Saturday 17 September 2011

Full as an egg with all this Soup!

*now edited with Part Two*

Well, I certainly will be by the time I have hopped through all 362 blogs participating in the 4th Bead Soup Blog Party hosted by Lori Anderson of Pretty Things!

As mentioned earlier this week I have been partnered with Kristina of Wild Roses and Blackberries and below is just some of what she sent me to create with!


The aim of the Bead Soup challenge is to create a piece {or pieces} with Soup {beads} sent to you by your partner...hopefully you will be partnered with someone who creates in a different medium, so you are able to challenge yourself in your creations with the soup you receive.  The soup consists of a clasp, a focal and a bunch of beads. The only stipulation to the challenge is that you MUST use the clasp and the focal in your creations...you can use some or all of the beads, you can also mix it up with your own bead stash.

This is the second Soup I have participated in, the first unfortunately coincided with the ill health of my dad {who later passed away} comitted as I was I completed my piece, but I felt I didn't really do my partner justice.  This time, even with the on-going health issues with mum, I have deliberated this way and that with the mountain of soup sent to me by Kristina.  I have created two pieces of Bead Soup and I can quietly say I am pleased with the results. ;o)


The first piece created was a necklace with the focal from the soup.  Kristina wasn't sure what kind of stone this was but was sure it was dyed in some way, I thought it looked fabulous with dark metal so have teamed it with gunmetal chain interspersed with 14mm wire-wrapped mosaic turquoise white rounds, 18mm wire-wrapped deep teal wooden beads, a trio consisting of two 2mm gunmetal rounds flanking a 6mm Swarovski faceted round in rose, finishing the creation with another trio of crystals...an 8mm faceted jet rainbow rondelle sandwiched between two 4mm faceted teal rondelles.  The overall length of the necklace is 40"


It's the first time I've really attempted wire-wrapping and chain like this and as I said earlier, I am quietly pleased with it!

The second piece...well you will have to come back for part two! 
I have completed it, but have yet to photograph it and I am out early this morning on footie duty with my 15 year old.....

SO WATCH THIS SPACE....YES...THIS SPACE HERE!!!!

I will let you into a secret, it's not another necklace but it WAS another challenge...with soup I had not worked with before...so thank you Kristina for the challenge....and THANK YOU Lori for the experience..again it was amazing!!

EDITED: Bead Soup Part Two!

So, here is my second piece of soup!


Kristina said she wanted to see what I did with the clasp she had sent in her package to me....well, I had never worked with a box clasp before, especially one with a sieve top and 3 strands to it! But somehow I really liked the clean look of not adding anything to it and felt it would be a focal in itself, so I made the decision not to embellish it {I apologise to Kristina if she feels cheated in someway...but I really like it like this!}


  Kristina had sent me some rice pearls which were drilled side-to-top giving a herringbone type appearance. Again, I had never worked with pearls but I knew what I wanted to achieve. I dug around my own bead stash for the pastel pearl rounds I knew I had and would probably never use {well, at least not for a while anyway!}  I also had some 6mm Rhondonite rounds that would be a perfect addition for the third strand,  I think for a first attempt it's OK, what do you think?

Now, here is what I sent my partner, Kristina...


pop on over to Wild Roses and Blackberries to see what she has created with it...I for one can't wait...almost tempted to pull out of footie duty! ;oO

As I have promised my eldest to overhaul/decorate his bedroom this weekend, I will be multi-tasking...one hand will be holding a paintbrush the other will be blog-hopping!

Have fun hopping through the other participants in the Bead Soup and if you have five minutes, leave a comment {or two!}

hugs

hello gorgeous xxx

67 comments:

  1. That first one turned out really gorgeous. I love the long length. You don't hardly ever see long necklaces any more. Can't wait to see what the second piece is.

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  2. We're cut from the same clothe! I too, was stumped on my second piece..it will come to you! Love the longer necklace!

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  3. Love it! Beautiful colors and it looks great with the gunmetal. Can't wait to see the second piece :)

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  4. Lovely necklace! I really liked how you paired the focal bead with dark metal. The mix of colours and materials work so well. You absolutely did it justice!

    I'm glad you liked the challenge. The soup truly was a blend of little of everything -- you pretty much got a sampler of my bead stash there. Things I like that I hope you like or at least was interested in trying (as I know it's not the sort of thing you usually work with). I can't wait to see what you've made with the clasp! Will be back!

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  5. So many darn pretties!!!!!
    Best of luck with the makeover!

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  6. OMG!!! Love these color combos so so pretty I love these type of necklaces as they add punch to all sorts of outfits - Sparkley and very pretty! Happy Hopping! : )

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  7. Sorry to hear abou your Dad. Love the long necklace!

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  8. I think the 2nd piece is pretty too. I like the clasp just the way it is with the other beads. Wonderful.

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  9. Oh, that bracelet is very pretty. Of cause I don't feel cheated that you choose to use the clasp like that. Surprised perhaps because I could think of many ways to use it but this wasn't one of them. But I agree with you, the clasp looks good that way too.

    And nice to see my wheat pearls finally being used. I've had them for years, actually made a necklace with them but scrapped it and since then I've not had any good ideas for how to use them. So it was a good idea to give them away -- you really did them justice!

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  10. Yummy yummy soup! I love what you've made, the long necklace especially. The dark metal sets of the textures and sparkle of the beads beautifully - and I would never have know that it was your first piece with wire wrapping!

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  11. Very pretty creations! The long necklace has a great combination of colors.

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  12. Very nice! I love what you did with the box clasp!

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  13. Gorgeous pieces...I love seeing what you guys do with your bead soup...I am kicking myself for not participating...next year!

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  14. I am SO sorry for being late — today our internet provider decided to crash. My stress level is through the roof, to say the least! They’re still working on it, but it’s like dial-up.

    I LOVE long necklaces and that one is primo!

    I'm interested in that clasp -- I know there are pendants with that look where you can wire beads through to the other side, but I have never seen a clasp that way and don't know if that's possible (and you could only do it on one side or it would hurt on the wrist). So many different findings I've never seen!

    You did a great job!

    I hope you’ll participate again!

    Love, Lori

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  15. They both turned out so well, rich and colorful and lovely!

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  16. Stunning! I love both of them but most especially the long necklace with the teal and crystal together. That dark chain is perfect with those colours. Congratulations, great job :-)

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  17. Oh, you should be yelling for joy, not quietly pleased! That is such a beautiful, sparkly, girl-feeling-good, necklace! You chose right with the gunmetal, sets off the stones perfectly.
    Then, we come to the second piece. Now, I read the comments above, but I was thinking it was a necklace?? Either way, it is just luxury itself. I think you were totally right to leave the clasp clean, it just flows with the structure of the rest of the piece. You really did your partner proud!

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  18. I love the long necklaces, but that pink is SO yummy it make me want to touch it. And I don't like pink. :)

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  19. Great work. I love the long necklace and multi-stranded bracelet :)

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  20. very beautiful, I'm partial to the first one because the colours are my absolute favourite. But the bracelet is gorgeous and feminine and just well pink :-)

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  21. Lovely pieces -- I really like how you used the pearls.

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  22. Very pretty. I think leaving the clasp without embellishment ended up to be a good decision, it's interesting and looks good.

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  23. Great job with your soup, love that long necklace.

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  24. I can't imagaine Kristina would feel cheated, you created a beautiful piece. I love a triple strand and the colors you chose are stunning.

    Oh- I love the necklace as well!
    You're such a talent!

    Cathie

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  25. So glad I dropped in time for part 2! The necklace is wonderful, but I love that pearl bracelet! LOVE! Wonderful job with your soup!

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  26. I'm so sorry about your father, it's been just about three years since I lost mine. Art can be therapeutic and I hope making these pieces brought some peace to you. Your first round of bead soup is so rich and beautiful. I love the colors and use of chain. Your second bead soup is classic loveliness.

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  27. I love the long necklace your spacing on the beads is perfect and I can see it being worn so many different ways.

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  28. I love the pink and cream strands together... it's so feminine and yet not too girly girl... very pretty indeed!

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  29. I love both of your designs! I really like long necklaces and need to get going on making some myself! I also love pearls so your bracelet grabs me too! Great job!

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  30. Beautiful pieces. That clasp is so cool.

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  31. Wonderful! You have created two terrific pieces of wearable art. I like your use of color and texture. Thank you for sharing your artistic process along the way. Cheers!
    Lori

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  32. That necklace looks like it would be a lot of fun to wear with a variety of outfits. Wonderfully done!
    Your bracelet is lovely too. I had no idea that those top drilled pearls would make that neat herringbone pattern.
    Very cool.

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  33. My goodness, really stunning pieces! I love the mix and color combination in the first necklace - would find an excuse to wear it every day...it is right up my alley. And the bracelet is so pretty and elegant - such soft, romantic colors. You outdid yourself (and the photography is great too!).
    How is the overhaul going in your son's room? I bet painting while blog hopping could lead to some interesting results! :-)

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  34. Beautiful work. The bracelet is elegant and timeless - a go with everything kind of piece. I love the long necklace...it's so hard to get the balance of elements right on those and you did a fantastic job. Everything is wonderful.

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  35. How gorgeous! I absolutely love your blog name. I just saw a comment you left somewhere and I was compelled to visit someone with such a fun name! LOVE it! I can just tell you are someone that makes the world a more wonderful place.

    I am deeply sorry for the loss of your Daddy. Sending good thoughts and love today. Take care, Becky

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  36. Gorgeous pieces! Absolutely love the necklace, wow!

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  37. Hello Gorgeous! Your pieces are . . . well, rather appropriately . . . GORGEOUS! That necklace is a stunner!

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  38. Sorry I am late - your two pieces are wonderful! I love them both!

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  39. Both absolutely gorgeous pieces!!

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  40. Both pieces are lovely, however my fave is the long necklace.

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  41. Thank you for swinging by my soup party! So glad you did, and now I'm looking at what you were sent, and my heart stopped. I LOVE the colors and textures of the blues, wow. The pink and white is beautiful too, but LOVE what you did with the blue series. Just stunning! Hope your mom gets better, so sorry to hear you are dealing with that. Take care, Riki

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  42. I hope that your mum gets better soon! ((HUGS)) And your work is just absolutely lovely! Wonderful! Love that you left the clasp as is, it makes a fantastic focal. And the necklace is just a fantastic length of gorgeousness! Thank you for sharing!

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  43. Wow wonderful pieces! Love the bracelet especially! So feminine and romantic!

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  44. Very very pretty! I like how different the pieces are - it really showcases your multi-talentedness (is that a word, lol, it should be!). Great job with your soup.
    Julie and Andrea

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  45. Such lovely pieces from your soup mix! You did a great job with your wire wrapping, and the bracelet is beautiful - feminine and industrial all at the same time. Great job! :)

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  46. Absolutely gorgeous - :) The chain mixed with those incredible beads in the first is what I'm talking about. And you really made that focal work in the second one. Fabulous and Elegant!

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  47. Love the pearls and pink..so pretty. The clasp is very unusual and I have never seen one like it ( I have never seen a lot of jewellery things though!)
    It looks great the way it is..clean...and allowing the pearls to be the star of the show.
    jenni

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  48. It was your first time with wire and chains, but you did it great! I love long necklace and your seems so fun to wear!
    Ambra

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  49. Lovely chain and wire wrapping..really ..your first time. I wouldn't of guessed. A what a pearl-a-licious necklace!! Excellent choices for the additions. That box clasp is so unique! Soup-er job!

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  50. these are gorgeous pieces! great colors and lovely styles!

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  51. I am in total love with the bracelet. It would look great with a pair of jeans and a cream sweater or a black dress and a pearl necklace. Smashing!

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  52. Love what you did with both pieces, the pearls and Rhodonite my favorite, but I love the long necklace too.

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  53. Love the necklace and the bracelet - love the colors on both!
    I loved the toggle and focal you sent your partner!

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  54. both pieces are so different from each other, and I LOVE them both! great job!

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  55. Beautiful soup that Kristina sent you and you did a fabulous job with it!!! Might I say that both are simply gorgeous???!!!!! :)

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  56. Nice! Glad you were able to finish up your bead soup and post both pieces.

    Best wishes for your family too!

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  57. Beautiful work. That bracelet clasp is so pretty-you did great with it!! Best of luck to you with your mom :)

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  58. You made two stunning pieces. Love them both.
    Great to hear you got some great news from your mom.
    Good luck...

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  59. Very pretty, the colors in your necklace are not ones that I'd think of putting together but they look great.

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  60. They are very pretty and very wearable and gorgeous truly.Like the chains with embedded beads as well as the chunky bead neck pieces.

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