BEAD SOUP BLOG PARTY! REVEALED!

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):

The Hostess, Lori Anderson and her partner, Manuela Wutschke
 
 
19. Anna Sabina­­­­ and Erin Siegel
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

39 Replies to “BEAD SOUP BLOG PARTY! REVEALED!”

  1. 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 🙂

  2. 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

  3. So pretty! You set off the focal perfectly AND you solved the design challenge that it presented! Great job.

  4. 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!

  5. 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

  6. 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!!!!!!

  7. 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!

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