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
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
