Saturday, March 30, 2013

It's Bead Soup Time!!!!

Yay! Today is THE DAY!!! What day you ask? Why, Bead Soup Blog Party, of course! The brainchild of the incredible Lori Anderson. I have been so very privileged to be in this awesome challenge several times. Each time, I've learned and grown as a designer. You just can't thank someone enough for that, you know?
My partners have been very diversified, and I have loved working with each one. This time, I was paired with the very talented Rose Rushbrooke. Please go check out her gallery of design when you get a chance.
She is a bead weaver as well, which would make you tend to think....oh, that's not a challenge, they are both bead weavers. We are, and the focal she sent to me is one that I've actually made before, which would make you think that it would be even easier for me, right?
Wrong!!!


The colors immediately made me think of some pearls and fiber I had recently purchased, so I set up my kumihimo disk, and got to work. This is the rope I was planning on using for the focal, and attaching the clasp to it as well.
That stunning fuschia yarn really set off the emerald green pearls. I also accented it with a deep green size 11 seed bead, and a flashy little hot pink alongside the fiber. Alas, this was not meant to be. The more I worked on it, the more I just felt that it was overwhelming the focal. But I still wanted to use those colors and that fiber. So I started another rope, without the pearls.  As I was working on it, my daughter remarked that it reminded her of Christmas. I agreed, and continued braiding.......
That idea just wouldn't go away. But wait!!! I always make jewelry for Bead Soup! I can't make an ornament!!! Well, yes, I could, because that's what it wanted to be. You see, I have a very special Christmas tree. It is made of iron, and I bought it for myself a couple of years ago to hang only my special ornaments on it. I have participated in a couple of ornament swaps now, and I have some stunning, precious pieces for my tree, and this wonderful star wanted to be a part of that party!





I created the collar for the kumi rope from the extra delicas that Rose sent with the focal. I love the burnt orange in the star, and wanted it to step up a bit in the design, since that fuschia fiber had such a strong presence.

 Now I'm wishing it was closer to Christmas, so I could see this beauty on my tree!
And what did I do with the clasp? Well, check it out!
 I was determined to get a piece of jewelry!!! I created this lovely RAW embellished bracelet, taking my color cues from the clasp, and again, picking up that gorgeous burnt orange for the backdrop.


I used the teal pearls that I didn't get to use in the necklace, and some very sparkly amber fire polished beads. The pearls go in a zigzag across the bracelet, and the fire polish trail after them. I embellished the 'empty' windows with  a strand of seed beads in the amber and green in a matte finish.





Here's a pic showing the back of the bracelet, cause I always want to see all of the construction when I'm reading a post!
I know you have a lot of blogs to visit, and I thank you for visiting mine. Have a wonderful hop! Blessings, Shirley

First and Last Name
Blog URL
Alicia Marinache
Amber Dawn Goldish
Barb Solem
Bev Breisinger
Birgitta Lejonklou
Breana Fry


Brenda Sue Lansdowne
Bridget Torres
Carol Dee Myers
Carolyn Chenault
Cassi Paslick
Cece Cormier
Cheryl McCloud
Cindy Wilson
Crystal Thain


Cynthia Riggs
Dana Hickey
Dana James
Darlene Fortier
Deana Hager
Deanna Cox
Deb Brooks
Debra Behrends
Denielle Hagerman
Denise McCabe


Diana Frey
Diana Welte
Dini Bruinsma
DiYana Alcalde
Dolores Raml
Donna Millard
Dot Lewallwn
Duane Clark
Dyanne Cantrell


Eleanor Burian-Mohr
Elisabeth Auld
Elizabeth Owens Dwy
Emily Greer
Enikö Fabian
Erin Grant
Eva Kovacs
Eva Sherman


Gina Hockett
Grace Rotenberg
Gretchen Nation
Hannah Rosner
Heather Davis
Heather Marston
Heather Powers
Ingrid McCue


Jacqueline Marchant
Jan Petek
Janeen Sorensen
Jane-Michael Stallings
Jasvanti Patel
Jayashree Paramesh
Jayne Capps
Jean Yates
Jennifer Cameron
Jennifer LaVite


Joan Williams
Jodie Marshall
Judy Riggs
Julie Anne Leggett
Kat Barron Miller
Kathy Lindemer
Kim Hora


Kim Houston
Kim Sparks
Krafty Max
Kris Lanae Binsfeld
Krista French
Kristen Stevens
Kristi Harrison
Kumi Fisher


Laren Dee Barton
Laura Bracken
Laura Demoya
Laurie Hanna
Laurie Keefe-Cecere
Lea Avroch
Leanne Loftus


Lee Anne Messerschmidt
Leslie Schenkel
Linda Anderson
Linda Djokic
Linda Murphy
Linda Sadler
Lisa Liddy
Lisa Suver


Liz DeLuca
Liz Engriser
Lola Surwillo
Loretta Carstensen
Lori Anderson
Lori Bergmann
Lori Bowring Michaud
Lori Poppe
Lori Schneider


Lyn Foley
Maddison Langford
Magdalena Sikora
Mallory Hoffman
Marcella Austenfeld
Marcy Lamberson
Maria Clark
Maria Rosa Sharrow
Marianna Boylan


Marie Covert
Marti Conrad
Mary Ellen Merrigan
Mary Harding
Molly Alexander
  Nan Emmett
Niky Sayers
Pam Chesbro


Pam Farren
Pam Sandy
Pam Traub
Pamela Gangler
Patricia Buchanan
Patricia Johnson
Patty Miller
Paula Hisel
Peggy Gabrielson


Perri Jackson
Rachel Baron
Rachel Stanley
Rain Hannah
Rana Wilson
Renetha Stanziano
Robin Reed
Rochelle Brisson
Rose Rushbrooke


Ruth Szapa
Sally Russick
Sandi Volpe
Sandra Pendragon
Sandy Richardson
Sarah Small
Shannon Hicks


Shari Replogle
Sheila Daniels
Sheila Davis
Shiraz Biggie
Shirley Moore
Skylar Bre'z
Staci Smith
Stacie Florer


Stacy Pomerleau
Stephanie Weiss
Sumi Rani
Susan Sheehan
Suzette Bentley
Tamera Norris
Tracy Choy
Tracy Stillman
Valerie Norton
Vicki Holliday





67 comments:

  1. Gorgeous! I love that you created an ornament (what a fun idea for the bead soup!) I taught myself the right angle weave stitch for this BSBP and I am in love with your bracelet! Stunning work!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fantastic beaded pieces, you did a great job!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beautiful!
    The bracelet is my favorite.
    Wonderful designs.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Both pieces are lovely. The burnt orange and teal combination is dynamite.

    ReplyDelete
  5. ~i am blown away by the detailing...you have much patience at hand and it shows beautifully through your pieces made...much love light and blessings~

    ReplyDelete
  6. WOW, these are amazing!! I really love the bracelet, it just POPS!! ~KM http://kraftymax.blogspot.com/2013/03/7th-bead-soup-blog-party-reveal-33113.html

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautiful work, I love your bracelet & all the time it must have taken to do that intricate bead work...really lovely my friend!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love that you did a tree ornament ! it will be the star of your tree this winter. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love both of the pieces especially the bracelet.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love the color combo in the bracelet and the ornament is very special indeed! Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Both you and your partner are excellent bead weavers. The ornament is beautiful, but the bracelet is truly stunning.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I can see that your star ornament is gorgeous even with the slightly blurry pics.
    Maybe it would work as an Easter or springtime ornament?? I'm sure you have something you can hang it on other than your tree! I see you write that you worked with emerald, though, it looks like teal on my computer so that might be why I think it is more spring-y than Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow, your beadwork is awesome! That bracelet totally rocks!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love the intricacy of the designs and how those colours pop

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh my goodness! You really took it over the top and rocked it! You should be SO PROUD!!!!

    Thank you for participating in the parties!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love the kumihimo piece, the color combo is stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Just beautiful!!! I LOVE how much you were able to create, and your work is stunning, as always!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. oooh the colors are so pretty, love what you did!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lovely work, the colours are perfect together.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm on the 3rd reveal, I'm partecipating for the 3rd time on BSBP
    stunning work, you are so talented! that star is beautiful :)
    ciao dall' Italia

    ReplyDelete
  21. WOWZA! Your skills and craftmanship are just beautiful. Love the star and bracelet, just lovely!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Lauren took the word right out of my mouth... Wowza! The ornament is amazing. Very impressive!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I agree...Amazing...Stunning...Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  24. You really created a unique piece. Very nice.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great ornament! Love the bracelet too.

    I’m in the third reveal. Can’t wait.

    http://vintagememoriesjewelry.blogspot.com
    kathy

    ReplyDelete
  26. What a great idea of an iron Christmas tree and special ornaments!!! Your ornament is very beautiful and the bracelet as well!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Very beautiful beadwork! I admire neatness in beadwork and your ornament is gorgeous! Pretty bracelet too!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Especially I love the bracelet, very nice.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Shirley,
    I have so much admiration for your craft of bead weaving... I am no where near patient enough to attempt to weave beads, but your work is stunning. I love that you created an ornament to place on your tree of honor! Love it! :) Kris

    ReplyDelete
  30. Lovely...and yes! Why just make jewelry when you can make something that will be a heirloom

    ReplyDelete
  31. Amazing work !
    Very nice jewelries!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Love your colors, paired with the pearls, fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I love what did with your soup. To bad about Christmas. I like the bracelet too

    ReplyDelete
  34. I always admire the accurate work from a bead weaver, your star dangle is beautiful - wonderful colors for your christmas tree!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Lovely pieces! So creative incorporating fiber into it. And the bracelet is my favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Christmas in March! I love your idea :) and you were right - when a piece is so strong-minded there is no use to fight it. I love both your pieces - maybe this coming Christmas you'll take a picture of your special tree - I am sure it holds some beauties!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Love the idea of a special tree for the special ornaments! This one definitely deserves a spot!
    Love the bracelet too!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I love your beadwork. Lovely pieces :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. Merry Christmas! It is never too early to make an ornament, and yours is one of the most beautiful ones I have ever seen.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Shirley, this is such an awesome soup! And I love to see you metal Christmas tree with the beautiful ornaments on your blog one day

    ReplyDelete
  41. Christmas is my fav.. love the ornament.. Lovely beadwork :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. Lovely work!! I especially like the colors in the bracelet and the beaded toggle clasp

    ReplyDelete
  43. What creative work, Shirley! Both are so bold and pretty - and thanks for showing the "behind the scenes" of the bracelet construction.

    ReplyDelete
  44. What a great Idea!!! The star is just that a STAR!!! It is really beautiful!! I love the bracelet too!!! The pattern is cool and I love the colors! Have a Blessed Day!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Amazing seed bead work! Love the fuschia with the green, too!

    ReplyDelete
  46. That bracelet is stunning and the star will look fantastic on your tree!!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Love the Christmas ornament, would like to see it on your tree next year!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Shirley you did a great job with your soup. Your star is beautiful. So is your bracelet. Good color choices.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Amazing beadwork, as always, Shirley!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Great beading! Real nice pieces!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Your star is stunning. Lovely workmanship on all your pieces.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Shirley - thank you so much for including the star on your ornament tree. What a lovely idea. And I am so glad you did get a bit of a design stretch. You picked up the colours nicely - yes, the orange does pop. And the pearls look well on the RAW bracelet base.
    I have only just been able to get around the blogs now as I have been in England for a couple of weeks so forgive me for the delay in commenting.
    And thank you for sending me such lovely soup - it really did make me think!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Amazing beadwork...I just love love the bracelet..great colors.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Beautiful! It looks like a whole lot of work went into these pieces, great job!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Shirley, I am a bit slow getting through the first reveal, and since you were at the end of the list, and I can only approach things in a systematic way, I am just now letting you know that once again you have created amazing work. You know, it is your fault that I have taken such an interest in beadweaving this last year and am determined to venture more into your realm. But, do not worry, I am too old to ever live long enough to be able to create the kind of things you do.

    This work is gorgeous. I love the bracelet. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Oh Shirley, that ornament is AWESOME! The focal was indeed perfect for that use, and you really utilized your amazing talents to make it so. The bracelet is also really cool, but the ornament is definitely the "star" (sorry.) of the show. :)

    ReplyDelete

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