Bead Peeps Swap 'n Hop Delivery of Goodies, to & from

This is what I sent my partner, Rachel M:

First, I ordered some goodies from Donna Millard- she's a marvelous lampwork glass artist- you can see more of her work in her Etsy shop here! I specifically had these sent directly to Rachel as I wasn't sure I could have them shipped to me and then me ship to her on time! ^_^

Here is an up-close view of the focal with a few of the coordinating beads:

Donna also graciously let me use her pictures, as I never had these in my hands to photograph! Trust me on this though, (as I've bought from her in the past), these are EVEN MORE AWESOME in person!!!

Here's an overview photo of the bird sets Donna offers:

I chose the middle set. I wanted to send Rachel beads in a blue and purple palette, and those were a perfect blend of the two. JUST GORGEOUS.

So, with this set, I covered the two out of three bases- a focal (the birdie!) and coordinating beads. ^_^

I couldn't stop there, though!!!

I also sent a wealth of matching artisan beads and a copper clasp- handmade by Jami Shipp! It was tough to part with beads from my stash, but I thought that Rachel would appreciate the beads I could send to buff up her artisan beads collection! *grins*

These are galaxy wrapped glass cubes on handmade earwires made by Shelley Grahm Turner of Tori Sophia Designs.

A lovely handcrafted lampworked bead by Marcia Seever of Shazazz Glass.

Here's the whole lot of extra beads (and the copper clasp) I sent Rachel. :) I also sent two strands of freshwater pearls, (I ADORE pearls!), and a couple of rainbow calsilica beads, (that had purple in them). I do love art beads! And one of the joys in getting them is sharing them! ^_^

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And now on to the beads that Rachel sent me!!!

Ok, Rachel sent me a whole box of cool stuff. The leather here is HIDING some of those lovely little organza bags. I do not think I thought to put Rachel's goodies into cute little organza bags. :( My bad! That would have been really clever!

So, I think I said that I ADORE freshwater pearls... Rachel made me a lovely focal piece using freshwater pearls and sticks and a crystal + copper wire, (one of my fav materials to work with). ^_^ It is on the small side (for me) but still awesome. Wootz! But that is NOT ALL.

LOOK AT ALL THOSE LITTLE BAGGIES. Holy monkies!!! There are predominately green beads in there, (one of my favorite colors!). There are some mystery beads with white stripes, some African? trade beads, some ceramic beads sharing the same baggie as kyanite, magnesite beads, a little bag of mixed beads including faceted tigereye, aventurine beads in different shapes, yellow turquoise, (which is a blend of jaspers, I think), a bunch of really rad metal bits!, Czech glass, a bag of mixed freshwater pearls, and a really cool copper clasp. O.O

Also! She included some art beads, (I am thinking I might have to send Rachel some more beads)-
some enameled stick components by Numinosity Beads... here they are:

And a really lovely handmade focal component by kumceramics:

AND THAT'S ALL SHE WROTE. 

I love and adore all the neat new things I have to play with for the Bead Peeps Swap 'n Hop Challenge... Rachel, you totally spoiled me! Thank you so much!!!

*mad love from Wisconsin*

~Andrea