Saturday, August 25, 2012

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
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




Photobucket

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!

Friday, August 24, 2012

Meet Me at the Baltimore Bead Society!


I'm thrilled to announce I'll be the guest speaker Wednesday September 11th at the Baltimore Bead Society!  I'll be discussing beading challenges, how they can help you with social media, and the Bead Soup Blog Party. 


Admission is free, but please RSVP to info@baltimorebead.org.

I'll be presenting a slide show with my talk,
and will have lots of Bead Soup Kits to sell.

Plus, you can pre-order a book 
and have me autograph a book plate for you!



Baltimore Bead Society
Howard County Center for the Arts
8510 High Ridge Road
Ellicott City, MD 21043


Wednesday, September 11th
Doors open at 6:30 pm
Talk to begin around 8:00 pm


Bring your creations to show and share!







Photobucket


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!

Saturday, August 11, 2012

6th Bead Soup Blog Party® , 2nd Reveal!


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, take a look at the overall map: click for a larger view, and click here to see the maps split out in detail.




Now without further ado, let me introduce you to my partner for this reveal and the beads she sent me! 


Marcia Dunne has a completely different style of jewelry than I do, and I love that.  Her shop is one of my favorites and I love what she can do.  She describes her style as bohemian, gothic, steampunk, Art Nouveau, and vintage, and I love all of those things but fail miserably at them.  I thought with her as a partner, I'd really be pushed and I wasn't wrong.


To remind you, this is what she sent me:


Silk ribbon, an Asian fan assemblage she painted, a handmade copper clasp, VERY cool dark agate with pattern, natural howlite, and vintage Lucite.  In her note, she wrote that she was thinking of Katharine Hepburn in the "African Queen", a tribal, Edwardian theme.  I actually rented the movie and watched it, and while I loved Hepburn and Bogart, I realized I am one of those people who isn't inspired by anything.  And that makes me so sad!  I envy people who say they're inspired by nature, or books, or movies, or what have you -- but I just don't have that creativity and just let the beads talk to me.  And sometimes, they don't talk very loudly, so I have to ask them "Would you please repeat that?"


The main thing that challenged me with this bead soup was its neutral palette.  If you look at my blog header, you see I'm all about color.  I thought for a while about instilling color into all these beads, but realized I wanted a challenge, darn it.  So here we go!


First, I chose the fan focal.  I thought of Katharine Hepburn and her elegant bone structure.  So I tried to go elegant, but quietly unique.  I used a combination of lampwork beads, enamel beads, pearls, and Czech glass.



I made a tassel with antiqued brass chain lengths and two beads I made -- one lampwork and one enamel.  For the bail, I made a heavy-gauge bronze jump ring and wrapped it with thinner gauge and tweaked on link up to hold the loops. I added two dangles on the corners out of green cultured pearls.  I'm not sure if those pearls are a "go" or not.  What do you think?



I used a combination of antiqued brass and natural, more golden bronze, to give a subtle tonal texture.  I added two large golden pewter beads to balance the bottom of the necklace, and then narrowed the profile with handmade glass and links of pearls and short double strands of chain.  I linked all the loops together with small bronze links in a love knot configuration (it's all about details, you know?).




I used 22-gauge bronze wire for the pearls, and since that gauge was thinner than that I'd used for the other beads, AND I didn't want the links to look too chintzy, I made double wrapped loops.  Makes for a stronger loop, and a subtle design touch.



So that's "Katharine".


For my main piece, (which you'll see last!) I made wrapped links with all the remaining beads, but when I started to put the  necklace together, I realized the howlite dagger beads just weren't going to work.  So I made what turned out to be a delicate tribal piece.  The daggers aren't overpowering, and I found some very coolly textured Czech glass beads in my stash to mix with them, added a bit of ribbon at the back of the necklace, and here you go.



I think I need to show that worn to give it its due.  But it will hopefully appeal to someone who likes the tribal look but doesn't want to wear a full-fledged neckpiece.


Now I decided to tackle the ribbon.  I am NOT good with ribbon other than using it like I did in the above necklace, but I was bound and determined to use it this time.  A friend told me to try braiding it, and at first I thought I'd use it, again, at the back of a necklace, but no -- that would be expected.   So I made a strand of large pearls, all wire wrapped, and used that as one of the strands for the braid.   I used a clasp by Keirsten Giles and I hope I did it justice.



I still had silk left, so decided to make a less girly, more substantial bracelet.  I thought Katharine Hepburn could have used these collaged hex nuts (from the Industrial Chic line) for fixing the African Queen! And I have no idea why, when I knotted the silk together, just the black showed through.  I obviously have a lot to learn.




And now for the grand finale!

I used almost every single bead in my creations and only added a few of my own.  I knew this long necklace was going to be chunky, so I wrapped the lovely handmade clasp Marcia made me with oxidized copper so I wouldn't ruin it.  


The result is a long, very substantial necklace featuring a bit of Africa, a bit of Asia, and a lot of wire wrapping!



Some details:


Here's where I wrapped the clasp.  I left the original metal unoxidized and oxidized the wrapping.  I like that mix of metals -- it's subtle when worn and catches the light in a way you wouldn't think it would.  



Front and center is one of the enamel beads I made, and then some wood beads in mahogany and natural I added from my stash.  I added some wavy copper spacers to the plain jasper beads, and you can see one of the large Asian beads I got from an estate sale goodie basket.


Here you can see one of my favorite beads, the carved jasper (?) rounds and the black-and-cream beads with a glossy finish.  I mixed in the cream howlite and Lucite to lighten up the deeper colors.


Another view of the bleached and mahogany wood I used with the longer piece of darker wood Marcia sent me, and details of the cool carved Lucite tube beads.



And finally, I framed the plain black beads with copper to give them some character.  I linked all the beads together with doublets of small bronze jump rings.


And there you have it!  I think you'll agree these pieces really challenged me as the beads were very cool but nothing I would have thought of using, and this challenge is EXACTLY what I love about the Bead Soup Blog Party!


This is what I sent Marcia, and I can't wait to see what she made -- so please visit her at http://thealternativefoundry.blogspot.com



And now the rest of the 2nd reveal of the 6th Bead Soup Blog Party!



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 

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 
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
Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing
Dhea Powers, Java Bead


Diana Welte, Lilyweeds
Dita Basu, alankarshilpa
Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas 
Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
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
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 Murphy, Bonita Bead
Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders


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 Finney, Using My Beads
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 and Her Sailor
Melissa Meman, Art. Life. Love.
Melissa Mesara, One-Eared Pig Beads
Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs


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
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



Join me on August 25th for the final reveal!




Photobucket

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!