Bead Soup Party Teaser

(photo property of Regina)

When I was first introduced to my bead soup swap partner, I went straight to her blog. I was stunned with her immense collection of handcrafted jewelry.

Regina sells on Ruby Lane under the name Sundancegems and has since 2004. Her jewelry is classically beautiful, artfully arranged with mixes of hand picked, wonderfully coordinated gemstones, pearl and crystal. She incorporates 3 types of metal into her designs to accent the natural beauty of the stones and pearls she has chosen. The result is heirloom like pieces that can be passed down through the generations.

I wanted to pick something for Regina that she would be proud to put in her high quality jewelry. Something she would not just enjoy wearing for herself but also something that she would be inclined to place in a piece offered for sale.

I had been fortunate to invest in some quality stones when I received money from my book. Wonderful, unique cuts of chalcedony, tourmaline, iolite, garnet, rock crystal and labradorite. Now I just needed to choose, which beads would Regina enjoy, but hasn't already worked with?
I worked backwards from the clasp. I hoard Green Girl Studios like they will be gone tomorrow.
So I knew that the best clasp to give would be one of theirs; pretty but rustic, a Sunflower in shibuichi. I then let the pendant pick it's self by the deep brown in a piece of jasper. Rhodonite matched the mauve in the jasper, faceted brown chalcedony added another shade of brown and a full strand of freshwater pearls in cream pulled it all together. I really hope she likes it! But I couldn't take a picture because it was so overcast and rainy!

A few days later and I got my stash from Regina and was overcome with GLEE. Yes, GLEE. She must have known I love green because she filled my package with gorgeous soft green! First thing I noticed was a HUGE donut in flower jade. I haven't indulged in buying myself a donut and was so happy to have one! I have thoughts of a back plate in copper with a tab setting holding the donut. Accompanying the donut was oblong beads in flower jade, African jasper, melon agate, more jade, faceted freshwater pearl, and carved coral flowers!
I need to get to work! I have a vague image in my mind of what I would like to create with these special beads.

Thank you, Regina! Everything is just lovely!