Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Want to win for your Bead Soup design?

I've decided to add a new element of fun to the Bead Soup Blog Party® -- no, not pie, but PRIZES!





First, you do NOT have to participate in the contest, but to participate in the contest, you must already be in this year's Bead Soup Blog Party®.  In order to be considered for the judging, you will have to pin your piece to a special Pinterest board.  I will again be adding names, but you have to pin your own piece in order to be considered for the judging.

 
I've never been a fan of entering contests where you win by vote as the deck is often stacked against those without large social networks.  So to make this extra special and extra fun and as fair as possible, I am assembling a panel of judges from a variety of bead suppliers.  So far Nina Designs, Lima Beads, Fusion Beads, PJ Tool and Jewelry, Beaducation, and Kalmbach Publishing will be judging.


ribbons made by Haley Sheldon

There is a chance for ANYBODY to win, no matter your skill level or your soup's flavor.  


:: Grand Prize ::
(the piece chosen by all judges as the Best in Show)

:: Judge's Choice ::
(favorite of each judge)

:: Best Use of Seed Beads:

:: Best Wire Work ::

 :: Best Use of Fiber ::

:: Best Use of Color ::
 

and then some more unusual ones....


:: The Out of the Box Award ::
(most creative use of bead soup)

:: Zack's Choice ::
(my son Zack picks his favorite)

:: Out of the Hat Winner ::
(I draw a name out of a hat)


I hope this will interest some of you!  Remember, it is NOT mandatory.... you must pin your piece (AFTER your reveal date).


Judging will take place April 20th for the entire party,
so it doesn't matter when your reveal date is.
 



I will be adding your name to the pin board, but if you haven't received an invitation in about a week, please let me know.


Stay tuned for the full panel of judges.


Enjoy!


Photobucket

Lori Anderson creates jewelry and bead kits as well as collaborative mixed media art with her son, Zack.  Visit her shops by clicking here.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party®   and author of the book Bead Soup.






Monday, February 25, 2013

Choose your words carefully -- don't be rude.

Part of the fun of the Bead Soup Blog Party® is you have NO idea what you are going to get. But that can also be a source of disappointment in some cases.  I would be lying if I said everyone is going to love what they get.  That's a complete impossibility. 


Here is how I'd like you to try to manage any disappointment.


First, don't be rude in public.  If you want to vent to me or your friends in private, that's what friends are for.  But when you write your blog post or make comments on someone else's soup, please be careful how you word things.  Words like "ugly" should never even come out of your keyboard for the public to see.


Second, you are all artists.  YES, you are!  And I am positive that you can make something beautiful or unique out of whatever you received.  It might be more difficult than usual, but you can do it!  If you're stumped, send me a photo.  We can brain storm.  There is rarely anything that can't be made beautiful and interesting.


Approach designing with the open-minded abandonment of a child.


Reminder - you only have to use the focal and the clasp, and not even in the same piece, if you want to make more than one piece.  You also have your own stash to pull things together as well!   And you can also make something that isn't jewelry.  I've seen purses, journals, clip boards, key chains, fan pulls, mixed media art for the walls -- there are so many things you can do, if you put your mind to it.


Lastly, when you write about your soup, there's nothing wrong with talking about how you were challenged.  Just be tactful.  Some examples of what you can say:


"I normally don't work in earth tones...."

"I've never worked with beads this size before..."

"I usually work in a vintage style...."



But please don't say:



"I didn't like the beads I got...."

"The colors were garish...."

"I don't like to work with cheap beads...."



Of course, this doesn't mean you can't send me a photo of what you got and say, "Is this right?", because sometimes things happen and people don't read the rules, or forgot to send a clasp (I did that once!), or you just really didn't hit it off.   Just please keep in mind:


Your idea of beautiful 
and your partner's idea of beautiful
can vary widely.


Your partner's stash and funds 
can be completely different from yours.



I know it's not fun to be disappointed, and there's a lot of "Soup Envy" going on when we see what other people got.  I totally get that.  But embrace this challenge for what it is -- a chance to work outside your box.  


As always, please email me if you have questions.



Photobucket

Lori Anderson creates jewelry and bead kits as well as collaborative mixed media art with her son, Zack.  Visit her shops by clicking here.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party®   and author of the book Bead Soup.


Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Add to the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party ® Pinterest Board

If you are a participant in the 7th BSBP and would like to pin your beads and creations to the official pin board, first click here and see if you can pin.  Sometimes the invitation to pin hangs out on your main pin page in the upper left, so check there.  If you are unable to pin, please let me know.


ANYONE can follow the board (please do!) but only participants can pin.  






Saturday, February 16, 2013

A Gentle Reminder :: What the Bead Soup Blog Party is all about.

This is the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party® and I am so thrilled to experience the excitement this event brings.  It's always a thrill to wonder what will show up in your mail box to create with.


That being said, every now and then I like to stop and make sure we're all on the same page.  It's been a while since I've done that so I thought I would talk about some things and make sure I'm still presenting the BSBP as it was intended to be.


Earrings I made in BSBP6 with lampworked head pins I was sent.


First, please know that I have no control over what your partner chooses to send.  I lay out the rules and photo examples in many places -- here, in the Bead Soup Cafe, in the "here is your partner email", and of course, at sign up.   When I pair people, there are many things I take into consideration first:

  1. Where the person lives
  2. Where the person wants to swap (overseas, etc)
  3. What reveal a person wants
  4. If the person is a seed beader, if they want to swap with a seed beader
  5. If the person makes beads, I try not to pair them with someone who makes the same thing.
  6. I try not to match anyone with someone they've had before, not just in the BSBP, but in other swaps I've hosted.

From BSBP5 -- I chose just one bead from the Bead Soup I received and used beads and chain from my own stash to create the rest of the necklace.  From this soup, I made many pieces.


Something I've learned in life is never, ever to judge a book by its cover.  While some people start their blogs just to do the party, others are long-time bloggers.  That doesn't mean that one or the other is a "better" swapper.  A person may have an enormous stash or make exquisite beads but not send  what you might think they would.  On the other hand, a person who is just starting out beading may send the most amazing Bead Soup you've ever seen.


There is flat out no way of knowing what you will get.  And that is something you have to be prepared for.  


From BSBP6.  I do not normally work with earthtones.  I chose a piece of copper to back up the gemstone pendant (don't forget about layering, adding extra beads, and the like as ways to enhance a focal).  In the bottom picture, I used polymer clay beads from my own stash to complete the look.  The ceramic diamond cubes and the Czech glass was part of the soup I received.


If you receive beads and don't know what to do with them, try to look at them in an entirely different way.  If you work in, say, vintage and are given wildly colorful, funky lampwork beads, embrace the challenge.  Don't be upset you didn't get a vintage soup!  I tell people to make up their soups before they get their partners for a reason -- I WANT you to work outside your comfort zone.  This is when you can really pull out your "I'm an ARTIST!" name tag and show you can work with anything.


From BSBP6.  I created a pendant with the wrapping paper my soup came in. 



If you are stumped, by all means, email me with a photo.  I have yet to meet a soup I couldn't figure out something.  Remember:

  • You MUST use the focal and the clasp. 
  • However, you do not have to use them in the same piece (you can make one piece or thirty -- it's up to you).
  • Dig into your own stash to add your own flavor to the soup you got.  Add salt and pepper, so to speak.   
  • You don't have to make jewelry!  In the past, people have made fan pulls, purses, and other pieces of art.


From BSBP6.  I made a keychain with a focal.  My soup also included the glass teardrops and the cording.


Let this blog hop help you grow in some way, be it in design, color theory, photography, or blogging.   Don't forget to get to know your partner a bit along the way, and that there is a Facebook group you can join -- it's a great place to share and learn!



And finally, you are allowed to do what you wish with your piece -- keep it, sell it, donate it, or present it to a magazine for a tutorial.


As always, let me know if I can help.




Photobucket

Lori Anderson creates jewelry and bead kits as well as collaborative mixed media art with her son, Zack.  Visit her shops by clicking here.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party®   and author of the book Bead Soup.







Sunday, February 10, 2013

Now that you have your partner -- things to blog about!

YAY!  You all have your Bead Soup Blog Party®  partners!  But don't forget, it's not just about the Bead Soup, but the Blog, too!  How about some blogging ideas along the way?



:: Introduce your partner on your blog ::

Interview them, introduce their blog and shop, show some of their creations.  Get to know each other!

Me and Sally Russick (my 1st Reveal partner!) two years ago at artBLISS.



:: Show a "Mystery Photo" of the soup you're sending::

Use Pixlr or PicMonkey and play with various effects, and don't show what you sent your partner until your partner posts first!

by Jennifer Tough

by Karen Mitchell


My hope is you'll get more than one thing out of this blog hop.  

:: To trade beads
:: To design outside your comfort zone
:: To get to know someone new (or better!)
:: To show your work to the world via your blog

and finally, 

: To kick start, revitalize, or continue blogging as a way of self-expression.


Need some blog prompts and ideas?  I wrote an eBook full of prompts, ideas, and photos.  Many of the photos were taken by Bead Soup Blog Party participants.  You can buy "Follow the Path" at www.BeadSoupKits.com -- and right now, it's on sale!


Have fun!




Photobucket

Lori Anderson creates jewelry and bead kits as well as collaborative mixed media art with her son, Zack.  Visit her shops by clicking here.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party®   and author of the book Bead Soup.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Final List for BSBP #7

Updated 2/9/2013

Complete List for the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party®



Alicia Marinache
Adlinah Kamsir
Agata Grygiel
Agi Kiss
Alenka Obid
Ali McCarthy
Alice Craddick
Alison Sachs
Amanda Tibbetts
Amber Dawn Goldish
Amy Severino
Amy Sims
Ana Cravidao
Ana Krepel
Andra Marasteanu
Andra Weber
Andrea Glick
Andrea Trank
Andria Poole
Angela Perkins
Anitra Gordy Boyers
Anja Schultz
Ann Sherwood
Anna Nordeman
Annette Rivers
Annita Wilson
Anu Tuppurainen
April Grinaway
Arlene Dean
Astrid Boyce
Audrey Bélanger
B.R.Kuhlman
Barb Fernald
Barb Solem
Barbara Bechtel
Barbara Mason
Becky Pancake
Beti Horvath
Betty James Hoppensteadt
Bev Breisinger
Billi RS Rothove
Birgit Klughardt
Birgitta Lejonklou
Bobbie Rafferty
Bonnie Coursolle
Brandi Burdick
Brandy Thomason McNair
Breana Fry
Brenda Sigafoos
Brenda Sue Lansdowne
Bridget Torres
Candida Castleberry
Carmen Lau
Carol Dee Myers
Carol Dillman
Carol Wilson
Caroline Dewison
Carolyn Chenault
Carolyn Gebert
Carolyn Lawson
Caron Reid
Cassi Paslick
Cassie Donlen
Catharine Temaluru
Catherine King
Catherine Turrell
Cathy Jakicic
Cece Cormier
Chandra Merod
Charlene Jacka
Cheri Reed
Cherrie Fick
Cherrie Warzocha
Cheryl Brown
Cheryl Dunham
Cheryl Foiles
Cheryl Gangle
Cheryl McCloud
Chris Eisenberg
Chris White
Christa Murphy
Christina Hickman
Christina Miles
Christina Stofmeel
Christine Hansen
Christine Murrow
Christine Stonefield
Cilla Watkins
Cindy Cima Edwards
Cindy Ritchie
Cindy Wilson
Claire Lockwood
Clare Etheridge
Colleen Vinthagen
Cory Tompkins
Cris Peacock
Crystal Thain
Cynthia Abner
Cynthia Riggs
Dagmar Liebisch
Dana Fowler
Dana Hickey
Dana James
Danielle Kelley
Darlene Fortier
Deana Hager
Deanna Cox
Deb Brooks
Deb Fortin
Debbie Rasmussen
Debi Levine
Deborah Read
Debra Behrends
Dee Elgie
Denielle Hagerman
Denise McCabe
Denise Milward
Diah Anggreni
Diana Frey
Diana Gonzalez
Diana Welte
Diane Valasek
Dini Bruinsma
Dita Basu
DiYana Alcalde
Dolores Raml
Donetta Farrington
Donna Millard
Doris Stumpf
Dorota Żerańska
Dot Lewallwn
Duane Clark
Dyanne Cantrell
Elaine Robitaille
Eleanor Burian-Mohr
Elisabeth Auld
Elizabeth Bunn
Elizabeth Drake
Elizabeth Jones
Elizabeth Owens Dwy
Elizabeth Stolarczyk
Elsie Deliz-Fonseca
Ema Kilroy
Emily Greer
Emma Todd
Enikö Fabian
Erin Grant
Erin Guest
Erin Kenny
Eva Kovacs
Eva Sherman
Evelyn Duberry
Evelyn Shelby
Evie and Beth McCord
Fay Wolfenden
Francesca Watson
Francy Inman
Gen Smith
Gina Hockett
Ginger Bishop
Ginger Davis Allman
Giorgia Rossini
Gloria Allen
Grace Rotenberg
Gretchen Nation
Hajer Waheed
Hannah Annear
Hannah Rosner
Heather Davis
Heather Marston
Heather Otto
Heather Powers
Heidi Kingman
Hope Smitherman
Ildiko Jarai
Ilenia Ruzza
Ilona Hegedűs
Ine Vande Cappelle
Inge von Roos
Ingrid McCue
Iveth Caruso
Jackie Locantore
Jackie Ryan
Jacqueline Keller
Jacqueline Marchant
Jan Petek
Jane Pranata Lim
Janeen Sorensen
Jane-Michael Stallings
Janine Lucas
Jasvanti Patel
Jayashree Paramesh
Jayne Capps
Jean Peter
Jean Wells
Jean Yates
Jeanne Steck
Jelveh Jaferian Johnson
Jennifer Cabic
Jennifer Cameron
Jennifer Davis
Jennifer LaVite
Jennifer Reno
Jennifer Tough
Jennifer VanBenschoten
Jenny Davies-Reazor
Jenny Kyrlach
Jenny Robledo
Jenny Vidberg
Jessica Brower
Jessica Klaaren
Jill MacKay
JJ Jacobs
Joan Williams
Jo-Ann Woolverton
Joanna Matuszczyk
Joanne Tinley
Jodie Marshall
Johanna Rhodes Nash
Joyce Becker
Judith Johnston
Judy Riggs
Judy Riley
Judy Robinson
JuLee Wolfe
Juli Cannon
Julia Gerlach
Julie Anne Leggett
Julie Bowen
Julie Panusis
June Butt
K Hutchinson
Karen Martinez
Karen Mitchell
Karen Vincent
Karen Williams
Kari Asbury
Karin King
Karin Slaton
Karin von Hoeren
Karla Morgan
Karyn Bonfiglio
Kat Barron Miller
Kat Douglas
Kate Dufour
Kate Mulligan
Kate Richbourg
Kathleen Gallant
Kathleen Lange Klik
Kathrin Lembke
Kathy Lindemer
Kathy Stemke
Katie Nielsen-Nunez
Katja Benevol Gabrijelcic
Katy Heider
Kay Bolton
Kay Thomerson
Kayla Potega
Kelley Fogle
Kelli Jacobson
Kelly Patterson
Kelly Ramstack
Keren Panthaki
Kiersten Kern
Kim Hora
Kim Houston
Kim Sparks
Kimberly Idalski
Kirsi Loponen
Klaudete Koon
Klaudia Tóth
Krafty Max
Kris Lanae Binsfeld
Krista French
Krista Quantrill
Kristen Stevens
Kristi Harrison
Kristin Oppold
Kristina Hahn Eleniak
Kristina Johansson
Kumi Fisher
Kym Hunter
Lana Kinney
Laney Mead
Lara Lutrick
Laren Dee Barton
Laura Bracken
Laura Demoya
Laura Guenther
Lauren Fenty
Lauren Potts
Laurie Hanna
Laurie Keefe-Cecere
Laurie Vyselaar
Lea Avroch
Leah Curtis
Leah Tees
Leanne Loftus
Lee Anne Messerschmidt
Lena Adams
Lennis Carrier
Lesley Watt
Leslie Schenkel
Leslie Wayment
LiliKrist
Linda Anderson
Linda Djokic
Linda Kropp
Linda Murphy
Linda Newnham
Linda Sadler
Linda Younkman
Lisa Boucher
Lisa Johnson
Lisa Liddy
Lisa Suver
Liz DeLuca
Liz Engriser
Lizzie Clarke
Lola Surwillo
Lora Bright
Lorelle McIntyre
Loretta Carstensen
Lori Anderson
Lori Bergmann
Lori Bowring Michaud
Lori Finney
Lori Lochner
Lori Poppe
Lori Schneider
Lucie Bouvier
Lupe Meter
Lyn Foley
Lynn Jobber
Maddison Langford
Magdalena Sikora
Malin de Koning
Mallory Hoffman
Mandi Effron
Marcella Austenfeld
Marcia Dunne
Marcy Lamberson
Margareta Saari
Maria Clark
Maria Rosa Sharrow
Marianna Boylan
Marianne Baxter
Marie Covert
Marina Dobrynina
Marina Kosovic
Marion Simmons
Marita Suominen
Marjolein Trewavas
Marsela Schroth
Martha Aleo
Marti Conrad
Mary Ellen Merrigan
Mary Ellen Parker
Mary Govaars
Mary Harding
Mary K McGraw
Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens
Maybeline Tay
Mea-B. Uebler
Megan Milliken
Melissa Meman
Melissa Mesara
Melissa Trudinger
Menka Gupta
Merja Sundström
Merja Syrjämäki
Michaela Pabeschitz
Michelle Buettner
Michelle Escano
Michelle Tucker
Michelle Wigginton
Milla Hope
Mimi Gardner
Miranda Ackerely
Mischelle Fanucchi
Molly Alexander
Monica Phillips
Mowse Doyle
Mrs M Makes
Nan Emmett
Nan Smith
Nancy Boylan
Nancy Dale
Natalie Davidson
Natalie Moten
Natascha Marty
Nikki Banham-Hall
Niky Sayers
Noemi Baena
Norma Turvey
Pam Chesbro
Pam DeBoer
Pam Farren
Pam Hurst
Pam Sandy
Pam Traub
Pamela Gangler
Pat Haight
Patina Queen
Patricia Buchanan
Patricia Johnson
Patti Pruhs
Patty Miller
Paula Hisel
Peggy Gabrielson
Penny Houghton
Penny Mills
Perri Jackson
Pia Kaven
Rachel Baron
Rachel Stanley
Rachel Van-Walsh
Rain Hannah
Rana Wilson
Rebecca Anderson
Rebecca Sirevaag
Regina Santerre
Regina Wood
Renetha Stanziano
Robin Reed
Rochelle Brisson
Rosanagh Watson
Rose Johnson
Rose Rushbrooke
Rosemary Cheslock
Rossana De Gaspari
Roxanne Blanc
Ruth Szapa
Sabine Dittrich
Sally Russick
Sam Waghorn
Sandi James
Sandi Volpe
Sandra McGriff
Sandra Pendragon
Sandra Wollberg
Sandra Young
Sandy Richardson
Sarah Goode
Sarah Singer
Sarah Small
Sarah Strover
Shai Williams
Shalini Austin
Shannon Hicks
Shari Replogle
Sharon Palac
Sheila Daniels
Sheila Davis
Sherri Stokey
Sherry Baun
Sheryl Stephens
Shiraz Biggie
Shirley Moore
Sierra Barrett
Silke Gröber
Silvia Sernicola
Siobhán Keogh
Skylar Bre'z
Solange Collin
Sonya Stille
Staci Smith
Stacie Florer
Stacy Alderson
Stacy Pomerleau
Stefanie Teufel
Stephanie Haussler
Stephanie LaRosa
Stephanie Stamper
Stephanie Weiss
Sue Burleigh
Sue Hamel
Sue Rennie
Sumi Rani
Susan Bowie
Susan Kelly
Susan Kennedy
Susan McClelland
Susan of Libellula Jewelry
Susan Sheehan
Susanna Lehto
Suse Stelljes
Susie Hibdon
Suzann Sladcik Wilson
Suzanne Fragiacomo
Suzette Bentley
Tamera Norris
Tammi Sloan
Tammie Everly
Tania Hagen
Tania Spivey
Tanya Goodwin
Tanya Wiles
Tara Plote
Tari Kahrs
Terri G.
Terry Carter
Terry Matuszyk
Theresa Buchle
Theresa Frank
Tiffany Smith
Tina Bosh
Tina Holden
Tina Noonan
Toltec Jewels
Tracey Nanstad
Tracie Dean
Tracy Bell
Tracy Choy
Tracy Kruse
Tracy Stillman
Valerie Norton
Veralynne Malone
Veronica Campos-Hallstrom
Vicki Holliday



Facebook Party (2nd Reveal) -- a new aspect of the BSBP!




Beccy Peterson
Chris Schlicht
Claire Brannigan Hasemeier
www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Quail-Design/321615327958554
D'Arsie Mazella
Kelli Nelson
Melanie Lemen Swope
Robin Showstack





Facebook Party (3rd Reveal) -- a new aspect of the BSBP!




Audrey Allen
Cindy Wimmer Muse
Cynthia O'Toole
Deb Floros
Debbie Jensen
Erin Honeycutt
Kaushambi Shah
Lisa Lloyd Harrison
Mary Jane Tanner
Valerie Tilghman