Friday, September 16, 2011

It's Bead Soup Party Day!!!

 Today is the big day for the Bead Soup Blog Party! If you haven't read my previous posts and are scratching your head, "what the heck's this crazy lady talkin' 'bout?", here's a link to my Bead Soup Party post to catch you up. Lori Anderson, posted this map on her blog of all the participants locations:
This is a BIG party!!
I was lucky in the partner that I was given for the swap. Geneva Collins, of Torque Story, was very kind and sent lovely beads. Some of the colors and textures were different than what I usually work with, but that's a good thing and part of the reason to participate in the event. Even creative people get stuck in their ruts. Working with materials that you haven't chosen is a fantastic brain stretcher. It's reminds me of when a group of my friends went to get pedicures together and the nail tech suggested that the group choose everyone's individual polish color for them. We ended up with toes we might not have picked out ourselves but were mostly perfect for us. My friend Kathie has been wearing dark purple/black polish on her feet ever since!

Here's the beads that I received from Geneva:


For the first set that I made, I used the focal piece and clasp that she sent, some of the turquoise beads, and some of the silver spacers.

I created big fun silver loops for the turquoise beads in both pieces. My way to insert an MJane detail!
 
Geneva sent so many gorgeous beads that I had plenty left to make a second set. For these I used the light wooden beads she included and added my own silver heishi  spacers and toggle.
I'm really pleased with how this second pair turned out. They're very light and simple. I can see wearing them regularly as "go-to" pieces:

Great fun being part of the Bead Soup Party Blog. Can't wait to do it again!!

40 comments:

  1. Jane, these are so beautiful! I love the oversize loops you made when wrapping the links, and how you doubled the silver beads to make links--I think I'll borrow that idea with the remaining beads I have.

    It was fun playing your beads!

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  2. Gorgeous designs, I love the colours and especially the earrings you made.
    Deb x

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  3. Very cool! I just love those earrings with the big open loop at the bottom! Great work!

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  4. What a beautiful soup you made my friend, your work is truly stunning!! Thanks for sharing & all I can say is yummmmmy!!!

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  5. Both sets turned out very well, and I like the handmade links and earrings you made in the first set. Great job!

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  6. Both sets turned out so pretty. I really like the big loops on the links for the beads. Looks like you hammered them too. Very nice.

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  7. beautiful, your wirework is perfection!

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  8. Beautiful creations! Great wirework!

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  9. Excellent work! I especially like those turquoise earrings.

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  10. Wonderful! You have created several terrific pieces of wearable art. I like your use of color and texture. Thank you for sharing. Cheers!
    Lori

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  11. Love your necklace and earrings! Nice second set as well. How fun to receive so many pretty beads to work with.

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  12. You did a lovely job with these. I especially like the turquoise earrings. What a pretty soup!

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  13. Excellent job! I love those large hammered loops at the bottom of the earrings! And the teal color is awesome!

    I hope you'll join me next time! The badge and dates will be posted tomorrow, the 19th!

    Love, Lori

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  14. Wow, so beautiful! You did a great job!

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  15. Beautiful designs and wirework. I especially like the bracelet and earrings.

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  16. I love that deep teal bracelet with the fantastic spacers. Those earrings would be my go-to pair this fall, too! Lovely design!

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  17. I could totally see wearing both sets (maybe not together) as go-to pieces. They're both fab! However, I really like your first set with the big loops. Those loops are a lot of fun!

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  18. I like it all! But especially the earrings with large hoop at bottom, and the teal colored bracelet and earrings...just stunning work!

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  19. Oh, I'm so drooling over these pieces!!! Love those big silver links with the turquoise. I can tell those teal earrings would be a go to pair for me.
    Great designs on all!!!

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  20. I am so sorry for being so late my computer was resisting too labor intensive:^)Very nice designs.
    Be blessed to be a blessing

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  21. The turquoise and silver necklace is beautiful, but I love the colors and simplicity in the green wood bracelet/earring set - I covet those wood beads! Nice work!

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  22. I'm agreeing with many, those big loops of silver are really fun. Beautiful pieces.

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  23. I just love the colors of your soup mix, and your designs are beautiful - great job! :)

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  24. Those are some gorgeous pieces you put together!

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  25. Love the hammered loops on the earrings and how they tie in with the loops in the necklace..clever.
    jenni

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  26. holy smokes I am lovin' thewire work on that first pair of earrings.& the the next set w/ earrings & bracelt, so cute! you made great stuff

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  27. I instantly fell in love with the earrings.
    Great work!

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  28. Amazing focal on that necklace! Great soup, beautiful creations

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  29. Lovely jewellery! I really like the crisp colour combo and the amount of silver in the necklace. Simple and beautiful!

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  30. Jane, both sets are so classic and lovely! I want to wear it all :)

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  31. Both sets are just gorgeous! I can see grabbing the bracelet when I am on my way to work and the other set for a night out on the town.

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  32. I think both sets turned out just beautifully! I love love the over-sized loops with the turquoise! So gorgeous! And the second set definitely looks like an everyday go to! Gorgeous!

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  33. What a gorgeous focal you had to work with, and what a lovely necklace you made. Actually, it's all beautiful - nice job!

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  34. Your necklace and earrings are just lovely but I am really drawn to the green bracelet and earrings...

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  35. I love the earrings, I would totally wear them. They are simple, elegant and can go with every outfit. Great work!

    Ambra
    (P.S. I like the name of your blog and the explanation you gave!)

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  36. I know what you mean about "go to" pieces. I totally agree. They are defiantly that! And the Turquoise necklace and earrings are amazing. You are one talented designer. You did a Soup-er job on all your pieces!

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  37. Beautiful work. I love the earrings with the big loops! And the wooden bead bracelet and earring set is fun and easy to wear.

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  38. Love your necklace, beautiful focal and I like your design.

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