The day has arrived for the Bead Peeps Swap’n’Hop reveal. This blog hop is hosted by Linda Anderson and the Facebook group Bead Peeps, and like other bead soup-style blog hops, participants were paired up and asked to exchange a selection of beads including at least one artisan-made bead, a nice clasp and some coordinating beads.
My partner this time around is Niky Sayers, a UK-based designer and metalsmith who makes the most fabulous jewellery. I’m really looking forward to seeing what she has made using the bead soup I sent her. She treated me to a lovely selection of artisan goodies including some of her own delicious goodies—a clasp, a connector and a bead made from coins, and more.
The first piece I made featured the gorgeous chocolate clay and turquoise heart focal made by Gaea and the 6mm serpentine rondelles. I added some Czech glass coins and flowers and some supersoft chocolate brown deerhide lace, which simply ties into a bow at the back of the neck.
Next up is a pair of earrings featuring two Kylie Parry birds—not quite the same, but similar—perched on top of Niky’s sweet little copper mushroom headpins. The earwires are antiqued copper from The Curious Bead Shop.
And then finally is a rather special necklace I’m calling the Bowerbird, after the Australian bird that collects all sorts of bits and bobs to decorate its bower to entice a mate. I’ve created a necklace featuring a collection of bits and bobs from my art bead hoard, all linked together.
I’ve used several things from the soup, including two of Niky’s coin components (the copper farthing-based clasp and connector), as well as the enamel script bead by Blue Antiquities, the aqua Karen Totten beads and the Bo Hulley fly connector. Niky’s connector features a lampwork headpin by Jennifer Cameron in deep pinky purples and yellow, which goes well with the pink and yellow lampwork beads from Michelle Mahre. A Gaea love nest bead plus the coordinating beads from the bundle, and a Gaea rainbow wave bead are also in there, and I’ve also included a Humblebeads polymer clay house bead and a tiny charm from Jade Scott. Rounding out the art beads are 2 copper beads with a violet patina, two copper rings with a violet patina and two antiqued copper rings, all from Miss Fickle Media. Finally, I’ve added in tumbled fluorite nuggets and a selection of Czech glass beads in a variety of shapes and colours.
The resulting necklace is an eclectic collection, that I think would happily grace a bowerbird’s nest, or my neck! It was super-hard to photograph in its entirety though!
Thank you Niky for sending me such a delicious soup! I still have a few pieces yet to use, and I’m looking forward to finding the right pieces to feature them in. And thank you to Linda and Bead Peeps for hosting the hop! There are loads of participants listed below, so pick a few to go and visit!
Finally, if you’re looking for a new blog hop challenge, consider my Epic Inspirations Blog Hop, which has a reveal date in early June.
Bead Peeps Swap N Hop 2015 Partner List
Our Hostess: Linda Anderson http//:fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Linda Anderson http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Marica Zammit http://www.beadlovelies.com
Linda Anderson http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Jessica Hocutt https://faithfamilyandadventure.wordpress.com
Kristina Hahn Eleniak http://www.peacockandlime.wordpress.com
Debbie Jeffries http://wordpress/debrasdivinedesigns/blog.com
Rosantia Petkova http://bairozan.blogspot.com/
Shalini Austin http://jewellerybyshalini.co.uk/my-blog/
Catherine La Vite http://drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com
Annica Larsson http://zestyfrog.wordpress.com/
Lori Schneider http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com/
Divya N http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com
Mowse Doyle http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com
Fay Wolfenden http://torchfairy.blogspot.com
Kathy Lindemer http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Claire Fabian http://saraccino.blogspot.de/
Janice Warden Bergeron http://thejewelryroom.blogspot.ca
Natalie Davidson http://www.northshoredays.com
Deb Fortin http://www.studiok24.blogspot.ca
Inge von Roos http://ingetraud.wordpress.com
Karen Mitchell http://overthemoon-design.com
Robin Reed http://willowdragon.blogspot.com
Marie Covert http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.com/
Alicia Marinache http://www.allprettythings.ca
Nan Smith http://www.wirednan.blogspot.ca
Johana Nunez http://artincendi.com
Kelly Hosford Patterson http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com/
Lori Blanchard http://alainnjewelry.WordPress.com
Sue Kennedy http://suebeads.blogspot.com
Shai Williams http://shaihasramblings.com
Niky Sayers http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Melissa Trudinger https://beadrecipes.wordpress.com <– ME!
Candida Castleberry http://www.spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com
Erin Guest http://www.renlish.com
Nicole Rennell http://nicolerennell.com/blog
Ien Temaluru http://ienmaginationsjewelry.wordpress.com
Robin Showstack http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/
Sam Waghorn http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk
Marianne Baxter http://www.simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com
Elsie Deliz-Fonseca http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com
Shai Williams http://shaihasramblings.com
Lee Koopman http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Jayne Capps http://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com
Marti Conrad http://marticsclay.blogspot.com
Tina Bosh http://bookbug-somanybookssolittletime.blogspot.com/
Eleanor Thomas http://woolywireetc.blogspot.com
Jeanne Steck http://www.gemsbyjeannemarie.blogspot.com
Gloria Allen http://www.wingsandbeads.blogspot.com
Rachel Mallis http://www.mintmonarch.com/#!blog/c1jlz
Andrea Glick http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Stamper http://skwds.blogspot.com
Chris Haussler http://pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com
Betony Maiden http://www.beadwenches.blogspot.com/
Kari Asbury http://hippiechickjewelrydesign.com/blog/
Jenny Kyrlach http://anafiassa.blogspot.com/
Colleen Foley http://colleenfoleycreations.blogspot.com
Marybeth Rich http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/
Marcy Lamberson http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com
Dyanne Everett-Cantrell http://www.deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com
Ginny Lones http://www.Skippingintotheunknown.blogspot.com
Maria Rosa Sharrow http://willowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Loretta Carstensen http://designsbyloretta.blogspot.com
Dolores Raml http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com
Michelle McCarthy http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Louise McCormick-Glazier http://jewelrytreasuresbylouise.blogspot.com/
Heather Richter http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com
Tammy Adams http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog/
Shirley Moore http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com
Seed Beaders
Susanne Stelljes http://pearlify.blogspot.de
Sheila Prosterman http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com
Pallavi Asher http://kalaabhushan.blogspot.in/
Jami Shipp http://celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com
Peggy Kosier http://www.kosydesigns.blogspot.ca/
Andra Weber http://andrasjoyfuljourney.blogspot.com
Catherine King http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com
Krafty Max http://kraftymax.com
Sierra Barrett http://giraffecanhas.wordpress.com
Lois Sherwood http://thiznthat5454blog.wordpress.com
Katy Heider http://onthepondcreations.blogspot.com
Rebecca Robertson (White) http://morganafeycreations.121hub.com/
Heather Richter http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com
Brandy Collier http://bhjewelry.wordpress.com
Stephanie Haussler http://www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com
Lori Blanchard http://alainnjewelry.WordPress.com
Kathleen Breeding http://99bobotw.blogspot.com
Becky Pancake http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Renetha Stanziano http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/
Tami Norris https://jewelrybytami.wordpress.com/
Ginger Bishop http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com/
Peggy Johnson http://charmbarn.blogspot.com
beadrecipes 
Holy wow, I love all the cool stuff you made! That Bowerbird necklace really takes the cake, though! I love it!
Simply STUNNING! The last necklace is by far my favorite piece. SO breathtaking! Job well done!
Linda
http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
http://cherryOnTopDesign.co
What fun you had making that bowerbird necklace and what fun it is to study it and see everything you included. Such a superb collection of disparate bead and connectors but you managed to create a very cohesive whole with your creation. Very nicely done! I also love your birdie earrings and your hearts and flowers necklace. You really exceeded the challenge of this hop, Melissa! Congratulations.
Wow Liss! I LOVE every thing you made, that first necklace, the colours work so beautifully together and the brown leather really is a lovely finishing touch , Oh, those earrings are STUNNING, I adore them, so very cute! But the show stopper is that necklace, such an amazing collection of art beads that all go so beautifully together. Thank you for being such a lovely swap partner and for all the amazing things you sent to me!
Wowie!!! I’m in love with all the pieces you’ve made.
Hard to pick a favorite but I’m gonna go for the heart necklace. Just lovely.
As always, I enjoy your jewelry. So colorful and bright, well-designed and cheerful. Love them all, but that last necklace is a treasure of gorgeous beads and fun connectors. I imagine wearing that would entail looking at and touching the beads constantly!
the bowerbird is quite a treasure – eclectic, cheerful, playful and super fun
The necklace with the heart pendant is beautiful and the earrings are so cute! But my favorite is the necklace with all the single beads, it looks so pretty and is so well done. I am not good putting together pieces like that, but you made it look great!
These are really wonderful! I love them all but the Bowerbird necklace is my favorite.!!! I really really love this one!!! Great job!!! Be Blessed
Beautiful pieces, I love them all, my favorite is the necklace with the turquoise and chocolate pendant. The Czech glass coins you added really accent the piece very well.
Those colors are so pretty!
Gosh, Melissa your necklace is making me hungry. For some reason the way the colors come together I’m thinking of pistachio ice cream with almond nuts & fruit berries. How designer accessories remind me of food and vice versa. You must be wearing this necklace with almost every outfit you own!
LOL, Melissa, that Bowerbead necklace is a “keeper”. Just pure fun! I do love that chocolate heart necklace though. Beautiful work.
What beautiful designs! I really like your Bowerbird necklace but am partial to the first necklace. Probably because anything to asymetrical drives my husband nuts and he won’t give me any peace.
Absolutely gorgeous! I love Niky’s work, and love what you did with the pieces! The last (bowerbird) necklace is absolutely amazing! What a wonderful collection of gorgeous beads! That would be a hard piece to ever let go of! 🙂
Very nice.
The colors in the first necklace are so lovely. I’d wear it even though I have a heart-aversion. The earrings are adorable. And the bowerbird necklace is a work of art. Great designs.
Adore your Bower bird necklace it looks really fun. The tiny bird and mushroom earrings are gorgeous.
Amazing components and amazing designs. My jealousy is off the charts right now! You get to wear those!!!!!
OOh! I love the little birds on mushroom earrings! But I love love love that last necklace! Gorgeous work!
Oh my goodness. What gorgeous pieces. I love the birdie earrings.
❤ ❤ ❤ the birds sitting on the mushrooms are adorable! Both necklaces are fun & springlike – but my favorite is Bowerbird…..There's so many elements that you could spend all day looking at it! (and they all blend spendidly!)
What colorful gorgeous designs. The little birdies on the shrooms are too precious. Each piece is more beautiful than the next. Fantastic work!
Great designs! The necklace is FANTASTIC! I love it!
All your designs are amazing. Love all the colors, the first Necklace is my fav.
Love all the ‘Heart’ necklaces… I seem to be in love with anything that has a heart.. Great job on all your pieces.. such lovely colours !!
I love your birdy earrings but the necklace is really cool! I love how you used the farthing that has the stone set into it… (I like it even though I am one of those that opposes using really old coins). I am curious to see what you do with the sixpence.
The Bowerbird necklace is a fascinating collection. Such a delightful way to showcase them all.
The Chocolate Heart necklace is very romatic and will go with many outfits.
The last necklace steels the show, indeed! But I also like the hint at asymmetry in the earrings with the different colored birds and the colors and beads in the first necklace are so beautifully assembled!
I love all the pieces you made. The necklaces are my taste and I would wear them. All beautiful!
Hi Melissa, Your bowerbird necklace is way cool. I like the first necklace too. It is my color.