Bead Peeps Swap N Hop 2017

Welcome to my blog, Lilmummy Likes... It was created to participate in blog hops when I lived overseas. The wonderful people in our online, beading community kept me inspired and sane for those 4 years.

For the past few years I was in S.E. Louisiana where I was lucky enough join the Bead Society of Slidell. Local bead buddies, including "The Bead Girls," were more fun and inspiration than this girl could handle so this blog went dormant.

Back overseas only days after Christmas, and I'm back to hopping. 

Thanks for stopping by for Swap N Hop 2017.

Linda Anderson, the creator of Bead Peeps & this hop, is amazing. She cares about us individually as well as collectively. I'm so grateful to be able to participate this year.

So let's reintroduce my partner, Heather Canepa. Heather lives in Nevada. We connected through Instagram. As seed beaders we had a few things in common like our love for Swarovski bicones & size 11/0 seed beads. She prefers Delicas while I prefer rounds. 

She also introduced me to the AVAA bead. Will there ever be an end to the Czech shaped bead madness? I've given up trying to keep up with them all.  

The packet Heather mailed to me never arrived. She mentioned sending a second packet, but if she did it didn't make it in time either. All anyone can do is their best, and I'm sure she did that. So let's just show you what she received.

The handmade beaded beads are made by me with Swarovski bicones. 

You'll also see some Delicas, 

a magnet clasp, 

some sakura (cherry blossom) findings, 

hallow glass beads w/caps for fill-it-yourself earrings, 

a little pottery dish, 

a kokeshi pen, 

fancy chocolates, 

and the round seed beads leftover from the handmade beads.

 When you are done here don't forget to head over to see what Heather created at: http://www.desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com 

Now as for my work (she hangs her head in shame). I signed up from a hotel room as we'd only just arrived in mainland Japan. Our household goods were delayed and delayed again so Heather's packet was all purchased and created just for her BEFORE the international deadline. (See I did have things going in the right direction.) I even got them in the mail on time. Then life kicked me a few times. During this I was beading though. See...

I actually made 4 Mt. Fuji charms.

Above you see lots of prototypes for the beaded beads I sent Heather & an earring kit I picked up during my last trip to Hobby Lobby before leaving the US. Hey wait, it's missing an ear wire. Yep. Noticed that after the photo. No mate to be found so they now have lever back ear wires with star accents. My son said they looked like Cowboy Earrings before. There is no denying that now.

Remember me telling you how Linda treated us all so well. Yep. She checked in on me. I told her I was going to make myself some beads like I made Heather. Well this is as far as that went. The only valid excuse I have is that it took so much longer to unpack in a smaller space. 

The movers literally couldn't get anything else in that room. I had boxes from floor to ceiling with barely enough room to open the door. Plus more filling up living room. Half my craft room was in my bedroom Friday, and some of it's still there. My last craft room was 12ft x24ft. I'm now in a 10ft x10ft space. So all craft storage/small space organizing tips are welcome. Let's hear your favorite tips and tricks.

My favorite thing about moving is rediscovering treasures. Here are a few Spring time ones I found while hunting for that pair of ear wires and a jump ring.

Okay last thing from me. What do I put in these tiny, hollow, glass globes? Yes, I bought myself some when I bought the set for Heather. At the store they had rabbit fur, firepolish, glitter & seed beads in the examples. Help me think outside the box. I'm thinking of my tiniest bits of sea glass or dandelion seeds. The silver caps are glue on so it's a once and done kinda thing. Oh and Yuzawaya is the name of a local craft store here in Yokosuka, Japan. I also found a bead shop by the train station. It's called Parts Club. I look forward to going to it's Tokyo location in the future.

If you are thinking, "You moved to Japan. I want to see pictures." You can thank iPhone for sparing you that pleasure. Some sort of update and over 900 photos from the last 3 months are GONE. So any tips for recovering them would also be appreciated. 

Thanks for stopping by. 

Thanks even more for sharing your time with me. You are awesome! 

Want to comment, but don't know what to say? 

Recap:  Tell me your small space, craft storage solutions. OR

What would you fill the tiny glass orbs with? OR 

Do you know how to bring back photos deleted during an update for iPhone 7?

Ready to hop? Check out the other participants in the#BeadPeepsSwapNhop17 below

Non-Seed Beaders
Linda Anderson       Our Fearless Leader	http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Christina Hickman	http://www.vintagetreasuresjewelry.blogspot.com
Catherine LaVite	http://drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com/
Barbara Price	http://www.instagram.com/colorcopiajewelrydesigns/
Kathy Lindemer	https://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Linda Raggo	http://www.instagram.com/linda_raggo_
Marianne Baxter	http://simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com
Rachelle Walker	http://www.chellerydesigns.net/blog
Gloria Allen	http://wingsandbeads.blogspot.com
Ally Asato	https://instagram.com/purplemosspal
Robin Lynne Showstack	http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/
Naomi Knafla	https://www.instagram.com/naomiknafla/
Maria Rosa Sharrow	http://willowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Dana Phillips	http://www.neverwinterdesigns.blogspot.com
Michelle McCarthy	http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Beth Blanc	https://www.instagram.com/beth.blanc.designs.jewelry/
Hope Smitherman	http://CraftyHope.com
Kari Asbury	https://www.instagram.com/kariasburyjewelry/
Shai Williams	http://www.shaihasramblings.com/
Betony Maiden	http://beadwenches.blogspot.com
Inge van Roos	http://ingetraud.wordpress.com
Kelly Hosford Patterson	https://www.instagram.com/pyxeestyx/
Kristina Peck	http://tealeavesandtinyhats.blogspot.com/
Lori Schneider	http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com
Rosantia Petkova	http://bairozan.blogspot.bg/
Erika Price	http://erikaprice.co.uk
Claire Fabian	http://saraccino.blogspot.de/
Rachel Mallis	http://www.sharpthingsblog.com
Deb Fortin	http://mhotistudio.blogspot.ca
Nicole Rennell	http://nicolerennell.com
Joanne Bell	https://joannetinks.wordpress.com/
Johana Nunez	http://www.artincendi.com
Sam Waghorn	http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk
Natalie Davidson	http://www.northshoredays.com/
Robin Reed	http://www.willowdragon.blogspot.com
Faye Wolfenden	http://torchfairy.blogspot.com
Karin King	http://maverickbeads.blogspot.ca
Divya	http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com
Rebecca White	http://morganafeycreations.wordpress.com
Palak Udeshi	http://kalaabhushan.blogspot.in
Seed Beaders
Rebecca White	http://morganafeycreations.wordpress.com
Palak Udeshi	http://kalaabhushan.blogspot.in
Penny Houghton	http://smellynelly.blogspot.com.au
Krafty Max	http://www.kraftymax.net/blogposts/
Heather Canepa	http://www.desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com
Ginger Bishop  ME :)	http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Katy Heider	http://onthepondcreations.blogspot.com/
Renetha Stanziano	http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/
Becky Pancake	http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com/
Tina Pawass	https://freebirdsinnovations.blogspot.com
Mowse Doyle	http://www.midnight-leopard.com/
Tami Norris	https://www.instagram.com/taminorris79/
Minnette Miller	https://www.instagram.com/minnettemiller/
Veralynne Malone	http://www.veradesigns.blogspot.com

What She Received

Hello!

While we wait on my beads to arrive for the Bead Peeps swap, 

I will show you what Heather received from me here in Japan.

Seed beads (of course), fancy magnetic clasp, 

Swarovski beaded beads made by little 'ole me & a few treats. 

 

So lets chat about the extras since I refuse to fold laundry.

I like sending a little dish when I do swaps from Japan. 

They have so many cute, tiny dishes here.

Kokeshi pen (Kokeshi traditionally are wooden dolls with a simple body and a large head.)

Fancy chocolates (So many fancy chocolates here around Valentine's day. I bought my son a sculpted frog and my husband some that were planets while shopping for Heather.)

Then some cherry blossom or sakura findings.

Finally some clear glass balls with caps so you can fill them. 

I bought some of those for myself too. 

Any suggestions on what I should fill them with?

I have a pair also so I'm thinking earrings. 

I saw examples filled with bicones, firepolish, 

feathers & rabbit fur. What would you fill them with?

Couple pictures of projects I've completed since you last heard from me.

What have you been working on?

A Few of My Favorites

No matter how long we're apart my blog continues to call to me. Once again in a new environment without a crafty group to create with I've signed up for another blog hop. Super excited as always. While we wait for partner announcements, and I wait on my belongings to arrive from the other side of the world. Let me share a bit about myself.

My spouse's job dictates that we move every 3ish years. Just after Christmas we landed in mainland Japan. First impression:  it's cold! I haven't experienced winter in about 7 years. So I am freezing and my skin looks like the surface of a desert, but I find something new each and every day.

As in life I am always up for new challenges. Over the course of many blog hops and swaps I've stretched my limits of skill and taste in beadwork. There is no longer anything I don't work with. I'm sure I've yet to work with certain shaped beads as they seem to create two new ones each time I sleep. I love all colors now though I've always been drawn to blues, metallics and coral. If I had to pick a favorite bead it would be anything in 11/0 also called size 11 seed beads. I love peyote so they are a go to for me.

I wish I had pictures of any recent work, but with an international move I haven't been beading. Soon all my pretties will be here and the world be right again for another 3ish years. Take care Loves. You'll hear from me again soon.  

My blog has been neglected for more instantaneous forms of communications. If you enjoy Instagram you can find my adventures here:  Instagram @lilmummyg

2016 Bead Peeps Blog Hop Reveal

 Let me start by saying, "I made the entire piece from the beads I was given and my stash." 

That is a huge accomplishment for me all on it's own. 

PLUS my partner, Susanne Stelljes, magically had two silver focal pieces my friend Connie had just mentioned she was looking for. So sometimes it is who you know. I was definitely in the right place at the right time to help Connie. Thanks again for that Susanne. 

Okay so to recap. Here is what I sent:

And here is what I received:

To read more about this check out this post.

Now what did I do with them. Well my Bead Society had just done a class on tubular peyote so I pulled out this pattern I'd been wanting to try for years. I wont tell you which one as I discovered it is very poorly written. So I ended up with this:

Not liking the look anyway, I defaulted to my favorite beaded 

component. The pattern for which was given to me by my first bead swap partner ever.

(Sorry I'm too lazy to dig years back into her blog to find a direct link for you.)

Yeah, I didn't really like it either, but when this is where you are 24 hours 

before the deadline panic can be a great motivator to adapt and overcome. 

Honestly I like there the piece went. 

Here's what I had to use:

 I knew from the beginning I was making a necklace for myself.

Honestly I'm not a fan of toggles on necklaces because they get caught in my hair and pull. 

I think I may have come up with a solution this time. A bit more field testing is required before I can attest to it's effectiveness and not dismantling an updo.

Now, here's the entire piece. I am quite proud of it mismatched bead cap pairs and all.

Ready to see more great creations? Visit the other participants to continue the inspiration.

Linda Anderson - Hostess - http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com/...

 

Linda Anderson http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com  

Natalie Davidson http://www.northshoredays.com/

 

Marcy Lamberson http://www.studiomarcy.blogspot.com 

Kathy Lindemer http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/

 

Dita Basu Http://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com 

Andrea Glick http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

 

Kristina Peck http://tealeavesandtinyhats.blogspot.com/ 

Shai Williams http://www.shaihasramblings.com/

 

Catherine La Vite http://www.drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com/ 

Christina Hickman http://vintagetreasuresjewelry.blogspot.com/

 

Gloria Allen http://wingsandbeads.blogspot.com 

Teresa Schurter http://treezstreazurs.com/

 

Maria Rosa Sharrow http://willowstreetshops.blogspot.com 

Susan Kelly http://mimismilesdesigns.blogspot.com

 

Jenny Kyrlach http://anafiassa.blogspot.com/ 

Michelle McCarthy http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com

 

Terry Jeanette Carter http://tappingflamingo.blogspot.com 

Lee Koopman http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com

 

Laurie Vyselaar https://lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com 

Marianne Baxter http://simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com

 

Divya N http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com 

Kelly Hosford Patterson http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com/

 

Johana Nunez http://www.artincendi.com 

Kari Asbury http://hippiechickjewelrydesign.com/blog

 

Robing Reed http://www.willowdragon.blogspot.com 

Kristina Hahn Eleniak http://www.peacockandlime.wordpress.com

 

Robin Lynne Showstack http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/ 

Rosantia Petkova http://bairozan.blogspot.com/

 

Claire Fabian http://saraccino.blogspot.de/ 

Inge von Roos https://ingetraud.wordpress.com

 

Rachel Mallis http://mintmonarch.com 

Sam Waghron http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk

 

Lori Schneider http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com 

Fay Wolfenden http://torchfairy.blogspot.com

 

SEEDERS

Suse Stelljes http://pearlify.blogspot.de 

Ginger Bishop http://www.lilmummylikes.blogspot.com

 

Nelly May http://www.smellynelly.blogspot.com 

Rebecca White http://morganafeycreations.121hub.com/

 

Sheila Prosterman http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com 

Catherine King http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com

 

Palak (aka Pallavi Asher)http://kalaabhushan.blogspot.in/ 

Krafty Max http://kraftymax.net

 

Renetha Stanziano http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/ 

Becky Pancake http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com

 

Katy Heider http://onthepondcreations.blogspot.com/ 

Deborah Apodaca http://deborahapodacadesigns.blogspot.com/

 

Heather Richter http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/ 

Tami Norris https://tamisdesigns.wordpress.com

 

Brandy Scozzari http://bhjewelry.wordpress.com 

Catherine King http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com

 

Kathleen Breeding https://www.facebook.com/99BOBOTW/ 

Veralynne Malone http://veradesigns.blogspot.com

 

Bobbie Rafferty http://beadsong.blogspot.com 

Lori Blanchard http://alainnjewelry.wordpress.com

Bead Peeps-What we Swapped

Wow guys sorry to leave you in the dark so long. 

Lots of great beading going on around here,

plus a river flood & the end to 

my husband's back surgeries.

So lots of things to celebrate now that we're safely on the other side of things.

First though I am happy to share that both Suzanne and I have received out Bead Peeps swap packages. 

Above you will see what Suzanne sent me from Germany.

These are the ones I must use for the challenge.

This pin Suzanne sent is my favorite thing from the packet. 

It reminds me of the pearl and bead spiders I have on my Christmas tree, but this one has a mohawk!

(Yes, there was a story that came with the Christmas spider kit, but I don't remember what it was.)

I just love that something usually scary is recreated in a way that makes it beautiful.

Okay moving right along.

This is what Suzanne received from the good 'ole USA.

Oh but the handmade focal of a hand and heart is actually from the UK. 

It's by Caroline Dewison of Blueberri Beads.

Of course a little surprise is always fun.

I have about one inch of beadwork done for my reveal and a simple stringing project complete. Come back May 15th to find out what I did with my blue beads and enjoy with me the creations of Suzanne's imagination as well. 

Now to the fun bit. Here's a peek at the things I've finished since my last post.

 The Bead Society taught Russian Leaves one month. 

I made 3 pair and decided that was plenty.

 This is 3 bracelets with snap clasps. 

The pattern is so lovely I wanted you to see the detail.

 This is yet another of my prized Shelly Nybakke patterns. 

This is the 3rd pattern of hers I've completed.

This next one is going to be a doozy.

 Yes I can do more than bead.

 Even played with a bit of wire too.

I finished another bracelet this weekend, but it's not as photogenic as it is beautiful on the skin. 

You'll just have to trust me on that as I shall not share my skin with you at the moment. 

My gardens are lovely, but it has done quite the opposite to my skin. 

Take Care and Happy Spring!

Flyin'

Seriously!?! Where have the first two months of this year gone? 

I'm absolutely flabbergasted at how quick this year is flyin' by.

So around here we had Mardi Gras.

 Complete with poop hats. (far left)

Yeah, you see all sorts of odd things on the parade route.

and I was asked to be our bead society's Bead It Forward Chair.

We submitted 56 squares. Sixteen of which I added to a little quilt I whipped up.

Yesterday I finished my quarterly ombudsman newsletter which shouldn't be as stressful as it is, but I truly don't know what to talk about. How to you condense months of training into a couple pages, and make it something dozen of different styles of families are willing to spend their time on? 

Best of all I received info on my Bead Peeps partner, Susanne Stelljes. 

Susanne is in Germany. Please take a bit to check out here beautiful blog and fb beading page.

I'm almost done prepping her package. In the mean time I thought 

I'd follow the advice of our host and tell you & Susanne a bit about me.

1. I LOVED the beadweaving with Swarovski crystals that was so popular maybe 10 years ago. As a stay at home mom I just couldn't give that much of our family budget to those pieces so I taught myself to beadweave.

2.I love almost anything beadwoven. Peyote pieces are my favorite, but thanks to a class with Shelley Nybakke I'm learning to love RAW (right angle weave). I still string a bit and drill sea glass for jewelry. I haven't done much recently but I like making resin and polymer clay pendants and components too.

3. I still love working with 3mm & 4mm Swarovski bicones, but I adore seed beads now. At first they were simply to fill in the gaps in the crystals, but now I love them on their own. I've recently falling in love honeycomb beads. I avoid pink and gold tones. I'm a cool colors person who has oddly accepted coral and orange thanks to my passion for all things beachy.

4. See #2 Apparently I can't stay focused on the question as I unintentionally answered this above.

5. See #3 Oops, I did it again. ;)

TRIVIA:  Did you know that I love to make jewelry and even sell military sterling jewelry for a company, but I rarely wear it every day?

I'm also a dig in the dirt girl who literally gets sick to my stomach when I have to dress up in a ball gown. Yep, I have half a closet full of princess dresses and they scare me to death.

Um, well that's enough sharing for today. I hope you are well and happy.

Love where you are, and love yourself.

 

Slow & Steady

So this is where I left you. ☺ To clarify I didn't buy enough Mardi Gras colors to make this bracelet and the style I really wanted. So the bracelet above was sacrificed to make this.

I LOVED IT!!! The best part is this way I had enough to make a second one. So here's where I was this afternoon.

I LOVE THIS ONE EVEN MORE!!! So the one on the right is in the Slidell Chamber of Commerce Marketplace, and the one on the left is MINE.

Now that I finished these. I'm back to my peyote for Valentine's day. It's supposed to be a bracelet, but it's too thick for me. It may become a wall hanging or something. Do you have any ideas?

I'm thrilled to be half way though this pattern. I miss my bead it forward squares. This is insane to someone who's never done anything bigger than a 1.5 inch square before. I will finish it! Hopefully before the bead society meeting in February.

Wish me luck.