It has obviously been a very long time since I’ve posted to this blog, but I am thrilled and honored to be able to participate I. Lori Anderson’s Bead Soup Swap and Create this year. So much has happened since I last wrote here!!
I am currently in the middle of a huge move of my studio, so I am still trying to find my tools, and my beads and findings are scattered hither and yon! This move came about recently, so I wasn’t prepared! Haha!!
On the the Bead Soup Swap and Create!! My partner is Andrea Garvens. Her blog is here: https://zenithjade.blogspot.com. She is a brilliantly talented jewelry artist, and it was such a pleasure becoming acquainted with her.
Andrea sent me the most DELICIOUS “soup!”
Just look at all the delights!! She sent three gorgeous pendants. One of which she created herself!! She also sent beautiful beaded components that she created. Included were stunning lamp work beads, crystal bicones in yellow and pink, crystal hearts, yellow miracle beads, faceted glass beads in black and pink as well as four incredible clasps, two faceted champagne-colored briolettes, two citrine briolettes, rose quartz, AMAZING freshwater pearls, the cutest little butterfly wing, and assorted cording. I was completely blown away by the color palette and was very thankful for Andrea’s generosity.
So I set forth to try to come up with some creations to do justice to the gorgeous soup that Andrea sent. This is what I came up with in the midst of all my crazy, destroyed studio. Haha!!
I created a small, springtime, ensemble.
I wanted to create something a little different, so I went with a multiple-strand bracelet. I couldn’t resist the urge to use the crystals and pearls, and to add a focal point, I used the rose quartz, some of the beautiful lamp work beads and the components that Andrea created. I love how this turned out.
The first pair of earrings I created are very simple, but these briolettes were irresistible!! They just begged to be made into earrings!! I can’t get past how gorgeous these are!!
Andrea sent some recycled sari silk with my soup, and I used it to wrap the pendant that she created for me. I tried not to cover up her intricate wire wrapping on the white opal and rose quartz beads. I was going to place this on a length of pale green cording, but I have not been able to locate my cording stash yet. I have never worked with silk before, so this was out of my comfort zone, but although this is very different, I really love it.
These earrings were created from two of the clasps that Andrea sent to me. They looked very spring-like to me, so I decided to make a pair of earring using the crystal beads that she included. I know it’s unusual, but these where too pretty to use as clasps.
This Bead Soup was so much fun!! I really hope that everyone enjoys the Soup.
Thank you, Andrea, for this amazing Bead Soup. Thank you for sharing your incredible talent! It has been a genuine pleasure working with you!!
Thank you, Lori Anderson, for all of the hard work, dedication and patience to host this event. You are brilliant.
Please see Lori’s blog for the full list of Bead Soup Swap and Create’s immeasurably talented participants : www.thesumofsmallthings.com
The Bead Soup site: www.BeadSoupCafe.com
