Bead Soup Ingredients Arrived

This go around, I'm participating in the Bead Soup Blog Party. In the past, I've just stalked the blogs of the participants, I guess third times the charm. I finally decided to jump in!

I was fortunate to be paired with Kristi Bowman-Gruel. I've been following Kristi's blog for some time, so I knew that she created amazing bronze focal pieces. Slip on over to her Etsy shop Dream Some and check out her work. That being said, I wasn't too surprised when my soup arrived and there was a bronze clay butterfly focal. Let me just tell you, the pictures just don't do it justice, it's totally awesome in person! I've never had the opportunity to incorporate any type of metal clay pieces in my work, so I'm over the moon about the bronze piece! The other "must use" component is the nice sized wood toggle clasp. Oooo...I love it!...but it's gonna push me over the edge, I'm definately stirring two pots, I think?

And now for the other goodies. Kristi must have known that I have a thing for lampwork beads. She sent some fantastic lampwork beads from Aspen Hot Glass, Palm wood rondelles, Picture Jasper, nice chunky, faceted Chinese Picture Jasper, faceted Carnelian...faceted just makes everything better...Yes?

Now...to get to work! I would have loved to play around with these today, but after the figid temps we have been experiencing, today there was finally a break in the weather. It was in the mid 40's and sunny! I couldn't bear to lock myself away in the workshop. In addition, the kids are on winter break this week, so instead we headed to the park for some bike riding and rollerblading. A much needed change.