Bead Soup Reveal

It's finally here! Today is the day we reveal our Bead Soup creations! As you may remember, I was paired with Suzette Bentley of Ellie's Bijoux. I am so honored to have such a talented partner! Suzette's work has been published in many magazines and she is also a member of the Cousin Creative Circle. I thought this was really neat because I have worked with Cousin and their sister company, Prima Bead. In fact, you'll see lots of their materials used my in pieces today. I was able to make quite a few pieces with all the goodies that Suzette sent. As you'll see, I pushed myself to try new techniques and work with different materials, but most importantly, I had so much fun! A big thank you to Suzette for being such a wonderful partner!

Okay, enough chit chat... You want to see what I made!  First, here is a quick reminder of what my soup ingredients were.

 

And now, without further ado...

This first necklace uses the cute owl pendant by Nan Emmett and the deep purple bicone crystals from my soup. From my stash I used ceramic beads by Splendid Loon Studios and Grubbi Ceramics, as well as other glass and crystal beads. Instead of my typical stringing technique, I opted to use cotton cording in orange, which matched this little guy's head feathers.

When I saw that Suzette had sent one of Lorelei's clasps, I just about died. I have been wanting one of these beauties badly! It's so pretty, it had to be the focal point in this bracelet, so I paired it with the lightweight chain from my soup and some beads from my stash that matched. The green pave bead is actually left over from the last bead soup party and the pink ones are, again, from Splendid Loon Studio.

I had absolutely nothing in my stash that was the right shade of yellow and it really needed the pop of color. What is a girl to do? Try making my very own polymer clay beads, of course! I say it was a success, what do you think?  I have worn this bracelet so many times already, it has to be one of my favorites!

Next up is another bracelet, using the brass ring and a few seed beads from that huge pile. I again used the orange cotton cord instead of stringing. The faceted, orange ceramic bead and flower charm are made by Grubbi.

This pair of Vintaj brass filigree leaves came in my soup. I paired them with faceted Amazonite stones, from my stash, and then dangled matching seed beads from brown silk cording.

Last, but not least, is a necklace using the beautiful sea glass beads from my soup. I absolutely love sea glass and collect it regularly on the beaches around my home. I don't even care that these beads by Znetshows aren't created the 'natural' way, they are so pretty! I paired them with white glass pearls, quartz chips and sterling silver in an asymmetrical design, then added the little sea shell charm for a bit of extra flair.

Thanks for visiting my blog and I hope you enjoyed the reveal! Also, don't forget to check out what Suzette made with the soup I sent her.

Happy Hopping!

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Alicia Marinache                     www.allprettythings.ca
Amber Dawn Goldish             www.InventiveSoul.blogspot.com
Barb Solem                            www.vivimagoopresents.com
Bev Breisinger                        www.countryfrogcreations.blogspot.com
Birgitta Lejonklou                   www.lejonklou.blogspot.se
Breana Fry                             www.vault31.blogspot.com
Brenda Sue Lansdowne          www.bsueboutiques.typepad.com
Bridget Torres                        www.Shears58.com
Carol Dee Myers                   www.caroldeezigns.blogspot.com

Carolyn Chenault                   www.carolynchenault.wordpress.com
Cassi Paslick                          www.cassisbeads.blogspot.com
Cece Cormier                        www.thebeadingyogini.com
Cheryl McCloud                    www.cherylmccloud.blogspot.com
Cindy Wilson                        www.itsmyseaofdreams.blogspot.com
Crystal Thain                         www.beaddragons.blogspot.com
Cynthia Riggs                         www.cynthsblog.blogspot.com
Dana Hickey                          www.magpieapproved.blogspot.com
Dana James                          www.danasjewelrydesign.blogspot.com

Darlene Fortier                      www.darliciousrejuvenations.blogspot.com
Deana Hager                        www.justdeesarts.blogspot.com
Deanna Cox                         www.deannaaki.wordpress.com
Deb Brooks                         www.fromtheheartcreations.blogspot.com
Debra Behrends                    www.hopefuljourneys.blogspot.com
Denielle Hagerman                 www.somebeadsandotherthings.blogspot.com
Denise McCabe                    www.cabewoman.blogspot.com
Diana Frey                           www.dianafrey.blogspot.com
Diana Welte                         www.lilyweeds.blogspot.com

Dini Bruinsma                      www.angazabychanges.blogspot.nl
DiYana Alcalde                   www.agapecreationsjewelry.blogspot.com
Dolores Raml                      www.craftydscreations.wordpress.com
Donna Millard                     www.fyrebeadz.blogspot.com
Dot Lewallwn                      www.speediebeadie.blogspot.com
Duane Clark                        www.biz-e-bead.blogspot.com
Dyanne Cantrell                   www.deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com
Eleanor Burian-Mohr            www.cornerstoregoddessjewelry.blogspot.com
Elisabeth Auld                      www.beadsforbusygals.com

Elizabeth Owens Dwy          www.1996shabbylane.blogspot.com
Emily Greer                         www.gaiacopia.com/blog-2
Enikö Fabian                       www.perleni.blogspot.co.at
Erin Grant                           www.ErinsJewelryCreations.blogspot.com
Eva Kovacs                        www.ewagyongyosvilaga.blogspot.hu
Eva Sherman                       www.evashermandesigns.blogspot.com
Gina Hockett                      www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Grace Rotenberg                 www.rivkasmomcom.blogspot.com
Gretchen Nation                  www.artfoodlodging.blogspot.com

Hannah Rosner                    www.goodrivergallery.wordpress.com
Heather Davis                     www.blissfulgardenbeads.com
Heather Marston                  www.cswdesignsbyhehe.blogspot.com
Heather Powers                   www.humblebeads.blogspot.com
Ingrid McCue                      www.wrappedinsilver.com
Jacqueline Marchant            www.jaacquelinesjewels.blogspot.com
Jan Petek                             www.janpetek.com
Janeen Sorensen                  www.wildvanilladesigns.com
Jane-Michael Stallings          www.craftvacuum.blogspot.com

Jasvanti Patel                       www.Jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Jayashree Paramesh              www.nchantme.com
Jayne Capps                        www.mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com
Jean Yates                           www.prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com
Jennifer Cameron                 www.glassaddictions.com
Jennifer LaVite                    www.drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com
Joan Williams                       www.lilrubyjewelry.com
Jodie Marshall                     www.Marshalljodie.blogspot.com
Judy Riggs                           www.rigglettes.blogspot.com

Julie Anne Leggett                www.thepeacefulbead.com
Kat Barron Miller                 www.mkpbeadart.blogspot.com
Kathy Lindemer                   www.bay-moon-design.blogspot.com
Kim Hora                            www.kimmykats.com
Kim Houston                       www.thepinkmartiniboutique.blogspot.com
Kim Sparks                         www.beadabunch.blogspot.com
Krafty Max                         www.kraftymax.blogspot.com
Kris Lanae Binsfeld             www.cherishdesigns.wordpress.com
Krista French                      www.expressyourfaith.webs.com/apps/blog

Kristen Stevens                   www.kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com
Kristi Harrison                    www.kristibasket-itsanewday.blogspot.com
Kumi Fisher                       www.maliekaidesigns.blogspot.com
Laren Dee Barton               www.larendeedesigns.blogspot.com
Laura Bracken                    www.laurabrackenblog.blogspot.com
Laura Demoya                    www.Thebeadtherapist.blogspot.com
Laurie Hanna                      www.jewelrybylh.blogspot.com
Laurie Keefe-Cecere           www.treeofliferootedinmysoul.blogspot.com
Lea Avroch                         www.LAJewelryDesign.blogspot.com

Leanne Loftus                     www.firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.com
Lee Anne Messerschmidt    www.wiredhammerednworn.wordpress.com
Leslie Schenkel                   www.twistedchicken.wordpress.com
Linda Anderson                  www.fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com
Linda Djokic                      www.lutkaandco.com
Linda Murphy                    www.bonitabead.blogspot.com
Linda Sadler                       www.idalouisejewelry.blogspot.com
Lisa Liddy                          www.lisaliddy.wordpress.com
Lisa Suver                         www.fanceethat.blogspot.com

Liz DeLuca                        www.creativeartyfacts.blogspot.com
Liz Engriser                        www.beadcontagion.blogspot.com
Lola Surwillo                     www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com
Loretta Carstensen             www.designsbyloretta.blogspot.com
Lori Anderson                    www.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Lori Bergmann                    www.LoriBergmann.blogspot.com
Lori Bowring Michaud        www.artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Lori Poppe                        www.lorillijeanscreativecorner.blogspot.com
Lori Schneider                    www.Beadaddicted.blogspot.com

Lyn Foley                           www.lynfoleyblog.com
Maddison Langford            www.maddy-moo.blogspot.com
Magdalena Sikora               www.porannagazeta.blogspot.com
Mallory Hoffman                www.rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com
Marcella Austenfeld            www.goodtogojewelry.blogspot.com
Marcy Lamberson              www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com
Maria Clark                       www.sweetwillowdesigns.blogspot.com
Maria Rosa Sharrow           www.willowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Marianna Boylan                www.stargirlshop.blogspot.com

Marie Covert                     www.thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.com
Marti Conrad                     www.marticsclay.blogspot.com
Mary Ellen Merrigan           www.MaryEllenBeads.com
Mary Harding                    www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com
Molly Alexander               www.beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com
Nan Emmett                      www.spiritrattles.blogspot.com
Niky Sayers                       www.silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Pam Chesbro                    www.afortunatesoul.blogspot.com
Pam Farren                        www.re-maker.blogspot.com

Pam Sandy                        www.pamseclecticstuff.blogspot.com
Pam Traub                         www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com
Pamela Gangler                 www.shealwayslovedpink.blogspot.com
Patricia Buchanan              www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/braceletstoo
Patricia Johnson                 www.patricialjohnsonglassart.blogspot.com
Patty Miller                        www.cabaribeads.blogspot.com
Paula Hisel                         www.simplybeadiful.weebly.com/simply-stated
Peggy Gabrielson                www.georgiamountainarts.blogspot.com
Perri Jackson                     www.shaktipajdesigns.com/blog

Rachel Baron                     www.rbarondesigns.blogspot.com
Rachel Stanley                    www.2catchahummingbird.blogspot.com
Rain Hannah                       www.honeyandollie.com
Rana Wilson                        www.ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com
Renetha Stanziano               www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Robin Reed                        www.willowdragon.blogspot.com
Rochelle Brisson                www.acreativechelle.blogspot.com  ---- You are here
Rose Rushbrooke               www.roserushbrooke.com/blog
Ruth Szapa                        www.trudicrufus.blogspot.com

Sally Russick                     www.thestudiosublime.com
Sandi Volpe                      www.sandivolpe.com
Sandra Pendragon             www.sandrapendragon.blogspot.com
Sandy Richardson              www.SandyColoringBox.blogspot.com
Sarah Small                       www.bysalla.blogspot.com
Shannon Hicks                  www.uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com
Shari Replogle                  www.playswithpaper.blogspot.com
Sheila Daniels                    www.cheekymagpie.com
Sheila Davis                      www.stonedesignsbysheila.blogspot.com

Shiraz Biggie                    www.secretsongdesigns.blogspot.com
Shirley Moore                   www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com
Skylar Bre'z                     www.brisingbeads.blogspot.com
Staci Smith                      www.stacilouiseoriginals.com
Stacie Florer                    www.soultosubstance.com
Stacy Pomerleau               www.craftenvilleblog.com
Stephanie Weiss               www.uniquelymebwd.blogspot.com
Sumi Rani                       www.hundredColors.blogspot.com
Susan Sheehan                 www.susanasheehan.blogspot.com

Suzette Bentley               www.elliesbijoux.blogspot.com
Tamera Norris                www.beadsinspireme.com
Tracy Choy                     www.bumblebeadsdesigns.blogspot.com
Tracy Stillman                  www.tracystillmandesigns.com
Valerie Norton                 www.hot-fused-glass.com
Vicki Holliday                  www.flopcatdesign.blogspot.com

Focus on Life: Weeks 11 and 12

Week eleven's prompt from Sally was 'the Possibilities are Endless'. I struggled with this one as I didn't want to photograph the obvious, beads. That is exactly what I ended up doing though... I finally realized that the obvious subject was really the right one to photograph, because beads are a part of who I am. They provide endless possibilities to show the unique and creative person that is me.

Our next prompt from Sally is 'Observe the Curve'. This photo is of a packaging design that I really like. I went with an abstract style to focus on the cool curved sunburst effect. I also love the color combo of black and brown!

11 and 12 of 52

Redo!

I'm not sure about other artists, but sometimes I'll make something that I'm just not happy with. Perhaps it's my perfectionist mentality. One of the necklaces I had created for the Bead Soup Blog Party falls into that category. There are some things I do like about the piece, such as the color combination and some of the specific beads. However, it lays funny when worn and seems a bit unbalanced to me, so I decided to redesign it and make a new necklace! Here are the before and after photos.

Before

After

So what do you think? Is a big improvement, or did you like the original better?

Focus on Life: All wrapped up

This week, our prompt from Sally is 'All wrapped up'.
Most of us are tired of the snow and ready for warmer weather, including myself, so when we were hit by another storm yesterday I decided to make a beach themed necklace. I used a silver coral branch as the focal with pearls, gemstones and glass beads dangling from silver chain. This is the point where my hands were tired from all those wrapped loops, so I took a break and snapped this photo.

10 of 52

Focus on Life: Knock Knock

This week, our prompt from Sally is 'Knock Knock'. I knew immediately that I wanted to take a photo of the doors in my apartment. They have these beautiful, antique-style glass door knobs that I just adore. I took many shots, from every different angle, hoping to capture their beauty for you.

9 of 52