Saturday, April 13, 2013

BSBP7

Today is the day I have been waiting for. It's my reveal for Bead Soup Blog party (BSBP). First I want to thank Lori Anderson of http://www.prettythingsblog.com/ who spends many, many hours and puts on the best blog party there is. In case you don't know about the BSBP Lori pairs us up with another beader and we exchange beads. We make something with the beads we receive and post what we made on our blogs for everyone to see on our reveal day. I participated last year and I anxiously waited for this years party. My partner this time around is Cris Peacock. Her blog is  http://www.crispart.blogspot.com/ She is very talented and you should check out what she made. She poured the resin and assembled the focal in the first necklace. She also fused the glass pendant in the second necklace. Besides being talented she lives in Hawaii. How cool is that? The first pic is the soup I received.She used alcohol inks on the can and colored the wrappers and included a beautiful note.


When I opened the beautiful package that Cris sent and saw it had a flower in it I immediately saw a lei. Since Cris's beads are probably as close as I will ever get to Hawaii I decided to make a lei with her beads. The necklace has 105 components in it. The flowers are lucite, glass, metal, and vintage plastic. I tried several different ways of attaching the flowers, leaves, and pearls unsuccessfully. I ended up wire crocheting four rows of 24 gauge wire. Next I laced the wires together with more wire. It formed the base which I attached the flowers to. I took the focal apart because it just melted into the lei and I wanted it to standout more. I started with sheet copper and brass. I cut, textured, dapped, patined, and waxed the metal flowers that surround the focal flower from Cris. I punched a new hole and reattached the resin bottlecap at the bottom. I also made 5 small metal flowers which are used throughout the lei in the components. This is my first metalwork and I am proud of it. The crocheted section ends with brass flower bead caps. The part of the necklace at the back is a peyote rope made with green seed beads which was part of an earlier attempts at a base for the flowers. I put green seed beads on wire and wove it through the necklace to make it look like vines. I also made the clasp.

The second necklace I used the beautiful fused glass focal Cris made and the clasp. The straps are made with right angle weave with sizes 8 and 11 seed beads. I embellished it with size 6 beads in black and clear AB. Then I picked up the pink and purple in the glass and used those colors to add another layer of embellishment. There are picots with size 15 seeds on the edges. I tried to make a wire bail several times but none of them look how I wanted it to look so I peyote stitched a tube and finished the ends with Swarovski saucers in black. I stitched 2 sets of straps to the tube. One set goes around the base and one set goes around the focal. Then I used 2 of the silver beads Cris sent to add a little interest and draw your eyes to the focal. I am pleased with the outcome.
The small boro drops that Cris sent are wonderful. I attached 5 of them to a small copper flower component. Above it is a faceted rectangle also from my soup, flanked by small blue lined clear AB peanuts which complete the focal. The topaz seed beads in the strap match the drops very well. And I chose the peanuts because the boro glass has streaks of blue in it. A tab type copper clasp finished the necklace. I also made earrings to go with this necklace.
My last necklace started with the two handmade links Cris sent. I took the purple and aqua colors from one link and the blue from the bottlecap link. I also used the 2 green tubes, purple coins, cathedral beads, and transparent blue faceted glass rounds from my soup. I made the felt bead and added the rest of the stuff from my stash including 1 mood bead that changes color when touched. I wanted this necklace to be fun so the middle strand is blue chain. The inner strand has 20 different different seed beads to pull it all together.The links are all hooked together with 2 jump rings and they all have small silver spacers from my soup.  A silver toggle finishes this necklace.I want to thank Cris for being a great partner and sending such a wonderful soup. It challenged and inspired me. If you want to see what everyone else made Lori's link has the list.

147 comments:

  1. Wow, you received a huge pot of soup to put together :) Each piece is so different from the next, I like that. Beautiful work!

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    1. Thanx Jennifer I'm glad that you like what I did. I tried to show some versatility and I just listened to the beads.

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  2. Wow...your beadwork is beautiful! You did a fantastic job with your soup.

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    1. Thanx Patricia, praise from other bead artists feels wonderful.

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  3. Love what you made, especially the first necklace, so spring-y!

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    1. Thanx Pipa, I worked hard on the first necklace to make it match the picture in my head.

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  4. Great job, great soup! I really like the fused glass focal necklace.
    Gina H

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    1. Thanx Gina, The fused glass necklace is one I like too. I enjoyed making the lei but I don't usually wear statement pieces like that. I would wear the black one.

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  5. Well done, my dear. Especially the first necklace - what a lot of work for that design!

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    1. Thanx. It was lots of fun too. I've never made anything that large before.

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  6. Beautiful makes!! I love the soup you were sent, and the lei necklace is just outstanding!!

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    1. Thanx. It always feels so good to have other bead artists like my work.

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  7. Wow!! What wonderful, creative pieces you made!! Love, Love, Love the Lei!!! And how you challenged yourself trying different techniques to make it--You Rock! Oh my goodness--the other pieces you made are just beautiful as well! So funny how things I use so often are completely different in your hands :) You are very welcome BTW and a BIG Mahalo to you for the lovely beads you sent me....can't wait to hear what you think :)

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    1. Cris, Thanx for the wonderful praise. It means lots to me that you like what I did with the soup you sent. I am very glad that you were my partner. You sent me such an interesting soup. I haven't used it all yet but I am working on it. The pearls are becoming a bracelet but it wasn't done at post time so I will send you a pic of it later. My son's girlfriend wants a ring with the blue hand.

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  8. Great jewelry! Love your seed bead work!

    I’m in the third reveal. Can’t wait.
    http://vintagememoriesjewelry.blogspot.com
    kathy

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    1. Thanx Kathy. I love to do seed work. My favorite is bead embroidery. When I looked at other peoples posts with embroidery in them I wish I had done some. I guess none of these beads wanted to be embroidered.

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  9. All are beautiful, but the flower one really stands out, you did a great job with your metal work too.

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    1. Thanx Cheryl, I was nervous posting my first metalwork. I'm very pleased that you noticed it and left such a nice comment.

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  10. Wow - pieces that make me think of springtime! Great stuff :)

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    1. Thanx. I guess I must have needed some spring in my jewelry because it has not arrived here yet. It snowed again yesterday.

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  11. LOVE your garden necklace~ what a happy adornment! <3

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    1. Thanx Juli. That necklace feels happy to me too.

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  12. Awesome job on the Lei Necklace. Detail work is amazing.
    Great job on your other masterpieces as well.

    Happy Creating
    Tracie
    http://homeofthepurskey.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanx Tracie, I feels really good to hear positive feedback from other bead artists.

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  13. Floral necklace-great!How i like so rich projects!congratulations!

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    1. Thanx, I'm glad that you like it. I think my lei makes a real statement.

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  14. They are all lovely. I wear a lot of black and love chokers so I am partial to the second necklace. Not a bead weaver so I am always so amazed at the patience and creativity you lot have!

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    1. Thanx, I had the strap done for a while but figuring out how to connect them took some time. The wire bails I tried first just seemed to overwhelm the focal so I went with something simpler and I am pleased that I did.

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  15. Oh, I don't know if I can pick a favorite or not - but I love, love the first and second ones - how incredible are those?! I like the last one for it's simple/classic design and blues are my favorite!!

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    1. Thanx Shel It always feels good to have other artists like my designs. I have more blue beads than any other color.

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  16. Very pretty pieces. Stunning colour combination in the first necklace. Great soup!

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    1. Thanx. When I started laying out the designs I thought I would need to buy lots of flower beads to make it full and lush. I went through my stash and the only thing I ended up buying were a few lucite flowers in the orange and yellow colors. The rest came from my stash.

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  17. Lovely work ! Especially fond of the last piece :)

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    1. Thanx Audrey. I am pleased with how the last one turned out. I like long necklaces and I wanted it to be a unique blend of pieces. The bottom link is made from beads I have had since the 1970's and they were not new when I got them. I found them in my macrame supplies not long ago. I have not worked with a four color, color scheme before.

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  18. Everything is gorgeous - that lei is amazing, but I think my favorite is the second necklace with what looks like seed-bead weaving around the beads. Great job!

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    1. Thanx Jean,I'm glad that you like my pieces. I was going to keep the second one for myself, but my son wants it for his girlfriend.

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  19. Beautiful designs Becky! I think the second necklace is my fav.

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    1. Thanx Sheila I am pleased with how that one turned out.

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  20. Hi Becky - I like every one of your designs. I thought I could pick a favorite - but I love them all! I am partial to the last one, the blue necklace. Fantastic work!

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    1. Thanx Debi, It feels so good to have other jewelry artists like my work.

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  21. I love love love your last necklace.

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    1. Thanx. It feels really good to have others like my work.

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  22. Hi Becky,
    the first piece (lei) is gorgeous, a real show stopper!!! The other three necklaces are very nice, too. Well done!

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    1. Thanx I'm glad that you like my lei. I worked hard to create it.

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  23. Pretty. Pretty. Pretty! Your craftsmanship is exqusite. I could wear them all. I especially love the first piece...I want to pick it up and smell it, it is so perfect and lifelike flower garden.

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    1. Thanx Billi.I'm very glad that you like my work.

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  24. I love the first necklace, great colors and design.
    I'm on the 3rd reveal, I'm partecipating for the 3rd time on BSBP, what a fun :)
    ciao dall'Italia

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    1. Thanx Jo.I will be looking forward to seeing what you make also.

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  25. Wonderful use of your soup. and each one with a different "personality."

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    1. Thanx Beti, I get bored doing the same thing over and over, so I like to let the beads show their personality.

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  26. Oh my goodness, that first necklace is divine. I'm in love. You're a very talented designer!
    xx Ren @ Renlish.com

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    1. Thanx Ren. I really appreciate you saying that I have talent.I just do what the beads tell me to. Sometimes it take a few tries to get it right but that's a part of the fun of designing. I always try to learn new techniques an expand my creativity.

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  27. Gorgeous necklaces, the first one is so summery, just beautiful. Great designs all of them. I could see me in the blue one.

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    1. Thanx Kepi, I appreciate your positive comments. Yes I have more blue beads than any other color.

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  28. The flowers are so pretty they look like they came straight from Hawaii. What a wonderful twist. I have to say, however I really like what you did with the glass focal. Your beadwork set it off so well and the silver beads are the perfect ticket to bring it all together.

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    1. Thanx Alica. Flowers from Hawaii is what I was going for. I Like the glass focal too. I had planned to keep that one but my son wants it for his girlfriend. Before i added the silver beads it looked too plain. Funny how just a couple of beads can make such a difference.

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  29. what a great variety of creations. Love the floral piece!!

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    1. Thanx Jo-Ann I wanted to show lots of variety in my work. I am proud of my floral piece. It is by far the largest necklace I have ever made.

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  30. Love all the flowers in the first picture.

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  31. That first necklace is stunning. Absolutely amazing.

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    1. Thanx. I have never made anything like it before. It's a true statement piece.Your comments made me smile. My best friend from 4th grade until high school was named Charis.

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  32. You are very talented and your work is just beautiful!

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    1. Thanx I appreciate other jewelry artists liking what I make very much.

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  33. I like them all, but the first one like like a spring garden in bloom... wonderful!!! ~KM 1st reveal - http://kraftymax.blogspot.com/2013/03/7th-bead-soup-blog-party-reveal-33013.html

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  34. Wow! Love your work! That's all I can say...

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    1. Thanx April, I appreciate your comments. It feels great to have other jewelry artists like my work.

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  35. Omg, that first necklace, Garden of Eden? :-D It's lovely!!

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  36. I just love the lei! It is so whimsical and fun!! Great work!!

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    1. Thanx, The idea was a vacation in a tropical paradise. I am please that you like it.

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  37. Wow! WOW!!! You have a great gift for listening to what the beads want done. Maybe you should change your blog name to bead whisperer. The soup you received was beautiful but what you did with it was a home run! Really great work, thank you for sharing your talent.

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  38. What a beautiful flower necklace, you are so talented Becky. I love them all.

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  39. Stunning work....especially the Hawaian lei necklace.Great use of your soup!

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  40. Thanx. I'm glad that you like my work.

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  41. Thanx Nan, I am proud of my lei. I am really glad that other beaders like it too.

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  42. That first necklace literally made me say, "Whoa". All your pieces are lovely, but that garden piece is exceptionally beautiful. Great work Becky.

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    1. Thanx Ginger. I'm glad that you like my lei. I really appreciate your praise.

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    1. Thanx, I guess I must have needed some spring. It is still winter here. It snowed again yesterday.

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  44. Those are all beautiful, but the lei necklace in particular is a real work of art :)

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    1. Thanx Sarah, I appreciate your wonderful comment.

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  45. They are all beautiful but that flower necklace is a STUNNING PIECE of art! WOW!

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    1. Thanx Shalini, I've never made anything like it before. I am pleased with how my lei turned out.

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  46. You have made great use of your soup, I love the flower lei necklace its so pretty and the blue necklace hits a note with me but everything is beautful!
    Jackie

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  47. Thanx Jackie.It feels really good to have other jewelry artists like my jewelry.

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  48. So pretty! Love the big one the best!

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    1. Thanx I am proud of my lei. It feels so good that other jewelry artists like my work.

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    1. Thanx Karen. I appreciate your positive comment.

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  51. Wow Becky, that first necklace sure looks like it took some major engineering to pull off, but boy, incredible. I'm partial to the second one, love the dark shades you brought together for the necklace rope part.

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    1. Thanx Emma It took me several tries to get the lei to look like what I wanted. I kept at it until it turned out. I like the second one best too. My son gave it to his girlfriend.

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  52. I'm sure I'm not the first to say this, but that lei is DROP DEAD gorgeous!

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    1. Thanx so much Bobbie. I worked hard to make the vision in my head become real.

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    2. What a beautiful collection! The second necklace is my favorite-what a stunning piece! You bead weaving is really wonderful and adds a special element to the designs. The last multi-strand necklace is perfect for spring and summer!

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  53. Thanx Kathleen. I'm glad that you like my jewelry.The second is my favorite also.I sure wish spring would get here. I just came in for lunch from 3 hours of plowing snow in my yard. We got 15" yesterday into this morning.

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  54. GAH! All of your pieces are amazing. That flower necklace is really eye catching. You totally went above and beyond with your designs. Nicely done!

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  55. Thanx Hope, I appreciate positive comments from other jewelry artists.

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  56. Your necklaces are beautiful. That lei necklace especially is gorgeous! 105 components? You must have the patience of a saint. Fantastic job on your soup!

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  57. Thanx. My lei is special to me. I enjoyed making the components. The hard part was figuring how to attach them to a base.

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  58. OMG but that first necklace is SO me! I love it! What a lot of work and what true beauty. You really did a great job!

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    1. Thanx so much Lori. It means a lot to me to have you say that you like my work.I really appreciate all that you do to make this hop happen.

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  59. Great pieces, I really like the lushness of the flowers in your "lei"!

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  60. Thanx Ann. The lushness of Hawaii was what I was trying to portray with my lei. I'm glad that you like it.

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  61. Your lei necklace is outstanding and I love the right angle weave necklace and focal. Your beadwork is amazing. Your designs were just gorgeous all the way around. You are so talented.

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    1. Thanx Christa, I'm proud of my designs . It feels wonderful to have other bead artists say I am talented.

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  62. wow! Great soup, wonderfully colored paper ;-) - My favorite is the first necklace - it looks like spring and sun ;-) You did a great job! Have a nice day, Hugs, Doris

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    1. Thanx Doris. I like Cris's paper too. I may set some of it in resin. I'm glad that you like my lei.

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  63. Wow, the first necklace is stunning. What a wonderful work! Congrats! For myself I wouldn't need the focal on it.

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  64. Thanx I am proud of my work and it feels good to have others like what I made.

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  65. I love that Lei! Absolutely beautiful work :)

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  66. Thanx Caroline I love the lei too. I appreciate your kind comments.

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  67. Beautiful jewellery! That first one makes me long for summer. :D Great job!

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  68. Thanx Maneki. I am proud of my lei and I am glad the you like it too.

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  69. Your designs are delightful, The Lei invokes the beauty of the islands for sure. I love the second necklace. Beautifully brought together with the different techniques. And the third set is so warm and inviting. Awesome Job !

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    1. Thanx Mowse I am proud of my Lei. The second necklace belongs to my son's girlfriend. The third one I am keeping for me. I love the boro drops.

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  70. I am in love with the first necklace. So pretty and happy! 105 components? Wow, it must have taken forever to do this.

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    1. Thanx Maybelline. I am very glad that you like my lei necklace. Making the 105 components was not the hardest part though. Figuring how to attach them so it looked like my vision was hard though.

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  71. I love the lei necklace, so bright and summery! All your designs are lovely :-)

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    1. Thanx I am proud of how my lei turned out and I am very glad that you like my designs.

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  72. Hallo Becky, I'm so happy to see Your great work! The first necklace - I'm dreaming of! But all Your pieces are beautiful, so different and interesting!

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  73. Thanx, It feels really good when other bead artists like my work. I got to show my Lei necklace at my bead group last Monday.

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  74. Becky I just think your work is so very pretty job well done I just love all the pieces that you made. gina

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  75. Thanx Gina, I am so glad that you like my designs. I work hard at producing my designs and it feels wonderful to be validated by other beaders.

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  76. Wow! the flower necklace is gorgeous!

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  77. Thanx Regina. I worked hard on my lei and I am pleased with how it turned out.

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  78. Very interesting designs! That first necklace looks like a ton of work but so worth it!

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  79. Thanx Sandra. I'm glad that you like my designs. The lei was a lot of work but I agree it was worth it.

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  80. wow! gorgeous! especially that first piece!!!!!

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  81. Thanx. I love getting positive comments from other bead artists. I worked hard to make my lei come out like I saw it in my head and I am proud of how it turned out.

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  82. What a unique, creative and appropriate idea, considering the beads' source...very neat!

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  83. Thanx Lori. The lei just felt right. It challenged me as to how to construct it.

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  84. Wow Becky, what lovely pieces. Your pieces are all beautiful but the first necklace is simply stunning.

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  85. Thanx. I'm glad that you like my designs. It's always pleasing to hear positive comments.

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