Friday, August 24, 2012

Bead Soup is served! Hope you're hungry!

Lori Anderson has hosted the Bead Soup Blog Party for several years now, and I was always wanting to jump in - but this is the first year I finally did! I was hesitant, I guess, because I was a little afraid. Afraid I'd run out of time. Afraid my soup ingredients would be too much of a challenge. Afraid I wouldn't measure up. You name it, I was afraid of it. But Lori added later reveal dates, so I felt comfortable with having lots of time. And as for my other fears, well, they were unfounded. My partner is Jennifer Justman, a Super Mom and a talented artist and an all around nice person. Please check her out - she's really fantastic (blog)(etsy)! I already blogged about the gorgeousness she sent me, so we won't re-hash it.
I set out to try to use ALL my soup ingredients. I almost did it!

Here's what I made:
I made the main dish first. I used the Marsha Neal Focal and the clasp that Jenn made for me, along with the Fallen Angel Brass filigree, chain and bead caps, one of the pieces of sari silk, red agate beads, and some of the little orange beads, pumpkin jade - they are really pretty! I made the wire bale and 2 connectors out of black annealed steel wire. I realize now that I did not get a good shot of Jenn's clasp - sorry girlfriend!
Marsha Neal focal, red agate, pumpkin jade, Fallen Angel Brass (including the clasp Jenn made), sari silk.

A closer look at the focal! I made the wire bale.

I knotted the sari silk (which is heavier than most, and knitted!) to resemble chain links.
I had thought that I would use more of the green beads in the main dish, but it just didn't come together for me. Since I leave my unfinished "thoughts" on my bead desk, I just happened to notice that the fire agate beads in my soup ingredients looked fantastic with this Humblebeads focal I had laying there, so, I made this simple necklace. I really love it, and now I'm in the mood for fall weather.
A simple necklace. Humblebeads focal, Fire Agate (from soup) with Trinity bead caps and Vintaj chain.

A closer look - the Fire Agate looks perfect with that focal!
I don't make bracelets very often, because I don't wear them. I guess I find them too distracting around my wrist. These green beads were so pretty from every angle, I knew I did not want to partially cover them up with my usual bead caps. I just wire wrapped links, and attached them to make a bracelet.  They are Jasper, according to Jenn. I also used the Fallen Angel Brass butterfly and jumprings (from my soup), and Vintaj clasp.
I wouldn't get any work done with this on my wrist!!



The beads are really fantastic close up.
 I made a second bracelet. I had just received an order from Vintaj with the Asian frame, and thought it would make a pretty bracelet component - I bent it slightly to curve around the wrist. I managed to use the Red Agate and Adventurine beads from my soup. The bead caps are from God knows where - sorry!

The Adventurine beads fit perfectly in the Asian frame.
And of course, there are earrings....
I picked the 2 agate beads with the most banding. Those darn round beads roll, so you can only see the banding in one bead...
Pumpkin Jade and Red Agate - simple, but they have lots of swing!
Another pair of earrings...
Even simpler, for those that like smaller earrings.
And another pair, a little more elaborate.....
These are Adventurine, with Vintaj flowers.

I have some sari silk left over that I'm saving for other projects. And there are 2 Adventurine beads and a couple jumprings left over that will find their way into future designs.
Thanks Lori for being a helpful and inspiring host.
Thank you Jenn for my wonderful ingredients. I've enjoyed our new friendship. I can't wait to see what you made with the soup I sent you!!
Please visit Lori's BSBP blog for the list of participant's to see the other fabulous creations!!

Thanks for visiting my blog!
(Forgive me for posting early. I can't post on Saturday, and I don't trust Blogger's scheduling feature. It has let me down in the past)

55 comments:

  1. Way to go! Fantastic job, Cynthia. No need to be worried that your designs won't measure up. The chain links with the sari silk are very creative. Everything is wonderful. A super job with all of the soup ingredients.

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  2. Oh these are all beautiful! I love the rustic look for the stones and the metal together - it is stunning. Impossible to pick a favorite - they are all wonderful!

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  3. The necklace with the Humblebeads focal is to die for!

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  4. OH MY!!!!!!! ALL of them are so pretty, my eyes are bugged out! Wow! Just wow!!!

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  5. I can't stop gushing, so had to come back :) These are stunning designs!

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  6. The way you knotted the sari ribbon in the first necklace is amazing. How did you do that!!! Love all your designs. But I need to know how you made those links. I am off to practise now straightaway.....

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  7. What a fabulous collection of jewelry! Nice job.

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  8. Great job! The necklaces are beautiful, it is very original to use the ribbon like that!

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  9. Lovely work, the butterfly bracelet is my favourite...

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  10. Beautiful bracelet with the butterfly.Love the stones.All your earrings are great too.Love and hugs Tanya

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  11. Oh Cynthia! I am so amazed by everything you made! You do such beautiful work and I love all the creative ways you used the soup I sent :) I can't decide which piece is my favorite, I am in awe of the way you used the sari silk in the first necklace, brilliant! I was completely honored to be your partner, thank you! I hope we will keep in touch, you are a wonderful lady and I am so happy to know you <3

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  12. eeny meeny miny mo...which do I like the best? hmmm lest see. I love the first one, the color is great against the black. and those last earrings. very tropical and I LOVE tropical. nice job!

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  13. You have been very busy! 7 lovely designs. I especially like the Humblebeads focal & Fire Agate necklace. Gorgeous :)

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  14. Your pieces are all very colorful & creative. I love the green bracelet.

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  15. I have NO idea why you were afraid to do this because you ROCKED it! I love your creative use of components and I'm VERY impressed. I'm glad you had a partner that was supportive, too! That's what this is all about -- trying new things and meeting new people!

    I hope you join me again in Jan/Feb!

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  16. Gorgeous work...especially the necklaces! love how you paired the chunky metal chain with the fiber. i would definitely wear both :)

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  17. You made so many beautiful pieces with your soup!! Love the Humblebeads necklace and Asian bracelet!!

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  18. Such beautiful creations!! Love them all! You did an awesome job with your soup!

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  19. Fantastic vintage look!

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  20. Love that second necklace, it's really beautiful. Great job with your first soup:)

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  21. Such unique pieces. I especially like the second necklace.

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  22. Anonymous12:28 AM

    They are beautiful- want want want the jasper bracelet!

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  23. Everything you made is beautiful.
    The most I love the firt necklace. It's so charming!

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  24. Beautifully executed designs! The coral colored one is my favorite! Love the fabric "chain"!

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  25. love all your pieces, the second necklace is my fave!
    ciao dall'Italia

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  26. Those are all gorgeous pieces! Beautiful designs.

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  27. wow, lots of very creative work. Beautiful job.

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  28. Lovely pieces! the bracelet is awsome!!!

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  29. Beautiful work!I really like the simple necklace with the Humblebeads pendant.

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  30. Beautiful work. Love the last bracelet. Great job.

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  31. Beautiful creations! I love how you knotted the sari silk! So creative! :)

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  32. Very nice use of your soup!

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  33. Anonymous11:03 AM

    Very pretty and prolific use of your soup! I like what you did with the sari silk! ;)

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  34. All of the pieces are just gorgeous! I love your use of bead caps. I try to use them but they just never seem to look right. I think that I need to be pick up some different varieties.

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  35. Love to the 3rd power your earrings and the bracelets and the necklaces!! Really Soup-er job!

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  36. Beautiful pieces and great colour palettes! Love how you used the sari silk. This was my first bead soup too and its turned out to be so much fun. Hope you'll join in again.

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  37. you should be very proud you got over your fear. your pieces are quite creative and lovely!

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  38. Very pretty pieces. I really like the way you knotted your silk on that necklace. And the butterfly bracelet is too cool. But they're all great.

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  39. Wonderful items. Your knitted sari silk is wonderful. What a great idea.

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  40. lovely pieces! i like the use of the silk... very special, congrats!
    greets
    jacqueline

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  41. I am absolutely smitten with both of your necklaces. The chain effect you made with the silk is super fascinating. And the necklace with the HumbleBeads charm is something I would totally wear. . . ALL of the time. Beautiful work!!

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  42. Really pretty work, love the coral colors!

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  43. You did a wonderful job with your soup. Love all of your pieces, you didn't need to be hesitant at all about joining in.

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  44. Gorgeous! I love the variety of what you created!

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  45. Beautiful pieces! I love the colors of the first necklace--very striking! But I have to say my favorite is the necklace with Heather's polymer focal. I love love love earthy colors!

    Nice job!

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  46. WOW you really made the most with your soup. Love your work!

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  47. Great designs, love the second necklace. All are my style and such great fall colors!!

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  48. Anonymous10:11 PM

    A collection of fantastic pieces. Really love both the necklaces, very different but both beautiful in their own ways. And the bracelets are great and the earrings too! What a lot of soup!

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  49. You did a fabulous job using your soup ingredients! I love the second necklace, it is simple yet beautiful. The bead caps are such a nice addition. Cheers!
    Lori D.

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  50. Great job! Knitting the sari silk was really cool!

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  51. Too many beautiful pieces to pick just one favorite!

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  52. Love your pieces, and I love the colors of the first necklace! Laura

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  53. I simply adored the fabulous bead work. They are very well crafted.I do sell your scrap platinum and my wife sell handcrafted jewelries like this one. Are those for sale?

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