Bead Soup Blog Hop Hoarders Edition

Bead Soup Blog Party 2017

I am happy to say I am part of the Bead Soup Blog Party of 2017 which is sponsored by Lori Anderson.  This is a special edition --a Bead Hoarders edition. Our instructions were to open our hearts to hope and beauty and true gift-giving. We were to send our partner something he or she will love and will brightening their day.  This is a blind trade.  No discussion of colors, styles, etc. An interesting twist is that you need to send a note that tells who made the bead (if you know), the material (glass, clay, etc) or type of gemstone, and why you hoarded it.

Bobbie Rafferty

We only had a few days to mail our bead or beads to our partner. My partner for this year's exchange is Bobbie Rafferty of Beadsong Jewelry. We have worked together before on as designers for ZnetShows Beads and our jewelry has been featured on their website and Creative Spark online magazines.

Goodies sent to BayMoonDesign by Bobbie

I was pretty excited to get my package in the mail.  Truth be told, I am always excited to get beads.  I love the lamp work focal that she sent me.  I plan to use it in a necklace.  The focal is perfect for a redo of a necklace that I made a long while ago that was lacking contrast of colors.  In this reveal, you will see the before and after.  I succeeded in brightening the necklace with adding red to it. The focal has a deep red which worked well in the design.  

Before necklace by BayMoonDesign

The original freshwater pearl necklace contains elements that I loved, but the necklace just didn't do them justice.  I used stunning blister pearls,  freshwater pearls, and jasper.  There is a special green bead that is I made from high quality paper wrapped with gold and green threads. The focal pendant is pretty but added no additional colors.  The necklace was brown and olive green.  It needed another color to carry it to the next level.

                                 One of a kind olive green and red art necklace by BayMoonDesign

The lampwork bead that Bobbie sent me was just what I needed to redo this necklace.  The lampwork has a deep red, olive green and navy blue in it.  I added a handmade green head pin, some brass bead cap to it.  I also added additional red glass beads to the necklace to brighten it.  I spaced the stunning blister pearls with small brown pearls. I kept the jasper and special handmade fiber and paper bead.  I included a pretty polymer clay red rose by Leah Curtis. I turned this art necklace into a one of a kind gift for Mother's Day, an anniversary or birthday.

Earthy navy blue necklace by BayMoonDesign

The navy beads that Bobbie sent were just what I needed to finish my second necklace.  This earthy navy blue ceramic necklace is perfect for anyone who loves art jewelry.  The dagger necklace has a rustic appearance and reminds me of the many green, and orange colors found in nature especially in Spring.  I used navy blue Irish waxed linen thread to bring out the yellows and greens in the necklace.  This long boho necklace has a bronze clasp that I made for this necklace.


The ceramic leaf is by the well know ceramic artist Mary Harding.  I love the earthy and rustic looks of her work and I have several pieces in my shop that have her ceramics in them.

Thank you Bobbie for sending me just the right bead to transform a pretty necklace into a very special one.

A special thank you to Lori Anderson for organizing this!
Please stop by the blog hop to see what other folks created.