Reveal Day! 8th Bead Soup Blog Hop is finally here!

Here is my original post about my partner and the goodies I received...it also contains a brief explanation in case you aren't familiar with the Bead Soup Blog Hop and our lovely, inspiring hostess Lori Anderson. Now on to the reveal...

Beautiful, pale blue sea glass from my soup...I still have several of these beads left for another project since my partner graciously sent a whole strand! I thought they might be a bit heavy for earrings originally and was mulling other ideas when I ran across this wonderful chain at Michaels Craft Store in the Bead Gallery section...during a week when all Bead Gallery strands were 50% off...how could I resist? They are tiny wood beads so very lightweight...I added a Swarovski crystal on the top (seen better in the next picture) since the holes in the sea glass are a bit larger and finished off with brass ear wires from Vintaj. I really love the way the chain creates just the right amount of movement.

My soup had a pair of rustic, pink wood beads...perfect for earrings, right? I tried several techniques before settling on this finished design. I wanted the beads to sit sideways so you could really see how pretty they are with a bit of gold, slightly worn. In that same trip to Michaels...they had pink and purple chain too...did I mention 50% off? That's completely my justification for adding more beads I didn't really need to my ever growing collection. A purple, pink hued luster finish glass bead and brass ear wires complete the look. These are ultra lightweight, for their size and lots of movement in all that beaded chain and dangle!

                            

Aren't they just gorgeous, girly earrings...perfect for a summer dress or jeans and a tee shirt!

                            

My partner was very generous with what she sent so I had a choice of focals and clasps to use...hop rules say you must at least use the focal and clasp you are sent...I've been on somewhat of a wax linen, cord knotting, type kick lately...not sure why. So I had some great dark orange colored cord I wanted to use with the bee focal and copper clasp. Faceted glass compliments of the 50% sale...lol! They are called 'painted' and as you can really see in the next two pictures, they really do have a kind of water color painted look. I also like them for their bright colors, like crayons. :)

So I hand knotted all the beads on my lovely orange cord, and hung the bee focal from the clasp at the front of the necklace...just 'cuz I'm like that...I drive my hubby crazy with my asymetrical, off balance, 'weird-ass' designs...he always says things look good but wonders why I can create just one 'normal' thing? I guess it's just not me.

I have worn this necklace a couple of times and it seems to be a hit...looks very good with my standard casual favorite jeans, white tee and grey soft drape cardigan and mint green chucks ;)

I do have another necklace started with the butterfly focal, lava and rudraksha beads...but it won't be finished in time for the post. I hope you've enjoy visiting me today and I hope you will stop by Lori's blog here for a complete list of participants. We have nearly 500 participants...I hope you will take some time to hop around and enjoy all the wonderful designs!