Memories and Thanks Blog Hop

This blog hop is both for Marianna and for those people in our lives who mean a lot to us -- a mom, a friend, a brother -- anyone who has meaning to us.  Create a piece of jewelry that tells that story.

For instance, Marianna loved red and cardinals, so if you would like to make something in honor of her, you could use red, or you could use beads of birds, leaves, trees, nests, eggs -- things like that.  If you have a friend you want to remember and thank and she's a painter, you could make a necklace full of the colors she often uses in her paintings.

If you would like to join this Blog Hop please click on the "blog button" above and it will take you to Pretty Things to sign up.

Lori Anderson ( creator of this blog hop) 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.

PS. You need a blog to participate in this hop.


♥ Serena Trent

The Bead Soup Blog Party

Hi All! If you have come by here earlier I'm sorry! I did not get inspired until Wednesday (YES! three days ago Wednesday). I knew when Cryss sent me the soup for this party that the focal would become a bracelet but beyond that I did not have a clue.

The bracelet is a crazy wire wrapped concoction. I wanted to use a bit of everything that was sent. This was so fun! If you would like to know more about Cryss Thain (my partner) just click on her name and to visit her blog click here.


This morning while en route to a job fair (see pic to the right) I was still wire wrapping the bracelet. Job Fair for Quicken Loans in Downtown Detroit. We waited for 3 hours to be turned away because time ran out. They did get two copies of my resume!

Anyway on to the Party...

The pic is the soup I received (to the left) and the soup I gave on the right. I loved this soup and Cryss sent me PINK...lol! And hearts loved it! 3 snaps in a Z! (In Living Colour)

And for a complete list of all those participating in the bead soup blog party (YOU got it) here.

Introducing my Bead Soup Partner...

Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff). Cryss, live in North Idaho, near Coeur d'Alene .. no affiliations - I'm independent - over 55, screw hair dye, ride my Harley, miss my horses ..online gaming with my husband.
Beading and ceramics and I do craft judging


What is your shop and or blog address and name? http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/


What is your favorite color combination? scarlet with hunter green or sapphire blue


What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it? in the early 70's I would use embroidery thread and string necklaces using old clasps (found in antique stores) to make necklaces for me and my cousins


What inspires you? looking at random items and seeing the beauty within


Where do your ideas come from?
living, seeing - listening to music, sunrise, sunset - a horror movie, you name it


Does the atmosphere affect your creativity? nah


Where do you create, in a workroom/ studio or in a park? the third bedroom in our house has my desk and beads


What type of jewelry do you make? necklaces, earrings, bracelets, pins - just starting to do ornaments


What are your favorite materials/ techniques? i like gem stones and delica's -- for techniques - i try most anything - even count peyote is fun and i really like beadweaving


What is your favorite thing to do with your creativity? gift it - I donate some items each year to a womens program that helps women get better jobs


Why should people buy handmade? why would one want something that anyone else can get? handmade is unique, created with care and vision


Any tips of wisdom on selling handmade stuff?
mostly I gift, so no - but sometimes others see the gift and order something


Apart from creating things, what do you do? work 3 days a week, game or ride the Harleys with my husband, keep in touch with the sons and their families. sometimes I paint/glaze/chalk ceramics


Read any good books lately? I read books by Kim Harrison, Patricia, Jim Butcher, Maria Lima, Clive Cussler to name a few - I gave up on just listing book titles - I like way to many authors


Any other links or information you want to share? Keep trying new things, you continue to learn


Do you have any current projects that you want to describe, techniques to share, give picture of?
Have been learning odd count peyote and I picked the most complex pattern so boy am I learning


In ten years I'd like to be . . . Wintering in Hawaii, living in a nice, small condo with a good view and still be able to bead

Stirring up the Soup...Blog Hopping

I have done a bit of blog hopping over the past few days and I tell ya, I'm not nearly as close to finish as I would like...WHEW!

I decided to create a couple of collages of my personal favs. Everyone did an awesome job but these just were the bomb to me! May it be color combos and/ or designs elements I just loved them. There are 18 pieces that I LOVE so far. I've made it through to #80 on the list. Tomorrow I'll start from the bottom and work my way up and maybe, just maybe I'll make it through another 80. I will not be stopping until I'm done even if it takes a couple of weeks, I'll be around to see you...PROMISE!!!

Oh yea, I plan to list everyone's blog below. I'll do it tomorrow so those of you who have paid homeage to these lovely designers can do so...

Until then good night! I'm tired!

Here is the list of the pictures above: (one is name is missing, I cannot find the correct blog name. I did not save it right)

4. Lisa Petrillo, Lucid Moon Studio
5. Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations
13. Marian Hertzog, M's Place
23. Libby Leuchtman, Libby Leu
28. Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
29. Cyndi Lavin, Beading Arts
30. Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul
39. Barbara Lewis, Painting With Fire
47. Amanda Davie, Articulations
52. Melanie Brooks, Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
58. Amy Freeland, Copper Diem
59. Lisa Liddy, Joolz By Lisa
61. Mary Harding, Mary Harding Bead Blog
73. Jeanette Ryan, Jeanette Blix
74. Jackie Ryan, Silver Lodge Gems
78. Jana Trupovniece, Stories of the Secret Garden
173. Melissa Rediger, Sea of Glass
*Whomever name their picture bsc2011.jpg is also one of my favs!

For some reason the links did not stay but the original list with links is listed here!

Bead Soup Blog Party!!!

Ok, I have finally got all my pics taken and here is what my wonderful partner, Michelle Heim, sent me. Thank you so much Michelle!

She supplied me with 5 options for focals (3 of which she made; the polymer clay leaf and the beaded beads, all listed below). I absolutely love the silk ribbon it will definetly get used. Oh and did I mention I also have two sets of toggles, gold and silver! All I can say is WOW!

This should prove to be fun...visit Michelle's blog to see what I sent her... CLICK HERE!

or just stroll down...lol!
Yes, I made the abstract stripe bar beads. Their made from polymer clay.

Weekly Post and an Update

Okay, I am totally behind in all my projects...one reason is (it's a very good reason), I found out this week that I am expecting my 2nd child in 7 months. I almost wrote my 7th child in two months. WOW, wouldn't that be somethang seeing as though I don't know where the 2nd through the 6th came from...lol and to just find out you've been pregnant for the past 7 months would definitely be a shocker! So therefore, I only painted my backgrounds for my pendants (30 of them) and I need 20 more. I'll re-adjust my timeline and set another deadline. I pray that the morning sickness does not get the best of me!








The next topic of discussion is the Bead Soup Blog Party!
Michelle Heim is my partner and we seem to be matched up pretty well. Neither of us really had any hang ups and absolutely love beads. We also as a team fell behind in getting our beads to each other because we were continuously adding things. I'm quite she hasn't received hers just seeing as I just sent it out this morning! Yes, I know...I'm bad! Sorry Michelle! I hope the selection of beads I sent will make up for it! I have put a sneak peak of the beads I sent Michelle.


Now on to the Art Bead Scene Monthly challenge for January. I am in the process of making the beads for my project and I have 3 more days I think but my plan is to finish by tonight, take pictures at work tomorrow and post on the ABS flickr group Sunday! We will see, which means I gotta go...see ya!