Oh my goodness, it's time for the big reveal for the BEAD SOUP BLOG PARTY, graciously hosted and put together by Lori Anderson of Pretty Things. I think she deserves a huge round of applause for making this happen – 362 participants altogether, from all around the world!
My partner is the fabulous Michelle Buettner of MiShel Designs. She sent me a terrific array of beads in colors I normally don't work with, which was really exciting because I feel like I needed the challenge of neutral colors to counteract my penchant for, well, fluorescents (see previous resin entries, haha).
Look at that lovely bunch of beads! I thought and thought about what they wanted to be. I tried working in my current style, chains and headpins and dangles, but no, that didn't really want to happen (much).
So, I reached into my bucket of tricks and pulled out an oldie but a goodie: classic stringing. And came up with this:
The focal presented a challenge, as it is pretty long and even my long headpins were not *quite* long enough to run through it. So after a couple tries, I hit upon the idea of using dangles and bits and bobs to accentuate the focal – the beading wire is actually strung through the dangle and then both ends through the focal, creating an even longer pendant! I was able to use almost all the beads Michelle sent for the entire necklace – only adding in a few faceted opalites of my own. What a beautiful selection of beads!
I actually used a new-to-me technique (or trick, maybe) in making this – crimp caps! I love how the little weirdos cover up your crimps and look like a bead! Easy and yet totally streamlined. CONVERT.
Here's a close-up of the moonstone kind of glowing:
I finished the necklace a couple weeks ago, then this week decided on a whim that it needed earrings with the very few beads I had left.
And that's my bead soup! I had a blast! 😀
Here's the list of other participants if you want to check them out (behind the cut):
Beautiful,….simply beautiful! I love your design! Thanks for making what I sent to you so pretty!! Cheers, ~Shel~
Very pretty !
m.e. 🙂
Very elegant colors…nice design!
I love your solution to not having head pins quite long enough. It's a lovely, streamlined design.
It is lovely. The black and white and the glowing beads, I would certainly wear it all the time.
You've created an understated and lovely piece! Beautiful!
I'd wear that! It has a classic feel. And I like your ingenious solution for focals-too-long-for-a-headpin–I've faced that conundrum myself.
oh such pretty pieces….loving the glow of the moonstone
What a cool idea! And I like the necklace – it's classy!
Very elegant designs – great job!
What a gorgeous, elegant design this is! I can totally see this at a formal event! Love how you attached that cool focal bead too 🙂
Very lovely work. I like what you ended up doing by elongating the focal.
I just love what you did with the necklace. And thanks for a new idea on how to use those long focals.
Thanks for the compliments on my designs – you sent me some pretty cool things to work with! 🙂
I love your dangles on the focal! Very pretty necklace, and the earrings are perfect!
Very pretty! Sometimes a return to the classics is just what you need. Good for you!
LOVE the dangles at the bottom of the pendant bead! Well done!
I hope you'll join me next time — the blog badge and dates are up on my blog now.
Love, Lori
Very classy! It turned out great!
So pretty! You set off the focal perfectly AND you solved the design challenge that it presented! Great job.
Great idea to use beading wire instead of head pins! Nice work!
That is a really lovely necklace!
Absolutey lovely! The dangles at the bottom of the pendant, just gorgeous!
Beautifull designed and assembled. And black and white is big right now in fashion. Really Soup-er!
I love black and white and there's nothing wrong with classic. Beautiful!
When in doubt…string it! Yeah ;-P
Oh, thank you so much for sharing that tip on the beading wire! That is great. After your glowing report, I will have to invest in some crimp covers. They do look quite nice. Your photography is awesome, you really caught the moonstones perfectly! Great job!
Very, very pretty! I love that focal!
Such a pretty necklace and I LOVE the earrings.
Julie and Andrea
very classy!
black & white is always a classic – lovely necklace!
I am so sorry I am so late hopping your way. My computer dug it's heels in and said Not gon'a go thaat fast.:^)
Your designs are nothing short of amazing.
Be blessed to be a blessing
What beautiful ingredients. I adore moonstone. So mysterious…anyway, you did a great job. I love the dangles below the pendant. Looks very fun to wear!
oh these are beautiful! i love the tassles at the end!
The way you used that pendant (that wonderful pendant I should say) is beautiful and the earrings are so delicate!
Ambra
Stunning piece! We’re all being pushed outside our comfort zones — with amazing results!
Enjoy the hop,
Emanda
http://artemisiastudio.blogspot.com/2011/09/bead-soup-reveal.html
Love it!! The necklace is so pretty, and the follow up earrings are great, too! I did the same thing with my necklace….stringing-and I love the way it came out. Yours too!!!!!!
Isn't it crazy how something simple as Stringing can be the last think you think of during challenges like this? You executed this wonderfully and sounds like you learned a few new tricks in the process. I haven't completely converted to crimp caps yet, but am definitely drawn to them. You speaking so highly of them though makes me want to head out and get some. . .
Great job!
Very pretty jewellery! Nice use of a classic elegant palette with a touch of colour (the opalite). Great job!
Well done, great thinking on how to use the focal, I really like that idea.