Bead Soup Blog Party August Reveal 2012

Today is the big day. The day I get to show you all the wonderful pieces I created with the Bead Soup I received from Melissa Meman. I am thrilled with all the pieces I received from Melissa. I have already decided I am going to keep the necklace and earrings for myself. I apologize to Melissa because I don't think my before photos do her work justice. Here is a quick reminder of the Soup Melissa sent my way.

So off we go...Taaa Daaaa......
Let's start with the necklace

Focal pendant created by Melissa Meman

I decided very quickly in the design process that I had to include the Czech glass beads with the focal Melissa sent me. The shape of the Czech glass beads had the same shape of the focal piece. Carrying this shape into the design of the necklace was a definite. The only slight dilemma was that these cute little glass beads had double holes. I worked out that dilemma fairly quickly and I am very happy with the end result.

My new love is patina'd copper. The patina color is just scrumptious! So I patina'd the rondelles Melissa included. I patina'd my own jump rings and the copper wire I used. I thought Melissa's handmade toggle clasp was too pretty to use on the necklace. I have a lot of hair and the clasp is simply not going to be seen so I used one of my own handmade, less ornate toggle clasps.

Patina'd rondelles and jump rings. Enameled metal beads created by Melissa Meman.

Patina'd copper wire and jump rings. A jump ring bead surrounded by amethyst stones.

Enameled metal bead created by Melissa with an amethyst stone.

My own handmade toggle clasp. Textured and patina'd.

 My new necklace! I LOVE it!

Melissa sent along some other Czech glass beads that I couldn't figure out how to work into the necklace. The colors just weren't working with the rest of the pieces in my eyes. What to do? I think my solution was rather amusing because I ended up creating a bracelet by adding a couple of lampwork beads very similar to the beads I sent to Melissa in her bead soup. After I had sent Melissa's soup to her I realized that I loved those beads, so I made a couple of more beads for myself. I had intended to make a pair of earrings with them. Now they live in this bracelet. The beads work so well with the red Czech glass beads. I added some of my own work, more jump rings, viking knit and this is where I decided to use Melissa's lovely toggle clasp, which I did add patina too.

The beautiful toggle clasp created by Melissa Meman

Lampwork beads by Ema Kilroy. Patina'd rondelles and jump rings.

Viking knit by Ema Kilroy. Czech glass beads received in my Bead Soup.

The completed bracelet

I still had some pieces from Melissa's soup left over. I decided a pair of earrings to match my new necklace would be perfect. I went with a very simple design using the enameled beads and a couple of amethyst stones Melissa sent. The enameled beads are mismatched, different colors and slightly different sizes but I was feeling a little risque. I think they work. And I'm willing to bet no one will ever realize the difference. After all there is a good 5 or 6 inches separating that pair of earrings (otherwise known as my head).  ;)

Lastly, with a few bits left over (a few amethyst stones and one large enameled bead), it didn't take long for me to figure out what to do with them. I added some of my new metal work as a focal for a bracelet, more lampwork beads and jump rings to create another bracelet. I am amazed at how perfectly the colors from all the different pieces just fell together.  

It has a been a very creative day and I enjoyed every minute of it. It was a pleasure pulling these designs together by combining my own work with Melissa's soup. Working with Melissa's pieces was so easy! Melissa was so generous, she also sent a package of enameled metal beads as a gift to me. I will be creating another blog post to show what I am going to do with these. I already have design ideas.

Now I'm off to see what Melissa created with all the components I sent to her. You can find out too, just stop by Melissa's blog. Before I begin hopping please allow me to say thank you to Melissa for sending along such a wonderful Bead Soup.

Many, many thanks to Lori Anderson for hosting this wonderful event. This the 6th Bead Soup Blog Party Lori has hosted and it is no small task to take on.

Here is a list of all the other artisans participating in this round of Bead Soup and the August 11th reveal. Stop by their blogs and give them kudos for all their beautiful work.

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Adlinah Kamsir, Dream Struck Designs

Adrienn Lukacs, Raszputyin Designs

Agata Grygiel, Cytherea Bijoux 

Alenka Obid, Pepita Handmade 

Amy Dickerson, Damyjo Designs 

Amy Schmidt, Amy's Treasure 

Amy Severino, Amy Beads 

Ana Krepel, Cat's Pajamas, Dog's Tuxedos

Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey

Andrea Trank, Heaven Lane Creations

Anke Humpert, Anart Island Studios

Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye

April Grinaway, Brooklyn Bead Goddess 

Ashley Bunting, Miss Ashely Kate 

Astrid Boyce, Astrid Boyce Beads 

B.R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem Studios 

Barb Fernald, Barbara S. Fernald Jewelry 

Barbe Saint John, Saints and Sinners

Beata Benkone Meggyesi, Beahobbi

Brandy McNair, Bella Vita Handmade Jewelry 

 Bryna Lumb, Bryna's Bead Box

Carmen Lau, Little Maketto

Cate van Alphen, Fulgorine

Cathie Carroll, Cathie Carroll's Studio

Cathy Khoury, Touch Jewelry 

Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads 

 Collette Collins, Fire Fly Myst Artisan Jewelry

Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul 

Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons

Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures

Deana Hager, Just Deez'Art & Life

Debbie Davis, Natural Treasures by Deb

Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing

Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That

Dhea Powers, Java Bead

Diana Welte, Lilyweeds

Dita Basu, alankarshilpa

Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas 

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Eleanor Snare, The Magic Square Foundation

Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals

Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs

Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant

Eva Sherman, Eva Sherman Designs

Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead and Metal Works

Francy Inman, Francy's Studio

Ginger Bishop, lilmummy likes...

Giorgia Rossini, Jo in Wonderland

Ine Vande Cappelle, Jewels by Ine 

Iveth Caruso, Creative Atelier 

JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions

Jackie Ryan, Kydo Jewellery

Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog

Jelveh Jaferian, Jelveh Designs

Jenna Tomalka, Twin Birch Studio

Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Beads

Jennifer Van Horn, Jennifers Jewels and Junk

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Johanna Rhodes-Nash, Fire Phoenix Creations 

 Joyce Blair, Bent Wire West Coast

JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin

Karen Vincent, Swallow Tail Jewellery

Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads

Kayla Potega, The Eclectic Element 

Kim Dworak, CianciBlue

Krafty Max, Krafty Max Originals

Kris Lanae Binsfeld, Cherish Designs by Kris Lanae

Kristen Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs

Kumi Fisher, Malie Kai Designs

Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs

Lennis Carrier, Windbent

Leslie Wayment, AA Beads & More

Linda Florian, Lilys of the Valley Jewelry Creations

Linda Murphy, Bonita Bead

Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders

Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures

Lisa Sittniewski, Love, Yesterdays

Lois Moon, Que Onda, Q'Town?

Lola Surwillo, Bead Lola Bead

Lorelei Eurto, Lorelei's Blog

Lori Bowring Michaud, Artfully Ornamental

Lori Callahan, Dancing Wire and Beads by Lori

Lori Finney, Using My Beads

Marcia Dunne, The Alternative Foundry

Margareta Saari, Mags-koruja

Maria Horvath, Horimarika Beads

Marian Hertzog, M's Place

 Mary Ellen Parker, BeeTree by m.e.

Mary K McGraw, MK's Creative Musings

MaryLou Holvenstot, time2cre8 

Martha Aleo, Ornamento

 Maybeline Tay, The Jewelry Larder

Megan Collins, Churchy & Her Sailor

Melissa Meman, Art. Life. Love.

Melissa Mesara, One-Eared Pig Beads

Melissa Muir, Kelsi's Closet Jewelbox

Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs

Pam DeBoer, Purple Notes from the Studio

Pam Farren, re-maker

Pam Hurst, Pam Hurst Designs

Patricia Handschuh, The Color of Dreams

Patty Miller, CabariBeads

Penney Klapoth, Faerie Acres

Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings

Rhea Freitag, starrgazer creates

Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle

Sabine Dittrich, PerlenDschungel

Sandra McGriff, Creative Chaos

Sandra Neights, Petalo Azul

Sandra Young, It's a Bead Life!

Sara Oehler, SoftFlex Girl

Saturday Sequins, Saturday Sequins

Shanti Johnson, Sunshine Bliss

Shari Replogle, Plays With Paper

Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads

Stefanie Teufel, Stefanies Sammelsurium

Tammie Everly, TTE Designs

Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs

Tanya Wiles, Tenebrous Hollow Studio

Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures

Tina Holden, Polymer Clay Bytes!

Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends 

Tracey Nanstad, A Beadiful Mess

Tracy Choy, BumbleBeads Designs

Valerie Norton, Hot Art