Friday, August 24, 2012

Bead Soup Blog Party 6!

This is the big day for those of us who chose the third (and final) Bead Soup reveal...Saturday, August 25th.  Our fearless leader and organizer of all the Bead Soup details, Lori Anderson, has worked, reworked, and reworked yet again to make absolutely sure that everything is perfect for our reveal.  My hat's off to YOU, Lori...you are a supremely generous lady, and I strongly suspect that it's at great personal cost.  I hope you can feel the love and appreciation we all feel for you.

My partner, Janeen (Wild Vanilla Designs) sent me a whopping fistful (or two) of truly beautiful beads, including a handmade (by Janeen!) focal and ceramic toggle closure.  I had so much to choose from...a selection of really cool vintage lucite in summer colors, dyed pearls...the list goes on and on.  You know the saying, A picture is worth 1,000 words?  I'll stop talking and just show you!

 
I played and played...assembled different combinations of beads into likely looking necklaces, bracelets, and earrings...moved beads around to see how they worked together...picked out different types of chain...and then I had a little talk with myself regarding the concept of a challenge.  Here is a golden opportunity to take the pretties sent by Janine, and stretch my limits a little bit. 
 
So I rummaged through my extremely disorganized stash of jewelry making "stuff", and discovered a baggie full of the most amazing silk ribbons from Marsha Neal.  Wowser, the colors went perfectly with the beads in front of me!  I chose a gorgeous dark pink skinny rolled ribbon, and decided to use it in place of chain for a necklace featuring Janeen's big, bold, beautiful focal.  I picked out tons of beads to use in the necklace, and one by one I set them aside...except for a special few that set off the focal.  I wanted the focal to be...well, to be the focus of the necklace, and didn't want to detract from it.  It's a showstopper of a piece, and deserves to be enhanced rather than diminished with a bunch of other beads.  So here's what I came up with:
 
 
I must apologize for the quality of the picture.  I know it's not the camera; and I used the very same techniques I've always used (disclaimer: that's not saying much), but my new home is quite a bit darker than my old home, and I've yet to figure out how and when to take really acceptable pictures (notice that I didn't say "exceptional"...I'm realistic about my weaknesses!).  Try as I might, I simply could not produce a photograph that clearly showed the hand-stitched beadwork in the center of the focal flower and still showed the entire necklace.  Epic fail.  Without a doubt, this is one of the simplest, most streamlined pieces I've ever made...three chunky wire-wrapped lucite beads on each side, separated by copper daisy spacers and attached to the ribbon on one end and to the focal on the other end.  The copper lobster claw closure attaches to the link at the top of one of the bead segments. 
 
I was so thrilled that I'd used silk ribbon for the first time EVER; it inspired me to have another go at it.  For the second necklace, I chose a melon-colored skinny rolled ribbon, which contrasted beautifully with the chartreuse and turquoise colored ceramic toggle from Janeen.  I rummaged through my bead stash and discovered some very, very cool Czech glass beads that are variegated from chartreuse to dark pink.  On a roll with the "first time EVER" syndrome, I learned to wire wrap beads, with that super-pretty swirl of wire across each bead.  (So happy...)  Here's the result:
 
 
The toggle is on the side, and is connected to a short strand of sea glass rondelles in aqua and white, with a couple of Janeen's little orange lucite balls thrown in for fun.  Then I attached asymmetrical strands of wire-wrapped variegated Czech beads on each side, attached to a silver V-shaped floral connector.  Hanging from the connector is a large aqua sea glass pendant, topped with three wire-wrapped variegated beads.  This piece was pure fun to make. 
 
I couldn't NOT use some of the sweet little aqua lucite flowers sent by Janeen, so I made a fun pair of earrings:
 
 

I started with decorative antiqued copper headpins, and strung them with the aqua flowers, topped with a pair of opaque white lucite flowers (from my stash) and then with those little orange beads.  I used eyepins to string the orange lucite squares from Janeen, and attached them to the earring wires on top, and to the flower charms on bottom. 
 
And I still have tons of beads yet unused, that will be put to good use over the next few months.  Thank you, Janeen, for your generosity and for the gift of these fabulous components.  I love them, and had so much fun expanding my horizons a bit for this Soup.  You're the best!
 
Please stop by and see what all the other "third reveal" participants created:
 
Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming
Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones
Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'
Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage
Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads
Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations
Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog
Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash
Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents
Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory
Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen
Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle, Jasper Gems

Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space
Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry
Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog

Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure
Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous (this is me!)
Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Eileen Snyder, Dorset Hill Beads
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda

Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels

Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation, Art Food Lodging

Hannah Annear, Squintessential
Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope

Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier

Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?
Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs
Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels
Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads

Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen
Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home
Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time
Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show
Klaudette Koon, Only Road

Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities
Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures
Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN

Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops
Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio
Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival
Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Milla Hope, LB Creative Arts and Crafts
Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts

Natalie McKenna, grubbi
Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color

Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner
Penny Neville, Copper Penny

Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry
Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog
Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog

Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Goode, Pookledo
Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire
Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila
Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs
Solange Collin, Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stephanie Dixon, The Dixon Chick
Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs

Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created
Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design
Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs

57 comments:

  1. Am loving the yellow and blue designs

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  2. what a neat focal! love all the colors and how you made each piece special. The ribbon was a great touch, too!

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  3. Those earrings are soooo cute! I love the second necklace too!

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  4. Such gorgeous fresh colours, love the focal

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  5. I'm so glad you had fun! I had so much fun playing with the silk ribbon you sent me too! You might have started me on the path of a new addiction. :) I love those pink and yellow beads from the second necklace. I really like the colors in that piece. And the earrings are too cute! Those flowers are so fun. Thanks for being such a fabulous partner!!

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  6. Love the silk necklace with the color combo. The focal pendant is oh so beautiful.

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  7. Lovely, colorful jewelry, the earrings are just so sweet!

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  8. You had a very gorgeous Soup to work with. I love the way you used the beads in the second necklace. Very pretty!

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  9. What cute pieces. I really like your sea glass pendant with the dangles on it. And congrats on using fiber/silk for the first time. They turned out great.

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  10. Soft blues are beautiful with silver.Lovely pieces.Love and hugs Tanya

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  11. Great jewellery, very summery!

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  12. I love the way you used your soup, especially love the melon rolled silk you chose to go with the beautiful soft bead colours... :)

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  13. Pretty color and beautiful designs...just soup-er.

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  14. I love those colors! I love all your pieces. The 2nd necklace and earrings make a nice set!

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  15. I love all three pieces but especially the 2nd necklace. Gorgeous :)

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  16. What a huge success! I love what you did, can't decide which necklace I like the best!

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  17. Your designs prove that you don't need a lot of components to make a great necklace. Great job.

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  18. Pretty pieces - you did a great job letting the flower focal stand out!

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  19. Nice job with your bead soup!! Love that copper focal! Very pretty creations!

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  20. What a lovely looking soup- and I love that second necklace!

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  21. love the second necklace!
    ciao dall'Italia

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  22. Cool designs! Love the fun and flirty earrings and what a cool copper focal to work with! You did a lovely job!

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  23. Very pretty, love love the earrings and the second necklace. Gorgeous

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  24. Such a great colour palette! i love the way you use the beads!!!

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  25. What fun pieces! They make me smile! :)

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  26. Don't you love that "first time ever" feeling of accomplishment? Congrats!

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  27. Beautiful creations! I love the cheeriness of the second necklace especially. ;)

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  28. Everything is beautiful. I believe my favorite is the beach glass necklace. Great job!

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  29. I love how you embraced the challenge part of this hop and made some very fun necklaces. That second necklace especially is just gorgeous.

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  30. I 'm loving those earrings and the way you used the flowers.

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  31. All are great, but that second necklace is so pretty, very sweet and wearable. Earrings are sweet too. Love them!

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  32. These are all wonderful! The second necklace is my favorite, it is so full of color and texture, I love asymmetry! Gorgeous :)

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  33. lovely pieces you've done! great job!
    greets
    jacqueline

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  34. What wonderful, fun pieces you created!

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  35. Very pretty! I love the fresh colors and elegant designs.

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  36. There's so much to love about this post. First off (and most importantly), the beautiful jewelry designs you created. Secondly, I like that you used the bright copper, antiqued copper, and silver all without hesitation. Third, you tried some new-to-you techniques. With all of this, I'd say this post is a winner! :) It sounds like you had fun and that's always a plus as well!

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  37. You've done your ingredients proud. My favorite is the earrings. They are very sweet and the flowers are perfect. Did you make the headpins?

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  38. You did great work, Love how you had to have a talk with yourself!! Makes me feel not so alone in that concept!!

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  39. These turned out really well. Love them all. ;-)

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  40. Great designs, I really like the blue and yellow palette!

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  41. Absolutely lovely! You had creative things to work with and you did a marvelous job.

    And I had to chuckle at the "at great personal cost" -- you have no idea!

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  42. Beautiful!
    Have just found your lovely blog and am now following! So nice to meet you!
    Hugs,
    Anne

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    1. How happy you've made me! I'm working my way through the Bead Soup blog list (slowly, because I want to see EVERYTHING), and have found so many lovely blogs I'm now following. It's so much fun!

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  43. Very pretty creations! I love that flower focal and you've really highlighted it in your necklace. And the second necklace is just gorgeous!

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  44. A very lively and colorful soup and you did an amazing job! I love the mix of yellow!

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  45. You did a great job with your soup ingredients! I love sea glass, I'm glad you had such a good time working on this soup. Cheers!
    Lori D.

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  46. Love your necklaces, and the colors!!! Laura

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  47. Great job, I love the colours in the second necklace very pretty!
    I have a second giveaway of a pair of earrings from my blog soup do come on over and take a look and enter to win if you get a minute!
    Jackie

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Thank you so much for commenting!