Saturday, August 25, 2012

BSBP: REVEAL!


GOODNESS, this really was a last minute effort ... I just moved, and I pulled off most the pieces during the past three days in between going back and forth between my new apartment and the old, which needs to be fully renovated by the end of the month, or it's: bye-bye, deposit. XP Before that I renovated my new apartment together with my sister, and in turn helped her refurbishing my niece's room who inherited some of my old bookshelves. It really feels like I've spent the whole month painting walls, lugging heavy stuff about, and disassembling and reassembling IKEA furniture. XD;

ANYHOW! Onto the Bead Soup Blog Hop Reveal, that is what you're here for after all. As a reminder, this is what my partner, Susan Kennedy, sent me: 

"Bwuh," I thought. "Purple." It's a color I used to like a lot. Way back. In my teens. Like, two decades ago? Now you wont find it anywhere in my apartment, including my bead stash.

OF all these, especially the sparkling labradorite beads with the AB coating caught my eye. And there was a pair of them, so ... "earrings" I thought, naturally. And, as I just finished Deryn Mentock's BoHo Bliss Hoops class, I thought I'd try my hands on the Lodestar Lantern Hoops, using up some of the pearls Susan sent me as well:

Alas, I misjudged the wire thickness for these (over here wire is sized by the diameter in mm, not the gauge) and these turned out way too big and way too heavy – for me at least. They weren't comfortable to wear at all, and while they were pretty to look at, I was disappointed. But, hrm, with that size and weight, they actually might make an okay focal? Only, I now had a pair of focals. Duh.

Now, can you guess what I came up with?

Can you?

Can you?

That's right, my first ever lariat~! And, unlike the earrings, it's got just the right weight, drapes beautifully, and is very comfortable to wear! I used two of the faceted agate beads in this as well. And, what can I say, purple is still far from being my favorite color, but I LOVE how it looks combined with the rosy gold of bronze and copper.

STILL, the third BSBP reveal was only a few days off, and I had used neither the focal nor the clasp yet. Nor did I have any idea what to do with them. My problem with the focal, partially, was it's length. Had it been only half an inch shorter, I would have used it horizontally. It would have become a bracelet, or a choker. I kept turning it over, thinking the beautiful pattern with the swirls kinda reminded me of a pretty fish pond with floating plants ... and suddenly I remembered a mixed bag of blue beads I got on last the Kreativ Welt fair, from Creative Beads – containing beautiful crackle beads, faceted beads, and ... itty bitty tiny fish-shaped beads! So this is what happened:

I decided to keep it simple, to let the focal have the spotlight. Luckily I happened to have a mix of faceted Czech beads around in just the right colors to use as accents. I love it for its length, it's something I can wear in winter with a turtle neck sweater, and it wont be all covered up by my scarves. Oh, and, lookit, I even created a pair of matching earrings on the very last second:

The earwires I used were purchased some time ago from Unkamen Supplies, one of my favorite Etsy shops.

NOW I still had to use the clasp ... And I don't usually use toggle clasps. They tend to be a tad bit bigger than what I prefer (I like my jewelry all fine and delicate), and I tend to be suspicious of their ability to really keep necklaces and bracelets closed. I really wanted to do a bracelet for this soup, and there was stuff scattered all about on my desk I had recently ordered, waxed linen cord in a variety of colors, and also copper beads and findings from Bali Beads (the ones I got for the Bead Soup I sent to Susan were so pretty I had to place another order right away, heheh), the farfalle/peanut beads I used for the lariat (from Perlen Paula) and ... looking at the linen cord, and the copper jump rings, I remembered I had been itching to try out Lesley Watt's Double Strand Seed Bead And Jumprings Bracelet tutorial. Check out her Etsy Shop THEA too as well, she creates the most beautiful bronze findings. Anyway, I wasn't sure the technique would work with farfalle beads, but I'm quite pleased with the outcome:


I used up all the purple lampwork spacer beads Susan sent me in this one.


I still got some leftovers, I pulled off these with the remaining pearls and the enameled bead caps on the very last second:

I wanted to show off the pretty color of these bead caps, so I had them point to the front instead of down.


SO, yay, I did beat (bead?) the evil purple mojo. I just realized, purple and blue are colors I usually only ever think of combining with silver. But I really rather like what they look with copper, brass and especially bronze. 

What I didn't use (yet) are four more agate beads, the beaded bead, and the sari ribbon. I've got plans though, so hopefully there will be "seconds" at some point. ;D

Thank you for stopping by, and please take some time to take a look at what the other participants of this Blog Hop created with the bead soup they received from their partner.




Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming
Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones
Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'
Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage
Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads
Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations
Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog
Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash
Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents
Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory
Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen
Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle, Jasper Gems
Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space
Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're

Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry
Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog
Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure

Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous
Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda
Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation, Art Food Lodging
Hannah Annear, Squintessential
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier

Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs
Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels
Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads

Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen
Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home
Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz

Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show
Klaudette Koon, Only Road
Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities
Laurie Lalonde, HourGlass Studio
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures

Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN
Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops

Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio
Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival

Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts
Natalie McKenna, grubbi
Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color
Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Penny Neville, Copper Penny
Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs

Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry 
Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog
Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog
Sally Anderson, Wild Sally Road
Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe

Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stephanie Dixon, The Dixon Chick
Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads

Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs
Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created
Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo 
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs





50 comments:

  1. Delightful.A challenge and a half I think with all the goings on LOL.Love and hugs Tanya

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  2. Great way to overcome the purple phobia!!

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  3. Wow what a great batch of work! That lariat is fabulous :) and the bracelet looks great :) I love purple, but haven't made any purple jewelry for myself... that said, I'd be hard pressed NOT to keep those earrings for myself if I were you ;) Those bead caps look so lovely turned to show off the colors :)

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  4. Wowza -- you did a great job with all the pieces and congrats on your first lariat!

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  5. I love that you took earrings that didn't work and made a lariat with them! Very creative!

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  6. Love what you did with your ingredients! Deryn teaches for me at Vivi Magoo Presents.com ~ Don't you just love her!?! I love your "focals" and your lariat ;o}

    The best part of BSBP is stepping outside our comfort zone! You did an excellent job!

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  7. Fantastic clever ideas, those fist earrings and necklace look incredible. I also love the long bead dangle in the second set

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  8. I love that lariat! It looks amazing, you transformed the earrings in a great way! I love the photo too, the necklace looks like an arabic decoration, I would love to wear it! The bracelet is gorgeous too!!

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  9. You are a design star! Your lariat is pure genius. Love your take on Lesley's tute. The focal necklace truly shows the beauty of the focal. You are amazing to not only create such gorgeous pieces, but also with all that you had going on!

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  10. I love the colors and your pieces turned out great!!!

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  11. Nice transformation of the earrings to the lariat. Good luck in your new home.

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  12. I really love the designs you came up with. What a brilliant solution with the first lariat, and it's a gorgeous piece.

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  13. I have to admit that I wasn't a fan of purple but when you put it with copper or brass the story changes. I love that lariat!

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  14. I love the bracelet from Lesley's tutorial - I really HAVE to try that design - it looks so good every time i see it! And your lariat is so clever! Great use of your soup!

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  15. Yes, I do believe you conquered the purples. The lariat is ingenious. What a pretty design. In fact, all of your designs are quite pretty!!

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  16. I love everything you made, but that lariat is just fabulous! I'm so glad you figured out a way to turn those earrings into the lariat!

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  17. Cool designs and wire work! Great job!

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  18. I love the first earrings!
    ciao dall'Italia

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  19. lariat is great, congratulations!

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  20. You did a great job for someone who says they don't like purple! The focal was perfect for a tassel (I love tassels) and the bracelet is awesome. You did well!

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  21. I love everything you made, Sandra! The lariat turned out perfect and I do love the tassel and the bracelet. I'll have to check out Lesley's tutorial again!

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  22. You know, the first pair of earrings looks good, but included into a lariat it's just awsome!! i really love what you did with those dangles hihih
    and the bracelet, ohh well: it's a greatd esign, i love the way you used the materials!!
    I love the other pieces too, they're adorable!!

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  23. What a great reuse of your earring designs! I know exactly what you mean about discovering they're too heavy to wear after you've finished them! But they work so well at the ends of your lariat! It looks like they were made specifically for that! How cool!

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  24. If I had moved before BSBP I definitely would have lost my soup, so bravo for making it in time! Love the bead cap earrings and the lariat.

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  25. Love what you did with the purples! They are all wonderful! My faves are the first pair of earrings - too cool!

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  26. You did really well, considering you weren't really into the purple, lol. I love the first set of earrings the absolute best, gorgeous. ;-)

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  27. You made so many beautiful pieces! Can't decide which one I like best :)

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  28. Wow, you worked the purple!! I love the inventiveness how you made the earrings first and then made them into a lovely lariat necklace. Fantastic!!! How you found time to make all the other things too. Amazing!!!

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  29. So lucky to be partnered with Sue Beads, I love her lamp work beads. Beautiful designs!!!

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  30. Congrats on slaying the evil dragon, Purple, and proving you can be inventive in ANY colour, Sandra. I thought your "earrings-into-focals" was particularly amazing!

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  31. Beautiful soup!! Think the lariat is my favorite but it's hard to choose since you have such beautiful and different designs :)

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  32. Excellent designs. I am not usually drawn to lariats, but yours is scrumptious. All of your jewelry is great.

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  33. All very lovely pieces. I especially like your first ever lariat :)

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  34. Love what you made. That lariat is fantastic and the bracelet with the farfalles is really nice. Great job!

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  35. Color me inspired ... love all of your designs!!!
    You did a Soup-erb job with your soup!

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  36. I'm so glad you showed us how the earrings became the lariat - bravo!! I think you will be a purple convert, all this lovely purple around. Great job

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  37. I've spent so much time exploring the links you referenced! Now I have new jewelry stuff to try out. I love what you've created. That bracelet is really pretty. I am a blue and purple gal, so I find myself pairing them will all sorts of metals. You did a great job pushing yourself and creating a bunch. Love it!

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  38. I really like your lariat looking bracelet with all the texture. But what a great job with your first piece. I love all the wire-wrapping on those earrings. And then when they didn't work as earrings you turned them into that great lariat necklace. What a great job.

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  39. great job you did with your soup! the earrings are my favorite.. i love labradorit!
    greets
    jacqueline

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  40. Wonderful! I think those last earrings are my favs - so sweet!

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  41. Very exotic looking, everything makes me think of far flung romantic vactions. Very creative. Great Job!

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  42. Very exotic looking, everything makes me think of far flung romantic vactions. Very creative. Great Job!

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  43. Very nice designs, great job!

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  44. Interesting designs, lovely colors, nicely done!

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  45. Beautiful! Love how you transformed the earrings into the lariat! The necklace with the long focal is lovely too.

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  46. Great idea transforming the earrings into a beautiful lariat necklace! All of your pieces are lovely!!

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