Participants have now been notified!

After a lot of hair-pulling, I just sent out the first email to the 490 participants of the 8th Bead Soup Blog Party.  If you didn't get one, PLEASE check your spam.  Please pretty please, before you say you didn't get one, check.  Thanks.


(This is the list of participants -- partners will be given by Feb 28th unless I completely fall apart.)


Now that I've sent out the "Congratulations" email, I'm starting to pair people up.  Now is ALSO the time for you to start putting together a few different soups.  Why prepare your soup before hand?  Well, for one reason, the idea is NOT to send what your partner normally creates with.  If your partner creates with vintage, please don't send vintage components.  If your partner is an earth tones person, choose other colors.  And if you have several soups ready, you can mail IMMEDIATELY.

A special ceramic pendant made by Nan Emmett

As I've said before, you do not need to send a million beads.  If you want to send more than one soup, go for it.  If you want to send more beads than required, that's fine.  You just cannot get upset if you don't get the same back.  As long as you and your partner are following the simple three steps of quality focal, special clasp, and coordinating beads, you're good.  And if you get a LOT of beads, you do not need to use them all -- just the focal and the clasp and not even in the same piece.

In previous posts, I showed examples of beads soups from my book.  Here are some photos of various types, styles, and amounts of bead soup other participants have sent...

The majority of people receive beads they have either never used before or don't have access to, and that helps expand your design power.  When you get your Bead Soup from your partner, dig into your own stash and start seeing what ELSE you may have that works with it, and embrace the challenge.

Things to keep in mind:

:: You are not required to use the focal and clasp in the same piece

:: You are allowed to make as many pieces as you want -- one or ten

:: You get to keep the piece you make and wear it, sell it, or donate it.

If you plan on making your clasp, please do not use craft wire or a thin wire that will not hold up.  If you aren't in the habit of making your own clasps, this may not be a good time to stress yourself out.

Packaging

Some people like to go wild with their packaging.  I have done both -- sent beads in my normal jewelry boxes and beads in hand knitted pouches.  DO NOT feel that you have to compete with anyone with packaging, ESPECIALLY if you are sending overseas.  Packing needs to be secure so the beads don't break, but consider the weight of your package when you put things together.

What do I mean by a focal?  Well, to most people, it translates as something meant to be used as a pendant.  The vast majority of pieces made for past Parties were necklaces.  However, you can send a large bead that is special and let your partner know THIS is the focal, and I was thinking it could work for a necklace OR a bracelet.

If you get a focal that is not screaming "PENDANT!" to you, try what I did with one of my jewelry creations:

I used the lampwork tube bead in a bracelet rather than make it a pendant for a necklace.

Yeah, I'm sorry, but there has to be one.  I'm not disparaging these materials, and have even used most of them, but for THIS blog hop, please do not send:

:: Plastic, plastic pearls, or metalized plastic ::

(exceptions -- quality vintage beads in new condition)

:: Seed beads NOT going to a seed beader/weaver ::

:: Anything you have considered throwing away ::

:: Second quality beads ::


and per the request of this large, worldwide group,
no religious, political, or similar beads.

Also, if you are sending overseas, be sure to ask if there are restrictions.  Many island nations are NOT allowed to have seeds or certain shells sent into their country and it will have to be destroyed.

(Have a question?  Just email me.)

Stay tuned for even more info.

Please stay tuned to this page, as more information, tips, and hints will follow!

Lori Anderson creates jewelry and bead kits as well as collaborative mixed media art with her son, Zack. Visit her shops by clicking on the right side bar of this blog (please and thank you!). She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party® and author of the book "Bead Soup" via Kalmbach Publishing.