Sunday, June 20, 2010

Bead Soup Reveal

I joined the Bead Soup Party a bit hesitantly because I am mostly just a dabbler who only sells when people approach me and ask about something I'm wearing.  However, I jumped in to give myself a challenge and to push myself to learn a few new things.  My partner is Marcie Abney from La Bella Joya, and as she pointed out in a post, we are strangely suited for each other - we both seed bead and we are both Spanish teachers.  Marcie sent a bead soup package in a fantastic colorway.  I took my cue from the copper clasp and got to work with pliers, hammer, and patina. 
I have been on a quest to learn to make very simple beaded beads and this provided the perfect opportunity.  I stitched up a beaded bead using circular peyote to cover a wooden ball and I made an octahedron from 4mm beads and seed beads.  Coming home from a dog walk one morning, I found a length of heavy gauge copper wire in the street in front of my house and decided to use it instead of searching for copper washers as I had planned.  From the wire I made hammered loops.  I also made the copper jump rings used to form the little bit of chain I used.  All this was subjected to patina gel from Cool Tools and tumbled.  In the necklace there is also a bead I made from a stack of pale green buttons.  All these pieces were assembled to show off the pretty resin pendant made by Marcie.
Some copper work, the octahedron bead, the stack o'buttons bead
That octahedron beaded bead sure looks like a World Cup tribute bead!

Here are today's partiers: 

14. Jen, Jen Judd Rocks

15. Kella, Me But a Little More In Depth

16. Emanda, Artemisia Studio

17. Marie, Skye Jewels

18. Loretta, Designs By Loretta

19. Stacy, Sissy and Jack's

20. Joanna, Filcowe

21. Diane, Diane Hawkey

22. Marianna, Pretty Shiny Things

23. Anna, The Laughing Raven

24. Marcie, La Bella Joya

25. Lois, You have just read this one
You have just read this one
26. Jayne, Mama's Got To Doodle

Thanks Lori for a great experience.  What fun I've had preparing and looking around at all the talented beaders blog.

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55 comments:

  1. steufelJune 20, 2010 at 5:45 AM

    What a beautiful piece! Love it. regards Stefanie

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  2. KellaJune 20, 2010 at 6:06 AM

    Oh my! Oh my! What a beautiful piece you have created. I love your beaded beads and also what you have done with the found piece of scrap copper. Your instincts were spot on, the piece is very wantable ;)

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  3. Lorelei EurtoJune 20, 2010 at 7:47 AM

    Hi Lois! Wonderful soup you got to work with! I think you did a great job with these! Love that green!

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  4. ReginaJune 20, 2010 at 7:55 AM

    Wow! What a wonderful necklace, there is so much to feel and see. You are officially no longer a dabbler! Bravo on a great design and a beauty of a necklace.

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  5. EB Bead and Metal Works, LLCJune 20, 2010 at 8:31 AM

    Sweet piece! I love your copper links and how everything came together!

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  6. Marcie Abney CarrollJune 20, 2010 at 8:54 AM

    Ay mi amiga!! Que bien hiciste! Me gustan muchisimo tus beaded beads y felicidades por hacerlos. Debes tener orgullo de este pedazo. Es increible de veras. Gracias por hacer mi colgante un precioso pedazo de joyeria! Cuidate!

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  7. Lois MoonJune 20, 2010 at 9:49 AM

    Thank you all for your encouragement.

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  8. moonlitfantaseasJune 20, 2010 at 9:51 AM

    I love this! it is definitely my colors, love copper and greens! love the beaded beads, the whole this is just great and the way you put it all together, wow!

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  9. CathrynJune 20, 2010 at 10:18 AM

    You were given a wonderful gift with your talent! This is simply a stunning piece of art! I love how you incorporated the copper and the green into a peaceful yet striking necklace that whispers quietly, "Wear me."

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  10. Spirited EarthJune 20, 2010 at 10:44 AM

    this is my kind of necklace something i would wear all the time. your stitched beads are amazing..beautiful work

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  11. MagsJune 20, 2010 at 11:03 AM

    Colors, materials; beautiful. The avoidance of deliberate symmetry creates a spiritual and visual balance.
    You've been growing to this insight for several months-years.
    A lovely celebration of women - strong yet feminine and natural.

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  12. AnonymousJune 20, 2010 at 11:13 AM

    It is beautiful, I love the soft green colour with the copper!

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  13. Juli CannonJune 20, 2010 at 11:22 AM

    Serene and elegant~ beautiful design and combination of elements, and the long dangle for the focal is excellent. Love it.

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  14. diane hawkeyJune 20, 2010 at 11:37 AM

    that looks great. You have a wonderful sense of design.

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  15. elisabeth June 20, 2010 at 12:43 PM

    Love the green and copper, and really like how your necklace follows a pattern but doesn't look like it (if that makes sense :-))

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  16. Anna LearJune 20, 2010 at 12:48 PM

    The colors are so soothing, yet the copper warms the piece up just enough to make it really stand out -- and I just love the beaded and the stacked-button beads! You are most definitely way beyond "dabbling." Great piece!

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  17. AquariartJune 20, 2010 at 12:48 PM

    Sleek design and I love the addition of your beaded beads- they pick up the white in the pendant! Nice job!

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  18. Marie CrampJune 20, 2010 at 12:56 PM

    Fantastic piece!! I love the copper and green mixed!! How on earth does copper wire just appear at the perfect time, right when you need it?? lol that is amazing, I love that you included it in your story :)

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  19. MegilonJune 20, 2010 at 12:56 PM

    I love the clasp! The piece is stunning and your beaded bead worked great in the piece. Very attractive necklace!

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  20. TyneJune 20, 2010 at 1:09 PM

    So pretty. Love the colors you received.

    I'm a new follower.

    tynebodennecklaces.blogspot.com

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  21. Lois MoonJune 20, 2010 at 1:11 PM

    I'm fairly certain that the copper wire literally fell off a truck. It was in the street, in front of the house, and had been run over enough that the plastic coating was coming off. It saved me a trip to the hardware store. In my little town (only about 16,000 people in the county and under 5,000 in town)the man at the hardware store is really confused by my purchases. One day it is 3 gauges of copper wire, the next it is a machete (for vine control), then I'm asking him about tiny steel parts which of course I don't use for their intended purpose. On top of it, I'm a Yankee in a very southern small town. The metal gods do provide!

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  22. ChristineJune 20, 2010 at 2:21 PM

    Wow, this is really beautiful! I love the soft green with copper, and I love the way you used the copper rings. Pretty!

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  23. Amy FJune 20, 2010 at 2:34 PM

    Love the colors! That pendant is CUTE!

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  24. RebeccaJune 20, 2010 at 2:52 PM

    Oh wow, I think this might be my favourite of the day! I love the cool, calm colour scheme and I LOVE the seed bead elements. What a lovely piece!

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  25. Pretty ThingsJune 20, 2010 at 3:38 PM

    The octahedron bead is amazing! I wish I knew how to do things like that. And the many textures and color shades in this are just perfect. Fantastic!

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  26. JoJune 20, 2010 at 4:20 PM

    Where do I start?! The leaf clasp is just beautiful, the pendant lovely, and the buttons a fantastic idea. I love it!

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  27. LisaJune 20, 2010 at 4:30 PM

    Love the colors chosen. This is incredibly beautiful!

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  28. Jennifer CameronJune 20, 2010 at 4:37 PM

    this is a beautiful necklace and one I would wear all the time! You did an awesome job!

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  29. LorettaJune 20, 2010 at 4:46 PM

    That is beautiful. I love the colors.

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  30. EmandaJJune 20, 2010 at 5:10 PM

    Lois, my dear, you are far above a "dabbler" What an exquisite necklace. I hope we will be seeing more of your lovely work!

    Emanda

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  31. cindydolezaldesignsJune 20, 2010 at 6:27 PM

    Sounds like me, picking up pieces on a walk to use in my jewelry. I love to go to the hardware store and ask for something and they ALWAYS say, "What would you use it for" so they know where to send me. I always say I don't know what other people use it for, I'm using it in jewelry making. They just look at you funny.

    LOVE this necklace. The stack o'buttons bead - inspirational.

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  32. VanBeadsJune 20, 2010 at 6:47 PM

    That is one gorgeous asymmetrical necklace! Love those colors, and I love the beaded beads - I could spend all day stitching those things up. Lovely piece with the copper!

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  33. MariekeJune 20, 2010 at 7:04 PM

    Nice, very very nice :)

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  34. LaurelJune 20, 2010 at 7:17 PM

    Really lovely! You got all the disparate elements working together marvelously well!

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  35. Karyn June 20, 2010 at 8:18 PM

    Wow what a gorgeous focal and claps. I love what you have created here... it has a real serene feel to it.

    Karyn

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  36. AnonymousJune 20, 2010 at 8:46 PM

    Beautiful piece...just love the long drop in the front ;)

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  37. UnknownJune 20, 2010 at 10:44 PM

    green & copper is one of my favourite combinations. this is really beautiful, (possibly my fave so far, shhh, don't tell anyone ;) )

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  38. UnknownJune 20, 2010 at 11:24 PM

    Wow you have created a really wonderful Necklace here! very very nice! I think this is just splendid!!!!

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  39. MariannaJune 21, 2010 at 12:11 AM

    wow! Beautiful work this is gorgeous!

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  40. Denise Yezbak MooreJune 21, 2010 at 1:09 AM

    Wow - I love the way you created your own beads! They are beautiful. The design and colors are awesome! Great job.

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  41. Carol BJune 21, 2010 at 1:12 AM

    I love the colors you received and all the parts you made! The necklace is wonderful!

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  42. KateJune 21, 2010 at 1:49 AM

    Just beautiful, I love your beaded beads too! A wonderful counterpart to the natural green stones. Wonderful piece!

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  43. Barbara BechtelJune 21, 2010 at 6:56 AM

    i love the addition of the seed beaded beads! So pretty. I love the colors!

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  44. DaleJune 21, 2010 at 8:31 AM

    This looks so great! I have never seen seed beads used before to make more beads like that! Lovely, lovely work.

    As well, you are so skilled working with the copper that way. The organic shaping of the rings looks so wonderful. Copper and great is an excellent match too... all in all a lovely, lovely piece here. Great job!!

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  45. KateJune 21, 2010 at 9:33 AM

    Gorgeous piece! I was hesitant too when joining the Party! Hasn't it been SO fun?!

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  46. RedGreenQueenJune 21, 2010 at 9:33 AM

    Just fabulous, really hit the nail on the head there!

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  47. Courtney BreulJune 21, 2010 at 10:07 AM

    I like the colorway! It is a very peaceful necklace.

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  48. Pearl and PebbleJune 21, 2010 at 2:50 PM

    Wow! I love EVERYTHING about this necklace!!! The colors, the design, every single bead.... It is absolutely amazing:) Enjoy!

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  49. TesoriTrovatiJune 21, 2010 at 3:10 PM

    Woohoo! I love this one. From the way you displayed the beads to the challenge you gave yourself, this is a big BRAVO moment. Do more! Thanks for sharing.
    Enjoy the day!
    Erin

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  50. Jen JuddJune 21, 2010 at 7:45 PM

    What a fantastic design, you "dabbler," you...haaaaaa I love that you found some wire on the road and had a reason to use it! And I'm totally motivated to try some beaded beads (or to call Marcie and get some more! haaaaaaa)

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  51. BahamaDawnJune 21, 2010 at 9:17 PM

    super piece!!!love the color combo!

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  52. MichelleJune 21, 2010 at 11:43 PM

    Beautiful colors...this is something I would wear everyday!
    Bead Happy!
    Michelle

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  53. NancyJune 22, 2010 at 6:33 AM

    I love the combination of the copper with the sage green! The addition of the beaded beads just adds something special to this necklace. It is just wonderful!!!

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  54. UnknownJune 24, 2010 at 11:39 AM

    This is delicious! All those yummy greens mixed up with different elements, those beaded beads add the perfect touch!

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  55. PattiJune 30, 2010 at 11:02 AM

    You can never go wrong with copper and green... what a necklace!!! Wonderful!!!

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