I'm so excited to be participating in a new-to-me swap and design challenge, this time hosted through the Bead Peeps Facebook group. And I'm thrilled to introduce my swap partner, Lori Alainn Blanchard of Alainn Jewelry. (What, you don't follow her blog yet? Get yourself over there, enjoy the eye candy, and put her on your blog feed immediately! You're welcome.)
Lori's an enthusiastic and warm person, who's planning her wedding while she works and designs her fantastic jewelry. She rides motorcycles, which proves she's the kind of brave bad ass lady I can't possibly claim to be (I would be decorating the pavement immediately). She's got a fun sense of humor, and her spirit comes through in her designs.
Lori and I are really well-matched. We both love to explore and mix a variety of techniques, and love color. We both work with seed beads and larger beads. Neither of us has met a bead we didn't like (or at least think we could so something with). She shops with the same philosophy as I do - if it's pretty or interesting, buy it with the certainty that you'll find a fabulous use for it eventually.
Want to see some of Lori's beauties?
This first one knocked my socks off. It just got photographed for inclusion in Bead & Button (yay, Lori!), and I think you can see why. It also proved to me that we were well-matched, because it reminded me of a necklace I made that I affectionately referred to as "the monster."
This next one has lush, abundant fringe. I can't do fringe. Don't know why, but I've never felt like a fringe-y kind of girl, but this might change my thinking.
And this bracelet? The colors are so pretty and the embroidery is great.
In yesterday's mail, I got the beads that Lori sent me for this swap challenge, and y'all, it's full of yummy things. Take a look! Czech glass and delicas and seed beads and daggers and tilas and half tilas and a highly cool focal, oh my!
Yes, take a closer look at the very cool focal. It's a lapis cab with sculpted clay by Sculpted Windows.
The big challenge here? The neon creamsicle seeds. I told Lori I am challenged by neons, and she picked up on that. But she eased me into dealing with my phobia by sending neon beads that actually pick up a color in the focal, so I think I may be okay. Hold a good thought.
What did I send Lori? I forgot to take a picture before packaging it up, but you can see it here. I can't wait to see what she makes with it!
