Bead soup contents reveal

Of all the soups that are to my liking, Bead soup is my most favourite – Of course you cant drink it or anything but having a Bead soup challenges you, inspires you and makes you to work on yourself to be better. This being the recurrent theme in my blog this year, I thought that it would be quite fun to sign up for the Bead soup blog party that is organized by Lori Anderson every year. She is a super woman, great beader and inspirer.  This time around I guess around 500 people have signed up for the party from around the world – eager to swap their stashes with their chosen partner. The participants will then proceed to create jewelry from the soup and will reveal it on the set date which is in May. 
My partner is LiliKrist, a beautiful woman from Surabaya, Indonesia. She loves nature, gemstones, books, movies and polar bears just like me. She beadweaves, makes her own beads and findings and blogs at Personal collection. She organises monthly jewelry challenges, which are very interesting – incidentally, March had an Indian theme. Here are pics of the lovely (read gigantic) soup of beads that she has sent me

 It has beads of almost every material – wood, nut, clay, glass,real pearls and real rudraksh… wow!!
She sent packed pretty in fabric boxes along with a nice ikat table runner and a little Rama picture (which I forgot to take a photo off, oops!!)
During our long discussions over mail, we had decided to send each other items made in “our own country” or atleast those modified by us. Staying true to the theme, Lilik has selected everything made by Indonesian artists, her selection process is indeed fascinating to read about. I on the other hand struggled to find good quality made in India stuff, as everything here is from China or korea. So I altered a lot of beads and findings for her.

 How lovely are these clasps?  I cant believe she made them for me!!  I am  still racking my brains on how to use them without drawing attention away from them

 These beads have shell on one end and wood on the other fascinating. She has also sent me some raw beach stones. I have never played with such neutral color combos before, so it is indeed a challenge for me to figure out how to put blues with brows and whites.

 I have always wanted to visit Indonesia (seriously its been on my must visit list since I was ten) but it has never worked out. When the parcel arrived I felt as though Indonesia has come to visit me instead as there were things from the land, trees, sea – it felt complete. I hope I do visit that wonderful land soon. Right now I need to figure out something beautiful to make with this gorgeous soup.
Thank you Lilik for sending me all this stuff, you are an angel 🙂 I sent her a colorfull soup in green, blues, reds and golden shades. She has photographed them really well.
I hope you find it interesting
Cheers