Friday, May 9, 2014

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!

135 comments:

  1. Hi Kari,
    Wow.. Your designs are awesome. I love the first pair of earrings. Great job.

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  2. Very pretty and lovely

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  3. Good idea to knot the orange cord in necklace.And both earrings are cool!

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  4. I loved the way you use color.

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  5. Beautiful! I love the beads they are cool colors. The wax cording is cool too! Happy Bead Soup party!

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  6. Beautiful and colorfull earrings ^_^

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  7. It's all gorgeous, but I'm totally in love with the pink earrings. Great job!

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  8. Love your pieces, especially the necklace and the first pair of earrings.

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  9. Your link isn't working to take you back to Lori's link list.

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    1. Fixed...I copied from the original email and links she sent but hadn't had a chance to check it when my post first when up...Thanks for letting me know so I could fix it.

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  10. Love your necklace with the toggle in front and the orange cord you used to knot!

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  11. Love those girly earrings! Those unusual faceted glass 'painted beads' are the perfect thing with the bee focal. Great stuff :-)

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  12. Great earrings - and I absolutely love the necklace!

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  13. Great job on the necklace. I really like the first pair of earrings too.

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  14. Love those "painted beads"! And love what you did with them.

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  15. Lovely, colorful and summery pieces!

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  16. There is nothing like seaglass! love all of the color :)

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  17. Oh, I love sea glass... And that necklace has such an old, weathered feel (in a very good way !)

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    1. LOL! I completely understand what you mean by weathered feel and you're right...it looks like it's been worn and treasured :)

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  18. Love the colors, especially the tie-dye looking beads. Great job.

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  19. Lovely designs, But that necklace is a wower! Love all the colors of those beads,toggle in the front and all hand knotted,beautiful!

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  20. your soup is full of life! great work

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  21. your creations make me ready for the beach! wonderful wire work!

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  22. Those beads on the necklace are fab! I can see how that would become a go-to choice with jeans! Great job!

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  23. First of all , I love your "not" weird ass asymmetrical style!! second, I love what you have done with this soup!! Where did the Bee focal come from ?? Love those faceted beads as well!

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    1. Thank you! Hubby always says it in a loving way...he's just VERY structured. The bee focal is from Barbara Bechtel...I realized this morning in my rush to get my post written I didn't get the credit linked...bad me...I'm usually spot on with that.

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  24. I love what you made! Especially the necklace - that orange cord you used complemented those beads perfectly!

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  25. Such cuteness and eye popping colors ta boot. I love it all and the designs are brilliant you did and awesome job ty for sharing with us all

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  26. The beads look like tie-dyed beads, Hippie Chick. How appropriate. Beautiful bee necklace!

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  27. The necklace is beautiful - I love the colors! Great earrings! I saw some of that bead chain in Michael's and didn't buy any. I'm sorry now that I see how great you've made it look! A fun post.

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    1. You should grab some if you see it again...our Michaels runs the Bead Gallery strands on sale frequently and that's usually when I try to grab them makes the prices really great. I still have more chain to use with other projects but it's a lot of fun.

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  28. I love the colors, I love your designs, beautiful pieces.

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  29. I love the designs of the earrings! Very unique! The necklace is very pretty. Well done!

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  30. Pretty colours and designs - well done :-)

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  31. I love your earrings and I love the asymmetrical look myself. Clever idea to use the focal hanging from the clasp. Wonderful job.

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  32. Love the girly earrings :-). Great pieces.

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  33. Hey Kari,
    Am just starting to hop...love those earrings! I have the same chain and now i know what to do with them. I like how you used Hope's painted bead horizontally.
    And orange is my happy color :)
    Thanks for playing along and for my wonderful soup!

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  34. the knotted necklace is SO fun & happy

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  35. fabulous! love love love the pink earrings and I'd be wearing that necklace all the time too!!

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  36. How fun those earrings are, and I love the necklace too.. great layering piece!

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  37. What fun, vibrant pieces! I like how you really played up the soup pieces with your own finds. I've not tried knotting yet. You've inspired me.

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  38. Lovely! And yes, a 50% sale at the time of this challenge is the perfect reason to add to your collection ;) Excellent choices, as well! Love those painted glass rondelles!

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  39. Love the colors of your necklace...

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  40. Ok that necklace is just the bombdiggety, yo. I love it so much! Love how you used the toggle to hang the focal, love the color play, love love love love! Great pieces here. :-D

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  41. Hi Kari,
    Those earrings are to die for really !!
    and colors in that necklace are yummy ..
    great job!!
    xx B

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  42. Nice pieces, all of them. Especially I love the sea glass earrings.

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  43. Great designs! I admit, the 50% off beads just made me buy a few more even though I have plenty in my hoard. ;)
    The bee is perfect with the "painted" glass beads, and I love the look of the beaded chain with the earrings. I may have to pick up some of that chain, too.

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  44. I really enjoyed looking at what you have made Kari, the water colour necklace is so cheerful I really like those beads, it is so nice to make something that can cheer you up just looking at it, you have done that for me this morning, thanks.
    Hope you will visit my blog if you get a minute!
    Jackie

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  45. I'm in love♥ with the earrings! You did a great job!

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  46. Really nice job with your soup! I especially like the necklace...fantastic color!

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  47. What fun designs! You are so right, those pink and purple beaded chain earrings are gorgeous!!! I love seeing what you did with your soup and look forward to seeing more of your jewelry.
    Thank you for visiting my own party post!

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  48. Those mosaic/multi-colored beads are GORGEOUS! The pink and purple earrings are incredible. I would wear those everyday! Great job!

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  49. Love the sea glass earrings and the bee necklace! Wonderful work, my friend! xo Genea

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  50. Very pretty-especially partial to the sea glass earrings

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  51. Love love love your designs...especially the necklace

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  52. Lovely designs. I, too, particularly like the sea glass earrings, but they are all really wonderful and really sellable.
    -Hannah Rosner
    http://goodrivergallery.blogspot.com

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  53. Such a gorgeous mix of bright colors! Your bee necklace is my favorite… and I love that you brought the clasp to the front—it adds an extra bit of fun to the design and looks just fabulous!

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  54. I really like your earrings, very creative!

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  55. Those knots between the beads really give the necklace ZING!!

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  56. My fav is the first pair of earring, lovely designs!

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  57. I like the necklace a lot. I'm inspired to try cord knotting. The earrings are super creative-great use of the materials.

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  58. Lovely colors, reminds me so much that summer is here.

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  59. Beuatiful design. My fave is the second earings :-D

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  60. You have managed to make two different pairs of earrings using the same basic idea, I love the ones with the sea glass. Bravo on the colors you've chosen for the necklace, the focal certainly is in good company and the use of the clasp with it makes it ever so brighter!

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  61. Beautiful designs. Those sea glass earrings remind me of either parachutes/hang-gliders or jellyfish. Lovely use of your soup, and a great sale at your local store.

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  62. Yea for 50% off! (You should add these to the Halcraft Facebook page!) I think that chain with the little beads is really great. I have never used that before. I like the unique way you showcased those beads in the earrings. The first looks like little umbrellas and the second makes it look like a stained glass window! But that necklace is my favorite. I love the fact that you used the orange as a bit of contrast. I love that! And I have never seen those beads at Michaels... and I thought I owned every single one! Thank you for sharing your talents with the 8th Bead Soup party! Enjoy the day. Erin

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  63. I love both pair of earrings! The necklace is amazing! Great job!!! Have a Blessed Day!

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  64. Beautiful colour combinations! Reminds me of spring and summer .. wishful thinking in these parts ;)
    Well done!

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  65. Really nice pieces. I love the colorful necklace

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  66. I love sea glass. Never worked with it, but maybe someday. Now that knotted necklace...wow!!!! I LOVE it...a lot!!!! I love the colors...I'm a bright color gal myself.

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  67. That beaded chain is so fun! I love all of the movement in it, and the way it accents the focal beads.... awesome!

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  68. The "painted" beads were a perfect touch. Really reminded me of the " summer of love." Beautiful work.

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  69. Bright, happy summertime fun!

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  70. Ooh...ooh...I love that. Perfect watercolor beads with the polymer focal. SO wearable.

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  71. those beads are just perfect with that bee-focal!! what a yummmmm necklace! And I have to agree with you, sorry for your husband, hahahaaaaaa, just keep on being you, awesome job!

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  72. I wish we had Michaels here! Just love your 59% off bargains.
    Both pairs of earrings are so very gorgeous and wearable and I love how you've combined the focal and clasp. Inspired!

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  73. Beautiful reveal. Love the dangles on the era glass. Thank you for visiting my blog. Great job.

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  74. Amazing use of the focal. the painted beads really set of the colors! Wax cord looks perfect too. Your 2 sets of earrings look so scrumptious and definitely wearable

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  75. Love your seaglass earrings... nicely done.

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  76. Clever use of the beaded chain in the earrings - very nice. I also love the bright colors in the necklace. Great job!

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  77. Great job on that 1st pair of earrings. I have those same beads from one of my ZnetShows design team challenges, and I was completely stumped as to how to use them. And who says symmetrical is normal.....

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  78. Love your designs - those painted facet beads are stunning =)

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  79. I love your weird ass designs! lol! that made me laugh, men just don't understand :)
    Beautiful work!!!

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  80. You designed really happy pieces, I love the earrings with the multitude of beads, but I have to admit the necklace is my favorite. I absolutely love the combination of colors.

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  81. I really like your first earrings with the sea glass and the crystal. Very light, feminine looking. And the colors in the painted beads really set off the bee focal in the necklace. I like the way you used it along with the clasp as a whole focal in the necklace. Very pretty.

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  82. The beaded chain looks really good in your earrings and if it makes them light and easy to wear so much the better. I don't find your necklace weird at all, the whole thing looks perfectly balanced:0)

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  83. LOVE love love the bee - that is an awesome summer necklace! ....beautiful work Kari!!!

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  84. What great designs! I have also been a waxed linen kick and really love your necklace!

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  85. Very nice colors! Great Design

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  86. I love how you put the clasp as a focal right in the front of your piece! Great job!

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  87. The necklace with all the knots & the wonderful focal is superb! I love it because it is unique & asymmetrical! :)

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  88. Great pieces! Love the colors. Your earrings are really original! Love the bee necklace-the beads you used in it are perfect!

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  89. Ogling the beads in your necklace! They are very watercolor-esque. I like the toggle and little dangle in the front as well.

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  90. I just love them all, but I really like how you did the clasp in the front and you left the string for the other strand on there with the little 'dangle'... AMAZING!! ~KM

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  91. I really like that necklace! Great colors!

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  92. Kari - what a find. Those faceted beads from Michael's are very pretty and are just right with the cord and bee pendant. Rose

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  93. Love the use of seed beads in the earrings for splashes of colour.

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  94. Lovely colourful pieces, well done!

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  95. Such pretty colours and light wearable pieces, love the Bee necklace.

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  96. Very pretty pieces, love your use of color!
    Alenka

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  97. Both pairs of earrings are lovely and I can see why the necklace is a hit! So pretty and such a wonderful color!

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  98. I love the earrings with the sea glass. Those painted rondelles match the focal perfectly.

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  99. I love all the pretty earrings (very creative!) and the necklace is divine! Awesome work!

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  100. So cute, love the earrings, very fun!

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  101. Where did those adorable painted beads come from? Love them and how you used them!

    Linda A.
    http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
    http://cherryOnTopDesign.co

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    1. They are available at Michaels Craft Stores...part of the Bead Gallery strands by Halcraft

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  102. Hi Kari!
    Your earrings look super fun to wear and I love your Bee necklace!

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  103. Love the cool earrings -- they are almost a chainmaille technique called "shaggy loops" -- so much fun! And your necklace is exquisite! Simple and lets those amazing painted faceted glass beads and focal shine!! Wonderful reveal !! Happy Hopping! ♥ Rita

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  104. Very pretty jewelry. I love all the colours, especially in the necklace......just my cup of tea. Simple, classic with a burst of colour.

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  105. Beautiful, All of it! But the necklace is my favorite, love it!!

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  106. Very beautiful designs. I love both earrings so much, simple and elegant.

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  107. Love the knotted necklace best, but earrings are fab.

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  108. All are fun and colorful pieces. I especially love the bee necklace with its watercolour beads, orange cord and the clasp put to the front for more visual interest. Well done.
    Ana

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  109. Hi Kari, Both pair of earrings have great texture and visual interest.Your necklace is beautiful. Those watercolor bead are cool. I like the clasp in the front. Not only does it add visual interest, it is easier to operate.

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  110. Still hopping!! I love your necklace, I'd wear it all the time! And the earrings are really cute and summery.

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  111. Love the necklace with the bee focal - those green "painted" beads are perfect with it! I'll bet it looks great with your casual outfit (jeans with a T and sweater are my favorite as well)!

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  112. Love how you made the earrings!! Unique !!

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  113. I love the first earrings and the necklace is adorable!

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  114. Fabulous designs! I'm really drawn to the bee necklace Love everything about it.... the special beads the clasp in front. Really Soup-er!

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  115. Your reveal makes me smile for so many reasons. Both sets of your earrings are so fun and girly, but to see my shabby beads in there really surprised me. I had no idea Kashmira sent those to you. I was a little mindblown to see them and think, 'HEY, I made those!!" Ha!
    However, your necklace is really my favorite of the bunch. Those 'painted' beads are AWESOME. I'm going to have to find me some of those. However, your pairing of them with that focal really is so cool. They work perfectly together. And, your punch of orange with the cord is so great.
    Amazing job all in all!!

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