July 27, 2012

6th Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal

I will warn you busy folks who want to look at pictures and not read the blog that mine is long.... for personal reasons.....   If you want to scroll down and just look at my pictures feel free to do that.  I don't mind at all.  Please do stay if you can and leave comments.


I signed up for the 6th Bead Soup Blog Party because I have been following each one with great interest and it seems 399 other artists felt the same way.  This has become one of the most popular blog hops world wide all because of one kind hearted blogger, author and talented jewelry designer who goes above and beyond to organize it - the wonderful Lori Anderson.  Many thanks for the countless hours of hard work Lori - we love you!  You make this fun, interesting, a learning experience, great way to meet new artists, challenging and of course a huge party.


 My Bead Soup partner was Terry Matuszyk  of Pink Chapeau who for many years collected beautiful vintage jewelry to sell at antique shows and flea markets as well as online.  She transitioned into making her own jewelry which she now sells on Etsy.  Her jewelry is a classy mix of elegant vintage glitz to shiny modern brass with accents of resin and mixed media.


She sent a glorious mix of brass and vintage beads many of which I had never used before.  These pictures show beautiful shades of blue and green beads  which were carefully tagged as to what they were and where they came from.  I was able to use every type of bead sent except the vintage embedded lucite cabs simply because I do not have my stash of seed beads with me at the moment.  Isn't this a gorgeous Soup mix?
Notice the beautiful jewelry box that Terry included as well.  I certainly had no complaints about all the green beads as it is my favorite color.  But the color of that Sari silk - Wow!  I say Wow!  She has a good eye for color and I had no problem wondering which beads would go with what. 
Sari silk - B'sue Boutiques
Brass pieces - B'sue Boutiques
Vintage embedded Lucite cabs - B'sue Boutiques
Vintage Cobalt beads - A Grain of Sand
Blue glass teardrops - Fire Mountain Gems
Vintage metal Beads - A Grain of Sand
Green Aventurine - Fire Mountain Gems
Rough Cut tumbled Jasper - Fire Mountain Gems
Vintage focals purchased in an auction lot: 1950 Japanese ceramic bead,
vintage semiprecious blue gogo, vintage millefiori gogo


First and foremost a BSBP is supposed to be a challenge!  That is why we sign up - to stretch our jewelry making and artistic abilities and to learn new things from what our Bead partner sends.  

I am in the process of moving - still not moved - and my plan was to return to Alberta, pick up my package from the post office, visit with family for 2 weeks then return to BC and get to work on my bead soup creation.   It didn't work out that way - thus another challenge.  I had some beads here and there but my stash was limited.  Thank goodness my partner sent a great assortment of beads.  

 Sometimes when things are going well, life has other plans.  On July 12th we were given our biggest challenge - the hardest one yet.  My daughter's boyfriend was killed and we have been trying to help her through this tragedy. You can read about that on my previous blog which I posted to help heal a bit. 

 I do not want to dwell on that today as this day is all about BEADS.  I do want to say that Lori very kindly offered to let me postpone my reveal date but I'm glad I told her No, I need to do this for me.  This has been therapeutic for me and I'm glad I did it. 
YAY - I did it!  It was a lot of fun too!
So here are my pictures:

I fell in love with a 1950 Japanese ceramic focal bead in green and blue so wire wrapped two lovely olive lampwork beads and a czech glass bead from my stash.  I wanted to use the vintage semiprecious blue gogo as my front clasp and felt that the tiny green seed beads were a perfect contrast.  I wired them to attach the Gogo.   For the toggle bar, I decided to break up the brass leaf clasp set - I like breaking rules!  I used a section of brass ox chain from my soup and  olive sari silk that I had on hand.  To finish off, I tied little czech glass briolette bundles onto brass rings.



I knew exactly what I wanted to do for this bracelet and it came together easily.  I used three green Aventurine with silver spacers and a large vintage metal bead as a focal from my soup with topaz and palace green czech glass.   I never like to be too matchy so added three Afghan Green Jade on the other side to add a different shade of green.  I added green chain that was in the soup and used the silver clasp with tiny green crystals.  I had to use waxed linen for stringing as that is all I had.  I added a rhinestone and czech glass dangle.  


The leaf pendant is the other half of the brass clasp and it seemed like it wanted to be a pendant not a clasp.  Luckily I had a lucite olive green leaf which looked nice once I got it placed at the right angle.  I wire wrapped rough tumbled jasper (I love those) and some sweet little jade pillows that I had - except now I think they are too smooth and the color doesn't like to show up in a picture.  I added a green enamel connector and some chain and dangles I had.  The rest is from my soup:  individual brass connectors top left, brass leaves with tiny green glass pearls.  This necklace gave me the most problems to make but I stuck with it.  
Millefiori and the Wow Sari 


I love holding this vintage millefiori up to the light and catching the beautiful turquoise teal blue and green colors.  I decided a simple strung necklace would show off this focal so strung transparent teal seed beads into a shepherd's knot and  picked out teal and green czech beads, blue tear drops and a few from my own stash.  I finished it off with that Wow Sari silk - don't you think it's Wow Sari too?  The colors make me happy.



This bracelet took me literally about half an hour to make.  I was saving those gorgeous vintage cobalt beads and brass bead caps to go with the vintage metal beads in a bracelet.  I didn't want to overpower it with too many as they are rather on the heavy side.  I grabbed the filigree and layered it, added a cobalt czech glass bead and made a flower wire coil and some dangles.  I tried it on hoping it wouldn't be off balance and it fit perfect and didn't slide around - Score!

I even made a pair of ear rings using the same gorgeous cobalt vintage beads - added my own ear wires, dangly parts etc.  Haven't been making many ear rings.  Maybe I will now.  If you care to leave comments, I promise to answer each one.  I love comments!

So enough about me - now go visit all the other talented Blog Hop designers 

56 comments:

Anonymous said...

OH my gosh, Katherine, I am so in love with everything you made. Amazing!! So clever the way you made the blue toggle, and used the other half of the toggle for a focal. Although I love them all, I am a sucker for bright colors, so I really am drawn to the final necklace, and the green bracelet. I'm so glad you were able to find the time to make so many beautiful things. The cobalt beads look fantastic with those bead caps, too. The green necklace is fantastic, and I have to say, when I saw the first one, I thought that it looked exactly like something I would make :) Well done on all counts. You made my beads sing!!! Warm hugs,
Terry

aneri_masi said...

The last bracelet and earrings are my fav of the lot. The earrings...darling ones!

Unknown said...

Oh I want to thank you so so much.Goosebumps as I read along.Thank you so much for your sharing.Your awesome way of putting things together also shows how you can heal and walk tall.
Love and hugs to you
And thank you again
Tanya

Leah Curtis said...

Thank you for sharing, Terra! I admire you for soldiering on and pushing your creative boundaries with all that's happening in your life. Your creations are beautiful and genuine - so pleased to see!

coffeeaddict said...

Totally awesome!

Unknown said...

You did an amazing work working with what you had, dear <3

Therese's Treasures said...

Hi Katherine,
Wow I do believe this therapeutic session worked well for you, everyone of your pieces are gorgeous! I love them all, but my favorite is the bracelet and earrings with the cobalt blue beads and the first necklace with the blue Gogo clasp and green silk ribbon.

Kathleen Lange Klik said...

What an amazing collection! You really made excellent use of your soup. My favorites are the first two necklaces-I am in love with the design elements of both!

CraftyHope said...

Let me start by saying that I am so sorry for you and your daughter's loss. But, I'm so very glad you took the Bead Soup challenge as an opportunity for therapy. I hope the meditative motions of working with beads helped start to heal your soul.
You got to start with some really amazing beads and your creations turned out beautifully. I especially love the last bracelet and earring set. The metal flower as well as those cool cobalt beads just sing out to me for some reason. Overall, you made some really stunning pieces.

AWJewelry said...

Wow! I love everything you made!

Cornerstoregoddess said...

There's so much cool stuff here I don't even know where to start. I LOVE how you combined elements, and the gemstones work so well. The acorns are TDF. And what a lovely way to show off that millefiori bead. Big wow~

Unknown said...

the first & third pieces are my faves, beautiful work.

Jean A. Wells said...

I am glad you had the inner wisdom to know that you needed a deadline to make you plow through your personal tragedies. Your decision to go forward was a good one. The pieces you created are inspired. You mentioned that you did not have all your supplies with you - when we go on vacation, I usually pack an emergency bead stash kit and I have found that some of my best work has been when I had limited supplies and had to use what I had. Everything is beautiful.

I am sorry for your loss. Let the healing begin. Great job!

Lori Anderson said...

First, I think of you every day -- when you messaged me about your SIL I was heartbroken. I still would REALLY like to do something to help if there's anything at all I can do. Even if it's just an ear.

Second, I love the way you worked with your soup and I'm glad it was all pretty much new to you!

And third, I'm so touched by what you said about me and the blog party. I'm constantly overwhelmed and amazed at how this blog hop has been received, and how it's turned into what it has, and I hope you'll come again in Jan/Feb!

Jean Katherine Baldridge said...

You make very beautiful pieces.
I am sending hugs to you and your daughter and lots of light and
healing hugs.
jean yates

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

I am so very, very sorry for your family's loss...there really are no words so I am sending your prayers. Your pieces are really beautiful...I particularly love the last pic of the bracelet and earrings! Take care!

Anonymous said...

You add your components together in unexpected ways. I love the leave bracelet. I'm really glad that the Bead Soup gave you something positive to give you a break from your family's heartache--we can support others so much more if we make sure to take care of ourselves also. Thank you for the inspiration.

Unknown said...

What a blessing to have these beautiful beads to work on during your heartache. You did an outstanding job, each piece done with such care and each piece as beautiful as the next. I have always loved earrings and these are stunning along with everything else! Great job! Prayers...

JEnny said...

I am so sorry for the loss in your family - your extended family. I hope time will soothe and heal the loss for you all.

You have made lovely pieces with your soup, and perhaps the timing was serendipitous - to give you an obligation to focus on and a respite from sorrow. Thank you for sharing.

The Creative Klutz said...

Wow!! Amazing pieces - I love the bracelets (I'm such a bracelet fan - I need longer arms lol) ... those blue beads are such an interesting shape, like acorns almost =)
So sorry for your family's loss xx

Karyn B said...

Your pieces are amazing, and I'm so glad they brought you some joy during such a difficult time in your family's life. I love the way you split up the toggle, and your beaded bails are SO cool. Beautiful work!

Shirley said...

Sweetie, I'm so sorry for your loss, and will keep you in my prayers. I'm glad you chose to make your soup, all your pieces are gorgeous! I really love the leaf necklace, and the earrings. Big Hugs!

ChristinaMarieH said...

Your pieces are beautiful! I love the mix of old and new and the colors are all very pretty.

Unknown said...

Working and beading can be so healing - I'm glad you decided to just put one foot in front of the other and move forward. It's never easy. I know I've had a hard time concentrating myself - surgery for me on Monday - followed my a second three weeks later...it was good to have the Bead Soup to concentrate on. Your work turned out wonderfully - but then from good people comes good work...

Unknown said...

Such gorgeous pieces! I also am in love with the cobalt pieces.
Thanks for sharing your emotional story. Blogging can be great thereapy...but know how hard those stories are to write when someone you love is hurting.

Unknown said...

Sorry...that should be.. I know not.. but know*

Unknown said...

What a stunning array of beautiful pieces! That was a lot of soup to work with and you worked it well.

Anonymous said...

Simply stunning - I couldn't pick a favorite, they're all wonderful!

There are no adequate words, but I'm so sorry for your loss.

Shai Williams said...

I am so glad that you decided to continue with the reveal as you have some truly wonderful pieces. I really love those earring as they are so something that I would wear.

Vivi Magoo said...

Such a tragic story....My prayers are with your daughter, her children, Charlie and the rest of your family.

Your pieces are beautiful! Created with much heart and soul....I'm sure prayers were woven into each fabulous creation....

I will continue to pray for you all....

Cheryl said...

So sorry to hear of all the challenges you've been facing. I'm sure this bead challenge and the hop has helped get your mind off things at least for a little while. Your designs are fantastic! I love the way you changed the toggles using them in unexpected ways. You and your family will be in my thoughts.

The Joyful Gem said...

You rose to the occasion - amazing and talented woman. Share your strength and talent (and love) with your family. Peace Your work expresses all of that - breathtakingly beautiful

AntiquityTravelers said...

I love the vintage look of all your pieces ... but that deep cobalt blue is my fav - can't take my eyes off those beads - gorgeous! I would wear those last earrings everyday!

Alice said...

Katherine, first let me express my sympathy for the passing of your daughter's boyfriend. I pray for healing and peace for both families.

The bead soup you received is just fabulous! And you certainly did it justice. Each and every piece you made is beautiful! Of course those colors are my favorite, but you put them together so nicely.


Bravo!

A Polymer Penchant said...

Very impressive work, both in resulting pieces and the fortitude to just keep moving forward, in whatever ways you can. Beautiful in all ways. thinking of your family

WindDancerStudios said...

I love the cobalt pieces! I'm so glad you had this/us to give you something else to focus on for a time while you and your family grieve. I believe it is the greatest gift our beads give us. May you all find peace during this time.

Unknown said...

Wonderful work!
I really love the blue earrings and the blue bracelet!

Anonymous said...

The bracelet and the earrings are my favourites, but they are all fantastic!

LeeLu Creations said...

Beautiful! I especially love the earrings.

Niky Sayers said...

Such beautiful designs, I love what you did with the very first necklace, the briolettes are a fantastic touch and that earring and bracelet set at the end are just wow!

Rachel said...

I am so sorry for your daughter's loss and I am glad you found some relief in making your bead soup pieces. Thank you for sharing with all of us!

kimmykats said...

Katherine your work is absolutely beautiful. The different color combinations kept me entranced with my nose right up to the screen so I could see every detail.
Bless you and your family.

kjramstack said...

I love the color scheme in the first necklace. The greens and blues remind me of a lush forest with a trickling stream running through.

Kim at Vitamin C said...

Love your asymmetrical style and the way you mix unexpected things together. Each of your pieces is very nice!

KayzKreationz said...

All great pieces. I especially love the first necklace with the silks and the 2nd necklace with the rest of the clasp as the focal. Very pretty.
So sorry to hear about your family's loss.

Jami aka DaMamaShipp said...

I am glad you found healing in the beading and stuck with the challenge - you have blessed up all with your beautiful work - thanks for sharing! I am sorry for your loss and will pray for your daughter and the family.

Lupe Meter said...

What a yummy bead soup!! You did a fabulous job with it...love your beautiful creations!

Becky Pancake said...

Awesome!!! all of your pieces are unique & inspiring. But that cobalt has to top my list. I'm sorry for your loss & I just want to say time will help you heal. I am speaking from experience I lost my husband last fall.

Pepita said...

Beautiful pieces, all of them!
I'm so sorry for your loss, please accept my condolences.

TJewellicious by tanti said...

Love your creations..! Great work..! :)

Sandra said...

Firstly, I am so sorry for your loss. What a terrible tragedy. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

And through all, you made such beautiful pieces.

Wishing you strength and peace.

Giorgia Rossini said...

love all your pieces, so beautiful!
ciao dall'Italia

Dragonfly Close said...

Wow, you made soooo many pieces! You just kept going and going like the energizer bunny! And each one was so beautiful! Some times we just need our beads as therapy. You really did some good work, too. Warm wishes and prayers to you and your entire family.

baymoondesign said...

Your ear wires are wonderful. I love all of your pieces. They are wonderful. I am sorry for your loss and I hope that you and your daughter are coping and moving forward with good memories.

Alicia said...

Katherine - these are all beautiful, beautiful pieces. Can't pick a favourite - they are all goregous.
I love the colours, I love the media mix, I love the texture on the metals - isn't it nice when you can make your own findings?

Love and hugs, may you and your family find peace. God bless you and your loved ones!

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