Friday, July 27, 2012

6th Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal and a Giveaway

Welcome! Welcome! I'm thrilled to be a part of Lori Anderson's 6th Bead Soup Blog Party! This is my 3rd time participating, and I'm happy to say I've learned something new each time. About myself, about beading in general, and about the awesomeness of the beading community.
Here's a reminder of the outstanding bead soup I received from my partner, Stephanie Haussler, of Pixybug Designs.




My jaw dropped when I opened the package and saw all the beady goodness she sent. I'm a seed bead girl, so that was totally my comfort zone. I adore lampwork beads, though I have very few, and the colors in these were soo yummy! And then my extra surprise...a lampwork button! Buttons just make me happy, you know?

I don't think I've ever been this inspired by a challenge. My mind was flying with ideas, and for the first time, I wrote them down! :)
I recently saw a fantastic post by Lesley Watts, of the Gossiping Goddess, for a unique bracelet.
So I knew when I got my soup that it was what I wanted to do with the button.
 I used those cute lampwork spacers, and finished it off with the button. The beads between the jumprings are from the soup, and I made the jumprings.
 Those spacers look awesome, don't they?
Next up is the main focal bead. Stephanie really spoiled me, sending 3 of them. This was the largest, and I also had an immediate answer for it. There was a rope pattern in Laura McCabe's Embellished Beadweaving that I had been wanting to try, so that was what I chose for the focal.
I loved the colors in the focal, and worked in that color palette for this necklace.
Here's a closeup of the focal. I made a diamond shape in peyote, from Diane Fitzgerald's Shaped Beadwork, and folded it on the diagonal to make a bail. Fringe in the same color palette finished this nicely.


 A closeup of the clasp. A simple loop, accented with the black pearls Stephanie sent, and one of the faceted crystals on the flower closure.
Next up was something else new for me. The whole color palette made me think of the sea, and I love the seed bead mixes Stephanie sent me. I have done netting from a pattern before, but never on my own. So, yes, there are a few...oddities, but overall, I'm very pleased with the result. I wanted to make something that looked like a fisherman's net, with different items caught up in it.
 See how I didn't center the closure beads? Good thing it's just going on my wrist, huh? :)

 I do like how it looks on, and it feels wonderful.

I'm telling you, Stephanie's soup kept inspiring ideas! I saw a ring on Pinterest, and wanted to create something similar, so I used some of those adorable orange rondelles.
I used 3 different colors of delicas for the band, ranging from a deep beigy orange, to a rainbow AB that the rondelles are centered in. The color between those two is an ivory lined gold.

(I asked my son to model this for me, his fingers are cuter  younger  than mine!) And bigger, as you can see!
Last, but certainly not least, a very cool necklace with one of the extra focals.
This necklace wasn't really that easy to put together, but it is an easy piece for lots of different styles. It can go jeans and tshirt, or dress casual. I framed one of the other focals with a peyote rectangle, again from Diane's book.
 I used some more of those sweet pearls to attach the pendant to the rope.

 Close up of the focal.

 The gorgeous clasp Stephanie chose for me.
I still have beads left over, and still have ideas, so keep in touch for more pieces!
Now, for the giveaway!


Here is the link for the rest of the participants in this reveal.

http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/2012/06/participants-of-6th-bead-soup-blog.html


I have two of these focals, so I thought a giveaway of this necklace would be nice. If you would like your name in the pot , please tell me in your comment.  I'll draw the winner next Saturday.

87 comments:

  1. Oh, my gosh - beautiful, beautiful pieces. And you've been BUSY! I'd love it if you'd throw my name in the hat:)

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  2. I would also love to win the necklace you made! You did a fabulous job with all of the projects you made! Chris is speechless! He is thrilled you used the button he made for you, and that bracelet is SO COOL! I have seen a bunch of bracelets in that style, but yours is very unique! Your seed bead work with all the other pieces is really beautiful! Can't wait to see what you think of my design!
    :0) Steph

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  3. Wow those are some amazing pieces. I love them all! Isn't Lesley's tutorial fantastic. I love seeing how viral it is. I also would love to be included in the giveaway. <3

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  4. Wow, what a fantastic abundance of detailed and beautiful pieces. love the adaptation of the bracelet - that makes it really special. Great job all round!

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  5. The button bracelet is my favourite ,and the ring is so fun :-) As Sherri said, you've been busy with your soup, so many luscious pieces!
    And I'd love the chance to wint the necklace. Happy blog hopping!

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  6. I just discovered the Gossiping Goddess' tutorial today and I LOVE how you've placed larger beads in the center and used that lovely button as the focal! Love your work! I would love to win your extra focal, thank you!

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  7. AHHHH GORGEOUS!!!! Seriously!!! Each piece is FABULOUS! Totally put my name in the pot for that astounding necklace! WOW! I would so wear that with a white tank top and my short khaki skirt...oooo la la! ;)

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  8. You seriously giving that one away.That would be divine.Love and hugs Tanya

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    1. Ah yes seriously.Thank you so very much.It is going to be an hounour to wear.Thank you.Tanya

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  9. Wow, amazing pieces...the bracelet is my favorite! Have fun hopping :-)!

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  10. Your button bracelet is beautiful, Your necklaces are stunning, I love how you have made the bail and the frame for the other focal and all the colors work so well together, Also love how you described you fisherman's net bracelet I think you really achieved that look, I find your bead work incredibly neat and very inspiring, you must have worked really hard on it x

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  11. My goodness, what a gorgeous collection! I am in love with the button toggle bracelet and the sea inspired bracelet made with seed beads.

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  12. What a fantastic, awesome collection! At first I fell in love your your button bracelet. And then I saw the necklaces. WOW!! All of our pieces have inspired me to create some different (for me) pieces. Throw my name in the pot to win your necklace, I would be proud and honored if I got it. If I don't --- what stitch did you use for the rope? It is beautiful!

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  13. Wow! you made so many pieces! All of them are so pretty. I like how you put the lampwork beads into that first bracelet, very cool. And your last necklace is just beautiful!

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  14. LOVE the fishnet bracelet...it is just stunning! All the jewelry you created is beautiful but that bracelet takes my breath away! (Please put my name in the pot for the last necklace--thanks

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  15. Wow from me too! So many pieces, and each so different. Ah yeah, definately count me in for the giveaway, I would love the chance to be walking around with something from this page! Beautiful work

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  16. Dear Sweet Shirley,
    WOW,WOW,WOW!!!! You are amazing! All of your pieces just blow me away and being a bead weaver I'm totally in awe of your accomplishments in the short amount of time you had before your reveal date. I love your rendition of Lesley's tutorial, gorgeous! I love your first necklace and I see one component that I am also using in my bead soup piece, which I did think of you when I did mine. Your netted bracelet is awesome I love it. It is such a great feeling when you take a basic stitch and it turns into a gorgeous piece of art. I would love to win the necklace so please put my name in the pot, thank you.
    Therese

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  17. Very lovely pieces! I really like the last one, that bead frame is awesome, and I love the bead. So, if you would add me to the giveaway, I'd be thrilled!

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  18. Holy cow! Look at all of the wonderful goodies you created!

    And thank you for the opportunity to win the necklace! Please add my name to the drawing.

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  19. Everything you made is just beautiful. My favorite is the netted bracelet. And, you know, having those clasps off center a bit might make it fit better. Our wrists are not an exact round shape either.

    I would love, be honored, to be included in your giveaway. I love the beaded frame on that gorgeous bead.

    Great job!

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  20. Wow, you were busy! I especially love the Laura McCabe embellished rope necklace.

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  21. your work is amazing! and I would have a hard time saying which one I like the most, turquoise has to be my favorite color to wear, and I would feel totally blessed if I won your beautiful necklace! I would give it a very good home!

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  22. Your work is breath taking! You make bead weaving look so easy and I miss it. Love the second necklace so much! Also the netted bracelet. Beautiful!
    Katherine

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  23. Love how the seed beading just makes the focal pop in the necklace- and yes, I'd love to be on the receiving end of one! The rope pattern is truly lovely- what a beautiful job you've done with your soup. Christie

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  24. Holy smokes you make a lot with your soup! Each piece is so unique and fun! Great job!

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  25. Beautiful beadwork. It really works well showing off the lampwork beads. I"m really loving the last necklace with the rectangular frame :)

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  26. Yes your soup was amazing and YES buttons make me happy too!! :) ALl of your pieces turned out so darn beautifully! (I'm constantly in awe of seed beaders!) I do have to admit though that my favorite of all your designs is that first bracelet with the button. I think it's the blue-green of those seed beads that really pulls me in to that bracelet. I could just dive into it! :)

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  27. OMG HOWEVER did you do all that in the time limit? I am still MOVING my stuff around the board!

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  28. Your soup was perfect for you! Look at all that goodness that came of it! Love that button!

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  29. GORGEOUS bead weaving! every single piece is stunning! and I had to laugh at your model ... I always as my daughter as she has cuter ear lobes (younger) then me to model!!

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  30. Shirley, wow!!! Look at all those awesome things you created. I love the ring -- it's absolutelt darling. :)

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  31. Love the way you used beadweaving to accent the focal. Everything is fantastic

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  32. Spectacular offerings -- I love them all!!!

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  33. You bead weavers always blow me away. My favorite is the bracelet with the button clasp. Now I have to try that!

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  34. What a beautiful job! I so admire the work of a good bead weaver! Your work around those focals is just stunning!

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  35. You really WERE inspired! What a wonderful job you did on everything!

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  36. The time! The labor! I am in awe of see headers! Well done!

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  37. you really did get some fabulous colours~ I love your bracelet w/ the jump ring spacers

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  38. Wooow..!
    Your works are very wonderfull...!
    I never try beading... You are inspiring me..!
    Thank you... :)

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  39. Beautiful seed beadwork! Love the bracelet, must try that tute from Gossiping Goddess.
    Putting my hand up for the giveaway. I want to build my summer wardrobe around that necklace!(It's currently winter here in Oz)

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  40. WOW, what a great collection and your seed bead work is stunning. I love how you made a frame to showcase the lampwork bead on the bottom necklace. Very clever. You did a great job and love the bracelet with the button too.

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  41. You made some many wonderful creations. I love the local that looks like a sea creature (well at least to me)

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  42. WOW! My sista you have done amazing work here. I love every single piece you made. Just gorgeous. And I would love to win the giveaway. You're so nice to have it! I love your work and would love to have a piece of it! Hugs to you, my friend!

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  43. You sure have been busy! Gorgeous pieces - but then you had such a great soup to work with.

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  44. Oh gorgeous :) All designs are so beautiful- I like them because you use different techniques and seed beading and ropes- just wonderful. Looking forward for more.

    I would like to enter, thanks in advance.

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  45. I am stunned by the tiny details of you woven seed bead pieces! I also love the technique you used on your bead and button bracelet, it's so pretty!

    Please add my name to your giveaway, I would be honored to own your necklace (and I have a shirt that would go with it...lol)

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  46. Amazing pieces. Truly Stellar!

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  47. These are beautiful. Great work.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  48. I am seeing so much creativity in this round of bead soup! You have enhanced your partner's selections but not overwhelmed them! Yes, throw my name in the pot. Can't have too many blue necklaces!

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  49. Wow! Amazing work, each piece just as wonderful as the last! Love them ALL!

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  50. Your bead weaving is amazing! You really accented the focal beads perfectly. I would love to be included in your drawing. :)

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  51. What a pile of beautiful!
    Amazing work !
    Very nice jewelries!

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  52. Oh my, bead weaving is so not my cup of soup. Your creations are gorgeous, I love all the detail, especially the beaded bail and clasp.

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  53. Wow! I just love all the different looks you came up with. Great designs! I especially love the wire work on the bracelet!
    Patty

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  54. Gorgeous work. I love how you used the lampwork especially in your first bracelet and your woven ring is too cute.

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  55. Oh my goodness! All of your pieces are incredible! I am in love with the first bracelet and the last necklace.

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  56. And thank you very much for the chance to win the necklace!

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  57. All of your works were lovely. I so admire those of you with the patience to do such skillful seed bead work. I have tried numerous times but for some reason it still frustrates me, lol. I would love to win your necklace and would wear it proudly.

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  58. love the ring. I've been wanting to try that & you just reminded me that I have been meaning to. love what you did with your soup

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  59. Wow! You were busy! Great variety - beautiful work!

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  60. WOW! I love the soup you received and I love that you did with the lampwork! So unique! I envy your seed bead skills! :)

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  61. Wow - you really outdid yourself with these pieces Shirley - I can't even begin to say which is my favorite - I love them all! You really made amazing use of your soup!!!!

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  62. Shirley, you have broken all bead soup records with so many out-of-this-world finished pieces. Talk about jaw dropping! I am in awe. I knew I'd love whatever you created when I saw Stephanie's lampwork....just love those colors. I really like how you added your signature style with the beadwork. The fringed necklace is amazing. ...all of the pieces are just amazing - like the cuff and the cute ring... I am still in awe of how you designed so many beautiful pieces - and in a medium such as beadwork that must take an incredible amount of time. You were truly inspired! Thank you for the give away opportunity - the blue beaded necklace is truly a keepsake.

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  63. Wow! How many beautiful pieces you made with your soup!

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  64. Every one of them are gorgeous,love them all

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  65. That is a lot of work and they all turned out wonderful!

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  66. Simply amazing pieces - especially love the first bracelet and the last necklace!

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  67. You really made a lot with your soup! I do like the first bracelet, I like how you included the bigger beads within the pattern too. And I'd love to be part of the draw for the necklace!

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  68. I WANT THEM ALL!!!!!!!! Such gorgeous creations and you were able to make so much!!!!

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  69. WOW! You really got a lot done. And they are all beautful. I think my favorite is the first bracelet.

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  70. Stunning creations down to the ring!!! Love these colors and I can't pick out a favorite because I love them all!! Nice work!

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  71. WOW all that beading, you must have gotten an early start! I love the way you did the bracelet. Everything just looks great!

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  72. Hot Fat Tears of Joy....Thank you Shirley.I am truly blessed.Thank you.Tanya

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  73. Awesome!!!Five pieces & they are all spectacular.

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  74. A seed beader!!!! Yeah! I see you were as inspired as I have been & you even had an earlier reveal date. How beautiful they all are & the blue one is just amazing. I think I'm going to be giving away one of the necklace I made too...dot

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  75. I love the fist bracelet!
    ciao dall'Italia

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  76. Good lord, you weren't kidding when you said you were mega inspired! I can't say I saw anyone use their soup quite like you did; you REALLY used your soup O.O

    I'm always so in awe at people who can bead weave like that-It's incredible artwork! I hope one day I'll be able to do that :)

    You did such a beautiful job on all your pieces!

    Happy Hopping ^.^

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  77. Wow! Gorgeous!! You've sent me back to some of those beautiful books from Lark to have a second look....that necklace from Laura McCabe's book is gorgeous, and I don't even remember seeing it. How inspiring!

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  78. I am sure you are inspiring many people with these beautiful... And so many, pieces. My fav is the netted bracelet..but they are all SO gorgeous. Amazing work in a fairly short time..you must work fast!!
    Jenni

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  79. Talk about being inspired! I love every piece you made - there's so much care and attention to detail in each one. Absolutely beautiful work!

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  80. Love that button bracelet, and I am just amazed at your seed bead work. You seed beaders never cease to amaze me!

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  81. All of your pieces came out amazingly beautiful!

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I'm thrilled you stopped by! Thanks for your words of wisdom.