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Friday, April 26, 2013

WELCOME TO THE BEAD SOUP PARTY'S THIRD REVEAL!

Thanks for coming. Please let me know your favorite in the comments.

I'm a retired teacher and antiques dealer turned writer and now NEWBIE jewelry designer. I have three children's books published and have written hundreds of articles. I started creating jewelry by repurposing antique drawer handles and vintage enamel broaches like these below.


Jean Yates told me about Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Party and a whole new world opened up. My partner, Lauren Potts sent all sorts of beautiful handmade beads, silk scraps, and wonderful accessories in my bead soup.

 I began to explore. First I made a copper bracelet with the purple lampwork beads, copper clasp and silk scrap. I had all sorts of problems but I managed to put this bracelet together by wrapping the wire around the silk. Sorry for the poor photo. I discovered that I need a better camera for photographing jewelry!

 
Next I made a necklace using the Russian amazonite and riverstone round beads, champagne colored pearls and the hand-dyed silk that my partner did herself. As you can see I need to learn better jewelry making techniques but I do love the shape of the necklace. Don't you love that handmade focal? I had trouble with fraying silk so I coated it with a paste. Any other suggestions??
 
Next, I made a flower out of the beige silk Lauren sent and sewed it onto two bangle bracelets I had made. I copper-colored some flowers and added tiger eye beads from my stash as well as some turquoise accent beads.
I think this bracelet says, "Spring," with all its flowers. The focal reminds me of a nest of bird eggs??
 
I like this next necklace the best. I used the gorgeous druzy agate focal and an assortment of beads that mt partner sent. It's my first attempt at a wrap. I need practice. I also learned and used alcohol inks to age the copper.
With the extra week we had, I made one more necklace. I used a piece of filigree to create a focal with the vintage glass beads, smokey quartz and miscellaneous filigree that Lauren sent me.
 
Here's the full necklace. I really like this one too. So how did I do with my first Bead Soup? I learned sooooo  much. I also made many new friends. Now I have to work on my technique. I have so much to learn!!!

91 comments:

  1. Hi! I like the use of texture in your designs. If I had to choose a fave it would be ...(hard decision).. the copper and purple lamp work bracelet :-)

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    1. Thanks for stopping by. thanks for your vote for the purple bracelet.
      kathy

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  2. Oh my gosh Kathy I love it ALL!!! I don't know which would be my favorite!! Uhm... uhm.. I think the last one with the filigree!! What neat things you did with all the pieces. I love how you challenged your techniques and tried new things. Sorry if the fraying was troublesome. Some people like the "hairy" look so I left it be. You can always use a thread burner to singe them and help stop the fraying too!! By far one of the best tools I ever bought! You did such a great job with your soup!! Posting mine in a few minutes!!!

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    1. Thank you, Lauren. You have taught me soooo much.
      Thanks for the thread burner tip.
      Thanks for the delicious soup!! I love that last one too. Can't wait to see your reveal.
      kathy

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  3. My favorite is the druzy agate necklace! I love your work, Kathy!!

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    1. Thanks Chali! I always said you had good taste. Thanks for visiting. I really appreciate it.
      Kathy

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  4. You did a great job!! I like the bangle bracelet with your handmade flower the best. I really like the way you made a bail with filigree in your "added" necklace, way to use the extra week!

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    1. Thanks Cory. I wasn't sure if I pulled that bracelet together enough. Thanks for the encouragement.
      kathy

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  5. My favorite the copper and purple lamp work bracelet! It says Art Jewelry one of those pieces others look at and ask, where did you get that beautiful bracelet? Very, very nice!

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    1. WOW, thanks for the encouraging words. I like to look for different looks.
      kathy

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  6. Beautifully creative works of art here Kathy, your work is marvelous.
    The filigree and smoky quartz necklace is my favourite but all are really quite superb.
    Well done.

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    1. Thanks, honey. You may be a little prejudice since you are my husband. thanks for your unending support.
      me

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  7. Kathy, you did a wonderful job with your soup. I absolutely love the flowered copper bangle bracelet. I think it is my favorite although I really like your favorite necklace but I think my favorite is the last necklace because it is so creative and just a little bit funky. It is a standout piece.

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    1. Thank you Christa! You sound kinda like me--can't settle on an absolute favorite either. I like the funky feel of the last oner too.
      kathy

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  8. Great stuff! I particularly like the two bracelets!

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    1. Thanks for visiting and commenting, Claire.
      kathy

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  9. Dear Kathy, your designs are fabulous, my favourite are floral designs, especially bangle bracelet, good job!

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    1. You just put the bangle bracelet in the lead with 4 votes.
      Purple bracelet 3 votes.
      Agate necklace 1 vote.
      Filigree necklace 3 votes.

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  10. Some amazing wire work my friend!!! What a YUMMY Soup you made, GREAT JOB!!!

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    1. I love wire work! Thanks for the encouragement.
      kathy

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  11. everything you made is lovely! My favorite are the bracelets and the last necklace is excellent!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Francy. The bracelets are winning so far.
      kathy

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  12. All great pieces! Especially love the copper bracelet1

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    1. Thanks for your encouragement, Lisa. The bracelets are tied for first place!
      kathy

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  13. My goodness, Kathy! You were so creative with all the jewelry you made. I can't pick a favorite--they're all wonderful!

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    1. Thanks, Linda. I'm officially hooked on making jewelry now.
      kathy

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  14. Very interesting pieces, you've done a lot with your soup ingredients. They're all very fun. Your favorite is probably my favorite too, the wire making up the necklace is great looking. How does it feel when you're wearing it?

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    1. Thanks, Ann. Actually I haven't tried it on yet??? I might want to use a textile behind the neck,hugh?
      kathy

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  15. Kathy, Welcome aboard! You have the drive and the talent to make artisan jewelry! My beginning pieces were nothing like yours! Wow, you have a flair for trying new things. Practice, practice, read the jewelry magazines, take online classes, read books, your on your way! Be sure to keep doing things with the old and vintage stuff, it's still happening! Anything unique is going to be desired. There are so many thing you can learn technique wise, practice basics, and add in techniques as you go. Well done! Laura Favorite-Druzy agate necklace!

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    1. Thank you sooooo much for your encouraging words and sound advice. Good to hear I don't have to learn everything at once. I'm definitely hooked on jewelry making.
      kathy

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  16. Love what you have made.... very creative...my fav is the one which say 'spring'

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    1. Thanks, Fay. And Spring springs ahead again..

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  17. Hi Kathy.. thanks for following me!! I can't seem to figure out how to 'follow' you.. ( I am a bit of a klutz when it comes to computers)

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    1. If you return, just hit the Follow this site button in the top right side bar.
      kathy

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  18. I think you did great on your first bead soup! Love the way you just went at it, trying new techniques and not being fazed by anything. My favourite piece has got to be the bracelet - yes, very spring-like.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by. That bangle brace sure is popular.
      kathy

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  19. Very creative designs, you have done a good job. Congrats!

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  20. love the wire work and wrapping you've used, especially with the stick pearly, lovely work

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    1. Thanks, so far wire work and wrapping seem to be my favorite techniques. It's fast and can make a big impact on the design.
      kathy

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  21. Kathy,
    Wonderful! And I just adore that bracelet. You did spectacular for your first Bead Soup and I just love your pieces in Vintage and the use of components. I look forward to seeing your next Bead Soup reveal.

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    1. Thanks, Catherine. The "Spring" bracelet has become a real winner. I was afeaid I had too much going on, but I guess not.
      kathy

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  22. For your first Bead Soup and a "newbie" jewelry designer you nailed it!!! All your pieces are beautiful and so artistic. I am particularly drawn to the Spring bracelet. It is so very pretty.
    Ema (http://www.emakdesigns.com/blog)

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    1. Thank you for your encouragement. I was a dancer most of my life and would like to incorporate dance into my jewelry in the future.
      kathy

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  23. Hi Kathy,
    I think you did very well with your first Bead Soup mix. Your piece are all very unique in style and very pretty.
    Therese

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  24. Very pretty unusual pieces, you must have had a lot of fun making those.

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  25. Such beautiful pieces, congrats! Especially I love the Spring bracelet, it's a great combination of colors and materials.

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    1. You just cinched it. The "Spring" bracelet wins!!

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  26. These are all beautiful. I think my favourite is the last one - I like the asymmetry

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    1. Thanks, I like the last one too. It has a vintage look to it.

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  27. You did a really great job! I think the spring bracelet is my favorite but it's sooooo hard to choose.

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  28. Your pieces are so unique, never boring - an amazing work!

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    1. The one thing I would hate to be is boring. Thanks so much for your kind words.
      kathy

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  29. Lovely and creative jewellery! My fave's the bangle with its nice mix of textures (fiber meeting metal) and colour. Well done!

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    1. Thanks. I redid the bracelet to add the blue color.

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  30. Your designs turned out so great! I think I love the bracelet with the silk flower the most. Beautiful work! ♥

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  31. Congratulations on trying new techniques in your BS pieces - they are all wonderful !! I like the bracelet the best - copper with purples and blues just makes me smile :) I would suggest a product called fray check for raveling. Great job !!

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    1. thanks for the fray check tip Carolyn. I'll get some.
      kathy

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  32. Slowly getting to the various blogs. I love how you embraced the challenge and tried new things. Each piece is unique and has its own beauty. I am torn between the necklace with the filigree and key and the copper bangle bracelet with the fiber flower -- I'm loving fiber in jewelry lately and this piece is spectacular. What a great job you did with your first bead soup.

    PS Thanks for including my earrings in your list of favs. I so appreciate your comments.

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    1. Thanks, Linda. i have three favorites and you hit on two of them.
      kathy

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  33. Love all your work. I'd never guess that you're a newbie! My favorite is the purple and copper bracelet.
    Great job for your first BSBP!

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    1. Thanks, Nan. I appreciate your comments.
      kathy

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  34. Welcome to jewelry making....congratulations on getting hooked!!! You did great on your first Bead Soup, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be the bracelet made with the bangles.

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    1. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment. And thanks for the warm welcome to jewelry making. jewelry artists are really great people!!
      kathy

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  35. Beautiful design work. Favorite is the spring bracelet - really like that!

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  36. Your designs are beautiful - you're definitely not a newbie anymore! :) I love your wire work and the filigree focal is very creative. Your spring bracelet is divine. All of your pieces would be so fun to wear!!

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    1. Thanks Christine for the BEST comment ever. I'm NOT a newbie anymore? Great!
      kathy

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  37. Gorgeous designs, very artistic!

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  38. I saw your design on pinterest. Fabulous work! I think my favorite is the spring bracelet! But I also really like wired necklace. :0

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    1. I'm so glad you saw my jewelry on pinterest. I'm trying to get out there and meet people.
      kathy

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  39. Wonderful and very unique designs, Kathy! Love all your creations, but my special favourite is the copper bracelet with the purple lampwork beads - perhaps because I'm addicted to purple (and warm greens) ;0)

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  40. All your pieces are wonderful...hard to beleive you are a newbie! Great job!

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    1. Thanks, Patricia. I love creating things...always have.
      kathy

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  41. Kathy all of your designs are great. Good job trying the alcohol ink. My favorite is the bird's nest bangle bracelet.

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  42. Thanks, Becky. There are great products out there to enhance the jewelry.
    kathy

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  43. Gosh your designs are fantastic. You are learning very fast if you have only just started designing!

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  44. I have nothing new to add to what's already been said other than WOW! What stunning pieces!

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  45. I really love what you have done with your soup! I am new to the bead soup event myself and like you I had never worked with the sari ribbon before. I just loved the way it frayed adding another dimension to the necklaces.
    I could not pick a favorite. There are different things about each of your pieces, that make them unique. Great job, especially since you are new to jewelry designing.

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  46. You came up with some really innovative designs with your soup. You've got so much inspiration, it's awesome! Well done!

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  47. stunning..! great work..!
    love them all..

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  48. Beautiful artwork! Especially, that one with agate druze.

    I am fashion blogger too, currently working with GS Diamonds Engagement rings
    Also writing my own blog about diamonds and diamond rings

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