The teaser photo of what I sent my partner.

Phase Two of the first Bead Peeps Swap ‘n’ Hop is completed. My partner and I have exchanged the beads and other components we will be using to design jewelry for this challenge.

Now that we’ve sent and received our respective goodies, I can show you what we each will be working with for this jewelry design challenge and blog hop.

I showed you a swirled photo of the beads and things I sent when I introduced you to my partner, Shirley Moore of Shirley Moore Designs. Here’s what she received from me, all unscrambled.

This is what I sent to Shirley. Some polymer clay bird beads and feather, Czech glass discs, tiger eye beads, a metal connector, some lampwork beads, and a copper clasp.

A requirement for this swap is that we exchange artisan beads or components. I chose to send Shirley some polymer clay beads from one of my favorite artisans, because Shirley says she tried polymer clay and never really took to it. The pair of dove beads and the dove feather focal are from Jetta Bug Jewelry. (Btw, I recently did a little feature post on Rejetta’s components.)

The other goodies, which are not artisan made but were included to give Shirley a possible color palette to work with, are teal Czech glass discs with picassa finish, teal and brown lampwork beads, a strand of brown tigereye beads, a copper s-clasp, and a Tim Holtz metal connector.

I chose these earthy sort of rustic components and colors because Shirley says she likes to work with metallic and AB finish beads in particular. She also uses matte finish, but mostly as accent. I hope she enjoys the challenge and I look forward to seeing what she creates.

I also sent along this stuffed pink Peep, which Shirley says was promptly adopted by her daughter. It came packaged with those marshmallow Peep things that everyone either loves or hates. Shirley’s son is reportedly taking good care of them.

In addition to the beady goodness (hidden in these boxes), I sent Shirley a pink Peep stuffed chick. Because, you know, we’re Bead Peeps.

So, what did I get in exchange from Shirley? Well, first let me remind you that Shirley works with seed beads. I emphatically do not. I use them as spacers on occasion, but I do not weave and sew with them. Which is not to say I don’t admire that kind of artistry. I just lack the patience for it myself.

This is how my swap components arrived. Each bead or component was wrapped in pretty paper and even the outer envelope was pretty floral patterned.

This is what I received from Shirley, including the cute labels. There are mookaite beads, glass rounds, and seed bead woven beads, focal, and clasp. Plus a textured metal focal.

How much do I adore the color palette that Shirley chose for me? Mookaite is one of my favorite jaspers. And aren’t those rose gold picasso druks simply yummy?  And oh how fabulous is that dark oxidized textured metal focal, which looks like it might be bronze? Shirley knows I love earthtones and rustic.

Shirley is also a bit of a trickster. Which I like.  She said she decided to challenge me with the type of beads rather than the colors. She knows the “rules” don’t allow sending seed beads to non-seed beaders. She found a way around that by using seed beads to sew and weave beaded beads, a focal, and a toggle clasp for me. Yep, that’s right, those components were hand-made by Shirley herself just for me.

I have never ever ever worked with beaded beads. I am quite looking forward to the challenge Shirley has provided. I can’t wait to see what I come up with.

If you want to see how Shirley and I turn these components we’ve exchanged into jewelry designs, stop back by on May 2nd for the big Bead Peeps Swap ‘n’ Hop reveal. Not only will you see my designs, and Shirley’s, there will be blog posts from all the other participants in the hop. Each of whom were partnered up and have also been exchanging beads and things.

To be sure you don’t miss the big reveal, you can sign up to follow my blog by email or news servers using the links in the right column of my page. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter to get updates about blog posts, my latest jewelry designs, and other creative adventures.