Lucid Moon Studio
69. Jo, Daisychain Jewellery
70. Lynette, Rock Hill Designs
71. Lynne, Island Girl's Insights
72. Chas, One Woman's Haven
73. Ruthie, Rose Works Jewelry
74. Elizabeth, Turquoise Sky
75. Maire, Maire Dodd
76. Janet, Singing Woods
77. Eileen, Dorset Hill Beads
78. Julie, Miss Kitten's Jewels
79. Joann, Jo's Jewels
80. Patti, PJ Clark Designs
81. Mel, Kookie Designs
82. Erin, Every Heart Crafts
83. Dale, Flights of Fancy
84. Dee, Runako Designs

The Soviets Vs. The Soup

I'm torn. I have a two-page paper to write about the Soviet Afghan War book I just read (or sort of skimmed) but I also received my lovely bead soup from Julie! What's a girl to do??? The paper's not due until tomorrow...and it's ONLY two pages!!! haaaaaaaaaa

So, the soup wins! Check out this phenomenal set of artwork from Julie Nordine's Credit River Art Glass. It's so classy and gorgeous and textured and pretty and original and fun...I am so excited! I'm honored to be able to work with such great pieces! That focal alone...aren't you all coveting?!! haaaaaaaaaaaa

So, as Julie wrote in her post about receiving my soup, we're both in for a challenge. These lovely subdued colors are going to be a joy to work with, but certainly not something I'm used to. :) Plus, I am loving the copper! I am ready to channel my friend Jeannette Blix (another bead partier) who first started me on metal...I'm going to get my hammer out and see what happens! I'm generally a silver girl, but the richness of the beads with the copper-finished ends is just too much goodness...I have to follow that path.

Speaking of paths...I guess it's time to move towards Afghanistan and the two pages that have to be done before tomorrow morning. But, not before one more look at my goodies! haaaaaaaaaaa

Credit River Art Glass...The Party's Started!...

Here's the link to my partner...Credit.River.Art.Glass: THE PARTY HAS STARTED....

Julie got her package of Jen Judd goodies...so we're on! Plus, look at that teaser of pretties!!! I can't wait!!!

Cheers to all Bead Soup Partygoers!!!! :)

My Party Partner...

A couple of days ago I posted about Lori Anderson's Party. Well, it turns out there are 83 artists/bloggers/beaders/crafters attending!! How cool is that?

The greatest email was waiting in my inbox this morning from Julie Nordine, of Credit River Art Glass. She's my Party partner. :) What does that mean? She's going to send me beads to work with and I'll send her a set of goodies from my collection...then, we take those sets and work them into something spectacular. Not only is she a fantastic lampwork bead artist, she's an Air Force girl, too! Well, she grew up with an Air Force dad and that certainly counts. :) She has a great gallery on her website: Julie Nordine - Credit River Glass that you should definitely check out. Here's just one sample of her work...

Isn't it seriously gorgeous? She says her bead style is "fairly organic.... in a strong, exaggerated & stylized sort of way." Anything that's strong, exaggerated & stylized sounds great to me! She's writing to the bead-blog world from Minnesota on her Credit River Art Glass blog and there are more great pictures and stories.

So, great to meet you, Julie! And best wishes to all the others at the Party!