Winner of the BSBP Scavenger Hunt #1, and get ready for Scavenger Hunt #2!

Sorry for the delay in announcing the winner but it took Zack and I a lot longer to cut up the strips of paper than we had thought!  Without further ado, the winner of the book "Linked -- Innovative Chain Mail Jewelry Designs" is:

Mitzie Crider of Needeful Luxuries

Mitzie admired the work of 

Adlinah Kamsir of DreamStruck Designs

I hope you'll visit both of their sites!  

Adlinah not only used chain but I noticed she actually 

made chain herself for the first time.  Serendipity!

Congratulations, Mitzie, on winning the book, and to

Adlinah, for rocking her soup!

(AGAIN!)

I know the Bead Soup Blog Party is enormous and everyone has things going on in their lives -- jobs, kids, family, shows, etc -- so I'm continuing the Scavenger Hunts for a couple of weeks to encourage hopping (AND COMMENTING!).  Are you having fun yet?  I know I am, and I still have a ton of blogs to hop!

I'm running this on the honor system.

Click here

and scroll towards the bottom to see the loooong list of designers.

Visit until you find someone
 who used ORANGE or RED. 

Please don't just start at the top -- 

give people in the middle and the bottom some love, too, 

and comment, even if don't find the colors!



Do not leave a comment with the name of the person on my blog, but email me at 
lori at lorianderson dot net with "Scavenger Hunt 2" in the subject line.

The winner will receive this batch of Bead Soup I mixed,
 using crab agate, mother of pearl, lampwork, vintage ceramic, and more!

This Scavenger Hunt will end sooner, since I have a wedding to go to this weekend,
so ready, set, GO!
I'll announce the winner this Thursday, May 22nd.


Please feel free to announce this on your blog, Facebook, and Twitter!


Remember,
do not leave a comment with the name of the person on my blog, but email me at 
lori at lorianderson dot net with "Scavenger Hunt 2" in the subject line.


Happy Hunting!





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.

Last minute help!

Please take the time to read this post!

First, a gentle reminder about hurting feelings....

http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/2013/02/choose-your-words-carefully-dont-be-rude.html

As I hop the party, I will be re-linking each person

 so your actual party post is listed in perpetuity on my blog.

Don't forget to list your partner's blog when you do your post,

 and show what you received, and then what you made with it.

If you've participated before, why not link all your reveal pages, too?

1.  Visit your partner first.  Please.  Pretty please.

2.  Please don't everyone start at the top of the list!  Skip around, start in the middle, start with whoever commented on your blog first -- but move around a bit so the people at the end of the list aren't left stranded all day.

** A way to keep track?  

Copy and paste the link list into a Word document, 

and delete people as you visit.**

3.  It would be lovely if you could visit everyone, but no one can do it all.  Seriously.  I'm the hostess and I have NEVER had every person comment on my blog!  Do your best, but remember, this is supposed to be fun.  It's also why I'll have permanent links to everyone's reveal page listed.

4.  Don't forget to post your creations to the Pinterest board!

  http://www.pinterest.com/limamike/8th-bead-soup-blog-party/

I'm still working on the participant link list, but the permalink for MY post (if you don't want to copy and paste that huuuuuuge list on your own page) should be:

http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com//2014/04/welcome-to-8th-bead-soup-blog-party.html

PLEASE be aware that this will NOT work until the party starts, and I will be up right after midnight on Friday/barely Saturday to make sure it's working -- so if it DOESN'T work for you, COME BACK HERE and relink.  Sometimes Blogger hates me.

To set up Blogger to automatically post for you:

https://support.google.com/blogger/answer/41456?hl=en

To set up WordPress to automatically post for you:

http://oompimpa.wordpress.com/2013/01/14/schedule-a-post/

BE AWARE -- sometimes Blogger hates not just me but everyone and won't post.  

Make sure the clock settings are correct in your Settings/Language and Formatting.

I post on my time, Eastern Standard Time, one minute past midnight on Friday. use:

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html

And believe it or not, people start hopping early!

See you this Saturday!

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.

Pinterest boards for the Bead Soup Blog Party AND for the Bead Soup Cafe

Just sent this email out to all the BSBP8 participants, but it also applies to anyone who belongs to the Bead Soup Cafe, www.BeadSoupCafe.com, a Facebook group.  Currently, the Facebook group is set to Private, which means you click and it sends me a note that you want in.  I then check to make sure the person doesn't look like a spammer (we've been hit with a few who were promptly banned).  It takes me a day or so sometimes, but you can also message me at my personal page telling me about yourself so I know.

Here's the content of the email I sent:

Ghislaine Kruse van Erp gave me the splendid idea to create a button the pinterest board, and she ALSO graciously made it and pinned it. If you want to join the 8BSBP boad AND/OR the entire group's board (I'll put a button there soon), just click the large pink "ADD ME" button on the board, and when I see it/an coherent, I'll add you, delete your name, and all should be well.

Go to the 8BSBP board here: http://www.pinterest.com/limamike/8th-bead-soup-blog-party/

and comment on the ADD ME pin and I'll get to it as soon as I can. You can do likewise for the general group board

http://www.pinterest.com/limamike/bead-soup-cafe-facebook-group/

Thanks!

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.

Please join Bead Soup Cafe while during the party...

I know some of you don't do Facebook, but if you do, PLEASE join www.beadsoupcafe.com so you don't miss things.  (You'll need to be approved so we keep out the rash of spammers, so please be patient).


Right now I'm adding people to the 8th Bead Soup Blog Party Pinterest board, and if for some reason you haven't followed me or I haven't followed you on Pinterest, we have to jointly follow so I can add you.  If you're in the Facebook group, I can @ your name and you get alerted.


Otherwise, stay tuned, and when I'm done with the ten pages of names, I'll put a list out here of who is NOT connected, and you can THEN tell me what your Pinterest info is.  Please don't post it here, as I still have four more pages to go through.  I'll be back.

original art by Barbara Bechtel

she may have some for sale if you ask her!

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.

Bead Soup Update

Hi guys.  Quick post while I can.  I haven't been able to do email so if there is an issue, please private message me on Facebook.


I'm encouraged to see the Soup photos...it seems most people are quite happy and challenged in the right way.  If you get a soup that has you scratching your head for whatever reason, please send me a picture and I'll help.  Another set of eyes can sometimes help.


I know you're probably as sick of hearing "I'm sick" as I am of telling you, but I'm having an extra-difficult time right now and have been told to just lay low so I don't make things worse.  I'm horribly disappointed that I have to cancel my big spring show...$600 booth fee down the drain and thousands in revenue, but.....there's a reason behind everything, I guess, right?  But it's fair to say that with the weather, reduced pain meds, and new antibiotics and supplements recently, I'm a bit worse than I've been in a while.  Yet this is a good thing!  It means Lyme toxins are being attacked, which is what we want.  It just hurts.


Anyway!


Some of you have already received Pinterest invites to the 8th BSBP pin board.  I am at www.Pinterest.com/limamike.  You can post photos of your soups, but no pictures of finished pieces until reveal day, please.  I'll continue to add people, hopefully this week.


When I'm able, I do read over the Cafe, and do not feel afraid to message me, Lisa Liddy, or my husband Rick (Richard on Facebook) if I don't answer quickly enough.


I'm so proud of this group.....things are brewing, people are helping each other, and excitement is palpable.


One last thing....I'll update the partner list soon as there have been some changes, and then will add the official blog list (your name and blog link, no partner) and that will be the list you can link people to on reveal day.  More on that later; just a heads up.


Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts.  Love to all, and a little funny bit so you know my sense of humor is still with me.  ;-)

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.

Still working....

Or rather, Rick is right now.


Most of you know I'm fighting a nasty case of Lyme disease.  It's vicious, and to trick the little ......monsters (ha, not the first word that came to my mind) my antibiotics are changed on a regular basis.  I started a new one the day of sign ups, and today I have to start a new one because frankly, I had no idea meds could make me THAT sick.  But they can, and they do, and they did.


Stupid....monsters.


Anyway.  Rick is following my input on how I need the spreadsheets organized.  First, we had to keep a clean copy of the original spreadsheet with time hacks, as that is how you'll be listed.  Second, I needed an alphabetical list so I can post it and you can find yourself easily.  Next, I need a spreadsheet with just international people.  Then one with those who only want a seed bead partner.

Don't be afraid of seed beads, though...did you see what Zack designed with this soup for my book?

Then I have to see who had whom for partners before so I hopefully don't repeat.


Then I match people with different styles.


Then I fix all the missing zip codes, partial addresses, things like that.


Next I enter all the emails into Mail Chimp so I can send you information.  You will get more than a few emails from me, so if you're not, CHECK YOUR SPAM...also make sure your partner's email doesn't hit spam.


I know you're excited but hang in there!  The list of participants should (SHOULD) be posted this weekend.  Matching partners is another week, and then off you go!


Please either follow this blog and/or www.PrettyThingsBlog.com so you don't miss a thing.


And hey, but just askin'...have you read the book?  Feel free to leave your review of it at Amazon.com and BN.com.  Thankyouverymuch.

Photo by Brandi Hussey

Thanks, and see you soon!

A few things to mention before sign ups TOMORROW

Some favorite Golem Beads --- will I use one of these in my soup?????

I'm currently working the hamsters that run my computer hard as I try to send out emails to past party participants (it won't work for me -- Rick's fixing it), set up a sign up sheet that doesn't miss something critical (one year I do believe I left out room for your blog address but luckily found it pretty darned fast) -- just the typical internal pandemonium that takes place here at House Anderson before a Bead Soup Blog Party sign up.  And I'm doubly worried this time because even though I've dropped huge sign boards about the party everywhere like bread crumbs in a Brothers Grimm forest, I'm afraid that I'm going to get emails from upset people wondering why they missed knowing about the party.  

I will blame the Big Bad Wolf, since we're talking Brothers Grimm here.  Then pray for a Fairy Godmother who bakes a mean apple pie.  I could use some pie.  

Mmmmm.  Pie.

My favorite local coffee shop, Rise Up.

But seriously, I do hope you will join me in not so many hours (midnight, US EST) and fill in the form (NOT THE COMMENTS) to sign up for this once-yearly event.  I will do everything in my power to help you out, but I do sleep, so please hang tight if you have a question.  

Now, a few things to remember:

:: Here's the badge and a TON of information  :click

:: There will be no contest this time.

:: There WILL be a Pinterest board.

:: There will be no Facebook entries this year.

:: A VERY important post to read about expectations :click

:: Participants will be listed in the order in which they signed up,

not alphabetically

::  Do not show what you're sending your partner until they get it

And again, entering "I'm in!" in the comments section will do nothing -- you must fill out the form that will magically, like Cinderella's carriage, appear at midnight.  PLEASE be sure to hit "Submit form".  All of your information then will go into a spreadsheet with a time stamp, allowing me and Rick to start our work.  

See you soon!

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.

Badge for 8th Annual Bead Soup Blog Party ® (and a lot of help and hints)

(First, I know this is a LOT of information, but I will be sending reminders of portions of this epic as each step draw nearer.  Don't worry!)


The sign ups for the 8th Bead Soup Blog Party ® are swiftly arriving (this weekend, February 9th in fact), so now is the time to get the badge on your blog, start planning your soup, and telling your friends!  It is a once a year party, and this year, there is only ONE DAY TO SIGN UP, so mark your calendar!

Basic Facts:  

::  I pair you with another jewelry designer
by February 28th.  ::

::  You send each other a quality package of beads
by March 14th.  ::

 ::  You make one or more pieces of jewelry or art with those beads, 

incorporating beads from your own stash as needed.

The focal and clasp you were sent MUST be used, 
but don't have to be used in the same piece.  ::

::  You post your creation on the blog hop reveal day, May 3rd,

and you try to visit as many of the other designers' blogs. ::

A badge for your blog: 

Every time I try to make one of those slick HTML badges with the code to cut and paste, Blogger decides, um, no, I don't like you, let's mess it up.  So here's how to add it:

1.  Right click on the above photo to save it to your computer.

2.  Choose the Photo Gadget in Blogger and upload the photo.

3.  Add the link www.BeadSoupBlogParty.com to the space for HTML.  

You may need to click the "Shrink To Fit" box -- that option only seems to show up BEFORE you add the photo.  Experiment with it as your blog borders may be different than mine.

(I'm sorry, I only know Blogger, but email me or post on www.BeadSoupCafe.com if you need help!

The Details!

:: First, you must have a blog!  There will be no Facebook entries this year. ::

:: Second, no, you do NOT have to make your own beads! ::

:: Third, YES it is open to International beaders!  ::

:: Sign up time is via US Eastern Standard Time (EST):

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html

I will be posting here and sending emails regularly, 
so while this is a lot of information, don't worry -- 
I'll be resending pertinent details 
as the time for each action comes near.  

I will be taking all who wish to participate. This can make a large blog hop, and not everyone will have the ability to visit all the blogs, but I will make a permanent link for each blog hop post so blogs can easily be visited throughout the year if desired.

(Exception: If you joined a previous party but never posted your creation,

never sent beads to your partner, or feel you do not have the stash to do this, 
please do not sign up.)

What happens next?

On the first minute of February 9th EST, a form will appear at www.PrettyThingsBlog.com.   It will be open the entire 24 hour period, covering  Feb 9th, US EST.  There is a built in time stamp when I get the form.  Please fill in all the questions, as they are then automatically entered into a spreadsheet that make this MUCH easier on me.

  When the sign ups close, I will visit all the blogs, create spreadsheets, and email everyone with their partner by Feb 28th.  I'll also list and list all the Party Blogs at 

www.PrettyThingsBlog.com

and at www.BeadSoupBlogParty.com.

(The actual blog hop will take place at the Pretty Things Blog site.
This blog site is for information and questions.)

Once you get a partner, you must email them.  Learn a little about them.  Then you'll then send that person a Party Pack:

::  A quality focal  (pendant, large bead, etc) ::

 ::  Some coordinating spacers or beads  ::

 ::  A special clasp (not a lobster claw)  ::

Below are some examples of Bead Soups from my book to give you an idea of what is meant by quality.  That doesn't mean they have to be expensive!  In fact, a few of the focals only cost me $5.  But the focal and clasp should be special.  This also shows you what is meant by "coordinating beads" --they should coordinate with to the focal.  They do NOT need to be used at all, or can be used with other focals or beads in your own stash.  But you MUST use the focal and clasp you were sent (although they can be in separate pieces).

PLEASE NOTE!

As you will see above, some people will send various amounts of beads, which is PERFECTLY OK, yet some will send a larger amount just because they want to.  That is FINE -- but please do not feel you must send an entire bead store.  Also, if you send a truckload of beads and don't receive the same, you can't get upset about that as long as the rules were followed.  And if you get a truckload of beads, you are NOT obligated to use them all.

Beads should be first quality, not seconds,

 not beads you were going to throw away.

I do my best to pair you with someone who does not work in your medium, although sometimes I goof.  The idea is to help you think outside the box and work outside your normal comfort zone, pushing you into creative directions you may never have gone.

If you are a seed beader, you will have a choice at sign up to choose to be paired with another seed beader.  Why?  Because seed beading is a skill and art that is almost impossible for a person who has never touched a seed bead or needle to master for a challenge.  

If you are a seed beader who also strings, uses wire, etc, and has the stash to send that sort of Bead Soup,  then you can choose to have a non-seed bead partner.  You can absolutely send a seed beaded pendant, beaded bead, and other awesomeness of that sort.

Basically, please do not send seed beads 

to a person who is NOT a seed beader.

When you get your package of beads, show your beads on your blog.  
You can also talk about your partner and what they do.  

I want you to get to know your partner in the days leading up to the reveal.

(Do not show your complete creation until your reveal date.)

Once you get your beads, get cooking!  Make a piece (or several pieces!), take pictures, and post on your blog on the reveal day.  Feel free to talk about your process.  Everyone hops around to as many blogs as possible to see what people made.  You don't have to hop all on one day and you aren't obligated to visit all the blogs.  Usually, the more comments you make, the more you get.  But I don't want anyone to stress out over this!

Feel free to tell your friends!

An easy way to keep up with Blog Party happenings?

Follow my blog!

Join me at the

Bead Soup Cafe 

(No need for a blog at the Cafe!  Join it for chat, 

information, bead swaps, and challenges.)

You can also purchase the book that grew from this

amazing blog hop at Kalmbach Publishing or your favorite book store.

photo by Brandi Hussey

I hope to have you sign up this weekend!

(Bead Soup Blog Party ® is a registered trademark  and protected as such.)

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.

The 8th Bead Soup Blog Party ® dates are set!

Dates are done!

First and foremost

THIS IS NOT THE SIGN UP PAGE.

If you comment "I'm in!" and then don't come back on the official sign up day to fill in the sign up sheet (I need certain information), you will not be added.  I know, I'm a meanie, but I have to.)

I will have more information and badges for your blog soon. Those of you who know me know I'm fighting, among other things, Lyme disease, so I'm working at a much slower pace than I would like.  Please be patient but don't hesitate to comment with questions!

Don't forget, there is only ONE DAY to sign up -- it's the only way I can (maybe) manage the size of the party.  Last time we hit over 500 people and had three reveal dates.  This year, one day to sign up, one day to show off  (well, to officially show off.... we'll be hopping around for a long time, I'm sure!)

Feel free to post this photo on your blog page 

(but it's way too big for your badge, so hang on for that).

Ready?

Mark those calendars! Set those clocks!

It's Party Time!

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.