Bead Soup Teaser

One more day til the deadline for our bead soup to be sent, so reckon today makes me early!

Here's a sneak peek at what I'm sending Jean, my Bead Soup Blog Party partner.

I've heard her favorite color is orange.


Come back often to see the reveal!
And be sure to visit her blog over here:  JeanPDesigns Eclectic Avenue

Bead Soup Arrival & Coinkydink !!!

Announcing my partner for the 5th BSBP:  

Jean Peter! 

Be sure to visit her beautiful blog, highlighting her amazing creations.  It's Jean's first time to the Party, but boy is she johnny-on-the-spot!  I  received a lovely package of soup yesterday, and an oh-so-special gift!

First, the soup:  
There was fancy artwork even on the envelope, and inside was a beautiful ribbon-tied organza bag.

Just look at all the beady goodness inside! 

Click to enlarge the beauty!

A detailed wire wrapped focal, (which I think might be polymer clay?)

Feast your eyes ~

A handmade copper toggle clasp ~ gorgeous!

And copper bead components.

In the wee hours of Thursday morning on Quilting Post, my other blog, I wrote about a time that the Mr. had flowers sent to the house.  It was last fall when I opened them and asked "what's the occasion?"   "Just because", said he.

And yesterday evening, I opened this from Jean:

Among the items, this number.  Remarkable how she included the stamped 31, because at the time of the gift of flowers, we had been married 31 years, 8 months.

Yesterday, January 26th, 2012, we celebrated our 32nd anniversary! Thank you Jean, it made the day even more meaningful.

Also inside the bag was a wonderful assortment of copper stampings.

I can't wait to dive in and design with my soup!

Chosen Vessel

I really enjoy making vessels of glass, and recently a friend commissioned some for her two daughters, requesting colors specific to each of their alma maters. Unfortunately I failed to photograph the first one ~ Carolina blue ~ so the chosen vessel to display is the Crimson one, a color of Davidson College.

 

These are wearable, functional items, with a corked lid and a variety of uses:

• A drop of essential oil or perfume inside
• A tiny scroll with a written prayer 
• Insert a lock of hair
• Or just wear

 

When at the torch, I manage to get in a lot of think time, and was reminded of one of my favorite poems, which goes by the post title.  Shall I recite it for you?

The Master was searching for a vessel to use

On the shelf were many ~

Which one would he choose?

 
Take me, cried the gold one, 
I'm shiny and bright,
I'm of great value, and I do things just right.
My beauty and lustre will outshine the rest
And for someone like you, Master, 
Gold would be best!

 

The Master passed on with no word at all;
He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall;
I'll serve you, dear Master, 
I'll pour out your wine
And I'll be at your table 
Whenever you dine,
My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true,
And my silver will always compliment you.



 
Unheeding the Master passed on to the brass,
It was widemouthed and shallow,
And polished like glass.
Here! Here! cried the vessel, I know I will do,
Place me on your table for all men to view.


 

Look at me, called the goblet of crystal so clear,
My transparency shows my contents so dear,
Though fragile am I, I will serve you with pride,
And I'm sure I'll be happy your house to abide.

 The Master came next to a vessel of wood,
Polished and carved, it solidly stood.
You may use me dear Master, 
The wooden bowl said,
But I'd rather you used me for fruit, 
Not for bread!




Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay
Empty and broken it helplessly lay.
No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose,
To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.

Ah! This is the vessel I've been hoping to find,
I'll mend and use it and make it all mine.

I need not the vessel with pride of its self;
Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf,
Nor the one who is bigmouthed and shallow and loud;
Nor the one who displays his contents so proud;
Nor the one who thinks he can do all things just right;
But this plain earthy vessel, filled with my power and might.

Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay.
Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.
Spoke to it kindly. "There's work you must do
Just pour out to others as I pour into you."    by R. Cornwall