Friday, September 16, 2011

The Big Bead Soup Reveal

Hi everyone, 
This is the day all of us, 
the Bead Soup Blog Party participants,have been waiting for. 
Here is the link to our gracious host Lori Anderson Click Here,  
and the entire list of jewelry designer's websites so you can follow the blog hop.
My partner is Beth Bricker    
Click Here  or  Here to see the wonderful and generous amount of ingredients 
she so carefully packaged, labeled and sent meand the stash I sent her. 
Here: Vintage Sweets to meet Beth and see  her creations. 

I loved how Beth labeled all the beads because 
I am not an expert about different types of stone and crystal and 
I haven't labeled my stash carefully so I tend to forget what a lot of my beads are called. 
I really love the smokey quartz, the czech beads and 
those chunky black tourmaline beads are just amazing. 
There are some beads totally new to me that really intrigued me; 
the amber red deer horn beads, the antler button and the deer bone beads. 
Fortunately I was so inspired  that I got started right away because I have been sick this week.
I could not be the queen of the last minute this round. 
I was unable to use all of the goodies she sent but have plans to use them in the future. 

Not only did these beads inspire jewelry but they also told me a story, 
  So grab your coffee or tea and relax and enjoy a little Mountain Romance.

The air was cool and crisp, perfumed with a refreshing balsam scent from the glorious pines all around her. It left a fine mist on Mira's skin contrasting sharply with the crackle of dry fallen leaves under her feet. They both stopped at the same time without saying a word.  The music of  water trickling in a rocky bedded stream was not so distant now.  He knew they were almost there. She had no idea what he had in store for her, simply put he had said: "I have a surprise for you today and had handed her a rusty old key."  

"What is this for?" she had asked and he simply smiled and said: "You will see soon enough." Mira loved the way that smile made her heart flutter and as she looked into his eyes she knew how much she trusted and cared about Josh. She could almost see the thrill of being surrounded by nature coursing through his Inuit blood and just before he turned to continue their hike, she looked down from his eyes, and between the lapels of his plaid flannel shirt  to the dream catcher he always wore around his neck, just over his heart. 

Mira loved the feathers that hung on either side and the unusual seed in the center. She wondered had he made it as a child on the reservation and what dreams had he captured in that tiny net. She was going to have to ask him more about that one day but for now she simply followed him through the forest paradise.  Similar to a slow crescendo in a Beethoven Symphony, the soothing but exciting music of the stream was getting louder and the forest brighter as they approached a clearing.  Like little fairies playing hop scotch with magic wands glistening in their tiny hands , the light of the sun flitted on the green and sandy brown pebbles and floated away down stream on the fallen leaves, temporarily blinding her to what lay ahead. 

When Mira's eyes had time to adjust to this sudden burst of light, a gentle gasp excaped her lips.  There before her was a bridge, surely hand made from logs in this forest that led over the stream bed to the most perfect little log cabin she had ever seen. She had always dreamed of living in the woods someday, relishing the clean air and the beauty mother nature hid in the emerald forests of these rugged Northwest Mountains, away from the noise of the city and all it's frenzied occupants.  Josh took her hand and led her to the center of the bridge. Then he did the strangest thing.  Still holding her hand in his he knelt down on one knee and said, 
" Mira, you are holding "The Key To My Heart" 

and the key to this log cabin I built with my own hands just for you.  Will you spend the rest of your life here with me?" And like a gentle breeze  he whispered "... I love you..."  
Mira dropped to her knees in front of him, tears burst from her eyes and trickled like the stream down her cheeks but the smile on her face said,  "Yes... yes, a thousand times yes." She would never have to ask about the secrets in his dream catcher, she would live them with him for the rest of her life. 


Okay,
 now you know I have read a few too many romance novels in my lifetime 
but with 360+ blogs to read 
I thought you might enjoy this little enhancement to your reading pleasure. 
Before the necklace I made a bracelet and earring set too. 
Here they are:

For the mountain loving women like Mira; 
an everyday casual type bracelet and earring set 
she could wear with jeans and a nice flannel shirt 
while cozying up to the fire in her perfect little log cabin in the woods.
 
I loved the contrasts between the turquoise (Josh the inuit), 
the round horn beads (mother natures creatures recycled) 

and the chunky black tourmaline beads (like the charred wood in a fireplace) 
so I wired them together for the dangles.  
The smokey quartz (smoke curling from the chimney in the log cabing) could stand alone. Copper was my main choice of metals for this set 
The necklace has both copper and antique brass components. (Male and female characters)
 I added the stone chips and leaf chain to the bead soup 
because it helped to let your eye trickle (like the stream) 

from all the details of the key clasp on the left (key to his heart and cabin)
and the dream catcher on the right side of the necklace.
(Josh's dreams to be shared with Mira) 
The tawny czech glass beads reminded me of split logs with some bark left on. 
(inspiring the log cabin and the bridge) 
and I used the fabric Beth wrapped my soup in, 
torn to create the plaid ribbon to evoke a casual feel to the necklace.
(the lapels of Josh's flannel shirt)  
Lastly (For all of you who are cynics)- 
I wrapped one piece of the smokey quartz with copper wire 
in the head of the rusty key to symbolize 
how slightly clouded our heads get when we are in love!!  
Just kidding.... LOL 
I for one am a hopeless romantic and isn't that what jewelry is all about? 
Enjoy your blog hopping!! 


PS Check out the  HUGE CLEARANCE SALE  in my heatherp22 Etsy shop-  
starting Tuesday Sept 20th, ending Sept 30th!! 
BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!! 
Heather-Aquariart


96 comments:

  1. Love the necklace! Very unique. Something I never would've dreamed of putting together. :)

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  2. What a romantic you are...but you tell a good story and make beautiful jewellery.! I am totally loving the 3 strand layer on the necklace and the dream catcher on the side is my favourite element! The fabric choice is perfect with the gorgeous tawny coloured beads...you certainly nailed this piece.
    jenni

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  3. I just love the nature-feeling these pieces give me! A beautiful colour-combo, great work :-D

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  4. Thank you for bringing a smile to my morning with your wonderful post, I love the storytelling :) Great pieces too, really like the mix of textures and elements

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  5. Can you hear me clapping! I loved your story what a great way to present your creations. I loveeeeeeee what you made with my bead soup. The necklace is wonderful ad is all of the meaning behind each component. The bracelet does want you to wear it with flannel. I'm so glad you thought to use the wrappings as part of your creation. What a fantastic job you did with all of your bead soup. I was honored to be your partner as I has GREAT bead soup from you!

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  6. wow! this is very cool! I really love both your necklace and your bracelet!

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  7. Heather as always you created a work of art! I love all those different components you used in the necklace! Seriously stunning work woman! I also loved the little story you used to show off your beautiful necklace! WOW!!!!

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  8. Beautiful designs and a lovely story to boot! I like the introduction of turquoise in the bracelet...it's a great colour combination.

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  9. I love your story. It fits right in with your 'soup' pieces. And I love the casual, yet warm feel of the necklace and bracelet. You did a wonderful job with them. And the way you attached the pieces to the ribbon is really nice.

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  10. Beyond Stunning! I love the raw, natural character you built into your earthy pieces. You are amazing my friend!

    Enjoy the hop,
    Emanda

    http://artemisiastudio.blogspot.com/2011/09/bead-soup-reveal.html

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  11. Oh my! You have truly done an all-around fantastic job! Both with the jewelry and the presentation (which is just as important). I, too, have read my fair share of busom-heavers (pardon the expression, lol). Your blog is going to be my muse for some time to come! Thank you!

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  12. What a beautiful soup you made my friend, your work is truly stunning!! I LOVED what you did with the old key as a toggle...very cool! Thanks for sharing & all I can say is yummmmmy!!!

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  13. Such fun....this set is absolutely gorgeous!!!

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  14. Having spent years of my life in Northern California, I loved the redwood photo. I love the material mix in the jewelry. Great!

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  15. What a lovely autumn jewellery set. I can really see the mountain forest in it. Unusual to see that type of plaid fabric in jewellery, it give an unexpected element and adds to the "cabin feel". And I really like that leaf chain in the necklace. Great work!

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  16. What lovely creations, and so unique! Thanks for the wonderful story too!

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  17. Totally unique and impressive use of your ingredients!

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  18. Very cool, your use of the fiber is extremely effective.

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  19. What a lovely post and lovely creations! I love the use of the fiber with your pieces...gives a really woodsy look to your pieces. Awesome job!

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  20. Wonderful! You have created two terrific pieces of wearable art. I like your use of color and texture, and love that you included the picture of the cabin and deer. Thank you for sharing your artistic process with us. Cheers!
    Lori

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  21. Love the key, the use of plaid fiber, and mix of beads!

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  22. Wow.. very creative and original work. Very nice!

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  23. I love how you used the plaid fiber in your designs! Very unique! You did a great job! :)

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  24. Wow, you did a great job! You gave your work a wonderful indian jewellery touch - I love it! And I love your other work too! You're a great artist!
    Greetings, Michi

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  25. I love the way you tied your design with photos of log cabin and the stag

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  26. Beautiful and very creative story and necklace! I really love your unique take on this project! Excellent work!

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  27. I love the warmth of the necklace and bracelet. Really looks down to earth and not something you would see just everywhere which makes it not only unique but special.

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  28. Hi Heather,they are both really nice. Earthy and elegant at the same time. I love that chain with the small pendants. Really cute.

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  29. Heather, wow, I can't tell you what I love more - your original, unique post or the beautiful stuff you've created! Both the necklace and bracelet are incredible.

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  30. Your design is so awesome. and I love the walk in the forest to get to see it.
    Be Blessed to be a blessing

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  31. The jewelry is lovely and the story was really cute! Thanks.

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  32. Heather, Beautiful necklace, bracelet, and earrings. Loved the little story based on the style of your necklace. You should write a romance book!
    Therese

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  33. I love the rustic feel! You cooked up beautiful soup!

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  34. wonderful pieces, love the key....

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  35. I really enjoyed reading all this, and even showed it to my husband. I love the key, the plaid -- it's fantastic. Excellent work!

    I hope you'll join me next time! The badge and dates will be posted tomorrow, the 19th!

    Love, Lori

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  36. Ok, I just want to wear the necklace because of the story! That was so cool! Never mind the fact that you have a stunning design in the necklace, earrings, and the bracelet! I love those chunky dangles. Wow, this was just awesome. Thank you!

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  37. Loved the jewelry and the added plaid. The story was a wonderful bonus! Loved them!

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  38. Shame on you for making me cry!! lol ;) sweet story :) and beautiful jewelry!

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  39. I never would have thought to use the flannel. It was an excellent choice- I might steal your idea sometime if you don't mind. The story was a great break from all the beads- you do get woozy after a bit. I love how the story and the reveal came together. I enjoyed it and I love the piece!
    Alice's Bead and Baubles

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  40. What a great design, I love every element of it.

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  41. wow these are absolutly gorgeous, you did a fabulous job on your soup!

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  42. I for one, enjoyed your story. It was a good compliment to your work. I really like the use of the plaid fabric in your pieces. Very unusual.

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  43. What a beautiful and unusual piece. I love the plaid ribbon. Beth was my partner last year, and this soup is completely different from what she sent me. She's a great partner to have. Enjoy your necklace!

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  44. Great inspiration! You've created a piece that's unique and memorable and you definitely know how to make orange look cool. Love the plaid!

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  45. I do love both Your pieces and actually this fabric makes me think of Scotland :)
    that clasp makes me smile with the BIG key ! love it

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  46. Love what you did with the soup and your presentation made me smile! Plaid forever!

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  47. Gorgeous! love that romantic in you that's great! I love the use of the ribbon fabric. Great colors and textures. Very nice!

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  48. Thank you every one...I know how hard it is to get through all the blogs so I thought the little story would give a lift and a break from just bead talk. I am coming home today so I will be able to get my hopping in. I 've been able to visit a few from my phone but I am hungry for more soup on my 24"mac where I can really see the jewelry you are making. This is so fun.

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  49. Gorgeous work! Your work is totally an embodiment of your inspiration. Love it!

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  50. wow! I love the necklace it had so much going on in it! its got kind of a mystical feeling to it!

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  51. I live with a bunch of boys. I never get to watch romantic tv and they make fun of me when I read romance novels. Thanks for making my day and I think your jewelry is incredibly unique.

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  52. The tartan fabric you used is so special it as such great interest to your designs. Love them!! :)

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  53. I love your creations, both the necklace and the bracelet. Very organic, very earthy. And the checkered fabric adds just the right amount of spice to it.

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  54. i have been trying to read this since saturday...3 times cut off by kids and once my computer shut down. 5th time is a charm. i wanted to give it my undivided attention b/c this necklace/bracelet/earrings is so much something i would wear but could never dream of making. and the romance and rustic living are what my dreams are made of. this is the most thought out blog on the hop! your work is comforting and homey and whispers "love". you are a true artist. thank you for all of it.

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  55. Love the story... Love the design! That ribbon is just about the cutest thing I've ever seen!

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  56. Thank you for the story, it was really nice! As for the necklace you made, there is every style inthere: vintage, ethnic, country... I really like it! Great work!

    Ambra

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  57. completely not my style and yet I absolutely LOVE all three pieces! you did a beautiful job :) I have next to nothing that would go with these but I would wear them in a heart beat!

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  58. Beautiful, I love the use of fiber and the clasp construction, really unique!

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  59. What a wonderful story to go with your creations. Your pieces show lots of creativity and love.

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  60. Very cool collection of pieces! The fiber you used is great, and really sets the mood of the set. I really like them all!

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  61. Incredible pieces - I love the plaid ribbon - makes them one of a kind!

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  62. I love designs that tell a story !
    Fabulous creations and great story !!!
    Great Soup !
    m.e. :)

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  63. Heather!!! Not only is the jewelry beautiful, but your writing drew me right into the work! I'm amazed! And, then you took it a step further by showing us gorgeous room interiors that complement the piece and story! How many exclamation marks can I put in this comment to let you know how much I enjoyed my visit!!! LOL

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  64. Wow, pretty amazing work! Love your post too!

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  65. Very nice set - that ribbon add such an interesting textural component!

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  66. A minute would not allow me enough time to express to you how wonderfull your jewelry and blog is. I love it all!

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  67. The fabric is a really a nice accent to the piece. That clasp is really interesting.

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  68. What a lovely story! Beautiful jewellery to go with it too.

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  69. Oh, what a fabulous necklace... it could be worn so many ways. I love that key!

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  70. All very nice pieces. Love all the texture

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  71. It was a refreshing change after reading so many bead blogs! Little sappy - but hey, build a log cabin, you are going to get a little sap...

    Love what you did, the dreamcatcher especially!

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  72. I love this design and the story as well!! Love how the three strands just makes it pop!!

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  73. How unique! I love the inspiration behind your piece- and all of the components were just beautiful to start with, then you designed such fun pieces around them! Great job!

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  74. Loved your story! The necklace is gorgeous!

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  75. What beautiful jewelry and what a wonderful story!

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  76. Beautiful set. I'm definitely getting the rustic cabin feeling on this one and it's a great look for fall. Beautifully done!

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  77. Beautiful pieces....the fabric is perfect!

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  78. Lovely pieces...so earthy! Again, I am loving the fabric mixed in...I can see me wearing both pieces! Guess I need to try adding fabric to my pieces now..LOL

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  79. This just gives me a 'back to earth' feeling.
    Love your work!

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  80. I love the whole set but the necklace and bracelet are awesome. The fabric content is the highlight!

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  81. What a sweet story *sniffles* and beautiful pieces to go with it! You, my lady, are multi-talented! :)

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  82. Wait a minute..."read too many romance novels"? You should be writing them!! Oh, what lovely soup you've made!!! So unusual and so interestingly beautiful!! Thanks so much for sharing.

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  83. Your necklace is wonderful! And, I adore that you have a story to go along with it. It definitely adds a little something to the blog hopping. Fabulously done!

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  84. Very cool designs! Love the use of the fabric!

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  85. Fabulous creations!! I love the added fiber and the way that you constructed your piece!!! you are a girl after my own Art MoJO!!!!!
    Delightful to meet you!!

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  86. Your necklace design is really amazing-well done. I love the addition of plaid ribbon, very creative and tells a wonderful story!

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  87. I love everything about this necklace & earrings set! Beautifully Designed. You added just the right elements. Soup-er Job!

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  88. Wow...what a great necklace...love the clasp, love the design.

    Thanks for visiting and for leaving kudos.

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  89. What wonderful warm, cozy pieces and what a lovely story! I am excited to say your photo looked like the views I had visiting the hot springs in Oregon this past weekend :D Beautiful work!

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  90. wow, your pieces are so gorgeous - love the necklace !!!
    Grüßle
    Doris

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  91. OMG, those pieces are gorgeous! I love the way the textures combine to give each piece depth and interest. Beautiful soup!

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