My Partner Has Received Her Bead Soup!

I can finally show you what I sent my partner, Nancy Boylan!  I had a lot of fun choosing what to send.  I first raided my private bead stash to get an idea of what direction I'd like to take.  I then decided what metalsmithed items I'd like to make.  When I realized that there was a bit of a void, I ordered a few pastel beads from Gaea and included some eco-friendly lampworked beads that were made by Mary of Fire Babies.  She makes them by recycling Coke bottles!  Once I learned the name of my partner, I started snooping around her lovely shop and blog.  I found out that, like Mary, she is a lampworker.  I also found out that Nancy likes turquoise and green so, I kept those colors in mind.

I worked on Nancy's bead soup during Carnival season and I think that the  bright colors and crazy patterns must have seeped into my brain.  They inspired me to decorate her box in a way that is definitely outside my usual comfort zone--just to do something different.  I started with a kraft paper box and added tissue paper and microbeads.  Usually, I would have simply wrapped a coil of decorative paper around it and added a ribbon!  I'm not sure if I should have kept it simple or done this:

Crazy box containing my Bead Soup

The beads that I sent were chosen with Spring in mind.  Our second reveal date made that an easy decision.

Beads in pastel colors

Copper items (including enameled headpins by Sue Beads)

I'm usually a very decisive person but not with Bead Soup.  I made two clasps.  The etched button clasp can also serve as a focal.  The second is a simple soldered, hammered fish hook style clasp. I also chose to send two items that could serve as the focal.  The rectangular carved aventurine bead is probably not quite special enough to be a Bead Soup focal.  With that in mind, I also made a bezel set etched copper dome pendant.  The dome pendant has been patinated with the Vintaj/Ranger turquoise patina and sealed with Permalac.  Hidden within the dome is a slip of paper that reads, "Seek Peace".  I patinated some of my etched bead caps in green and purple.

 I managed to use both turquoise and green--colors that Nancy likes!

I hope that Nancy has as much fun working with these items as I had assembling and making them!