Hello, everyone! I told you I’d be back!

So, last week I received my beads for the Bead Soup Blog Party this year. My partner is Pam Farren of Re-Maker and you can see what I sent her here. I have been so excited to swap with her because we use such different techniques to create things.

So! Pam has overwhelmed me with beautiful beads. The challenge dictates we each send one hoarded bead and then we can add coordinating beads if we want. Pam, with generosity I cannot comprehend, has sent me FOUR hoarded focal beads and a ton of coordinating pieces.

I received this adorable package in the mail and opened it to find THIS.

You guys, there is SO much lovely stuff in here. The first two hoarded beads are very precious ceramic pieces made by Birgitta Lejonklou, who passed at the beginning of 2016. I am astonished that Pam would be willing to part with two of her lovely ceramics. The first is a bracelet bar. The scrolling handwriting is lovely… I just wish I could read what it says! I know Birgitta believed her pieces were infused with healing energy, so I’m sure it’s some sort of well-wishing or encouragement. The second is a gorgeous ceramic button with little rose imprints. I can’t et over how gorgeous the glaze is on this piece.

The next hoarded bead is this lovely glass drop made by her student, Sarah Hudson. There are so many pretty colors in this delicate-looking drop! I love how the loop is just the tail of the drop, so daintily curled over.

I have to say, this fourth hoarded bead is my absolute favorite. It’s a copper bead with glass over top and 24kt gold foil, by Jannifer Davis Carey. I am in LOVE with it. Every time I look at it, it seems to be a different color and the shape reminds me of a Faberge egg.

Then, Pam sent me a whole bunch of coordinating beads, including a bone focal, seed beads, wooden beads, and some stones. Ooh, and a fantastic toggle clasp!

Overall, I am super overwhelmed and so excited to design with these beads. Now I just have to decide where to start!