Saturday, March 3, 2012

Lori Anderson's 5th Bead Soup Blog Party - REVEAL!!!!


YAY!!!  It's Lori Anderson's bead soup reveal day!  Honestly, I know I won't accomplish anything else but blog hopping today!  There will be no doing laundry, dusting (ok...I don't do that anyway), and the family is definitely going to have to fend for themselves today...It's ok...I stocked up on ready to eat snacks, and dinner is in the crock pot!

First, and foremost a HUGE thank you to Lori!!  I can't imagine after organizing a massive blog hop that she has a single nerve or a nary pink hair left on her pretty little head!!  So for you Lori:



My BSBP partner is Jennifer Cameron of Glass Addictions.  Awesome partner, who creates stunning lampwork beads and jewelry designs!  After exchanging a few emails with Jen, I set of in search off the perfect soup mix for her.  Here's what I came up with:




And the unbelievable soup beads I received from Jen:



When I received the coveted package, I held my breath as I lifted the lid!  As soon as I picked my jaw up off of the ground, it hit (as it usually does)...this isn't what I had expected?  In my own mind I had somehow picked out what Jennifer would send...am I the only one who does this?   Even though I have no control over the selection my partner puts together, I still somehow think I'm in control of the situation!  Yet more proof that this life is so unpredictable!  This is when the reality of Bead Soup Blog Party quandary descends...and for me, it's the best part of the hop!!  Reds, aquas, purples...oh my...now what?


Helping #1:  As bad as this sounds...I don't wear earrings often.  Stop "tsk-tsking" me!  I think it comes from years of office work, and always having a phone glued to my ear.  Many earring impressions later I just gave them up.  Sure, I wear them when we're out on the town, but unfortunately we don't paint the town very often!



I like whimsical, not only in jewelry, but in every aspect of life, and these fit the bill perfectly!  I had a couple of these brass starfish connectors laying around, and decided to use waxed cotton instead of head pins for more of a casual look and a lot more movement.  Jen sent me the amethyst nuggets, Czech glass, labradorite, and pearls and I added pressed glass, candy jade, magnesite, impression jasper, Swarovski, and lavender Czech glass shells.  Of course I had to add a little sari silk...it seems to creep into everything I create lately!

Helping #2:

I love bracelets!!  I don't tend to make them often, as that's my husband's department, but since I keep my Bead Soup creations for myself, I went at it!




I adore these lampwork beads that Jen made and included in my soup!  I'm not usually a red wearing girl, but I'll make an exception for these...maybe with the cute grey dress I have, yet never wear?  Jen also sent the "dangles" of tiny dusty purple pearls and AB lavender Czech rounds.  Also included in my soup mix, was a gorgeous pewter starfish clasp from Green Girl Studios.  I love "sea side" inspired components, but I couldn't for the life in me create a piece using it as the toggle.  Nothing seemed to "fit"...and after 3 failed attempts, I decided it would work best as a charm.  Being pewter, it stands out among the copper, almost making it as much of a focal as the lampwork...PERFECT!!  My all time favorite is coral.  Seriously, I hoard it...have bins of it...every shape, color, and size, so I accented all the loveliness of the lampwork with a single organic coral bead!  I recently tried my hand with Copprclay and using the bumps of Jen's beads as inspiration, made a sea urchin toggle clasp and a tiny little charm to complete the look (I know they're not the best, but I'm such a novice that it's not even comical).  The toggle and clasp haven't been tumbled yet, hence the dull sheen....but I was impatient and wanted to get photos ASAP!


Helping #3:  Quite possibly my favorite piece I've ever made for myself...which doesn't happen often!  But when I signed up for my first BSBP, I promised myself that the beads I received, and the pieces I designed would be just for me!!



The lampwork focal that Jen sent is absolutely amazing, yet it intimidated the hell out of me!  It sat on my bead table front and center for a few weeks...just taunting me!  I didn't want to just put it on a chain and call it a day, because I knew it deserved more!  It was destined to be a necklace, and I wanted it to be a signature, bold and artsy piece, 3 pounds of wasted copper wire later I came up with this!  Again it sat on my work table...I had the focal wrapped, but now what?  A few days later I was digging around in my mold container and spied tiny little resin frames that I had purchased (but forgotten about) to use for making molds, and the proverbial light bulb went off!  

Just days ago, I blogged that I very rarely wear any of the typical dainty beads that I create...which seems insane to me.  But, I'm a funky/bohemian type, and delicate just doesn't fit my personality, but I had an idea to make it work!  I made tiny picture frames from polymer clay, grunged them up, drilled them, and inset little polymer clay embroidered flowers/vines into each frame.  Dainty, yet more me!  The dangles are a mix of all the soup Jen sent me (including a single blue kyanite...I'm hoarding the remaining four) and a few from my own stash.  I've since relocated the teal shell spike to the other side as it distracted from the "crystal ball" lampwork, and we couldn't have that, now could we?


Group shot:





I never wear matching pieces...nor do I make them...it's against my religion! :)  So, while I wouldn't wear all of these pieces at the same time, (wouldn't I look like the circus coming to town?) I love that I can switch them up, yet they all coordinate.  Not to mention I think I found a favorite color palette of aqua and tomato red! 


Last minute creation...Helping #4:



I finally decided what to do with the amazing blue kyanite that was included in my soup! I love these lampwork beads from my own stash, and Coppr Clay seashells that I made for these earrings.  Everything will take a dip in liver of sulfur, but as usual I waited until I was completely out to order more!


Now, for a little sneak peak of a give away!  




I decided to share the "leftovers" from my soup (labradorite, pearls, amethyst and Czech glass), and created a bracelet with one of my new framed embroidery beads to hang front and center.  I'll give everyone a few days to blog hop before I post the actual give away.  Stay tuned!
I apologize for the shoddy photography of the last two pictures...I really was in a hurry!  I will retake pictures of  the give away bracelet before I post the actual give away next week!



So, there you have it!  I apologize for being long winded, especially since you have 200 other blogs to visit...but as usual, I'm usually the talker of the bunch!

Now, run along and check out all the other participants' creations!  


Click on the pic for the participants!!














93 comments:

  1. Those polymer clay picture frames are awesome! So detailed and intricate. The giveaway bracelet and last pair of earrings have got to be my faves. Pretty, pretty, pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  2. OMG, you made a lot of nice jewelry with your BeadSoup!!! I LOVE the colors.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh wow! I can't even pick a favorite. I love what you did with that necklace. It's incredible. And the bracelet is something I would wear everyday. I love your copper pieces too. Great job! The earrings are so funky and fun. Love! It's been great being paired up with you. It's the first time I've ever gotten to play with polymer clay beads.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your whimsical style jewelry is very appealing to me. You inspire me to think more creatively.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would have had a hard time designing with those colors, but your creations are beautiful! I love the bracelet that you made and the necklace is stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love your work. Especially the giveaway bracelet. I too love the aqua and red combo. Love the framed beads. Great work!
    Cilla (#24)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love Love Love what you made!!!!! Especially the little resin frames. Gorgeous!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. First I am so jealous that you and Jenny were partners after seeing what you sent her. Second I feel the same way about earrings just too much trouble. Third I am totally in love with your creations and your use of those frames! WOW WOW and WOW!

    ReplyDelete
  9. You did a beautiful job! The red lampwork bracelet is beautiful! I love how you used the big red lampwork focal bead on your necklace!

    ReplyDelete
  10. such a great job, I really love them all!
    I'm a partecipant from Italy, I'm trying to visit all of you.
    this was really a great experience!
    ciao ciao

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a wonderful explosion of colors, textures and techniques! The first three are so riotous and full of life, and the blue kyanite earrings are to die for!

    ReplyDelete
  12. WOW!!! I love your style. Everything you made with your soup is absolutely gorgous!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Beautiful job! Love the color combos and the added texture of the ribbons and cords. Perfect.
    sandi

    ReplyDelete
  14. Such creativity, you have such and eye! I love everything you have done with all the elements, and yes the color combination is fabulous! I just cannot pick a favorite. Thank you for sharing your story.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Each piece is so unique! I love the vibrant colors and the addition of fibers. And the picture frames that you created from polymer clay are amazing (love those colors too)! Everything is really fun and beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Interesting... fibre still scares me! That said I really like what you did with serving number two the bracelet!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love the colour and texture of your mixed mediums... beautiful pieces. I adore the tiny picture frames with the polymer clay embroidered flowers/vines. Beautiful :) x

    ReplyDelete
  18. You've done so much with your soup, it's amazing. I'm liking everyone's last minute pieces best it seems. Love those last earrings. The little framed polymer flowers are really well done too.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh wow, gorgeous work! Great colors and your designs are unique and very creative! :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow - that's a whole lot of wonderful eye candy!!! You did a wonderful job with the colors and fibers. :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your work is astounding, the mixture of materials really makes your pieces stand out!

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is all so amazing! And I'm so glad you dove into the challenge. I love the red and blue together, and the creative way you used all the beads! Just gorgeous! I'd wear them all.

    (And thanks for the pie!)

    I hope you'll join me again in the summer!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Wow a really gorgeous set, I do not wear red a lot too, but this pieces are lovely and I would love to wear it:D
    Lovely greetings
    Sabrina

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love what you did with your beads. Each piece is unique and I absolutely love the red and aqua combo and the picture frame beads are to die for.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wow, I love all the goodies you came up with. I think the earrings are my favorite, followed closely by your necklace. I am in awe of those little frames. Just wonderful work!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Beautiful designs! Love the necklace the most

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oooooooo! I am a HUGE fan of aqua and tomato red, so your pieces are right up my alley. Beautiful job - your talent is amazing (there's no way I could work with such small pieces of clay), and your bead soup is fantastic! Great job! :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Love all of them and everything about them: colours, mixed media, design. Your clay work is amazing - like Molly said, I can't work with such minuscule parts, but I admire them and their makers alike.

    ReplyDelete
  29. You did a wonderful job with your beautiful bead soup!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Very pretty! I happen to love red, so your pieces really spoke to me, I adore the bracelet! I am a huge bracelet fan, and that is so fun, fresh, and just gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Wow, what creative, wonderful pieces, so much color and texture!

    Karyn B
    http://plussizebangles.com/blog

    ReplyDelete
  32. Holy Bo HO!! These pieces are fabulous - all of them. Those poly clay frames are insane!! I love this collection and how you integrated Jennifer's beads into your style.

    ReplyDelete
  33. You did such a wonderful job with her gorgeous beads!! Your copper elements are fantastic! And for someone who does not wear earrings, well, the pair you created are sweet! I enjoyed reading your post!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Looks like you had a fun time with your soup. I really like the helping 4 earrings.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Whaddya mean you don't wear earrings???!! I sure hope you'll make an exception for the beauties you created as part of the soup - I LOVE them and would wear them to death. Love all your other designs too, you've done a fabulous job with your ingredients.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Tomatoe and turquoise - what an incredible combo of colors. How cleaver the earrrings with the waxed cotton. I'm going to have to save my little bits of thread I keep throwing away in an effort to "clean". Tsk tsk. I think the necklace is wonderful and the little frames around the florals - you definitely know how to work it girl.

    ReplyDelete
  37. All right, who do I have to kill to get that bracelet?? (the giveaway one...) I will most certainly be checking back! :-)

    What an amazing job you've done with your soup. Yours is the jewelry I WISH I made!

    ReplyDelete
  38. love the first helping! I would totally wear those earrings....a the time!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Drop-dead gorgeous!! I knew you would mix up something fabulous... but these... oh, wow... awesome! Those little picture frame beads are SO cute, and the copprcly components are fantastic. I love the sea/boho theme you have going on with them... you have blown me away with your talent! And I totally agree with you—bead soup beads and the creations made with them must be for keeping! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  40. Your frames are so lovely, they caught my eye right away. I love the eclectic feel of the necklace your design it is very lovely. A absolutely wonderful job with your soup!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Wow, Tania: that's what I would call creativity! I'm totally blown away from your designs. Every piecce has it's own charm, every piece seems to have so much love at creating. I love the way you're mixing materials and styles. Just wonderful! My personal little favourite is your first bracelet - although I haven't much red clothes too.

    ReplyDelete
  42. OH MY! I love your earrings! But actually I would wear these all even if I'm not a big fan of reds, these are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  43. I adore all of your creations. Love color palette, textures and artsy look. Amazing work!

    ReplyDelete
  44. i have never put red and turquoise together either, but now i am convinced that i should try! beautiful and delightedly funky! i LOVE them!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Love all you made, ESP the first set of earrings and the bracelet. So cool how you wire wrapped the red silk to the toggle bar!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Oh my goodness - you really came up with a LOT. Very very nice - love the color palette. Your vision amazes me! Really.

    ReplyDelete
  47. I love absolutely everything you made, but that first helping has the most joyful earrings I've ever seen in my life! Awesome recipes!!!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Wow! I loved ALL your helpings. The earrings in the first helping are so totally me! You need to get a nice set of headphones for work and start wearing earings again :)

    ReplyDelete
  49. Love your entire helping of soup!! Each piece is amazing and I love how you integrated and also segregated color palettes!

    ReplyDelete
  50. wow..you created some amazing pieces from you soup mix..i love the necklace, it's like a Fiesta,all the pieces are fun

    ReplyDelete
  51. You did amazing things with that soup! I am just in awe! Fantastic job!!

    ReplyDelete
  52. I love how you worked in the fabric, and you made so many pieces!!! I really have to give fabric accents another try! Thanks for giving me ideas

    ReplyDelete
  53. Your pieces were whimsical and fun. I loved the group shot. I really showcased the pieces and made them pop.

    ReplyDelete
  54. U rocked it out!!! I'm bracelet grrl & luv luv ur design! But honestly you did good! All designs beautiful, all designs fun vibe!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Really beautiful jewellery! My faves are the brown earrings at the end (and the giveaway bracalet *drool*), but I also love those frame beads you made for the necklace. Yes, the whole necklace is fab too of cause, but I really fell for the framed florals. Fab job!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Love all your pieces. Your last minute earrings are my favourite!

    ReplyDelete
  57. OMGoodness, I thought I had been busy!! They are ALLLL wonderful! I am not even sure if I could pick a favorite, I love them all! ~KM

    ReplyDelete
  58. fantastic! so colorful! I really love the bracelet.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Wow! You really outdid yourself with that soup! Jen's beads are fabulous and I love that red/gray bracelet. Please show it when you wear your gray dress. And that necklace you're keeping? LOVE IT!!

    ReplyDelete
  60. Those are wonderfully whimsical. I think the earrings are my favorite. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Fabulous, I love all your designs, but the necklace has really caught my eye. I think it is my favorite of all your designs. Cheers!
    Lori D.

    ReplyDelete
  62. I enjoy looking you blog! Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Your embroidery beads are stunning! In combination with the bead soup it all looks perfect. I love that bracelet with the different material.
    Happy Hearing!
    Sabine

    ReplyDelete
  64. Sorry, I ment: Happy "Beading" in the end (my iPad always corrects me 'cause I usuelle write in German!! I hate the iPad for Count so!!)
    Sabine

    ReplyDelete
  65. Fabulous designs!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Gorgeous sets! Love those earrings - what a blast they will be to wear - couldn't be in a bad mood with those on your ears!!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Wow, so many fun things you made. Way to go!

    ReplyDelete
  68. Wow! I am drooling over your pieces, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the first pair of earrings. So creative and beautiful!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How totally gorgeous. I love everything! The color combos are amazing. The bracelet is stunning!

      Delete
  69. What lovely bead soup you received! I'm loving all the pieces you made, but that last necklaces made my jaw drop! I'm so amazed that you made these little picture frame components from your own molds. I do love the red/aqua color combination.

    ReplyDelete
  70. These were some of my favorite pieces. Jennifer's beads rock, your beads rock, and you did an amazing job with all of them!

    ReplyDelete
  71. Tania - All I can say is WOW! Love the swingy earrings! Love all the other creations also. For a Boho kind of gal, you sure rocked it with this "out of your element" soup!

    ReplyDelete
  72. Oh my, these are all absolutely stunning! My jaw is currently hitting the floor...Your main necklace is one of the favourites that I have seen on this hop - truly spectacular. Your and Jennifer's beads are both just amazinG!

    ReplyDelete
  73. I really enjoyed reading your post and the enthusiasm that came through your writing. Your "boho" personality really shine in everything you made. I love all the pieces. Your use of the red silk was fantastic. Grest job!

    ReplyDelete
  74. The first earrings are too cool! I love whimsical too!
    Love everything you made!

    ReplyDelete
  75. All 4 helpings was sooooooooo delicious!!!

    ReplyDelete
  76. I absolutely adore those framed beads! Just wonderfully creative and full of oomph! Life, happiness, positive vibes, I don't know I just love them! Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  77. The framed beads that you make are amazing. I really like you use of tomatoe red and aqua colors. They go well. Enjoy your jewelry!

    ReplyDelete
  78. Wow, you made a lot of soup. Beautiful work, I love the bohemian style and think your framed focals are great. The bracelts are my favorite!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  79. Wow, each piece is so eccentric (please to me that is a high compliment). I'm amazed by the way you combine the components. Great work!

    ReplyDelete
  80. Holy cow - those pieces are just FABulous!!! I think my favorite is the bracelet, and now I see why you liked my necklace with it's pop of red coral! :) I have been hoarding mine for a while, too!

    The giveaway is really very kind. That piece is so yummy!
    Alesha

    ReplyDelete
  81. I love how you mix fibers and beads. I have lots of fibers and I have been afraid to use them. You have given me inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  82. Even if those beads are not quite what you expected, you really did something magical with them. I adore the earrings you made and would wear them in a SECOND! The rest of the pieces are just as beautiful, but there's something about the combination of colors, the fiber, the metal that makes them just feel HAPPY! Fabulous work all the way around.

    ReplyDelete
  83. Love the splashes of color! Very pretty designs.

    ReplyDelete
  84. Your designs are wonderful! I love them all, love the red and aqua together too! Those pieces really are such fun!
    Sonya

    ReplyDelete
  85. I love how blue and red match together and the polimer clay beads you made for the necklace are amazing!

    Ambra

    ReplyDelete
  86. I'm late to be commenting, but just getting around to viewing more of the participants in the blog hop. I have to agree--that turquoise and red look really great together! I love what you did with those colors and the framed flowers and leaves in those colors help pull it all together and really "make" the jewelry. I'm amazed by your wirework on some of these pieces. I can imagine the struggle with that gorgeous lampwork bead. I feel the same way sometimes...how can I design something that will do the bead justice?! :-) You did a great job!

    Finally, I have to say that I also really love what you did with the deeper blues. Those are beautiful too! You and your bead soup partner both did a great job challenging one another and you both came up with such creative, wonderful designs! So glad I got to see these!

    ReplyDelete
  87. All of the pieces you made are absolutely gorgeous! I love the colour schemes, and your framed flowers are beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  88. Love the cute starfish bracelet and the swingy earrings. All the pieces are gorgeous, but those were my faves. Your clay beads are amazing, too!

    ReplyDelete
  89. Oh my gosh, you did such amazing things with your soup! I don't know which is my favorite... the bracelet I think... then again both pairs of earrings are gorgeous... and the necklace... and hmmm... ok, I love it all! Bravo!

    ReplyDelete
  90. What a great helping of soup! I love that you really played up the whimsical and playful with these bright colors. Your framed beads are absolutely darling and I am very impressed! I like the funky bohemian flair of the first earrings, even though my colors tend more dark like the last ones. Miss Jennifer makes such lovely beads. What fun to work with them!
    Enjoy the day.
    Erin

    ReplyDelete