BSBP Partner Introduction and Sneak Peek!

For the fourth time, I'm participating in the epic, worldwide phenomenon that is the Bead Soup blog hop.  I have been so incredibly fortunate to have awesome partners each time, and this time is no different.

Folks, allow me to introduce you to Rita of Toltec Jewels!  A real Renaissance woman, Rita is an author, jewelry maker, creator of tutorials, and organizer of swaps that allow bead aficionados to discover and share handmade artisan beads.  She works in multiple techniques, with everything from chain maille to beadweaving to patina work in her repertoire.  We've had fun getting to know each other better, and I know we'd have a blast if we ever found ourselves in the same city!

Look at a few examples of her work:

Look how she integrates beads into the chain maille!

I love how Rita has used chain maille as a bezel for the focal gemstone

So what does one send to a woman who can work wonders in a multitude of media? If you know me at all, you know that some times I have a hard time choosing among options (pecan or apple pie? Snickers or Mounds? High heel pump or cute little flats? Obviously, the answers to all three are "both, please!") So after putting together five different soups, I found that I could not choose just one, so two batches are winging their way to Florida for Rita's magic touch:

Mwahahaha!!!!!!!! I told Rita I felt a bit like a mad scientist, concocting lots of different potions to come up with the combinations.  These were such fun to put together -- I can't wait to see what Rita cooks up with her soup!