The 3rd Reveal of the 6th Bead Soup Blog Party®

I'm so glad you're here!

The Bead Soup Blog Party® has gotten so large over the years that I've had to split it into three reveal dates and change it from a twice yearly event to a once-a-year affair.  If you've never participated before, you can read about it by clicking here, and keep your eyes open for the announcement of the new 2013 date, which will be in the Jan/Feb time frame.  To give you an idea of how many people are in this particular Bead Soup Blog Party, click here to see the maps split out in detail.

Now without further ado, let me introduce you to my partner and the beads she sent me.  My partner for the 3rd reveal is Cece Cormier, otherwise known as The Beading Yogini.  I've always admired her micro-macrame abilities and her unique findings.  She's also a lampwork artist, among other things! 

As a reminder, these are the many things Cece sent me:

Rose quartz, raku ceramic, seed beads, glass, acrylic, paper-coated wood beads .....

Cloisonne, acrylic, pearls, pewter toggles ...

And the biggest challenge -- thread to macrame with!  I've always admired micro-macrame and have had the book "Mod Knots"  for quite a while, so I knew that at the very least, I was going to try my hand at this new art form.

This, however, is an art form I'm really going to have to work on further, because I am one of those people that needs to SEE things being done and have my hand held.  I've said in the past I'm the student in class who always has that deer-in-the-headlights look, and I definitely want to learn more because knotting and weaving reminds me of those comforting days of knitting before Zack was born.

ANYWAY.  When things don't quite work out as planned, I call them "organic".  Nice spin, right?  From Cece's stash, I took the lampwork bead and used the toggle as the top of the pendant.  The pendant is a seed-beaded net with little pewter flowers attached.  

The necklace portion uses the rose quartz beads Cece sent and more of the seed beads and flowers.  This part is basic overhand knotting.  I didn't make tight knots on the seed bead triplets, leaving instead a little room for the beads to have space to breath and slide -- airy to match up with the net pendant.  Everything connects with the toggle at the pendant top.

I like it -- a sort of fairytale mermaid net.

Next, I took a couple of the cloisonne beads Cece sent and some vintage blue beads I had and made a simple pair of earrings.  I love this style because I adore dangles and clusters.  It makes simple turn into splendid, don't you think?  You'll notice I used heavy gauge wire for the cloisonne, but 24-gauge for the blue beads.  I also used brighter brass for both the ear wires and the clusters.  I like the subtle mix of shading.  Little touches can make a big difference.

Next, I took a right turn at "classic" and pulled in with a screeching wheelie halt at "whimsical".  I used the cute bright pink ovals Cece sent and some awesome beads from Yvonne of My Elements and made some seriously Lori-style earrings.  LOVE these!

Cece's package was wrapped in absolutely amazing paper.  Unwrapped completely, it's in the shape of a kimono, so I'm going to hang one of the pages on my wall.  The paper was so cool I really wanted to incorporate it into a piece of jewelry.  Asian things have a special place in my heart because of my travels in Korea and Japan.  So out came the resin!

I used two pieces from the wrapping paper, a faux Asian coin, and a bezel from Nunn Design and used my very new resin skills.  This time I followed instructions from the book "Explore, Create, Resinate" and sealed the paper with packing tape, and then touched up the edges with Modge Podge.  I'm going to add another layer of resin in a few days to dome it up nicely, but I am tickled  with how this turned out!

Now a switch from pretty pink to rustic raku.  I loved the raku ceramic nuggets Cece sent and I have to admit, the end product is NOTHING like what I'd planned -- and I LOVE how it turned out.  Sometimes it's good to let go of the blueprint and just let your mind wander and have its own way.

I made tiny bronze love knots (three jump rings linked together) to act as spacers between the raku beads and seed beads I received and then strung them on heavy-gauge copper wire.  The moment of truth came when it was time to twist and coil that wire -- I had no plan.  I had drawn nothing out.  I just winged it.  And I love the result.  (Boy, did I get lucky!)

I added some texture by wrapping 22-gauge wire around parts of the 16-gauge, but I decided not to hammer anything because I didn't want to compete with the raku beads.  What do you think?  The right decision?

Switching back to pink, I picked the rose quartz flower focal and picked up the thread again to try macrame once again.  Before I started this project, I only knew one macrame stitch, and just learned this one, the basic square knot.  It's sturdy -- so sturdy I decided to make a key chain.

I used the briolettes from Cece's soup along with the focal to make (what I think) is a feminine and flirty key chain.  Like?

And now my last piece.  The paper-covered wood beads are chunky but lightweight, and the Lucite bell flowers are also light as air.  You know my love of dangles and clusters, so I trotted that skill set out again and used the seed beads and pale green acrylic beads from her stash to make tons of charms.  The top of the necklace is made with translucent pink beads from Cece and pewter flowers from my own stash.  

Once again, I mixed my metals, using silver even though the green beads have a gold crackle effect.  I think if I'd used all gold, the necklace would have been too formal and not as sweet.

I'd used the clasp Cece sent in my first necklace, so decided to go for a fancy lobster claw I just got from Etsy.   I really love those pewter flower charms I have, so I added a few of those around the back of the necklace to give it a little texture and continue the flower theme.

So there you have it!  My bead soup creations for the third and final reveal!  Below is what I sent to Cece, and I can't wait to see what she made.

 

This is the largest reveal of the Bead Soup Blog Party, and the last one for the year, so I hope you'll take some time to look around and comment on all the talent out there!  You can visit my partner at http://www.thebeadingyogini.com.  The rest of the participants are below.

 Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads 
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming

Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones

Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'

Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage

Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads

Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog

Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash

 

Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents

Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart

Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen

Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle,  Jasper Gems
Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space

Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog
Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure

Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous
Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Eileen Snyder, Dorset Hill Beads
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda
Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels
Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation,  Art Food Lodging
Hannah Annear, Squintessential

Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier
Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?
Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs
Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels

Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen
Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home
Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas

Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time
Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show
Klaudette Koon, Only Road
Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities
Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures

Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN
Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops

Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio
Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival
Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Milla Hope,  LB Creative Arts and Crafts

Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts
Natalie McKenna, grubbi
Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color
Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner
Penny Neville, Copper Penny
Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry
Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog

Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog
Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Goode, Pookledo
Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire
Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila
Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs
Solange Collin,  Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads

Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs
Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created
Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design
Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs

Lori Anderson creates jewelry and bead kits as well as collaborative mixed media art with her son, Zack.  Visit her shops by clicking here.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party®   and author of the book Bead Soup.

Join her at the Facebook group Bead Soup Cafe for bead chat, swaps, challenges, and lots of eye candy!