Vivi Magoo Presents

As usual ~ as has often happened in the course of my life ~ I have back-doored my way into learning a truth about myself and ~ as has often happened in the course of my life ~ I am forever grateful for the lesson learned and changed by the experience.

I kind of stumbled onto LoriAnderson’s Bead Soup Blog Party by chance. I found her blog one day while surfing around on the Internet and began reading through the stories of her previous bead soup blog parties. I loved looking at all of the beads and findings that were passed back and forth between the participants, and I was impressed with the creations made by each of the recipients. I never gave any thought to joining in the party; I was sure I couldn’t possibly live up to everyone’s experience and creativity, and I didn’t want to disappoint either Lori or my potential bead soup partner.

Here's what I received in the mail! Beautiful surprises inside!

This time was different, though. I kept hearing a little voice telling me to jump in, overcome my insecurities and challenge myself. That little voice was telling me that I had taken plenty of classes, had learned at the feet of many master jewelry designers/instructors, made enough mistakes along the way to be somewhat proficient in my skills, and had created quite a few an over-abundance of pieces along the way. What was I waiting for? My inferiority complex kept getting in the way and I would always run away from the possibility of putting myself out there with a potential for harsh criticism. What if I created a piece of jewelry, tried to sell it, and no one wanted to buy it…because it was ugly or poorly designed or some other (fill-in-the-blank) reason? This time, being different, I had a good talking-to with myself and decided to jump in and give it a try. What did I have to lose? Really, it was an anonymous undertaking; not many would even know I had participated. If it didn’t go well, I wouldn’t tell anyone about it. But, maybe, just maybe, it would go well, and I would find success and renewed self-confidence in my skills and creativity.

Here are the ingredients Lori sent me for my bead soup 

When the time came, I signed up, was given a partner (thanks Lori Bergmann for being the best bead soup partner EVER!) Aren’t these the most delicious-looking  ingredients you’ve ever seen?!? How could I have lucked out with such a fabulous bead soup partner?!? Lori is a lampwork bead artist and designer. Beginning as a scrap-booker, Lori has expanded her talents and techniques to include a wide variety of artistic mediums, most recently falling in love with making her own handmade glass beads and metal clay charms. You can read her blog <here> and buy her beautiful creations <here>. 

Lori made my creative juices flow and my heart soar. I didn’t know at first what I was going to create with all her lovelies, but I knew it was going to be beautiful! With one little Tiffany blue box in my mail that fateful day, I knew I had found what I was looking for ~ pride in my creativeness ~ a gift even better than the fabulous bead soup that she had sent. Thanks, Lori; you rock! 

Here's what I created with Lori's lovely blue and white beads ~

beach-inspired charm bracelet 

A beautiful charm bracelet full of dangly gorgeousness that reminds me of the beach! I am the event planner for ViviMagoo Presents and host art and jewelry retreats around the country. I had just come back from Art Retreat by the Beach in Coronado, California and was thrilled to be able to create a piece of jewelry art that was a testament to the fun and success I had with that retreat! I added a few spices of my own to Lori’s bead soup ingredients.  I used her blue lampwork focal and silver toggle clasp along with the rest of her blue beauties. I love the way it turned out, don’t you?

Miriam Haskell-inspired necklace  

The necklace pays homage to my favorite jewelry designer, Miriam Haskell. Lots of glitz and glamour. The focal is Lori’s stunning piece-de-resistance. I’ve added oxidized metallic beads, rhinestone rondelles, amber Czech glass beads, and a closure from my stash. I wire-wrapped my little heart out ~ and dangled lots of sparkly delight from the focal piece.

I’m pleased with how my bead soup turned out. Master chef Lori Anderson gave me the opportunity for personal growth, and Master chef Lori Bergmann helped me find my self-confidence. I will always thank both Lori’s for providing the avenue for my growth.

BEAD SOUP BLOG PARTY 2012

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things 

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads 
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming

Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones

Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'

Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage

Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads

Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog

Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash

Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents

Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart

Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen

Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle,  Jasper Gems
Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space
Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog
Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure
Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Eileen Snyder, Dorset Hill Beads
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda
Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels
Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation,  Art Food Lodging

Hannah Annear, Squintessential
Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier
Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?
Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs

Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels
Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home

Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time
Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show

Klaudette Koon, Only Road
Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities

Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures
Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN

Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops
Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio

Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival
Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Milla Hope,  LB Creative Arts and Crafts
Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts
Natalie McKenna, grubbi

Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color
Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner
Penny Neville, Copper Penny
Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry

Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog
Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog
Sally Anderson, Wild Sally Road
Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Goode, Pookledo

Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire
Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila

Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs
Solange Collin,  Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stephanie Dixon, The Dixon Chick
Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs
Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created
Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design

Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs

View Bead Soup Blog Party 2012: 

https://sites.google.com/site/beadsoupparty2012/home