Bead Peeps is having their swap and  hop reveal today. Each participant was given a partner and we exchanged beads with our partner. The pic above is the kit I sent my partner Renetha Stanziano. Her blog is http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/ please be sure to visit her blog to see what she made with these beads. I enjoyed having her as a partner.

This is what I received from Renetha. Isn't  it a great kit of bead to work with? What a coincidence  we both chose many of the same colors for each other.

The first piece that I created was this shibori silk ribbon bracelet. I have wanted to make one of these for a really long time. Since I received this wonderful ribbon in my kit I knew that it was time. Bead embroidery is my favorite technique to do.  I am thrilled with how it turned out. The silk, lilac glass flowers, purple faceted cabochon, purple pearls, and many of the accent beads all came in my kit.

My second piece was created using the striped lampworked round beads. The color in these is great. I made circular components using herringbone stitch. I learned this technique at a Demo & Do class our bead society has. The technique was taught by Laura Luepke. This fun necklace has a summer feel to me.

For piece number three I did bead embroidery around the gorgeous lampworked focal bead from Renetha. The lampwork was made by Alexandra. I used the rest of the purple pearls and fire polished beads from my kit as accents. The clasp was also in my kit. Matte gold fire polished beads help show off the wonderful color in the lampworked bead. The purple pearl at the bottom of the focal came from a friend of mine who has passed away so this necklace is special to me.

My final necklace has another lovely lampworked bead from my kit. I framed it with the curved gold tubes from my kit plus a few bicone crystals. I used gold wire to make the frame sturdy and to create a bail. I ended the wire with spirals for a little flair. The straps were made on a kumihimo disc using the focal bead colors. I chose cones for the ends. I colored them with patina ink. A gold toggle is used for the closure. I still have lots of beads left to play with including the copper links and another lovely lampworked bead.
I enjoyed being a part of this fun challenge. Thank you to the ladies who put in the effort required to make this hop happen. To see what the other participants created please go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/beadPeeps/

I always enjoy participating in Lisa Lodge's blog hops. Lisa sells us a kit and we create on the theme she suggests. This time it is gentle spring. The colors were soft pink and purple. The first necklace I created used the large pink and small white pearls with the silver spacer beads  for the strap sections. The focal is made with white ceramic large hole rondelles that have pink roses and purple violets. I knew that I wanted to use these flowered beads as soon as the theme was announced.   These are spaced with purple glass rondelles also from Lisa.  The ends  of the center section have silver bead caps and purple fire polished beads. the focal section is strung on wire. A silver toggle clasp finishes the necklace.

I used one of the large pink pearls and embellished it with two hole triangle beads and seed beads to make the focal. A simple pink silk cord holds the pearl. I made a gold clasp from wire for the closure.

Next I made a bracelet from the pink pearls. Pink two hole tiles were used as a base. Two hole pink infinity beads were placed between the tiles. White seed beads and pink bicone crystals make up the embellishment. A seed bead loop and one of the pearls act as the closure for this feminine bracelet that is very spring like.

Necklace number three uses the white pearls with purple fire polished rounds and rondelles. I spaced these with small transparent lilac fire polished rounds. I used two purple glass swirled beads and silver spaces at the center to show off the lapmworked beads which are the focal. A purple stone drop finishes the bottom. I chose a S clasp as the closure. There are earrings to match this necklace.

A right angle weave base is the foundation for this bracelet. The lilac sea glass squares from my kit are the main focus of this piece. Seed bead picots show them off well. Small shiny purple drops embellish the sides. I used a silver toggle clasp for the closure. This bracelet is comfortable and easy to wear.

When I opened my kit the first thing I saw was the pair of lilac curved sea glass pieces. They shouted earrings to me. A white pearl, silver chain, and a shiny purple drop were all it took to make them come alive. These are simple but everyone I have shown them to has wanted them. Thank you Lisa for another fun challenge and hop. To see what the other participants created with the kits they received please go to http://gratefulartist.blogspot.com/