Saturday 28 July 2012

Bead Soup Blog Party 6 - Today's the Day!


So here we are then, today is the first reveal of three in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party 6 and of the pieces I've created with the soup sent to me by my lovely partner Jenny Cameron. When I first opened my parcel from Jenny I found so much and such variety that I had all sorts of ideas racing around in my head for all the things I wanted to do. Inevitably though, life and lack of time intervened and when I look at this picture now I realise I've barely scratched the surface. No matter though, the unused soup will stay on my work table and when I have a little free time (something I've promised to give myself in August) I will while it away some happy hours creating more and I'll post it here at a future date.

Now let's get back to what I did do. Although there were several pieces I would class as a focal I knew straight away that it would be the big red lampwork bead I'd choose - so tactile that I kept picking it up and rolling it in my hands. I love the organic nature of this bead and the way it looks like hot lava is slowly enveloping it. I felt it had a slightly futuristic, urban feel to it and I decided pretty quickly I wanted to use metal with it in some way eventually settling on sterling silver wire and, as far as planning goes that was it. I just sat down, cut three pieces of wire, threaded them through the bead and started bending and twisting. I've tried this before and more often that not I've ended up with a complete mess but happily, this time the muse was with me and I liked the results. So time for a picture I think - I've called this piece 'Red Nebula'...

I've used the first of those three wires to create a yoke to support the bead and the second has been wrapped loosely around the yoke. I had it in my mind to create tendrils with the third wire but it had other ideas and became a kind of frame for the bead. Jenny also sent me some glorious red silk which I've wire wrapped and suspended the yoke from using hand forged hook clasps. I felt it needed a little something extra at this point to add a final flourish and I picked some lovely dark pearls from my soup mix threaded onto silver pins - I think that little bit of asymmetry sets it off quite nicely, what do you think?

I don't find silk easy to work with and I'm fully aware that it's not very 'bohemian' of me to have ironed it, but I like it and although I wasn't sure at first, this piece has grown on me over the last few days.

So that was the focal sorted - now I had to come up with a design for my clasp, a vintage rhinestone piece that was really going to challenge me. I've never, ever created a piece of jewellery that could in anyway be said to have a vintage influence. Not that I have anything against the style, I just tend to see it as pretty and sparkly whereas I'm more rustic and earthy and consequently, I had very little in my bead stash that was an obvious choice to complement the clasp. I did think about going contemporary  with the steampunk pieces Jenny sent but these are so new to me me I realised I would need a lot of time to work something through and time was running out. Then I thought maybe rhinestone and black leather (who knows why) but I really wanted to have a go at doing something that at least nodded towards vintage and, after rummaging around in my own jewellery box I found an old pewter brooch that I hadn't worn for about 20 years and an idea began to form.

Because pewter is soft I was able to cut the pin off the brooch and drill through the mounting blocks so I could attach some jump rings without having to drill into the brooch itself. I was making this piece very late in the day which turned out to be quite fortuitous as a parcel of gorgeous rustic pearls arrived the previous day and they definitely had a look of bygone days about them. I was planning for this to be a bracelet when I started but the balance didn't feel right so this is what I turned it in to...


In addition to the pearls I've used lovely champagne Czech glass Rivoli beads and sections of antique style chain. I really like the mix of the brass and silver coloured metals here and I think it adds to the aged feel. The clasp is too pretty to be hidden away so I've offset it to one side...


I fiddled around with this quite a bit adding dangles and embellishments but in the end decided less is more - it may not be true vintage style but it's my style and even though I think it's pretty I'd wear it myself for an occasion!


To me this is the type of necklace that benefits from matching earrings so I made a pair. Jenny's soup included some lovely little brass beads and some creamy potato pearls which matched perfectly with the Rivoli beads and the chain links to make a very elegant set.


I did also manage to make two extra bracelets in a design that my regular blog readers will have seen a lot of lately (checkout the tutorial page for details); one using another of Jenny's own lampwork beads and one using the cute little bus token she sent, instead of a button. These will be going to the 'Global Genes Project, 7000 Bracelets Appeal' along with some other bracelets I've made recently.



So I hope you like what I've done with my bead soup even though there is so much I didn't use. Just keep your  eyes peeled for future posts because there will be with second helpings of bead soup. In the meantime I'd like to thank Jenny for her warmth and generosity as my partner and Lori for another amazing feat of organisation. please hop over and visit Jenny to see what she's done with the soup I sent her and enjoy the rest of the party visiting the blogs in the list below.


Lesley Watt, The Gossiping Goddess
Jennifer Cameron, Glass Addictions


Hostess, Lori Anderson, PrettyThingsBlog.com

Alice Craddick,  Alice's Beads and Baubles
Alicia Marinache,  All The Pretty Things
Amanda Tibbetts,  Amanda Made
Amber Dawn Goldish, Inventive Soul
Annita Wilson,  AW Jewelry
Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool
Birgitta Lejonklou,  Create With Spirit   
Candida Castleberry,    Spinning Spun Sugar
Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

Cassie Donlen, Glass Beadle
Cheryl McCloud,  One Thing Leads to Another
Cheryl Roe, BeadRoe
Christina Hickman, Vintage Treasures Jewelry
Christine Hendrickson,  Clamworks
Cilla Watkins, Tell Your Girlfriends
Cindy Wilson, Mommy's Dream
Cindy Wimmer, Sweet Bead Studio
Cory Celaya, Art With Moxie

Cory Tompkins, Tealwater Designs
Cris Peacock, Cris' Page
Cynthia Deis, Shiny Little Things
Cynthia Machata, Antiquity Travelers
Cynthia Wainscott, Exotic Peru
Dana Hickey, Magpie Approved
Denielle Hagerman, Some Beads and Other Things

Diane Valasek, Dragonfly Close
Doris Stumpf, Glaszwerg
Dyanne Everett-Cantrell, Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations
Elaine Robitaille, Too Aquarius
Eleanor Burian-Mohr, The Charmed Life
Enikö Fabian, Perl-eni
Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found
Heather Davis, Blissful Garden Beads
Heidi Post, Ex Post Facto Jewelry

Hilary Frye, FryeStyle
Inge von Roos, Inge's Blog
Jami Shipp, Celebrating Life
Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle

Jennifer Pottner, Rock Candy Beads
Jennifer VanBenschoten,  Jewelry, Art and Life

Jenny Davies-Reazor, Jenny Davies-Reazor
Jenny Vidberg, Shyme Design
Jessica Dickens, My Jewelry, My Life, Me
Jessica Klaaren, Beadful-Things by Jessica
JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
Joan Williams, Lilruby Jewelry
Judith Johnston, Judith Johnston
Judy Riggs, Rigglettes
Judy Turner, Silver Rains

Julie Anne Leggett, The Peaceful Bead
K Hutchinson, Jumbled Hutch
Karen Meador, Dreamcatcher Ranch
Karyn Bonfiglio, Plus Size Bangles
Katherine Gale, Terra Beadworks
Kathleen Lange Klik, Modern Nature Studio
Katja Benevol Gabrijelcic, Slovonske Technobe
Kelli Jacobson, Creative Moon
Kelly Ramstack, Adventures with Kelly
Keri Lee Sereika, Pink Lemonade

Kim Bender-Hora, KimmyKat
Kirsi Luostarinen, Kirsi Luo Korut
Kitty Bozzini, Kitty Lampwork
Laura Demoya, The Bead Therapist
Laurie Hanna, Laurie's Jewelbox
Leah Curtis, Beady Eyed Bunny

Linda Inhelder, Must-Haves Jewelry

Lisa Liddy, Metal Me This
Mallory Hoffman, For the Love of Beads
Marge Beebe, Rock Creek Creations
Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things
Marion Simmons, Shade Tree Studio
Marla Gibson, Spice Box Design
Marta Weaver, Marta Weaver Jewelry

Marti Conrad, Marti C's Clay Blog
Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens, GlassBeadArt, Lampwork Beads
Melanie Brooks, Earthenwood Studio
Michelle Hardy, Firefly Visions
Mikala Coates, Maybe Just Perhaps
Mowse Doyle, HoCArt
Nancy Boylan, Snazzy Doodle Designs
Nancy Peterson, Beading From the Heart
Nicole Rennell, Nicole Rennell Designs

Niki Meiners, 365 Days of Craft
Niky Sayers, Silver Nik Nats
Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas
Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs
Pamela Gangler, She Always Loved Pink
Patricia Johnson, Patricia L. Johnson Glass Art
Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs
Raida Disbrow, Havana Beads
Renetha Stanziano, Lamplight Crafts
Shannon Hicks, Falling Into the Sky

Shannon LeVart, Miss Fickle Media
Sharon Driscoll, Right Turn Art Werks
Shelley Graham Turner, Fabric of My Life
Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame
Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread
Skylar Bre'z, Brising Beads
Stacie Florer, Soul to Substance
Stacie Stamper, Park Avenue
Stacy Alderson, Iridal's Attic

Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs
Stephanie Stamper, Rainy Day Designs
Suzette Bentley, Ellie's Bijoux
Tammy Jones, Jewelry Making Daily
Tanty Sri Hartanti, TJewellicious by Tanti
Terry Matuszyk, Pink Chapeau


Vonna Maslanka, Just Vonna

63 comments:

  1. Loving the white necklace and the off-centered dangle on the red one :)

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  2. Love the new style stringing in the bracelets.Works well.The other pieces are lovely as well.Love and hugs Tanya

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  3. Gorgeous work! I love the controlled chaos of the wirework on the first piece.

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  4. OMG Lesley!! I am going to use an adjective that I have heard Lori herself use - GOBSMACKED! First of all, I agree with you -Jennifer's red bead is just stunning - but you have enhanced it so well with your most awesome wire-work! I sincerely love this piece! But the pearls...OMG - the pearls! You got those from Smitten Beads, didn't you?! This piece looks like something Cindy Wimmer would make! It is stunning and I would buy a special "night on the town black dress" to showcase this piece! Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! You already know I love these bracelets! I immediately recognized the Washington DC token - that probably even qualifies as an antique, as only farecards are used here now! ha! Just lovely, and thank you for donating to the 7000 Bracelets for Hope! You are such a special lady and a true, true artist!!

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  5. Gorgeous pieces Lesley. I love the fact you ironed the silk, I think it brings out it's natural shimmer which is a perfect complement for your beautiful rustic wirework and lampwork pendant.
    The pewter and pearl necklace is absolutely stunning and those materials work beautifully with you clasp. Wonderful work.

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  6. what lovely pieces, love their names too :-)

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  7. Amazing pieces ! The first two stole my heart. Red Nebula is perfectly executed, and Remains Of The Day is just so classy and elegant...

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  8. Oh, Lesley, what amazing work! I particularly loved the red nebula and the remains of the day pieces. Anything bright red just makes me happy, and the wirework is sublime. Thanks so much for sharing, and now I'm onward to more of the HOP!

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  9. Oh WoW! I knew I was a huge fan of your work and once again you proved why. The Red necklace is just Stunning! I would totally wear that! Dang! I am at a loss of words on how to describe just how much I love everything! <3

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  10. Gorgeous Lesley!
    You have the Midas touch! I would wear each and every piece! Can't wait to see what your partner cooked up!

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  11. Hi Lesley,
    Well you have done it again, you have made my jaw hit my key board and the drool is getting it all wet LOL! I love your designs they are gorgeous! Although I love the red necklace, that focal is awesome, the second necklace is more my style and the earrings that go with it well they are just so beautiful. The two bracelets are very pretty and I am sure who ever gets them will be totally thrilled with their beauty and will want to wear them all the time.
    Therese

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  12. LESLEY! The way you used that red bead is AMAZING!!!! Seriously. I love it. It's so funky and awesome. And please don't be mad, but I literally laughed when you said you ironed the ribbon. haha! I know the clasp was a challenge, but you nailed it. It looks beautiful and like something you could wear every day. The matching earrings are adorable and the bracelets are fab. The way you used the token is perfect as a closure :-) and the focal looks great in the other bracelet. It's awesome you are going to donate them. I am so happy we got to be partners and now friends. I think you're a wonderful person and you make my beads look good :-)

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  13. Lesley - lovely stuff! I think it was spot on to iron the silk for the more modern necklace. It is in keeping with the style. I confess - Necklace #2 is more my style. I can see it with jeans and a tee, or with a little black dress. And I like the bracelets -they are making the rounds and getting a lot of attention on FB, nicely done!

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  14. Spectacular pieces. I love everything you do. Great job.

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  15. I loved reading about your creative process. I find it amazing how things evolve if you just study on it for awhile. Love everything you've made so far and I am anxious to see what you do with (what looks like) mica. Great job.

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  16. Ironing the silk made me laugh...but it actually works really well with the structural elements of the piece. I love brooches so I'm sad that you didn't use a converter rather than breaking it! Thank you for sharing your designs. Good job.

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  17. Love the wire cage around that bead!

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  18. I would have gone straight to the red bead for the focal, too. Nice job on that. Remains of the Day is my favorite. So nicely balanced.

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  19. You made some beautiful pieces! I love the remains of the day necklace, a great name of upcycling vintage, beautiful clasp.
    Deb x

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  20. Wonderful pieces! and Thank you again!

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  21. The colors in the Red Nebula or just gorgeous! I love the wire work you did - it really shows off the detailing of the lampwork bead.

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  22. the wire work really frames the red bead so nicely, great soups!

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  23. Beautiful designs! Love everything that you created!

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  24. Your wire work is amazing! Love how ultra modern Red Nebula turned out. I just bought some of Jen's Lampwork beads but I know my wire work would look like a hot mess if I tried that. On the other hand I love Remains of the Day and I am not a vintage girl either. Love everything you did. Would gladly wear it!
    Katherine

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  25. Lovely :)I think I might've shied away from that red bead... or dumped in with a lot of black ;) Beautiful work :)

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  26. Wow... and u said life and lack of time intervened... I couldn't tell. Imagine what u will cook up in August when u have free time to while away... I love Red Nebula. Very, very chic. Nice.

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  27. They're all wonderful, and so different! I think your foray into "vintage pretty" turned out just smashing. Who wouldn't want to wear that pretty Remains of the Day necklace out to dinner or somewhere fancy? And how bold your red lava necklace is!

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  28. I really like them all very much! Will be watching to see what else you come up with!

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  29. Love Remains of the Day!!!

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  30. Well, you already know I'm going to say I love the bracelets! And that is what people have commented on the most on my reveal..definite winner! I promise you that if I had stuck wire in a bead and just started playing, it would not have been pretty! I had to crack up on the ironing comment, that would so be something I would do! You really should be proud of all that gorgeousness you created!

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  31. The Remains of the Day set is my favorite...very vintage fabulous!

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  32. Oh wow, it's all lovely. And now as I write this I can't remember what you said to open your post.. but it made me immediately look to see if you were in the UK.lol I'm not sure why I feel the need to mention that. Anyways, beautiful work and I can't wait to see the rest

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  33. Red Nebula is definitely an attention grabber! It's such a thrill to use beads that are so tactile, they are always an inspiration. And of course there's the bracelets, the first is my favourite. I love the focal and the button closure.

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  34. Your pieces are incredible! So original and so well crafted. I loved reading your post.

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  35. I love your work, the photography and the naming of your art. Red Nebula is absolutely stunning.

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  36. I enjoyed seeing your work - beautiful and inventive!

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  37. Love your designs - those bracelets are stunning (I totally want them lol), and the red nebula necklace is brilliant - the dangles make me think of a comet trailing through the sky =)

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  38. Your designs are beautiful! I love the Red Nebula! Like you, I don't do vintage, but your design really appeals to me. With your inspiration, I may give it a try. :)

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  39. I am becoming one of your biggest fans. Everything you make is beautiful. I hope you don't mind, I borrowed that wonderful technique you showed to make one of my Bead Soup Blog Party 6th Reveal items. I don't reveal until the second showing. Thanks for sharing your wonderful talent. www.heavenlanecreations.com

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  40. What a true cornucopia of beads you got (and I noticed a lot of people have used your tutorial for the bracelet!) -- and I'm glad I've found another ironing sister. I iron t-shirts!!!

    You did some amazing wire work and the elegant pearl necklace is glamorous and beautiful. Well done!

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  41. You did great...love the way your wire work accents the red bead. And the pearl necklace is the perfect balance between rustic and glamour.

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  42. Lovely designs! I really like the bracelets.

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  43. Lovely! The second necklace is so romantic and the bracelets are great!

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  44. I love it all but that red necklace is amazing, the wire work is stunning on it.

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  45. Ooh, love the bracelets! And the 'crazy' wirework on that first necklace is fab!

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  46. Such a huge contrast in styles between the first and the second necklaces but they both are fabulous!

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  47. Oh my, Lesley! You did wonders: I love everything. The red necklace is full of power and energy, the wirework is gorgeous. The pearls piece is after my soul: I love vintage pieces and yours is just perfect. And the bracelets: beyond being gorgeous, I love the simplicity of your design, thanks for sharing the tutorial!

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  48. The second necklace is my fave-very elegant.

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  49. That red necklace is so impressive!

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  50. I'm really liking the blue bracelet!

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  51. All of them are gorgeous but the red necklace is outstanding for me

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  52. Very nice. Love the vintage looking set...

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  53. While I'm totally digging the sci-fi feeling of your first necklace, the vintage vibe of the second one absolutely took my breath away. So lovely! As well, your bracelets are super cool.

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  54. Your metal work is incredible, and I love you featured the clasp in the necklace!

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  55. Love the Remains of the Day necklace!! Beautiful work and love your components!

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  56. Lovely designs!!! You did an awesome job with your bead soup!! My favorite is the Red Nebula...awesome wire work!

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  57. Wonderful,wonderful, wonderful. I can't choose a favorite, they are all very fine examples of artist made jewelry.

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  58. I really love both of necklace..! Great job..! :)

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  59. I love all your pieces. The wirework with the big red focal is wonderful. I love the vintage chain, pearls and flower focal in the 2nd piece. And the chainmaille (?) work in that last piece is great. I've been wanting to try that. Lovely pieces.

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  60. love all your pieces!
    ciao dall'Italia

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  61. You started me on a very long journey tonight. I loved your seed bead and jump ring bracelets so clicked over to the tut and then on to your Pinterest boards. Repinned several items from there and clicked the follow button. Totally loved looking at your patinas. Your bead soup is wonderful as well.

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  62. I love how you were selective in what you used, and now you used your components. Sometimes I think we over-use our soup and aren't selective enough. I know I was tempted that way. I love every single piece you made, especially your Remains of the Day necklace. The bracelets just knocked my socks off, I love how you used that token as a button!

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