It's Soup!

I'm not going to lie, when I opened my Soup, I felt a little like I was on 'Chopped'! I don't always use a focal, & this focal had a palm tree which was so different from anything I usually use.The colours are gorgeous, but the shapes were so...shaped.As I mixed beads & played w/ different combos nothing was really clicking. I was started to feel a little frustrated when Lori sent out a BSBH email w/ an idea. "If you get stuck, break up the beads into more than 1 project" ~major breakthrough! As I doodled w/ my mix I came up w/ a necklace right away. I laid part of it out, sketched the whole vision & moved on to the next groupings of beads. Last week I strung the necklace, tried it on & hated the way it actually looked,too large a  bead too high up on my neck,total design flaw.I then turned to the bracelet portion of my soup & tried several ideas, none really wowing me. Then I remembered the bracelet I bought my sister for Christmas, I had really liked the chain detail, how would that work?Not having any black leather cording I used some very old waxed cording & tried different chains. I found one that gave me the effect I was looking for  & I was ready to start stringing. I hadn't thought about the peach shaped ovals as much more than accent beads, & then I read a comment that they couldn't wait to see what I did w/ them,(no pressure or anything!) I thought about a wire wrap technique I have always admired but never tried. A little dark copper wire later & I had the wrap I wanted. Did it work as well on this shape of bead? I haven't decided yet.For the necklace I wanted to do an illusion type of stringing w/ the m.o.p. ring. I really like the way that turned out, but I also think the bead is almost too bright for the rest of the beads. I used a couple of the red beads & some wrapped dagger beads for earrings.The only thing I added to Andrea's mix were some pearls & copper beads to the necklace, & the chain in the bracelet. I really wanted to stay 'in the Soup' & use the beads I was sent w/o too many of my own. All in all I'm very happy w/ the way my Soup came together.Now get out there & hop some blogs. Lori~our fabulous hostess has the master list if you lose your way,( a trail of comment crumbs will help you w/ that!) stay hydrated, pace yourself & have fun!

Is It Soup Yet? YES!

 Welcome to Bead Soup Saturday! First a reminder of what my partner Hilary from Fryestyle sent to me. A beautiful silver floral focal,some additional silver accent beads & some really pretty lampwork in Spring colours. She rounded out the soup w/ some dyed horn squares,green glass leaves & some tiny little glass flowers. A simple silver S hook is the clasp.

                                                       Here is a close~up of the focal.

 I did add a few beads from my hoard stash. The frosted 'grape~y' bead is by the talented Sue of suebeads. I was lucky enough to be Sue's partner in a swap last summer & I have become a big fan of her work(you owe it to yourself to check out her enameled headpins!). She had sent 2 frosted purple beads in light & dark & they were perfect w/ this mix. I also added some solid colour lampwork beads by J C Herrell. I discovered her last summer when I saw her glass toggles. These are some of her spacers in green & purple.

 Above is a pewter heart I won from the uber talented Llyynn . This was a new design for her, a headpin w/ an extra long pin. I really felt like it went w/ the feel of the prettiness of the whole mix. You can also see the green pearls I added to my soup.

                                                                   The finished soup.
I am currently intrigued w/ double wrap bracelets that can also be worn as a necklace, so I wanted to try that for my soup.

 I want to thank Lori once again for putting all this together. I also have to apologise for not having the link list, but I waited 'til the last minute to try & post it & I was unsuccessful. Enjoy your hopping & thanks  for stopping by!

Bead Soup & A Bead Swap

I got my beads from Filomena @ Pink Velvet Bird. She sent lots of pretty blues, some cording & a great flower pin she makes for the focal.She also sent some tea, a magnet( I love magnets, you can barely see my fridge!)some cool earwires, a bracelet wire, embroidery floss & a great little metal box(another weakness!).Now I have a small confession, I don't usually work w/ much blue, but I think this is a good way to step out of my comfort zone. I am going to use this a an opportunity to step up my game. In a funny coincidence, I also sent blue to Filomena! I won't say any more about that because hers are still on the way.... ;)
There is another Bead Swap going on @ 'MySoCalledJunkyLife' blogspot, (sorry I am having trouble posting links today)There aren't many sign-ups yet, so if you are interested, check it out.

Bead Soup 2

Lori is at it again, she's hosting another Bead Soup. You still have time to sign up, deadline is May 7. http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/ Head on over & join the fun!

Bead Soup Members

It's here, it's here, no, not the Ice Cream Man, but Bead Soup! You all know the premise~, sign up, receive a partner, send a mix, make a masterpiece. I was partnered w/ Kate Clawson, (#46 on the list) an artist who works in polymer clay. Kate sent a beautiful focal she made along w/chinese turquoise,copper chain & beads, & brown pearls just to name some of the goodies. I let this soup simmer a long time, there were several variations as I moved this & rearranged that. I decided on a double wrap necklace using the chain as a choker. I used Black Max to darken the copper pieces,added some carnelian & turquoises of my own & started working in earnest. I originally thought I would use links for one of the turquoises,but decided against that in favour of shorter stringing. I had some of the same chinese turquoise Kate had sent, so I added mine & used that as spacers in the different sections. I used some old twist beads for the back section. In theory this can be a long necklace, but I wanted something that would lie flat against the back of my neck. I made some earrings so I would have a 'set'. I'll debut this tomorrow night @ jewelry class
I want to thank Lori again, this was a really fun chance to break out & meet new people, work w/ some different elements I look forward to my next swap. Now I'm off to read a few blogs!
Party Participants
1. Lori, Pretty Things and the link to the party is in my sidebar
2. Mallory, For the Love of Beads
3. Terri, Blooming Ideas...You Are Here
4. Cindy, Sweet Bead Studio
5. Lorelei, Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
6. Kerry, Kabs Creative Concepts
7. Erin, Treasures Found
8. Jeannette, Jeannette Blix Wire and Metal Jewelry
9. Adrienne, Adrienne Designs
10. Nan, Spirit Rattles
11. Laurel, Rue's Daftique
12. Nancy, Beading From the Heart
13. Mary, MK's Creative Musings
14. Cassie, The Glass Beadle
15. Dot, Winchell Clayworks
16. Sharon, Sharon's Jewelry Garden
17. Lisa, Lo and Behold
18. Norma, Bead Dreams and Moonlit Fantaseas
19. Judith, Judith B.
20. Debbie, Prairie Emporium
21. Maria, Garden Path Beads
22. Susan, Kaplan Creations Jewelry and Glass Design
23. Melissa, Melissa Meman: Art, Love, Life
24. Marianna, Pretty Shiny Things
25. Lisa, Joolz by Lisa
26. Cristi, 2 If By Sea
27. Sandra, Marbella Jewelry Design
28. Maria, Greene Earth Originals
29. Barbara, Jewelry of Distinction
30. Leslie, Bei Mondi
31. Loretta, Designs by Loretta
32. Linda, Bella Bead Jewelry
33. Kathie, The Bead Cult
34. Patty, Plays With Fire
35. Nicki, Nicki's Reef
36. Anne Marie, Heart's Desire
37. Mary, Mary Harding Jewelry
38. Jayne, mamasgottodoodle~you are here!
39. Emanda, Artemesia's Studio
40. Whitney, Whitney Lassini
41. Marcie, La Bella Joya
42. Suzann, Beadphoria
43. Jen, Jen Judd Rocks
44. Julie, Credit River Art Glass
45. Janiece, J Birds Garden
46. Kate, Organic Odysseys
47. Laurie, The Mermaid Tale
48. Michelle, My Crazy Crafty Adventure
49. Sue, Sue Beads
50. Janeen, Janeen 365
51. Nancy, The Rabbit Muse
52. Kristie, Artisan Clay
53. Regina, Regina's Writings
54. Tari, Pearl and Pebble
55. Lyn, Lyn Foley
56. Beth, Sunshine Daydreamz
57. Cathryn, Chile Cats
58. Emma, Fred Bean's Nook
59. Connie, Cetta Cheese Chatter
60. Juli, Jul's Beads
61. Julie, RockerJewlz
62. Libby, LibbyLeu and Glass Too
63. Melanie, Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
64. Katie, My Life and My Beads
65. Zuleykha, Zuleykha's Polymer Clay
66. Rekella, Me But a Little More in Depth
67. Ricki, What's New at Ricki Voges Design
68. Lisa, Lucid Moon Studio
69. Jo, Daisychain Jewellery
70. Lynette, Rock Hill Designs
71. Lynne, Island Girl's Insights
72. Chas, One Woman's Haven
73. Chas, One Woman's Haven
74. Ruthie, Rose Works Jewelry
75. Elizabeth, Turquoise Sky
76. Maire, Maire Dodd
77. Janet, Singing Woods
78. Eileen, Dorset Hill Beads
79. Julie, Miss Kitten's Jewels
80. Joann, Jo's Jewels
81. Patti, PJ Clark Designs
82. Mel, Kookie Designs
83. Erin, Every Heart Crafts
84. Dale, Flights of Fancy
85. Dee, Runako Designs

Sneak Peek

I'm working w/ my bead soup mix & while I have a couple of ideas I am torn between, I did make a quick pr of earrings. I don't think this is breaking any rules to show them, so here they are!