Apr 14, 2014

BSBP8: Soups On! Meet my Partner Bobbie Rafferty and See the Beads!




Bead Soup Blog Party 8 is underway and it's time to reveal the bead soups and introduce you to my fantastic and talented Bead Soup Party partner this year, Bobbie Rafferty of Beadsong Jewelry! 


What's a Bead Soup Blog Party? 

The Bead Soup Blog Parties are an international jewelry arts event, one of the largest bead swaps and design challenges in existence, with almost 500 jewelry designers and artists participating annually. The BSBParties are hosted by author and jewelry designer artist Lori Anderson, who pairs participants with her
 talents as an organizer extraordinaire. Participants then send their partners the finest beads to design with, or as Lori describes, "a Party Pack, something nice we would give our best friend" that includes:


::  A focal  ::
::  Some coordinating spacers or beads  ::
::  A special clasp (not just a lobster claw)  ::

Participants blog about the bead soups given and received, sharing info about their partners & their partner's jewelry and art, and last but not least, create jewelry with the beads exchanged. The jewelry designs made for the Party are revealed all at once, together in a grand event for one day (this year on May 3rd) as everyone visits each other's blogs (the "hop") to see all the jewelry created with the exchanged beads.

The Last Bead Soup Party? 


Lori has mentioned that this may be the last year for the Bead Soup Blog Parties as we know them, and thus I'm holding every part of this wonderful event dear to my heart. 

Lori shared that she may very well have to let the pairings, partnerships and bead swaps fall away from future Bead soup blog Parties. Thus I am cherishing every step of the process and appreciating all I can: the fun of making a new friend, the challenge of exchanging great beads, the process of photography and blog posting, and the excitement of creating with beads chosen by another artist. 


Whether this is the last BSBParty or simply the 8th in a long line of annual events, I'm relishing each step of the event. The Bead soup Parties are not just blog hops -- they transform the jewelry arts community. BSBParties create new connections, foster unique and empowering interactions, and manifest an abundance of beautiful beads and exceptionally outstanding jewelry art!

Muchas Gracias, Lori Anderson




Meet my Partner, Bobbie Rafferty of Beadsong Jewelry

This year I'm paired with the warm and lovely Bobbie Rafferty of Beadsong Jewelry. Bobbie immediately amazed me with her exquisite jewelry designs, especially those found on her website and gallery, featuring incredible beadwork and jewelry designs such as her free form peyote necklace, "Aphrodite, Queen of the Sea." Treat yourself to some gorgeous jewelry arts eye candy and visit her website, Beadsong Jewelry. You'll find an array of outstanding jewelry designs to delight as she works in bead weaving, stitching, wireworking, and stringing! 


"Aphrodite, Queen of the Sea" by Bobbie Rafferty, BeadSong Jewelry Gallery.


Bobbie is also the hostess of the whimsical yet infamous "Hat's Off Challenge" -- a blog hop celebrating the many styles and fab fashions of the hats of the Kentucky Derby! Bobbie had planned on making the popular challenge an annual event, but had to do some rescheduling when the timing was exactly that of this year's Bead Soup Blog Party 8. She plans on hosting the event again, however, so be sure to visit Beadsong Jewelry blog to sign up for email posts so you won't miss the next gala Kentucky Derby design event!  

Also, check out Bobbie's spring collection of jewelry designs as a Znet Design Team artist. She has several pieces published in Spring 2014 issue of Creative Spark, including an elegant "centerfold" with a colorway that will surprise you, starting on page 34. 


See Bobbie's Beautiful Spring Collection of Designs




 The Soups! 


What Bobbie Sent Me: 





First Course: A Pink Soup


An exquisite soup featuring an ethereal cherry quartz butterfly focal that took my breath away when I lay my eyes on it! Bobbie may not know this, but my eldest daughter passed on during my first Bead Soup Blog Party. She had been very ill and had lived such a rich full life -- however short in time, and although we didn't expect her death, I know with all my heart it is ok, she is still the beautiful amazing person she has always been -- all of herself and now more -- and is with us still. Death is not loss, but with open hearts full of love and appreciation, is a new way of being with those we love if we can feel Heaven on Earth with our hearts. 

The butterfly is the representation Beads of Courage uses for children who have passed on. So I will create in her honor with my beautiful butterfly.

As for the coordinating beads, they are stunning! A nostalsia colorway mix of Czech flowers and fabulous rondelles, soft and smoky in a rainbow of soft, irridescent colors. There are fantasy faceted fine quartz crystals too -- magical! And an abundant overflowing gift of cherry quartz faceted flat pears! In addition, marble and more Czech in soft sandy shades abound, as well as rich chocolate freshwater pearls, shimmering white stick pearls, and delicious faceted fire agate rounds! 
I am in heaven and love everything.

Overview of the Pink Soup Bobbie Rafferty sent me: Lusciousness! 

And
Second Course: A Blue Soup

Second course! This blue soup features a powerful talisman as its focal! The handcrafted lampwork mandala (artist unknown) is a "kaleidoscope mandala" and an amazing bead! Imagine the possibilities in design. Coordinating with the lampwork art focal are ceramic beads, pretty crystal rondelles in two sizes and shades, Czech beads galore: coins, druk rounds, pinch beads, ovals, and the special Czech color edition of green and blue rondelles. There is also a lovely lucite flower matching Bobbie's handmade sterling silver clasp (see the lovely silvers photo too). The special blue bead with "grates" is actually a vintage treasure! And to top it all, there are seed beads made of gemstones: azurite! The moment I saw these gem treasures, I knew exactly what to do with them! I'm excited! 

Overview of the Blue soup Bobbie Sent me (along with the silver treasures above!): Sophisticated 


Silver Findings! Including Handcrafted Sterling Silver clasps by Bobbie.



What I sent Bobbie:

First Course: A Pink Soup



Overview of the Pink Soup I sent Bobbie Rafferty. With gold and gold plated beads, artisan treasures, vintage & gems.



And
Second Course: A Blue Soup


Overview of the Blue Bead Soup I sent Bobbie Rafferty. It's full of artisan goodies, gems, & seed bead shapes galore! 


Isn't that amazing synchronicity? We created and exchanged two soups for each other and we both sent along a soup in pink and a soup in blue! 

                                 
Suppliers of  beads & findings for Bobbie: 

Handcrafted Artists of my soups for Bobbie: 





A Party Favor:

Comment on this post to be entered to win a $20 gift certificate to Lima Beads. Comment on our soups, visit Bobbie's gallery and comment here about your favorite design, or share the link in your comment to your Bead Soup blog Party soup reveal, and you'll be entered to win on Sunday, April 20th. I'll be using Random.org to pick the winner. Party on! 







45 comments:

  1. Oooh!! You both sent such lovely soups! How great is it that you didn't plan to send each other two in the same color palette! I can't wait to see what you both make. This is my first year in the soup and I am enjoying it so!

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  2. Love these bead soups. Can't wait to see the finished pieces!

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  3. Wow, Rita, such beautiful beads! I can't wait to see what both Bobbie and you create!Please sign me up for your latest giveaway. I can always use more beads LOL! Have fun cooking your soup!

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  4. I love how your minds were working along the same colors. Great soups all though I have to admit that I would be stumped by the pink course simply because that is a color I don't work with.

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  5. Rita,
    Beautiful soup you have to work with and beautiful soup that you sent. I love that blue focal that you have to work with, but everything is so great. I can not wait to see what you make.

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  6. Beautiful Beads! Can't wait to see what you both create!

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  7. Hey Rita.. wow those are some yummie looking soups you have there. I am so behind I still need to post my blog o.0
    Can not wait to see what you both come up with.
    ~Mischelle

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  8. Those soups are gorgeous! I love the sparkly pink focal that you sent. Can't wait to see finished products :) Christie

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  9. Every One of those soups are wonderful, but I do believe that if you are not careful that may be to much soup and you might get a tummy ache so if you need a friend to share that soup, I would be happy to help! Just doing my part to keep you well!! :)

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  10. Haha! I love it! My partner and I sent similar soups, too :) Different colours but same themes! You know it's a good match when you end up thinking the same :D Those are all gorgeous soups, but wow is that a lot of pink! LOL

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  11. Haha! I love it! My partner and I sent similar soups, too :) Different colours but same themes! You know it's a good match when you end up thinking the same :D Those are all gorgeous soups, but wow is that a lot of pink! LOL

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  12. wow I can't believe how many amazing goodies are in here! Can't wait to see what you both come up with!

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  13. Rita, you both made such beautiful soups! You should totally take a peek at mine- the one I sent & the one I received. :) http://zenithjade.blogspot.com . Hope this comment doesn't get marked as spam! LOL!

    Have a wonderful day!!!
    <3,
    Andrea

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  14. Gorgeous soups all around! I was "oohing" and "ahing" over every picture! Can't wait to see what you ladies create!

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  15. So beautiful... both soups! Can't wait to see what you both create with these gorgeous ingredients!

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  16. So beautiful... both soups are! Can't wait to see what you both create with these gorgeous ingredients!

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  17. Rita both the soups you sent and the soups you received are seriously Awesome! Both of the pink lampworked focals that you sent Bobbie are fabulous and The blue focal she sent you is one I have been drooling over. I am excited to see what both of you make. My favorite piece of Bobbie's is Spring Formal in the Creative Spark.

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  18. Those are some really awesome beads that you both sent each other!!! If you want you could send me either of them!!! LOL I would just love them!!!! i think you are both amazing artists and you both do INSPIRATIONAL work!!!

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  19. Gorgeous soups, Rita! I can't wait to see what you both make!

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  20. Wow! Beautiful soups!!! No need to bribe but I'd take it anyway!!😜

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  21. Beautiful soups - can't wait to see what both of you do with them. And FYI - I'm in that issue of Creative Spark TOO! Isn't it beautiful?
    Sheryl Stephens
    Cool Moon Creations
    coolmoon@tds.net

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  22. Great soups, you both have a lot to work with. Can't wait to see what you come up with :)

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  23. I am certainly willing to be bribed but I love checking out your bead soups and I ca't wait for the reveal to see what you both came up with. I am also participating in the Bead Soup Blog Hop party. You both must have been on the same wave length on the colors!

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  24. You always have lovely pictures, and it is worth visiting your blog even if you don't give anything away!!!
    What fun soups, can't wait until the reveal :) I know the results will be show stopping!

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  25. Gorgeous beads!! I can't wait to see what you make!

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  26. Oh, I love the purples and greens (you called them blue).

    I just found this site, too late for this year, so don't want to see this go away. I would love to participate! How can we keep this going?

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  27. You did an amazing job on the soup photographs. I am very impressed. I love the blue soup you received. I can't wait to see what you do with it and the other soup.

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  28. What great soups you both sent to each other. I love that focal in the blue soup you received. Can't wait to see what you do with your soups.

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  29. Oh, Rita! All the soups are great. I love the blue soups and the pink one you put together. You always find the beast beads!

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  30. Those ARE fantastic soups ---both what you sent and what came back! (: I can't wait to see what you make!! (:

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  31. Looks like you were both well matched. I can't wait to see what you both create with the lovely beads you both sent. You're both so talented!

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  32. Such wonderful soups. You don't need the most wonderful soup to get into the ryhthm of the blog hop and enjoy it fully but Oh how nice when the soup is spot on!

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  33. Alice Craddick is having trouble commenting here. She commented on FB, so count her into the drawing :)

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  34. Did you predetermine the colors for your soups? Either that or I'd say you're both on the same wavelength. Both soups are mouth wateringly beautiful! Can't wait to see your creations & those of the other participants. I'd better get cracking on mine. lol!

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  35. Both of you sent such nice soups. You have a lot fun ahead of you. I also like your blog.
    Linda

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  36. Just WOW to you Partners... beautiful and extra yummy!!!

    Can't wait to see what you both do with all this beady goodness!!!

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  37. I can't wait to see what you create from those fabulous soups.

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  38. Oh ! So many gorgeous beads-- you gals are in for a whole lotta fun !

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  39. Fantastic soups! And a great blog about them!

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  40. The talent is definetly showing through the beauty of these beads. I tried to pick a favorite but just found myself drooling all over your photos. Delicious to look at and delightful to play with...the creative part will be a piece of cake with so many goodies to pick from! Have fun!

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  41. The talent is definetly showing through the beauty of these beads. I tried to pick a favorite but just found myself drooling all over your photos. Delicious to look at and delightful to play with...the creative part will be a piece of cake with so many goodies to pick from! Have fun!

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  42. All of the soups are rich and luscious . I am sure that the creations that are made by both of you will be spectacular. Please enter me in your giveaway!

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  43. Love the soups! Such amazing colors and imagination!

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  44. Love the soups and rich colors!

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  45. Love the bead soups that both of you and can't wait to see what you each make.

    Carolyn
    Carolynscreations@live.com

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Gracias for your comments and for visiting! I appreciate every word :)
Namaste --
Rita