The Bead Soup Reveal 2014 is Here!

Today's the day to be dazzled by some incredible jewelry designs. Lori Anderson is our hostess. She says this blog hop will take a rest after this year. So enjoy it while you can. Basically, Lori pairs up designers from all over the world to swap bead soup. Each bead soup consists of at least one focal, a clasp, ribbon, and coordinating beads. Each partner creates jewelry with her bead soup and supplies from her own stash. The results are incredible! Here is a map of last years participants to give you an idea of the scope of this event.

For a list of this year's 500 participants from all over the world go to Lori Anderson's bead soup blog: http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/2014/05/8th-bead-soup-blog-party-participant.html

I have an incredible partner this year, Lori Bergmann. She has over 400 projects published in numerous books and magazines such as Better Homes and Gardens, Paper Crafts, Bead Trends, The Flow, and Bead Style (formerly Bead Unique).  She likes to experiment and use a wide variety of artistic mediums and techniques in her work. She has written a book on Creative Painting, teaches workshops, and designs and consults for several companies.  She's currently "obsessed" with making her own handmade glass beads and metal clay charms, and incorporating them into her gorgeous jewelry designs.

Here's the beautiful soup Lori Bergmann sent to me!

Turquoise and copper is my favorite color combination! The focal bead located near the lower right hand corner is actually a small bottle with a cork and everything. You could put secret charms, a lock of hair, your pet's ashes or even perfume in that precious bottle. I couldn't miss making some fine jewelry with these fabulous ingredients.

Unfortunately, Lori has some physical problems right now and was not able to create her bead soup designs in time for this reveal. She has promised to create them when she is well. I do recommend that you visit her blog, facebook page, and shop to see more of her incredible work.

www.LoriBergmann.blogspot.com  
https://www.facebook.com/LoriBDesign
https://www.etsy.com/shop/LoriBergmann

Ta-Ta-Ta-Dum       Here are my designs!

Firstly, I worked on the focal which you see to the right. I ended up tweeking it a little later on.




Then I put my first necklace together!
I used more of her gorgeous beads and some of my hardware finds. I finished it off with chiffon ribbon for comfort and ease of wear. I love how it turned out!

Then I made a pair of earring to match!

 

In the next necklace more of Lori's handmade beads decorated the copper dragonfly I fashioned. The ribbon she sent along with a copper chain I added for strength and durability finished this piece nicely. I'm pleased with how this necklace turned out as well!



Because I still had a few beads and that beautiful clasp left over, I decided to make a bracelet that would work well with either necklace.

That's all folks. Be sure to visit the other designers in this hop...you'll be glad you did. Go to this link:  http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/2014/05/8th-bead-soup-blog-party-participant.html

Jewelry Designs that Inspire!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Great Bracelet Give Away!

For a chance to win this gorgeous bracelet from Grubbi Ceramics click on the following URL:

http://www.grubbiceramics.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/giveaway-sale-thank-you.html

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!!!

Third Bead Soup Reveal Is Postponed Until April 27th!

Lori Anderson is doing a fantastic job on her 7th Bead Soup Party but has run into some physical problems. The third reveal where I'll be revealing my jewelry will be April 27th. PLEASE come back!! Since I'm a newbie designer, I'd really like some feedback on my designs. I'm trying to learn!! While you're here take a look at my favorite designs in reveal I and reveal II.
Have a great day!
kathy

Bead Soup Party: My Second Reveal Favs!

WOW! There were sooooo many beautiful designs in the second reveal. I loved EVERYONE'S designs. I spent the day blog hopping. I left comments on all the designers that revealed their jewels. Here are just a few of my favorites. Not all my photos worked out so I had to leave some beauties out of this list.

 

 

 

Be sure to come back next Saturday, April 20th, for my jewelry reveal! I will also post my favorites for the third reveal on Sunday, April 21st.

Check Out these Fabulous Bead Soup Favs!

I had the time of my life surfing 161 jewelry artist's blogs in the last two days. One piece was more beautiful than another!! I was like a dry sponge soaking in as much knowledge as I could. Some artists even shared thier design process with us. Some drew sketches while others let the beads speak to them. It was a real eye opener for me to realize how many skills I need to conquer in the future.

If you want to go on a similar adventure, hop over to Lori Anderson's blog (The founder of Bead Soup Party) for a list of links to the reveals.

 http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/

There are two more reveals.
April 13th
April 20th My jewelry will be revealed on this day!

These are only SOME of my favorite pieces. Several pictures didn't copy for me so I had to leave them out??? Enjoy!

 

 

 

Lauren Potts: Experienced Jewelry Designer

I'm excited to be part of this years Bead Soup Blog Party! You are teamed up with another jeweler. You each send some bead soup to each other. then the fun begins. You must create some gorgeous jewelry with the supplies that you recieve.

My partner’s name is Lauren Potts and she makes Handmade Jewelry! She’s had a total of 9 individual items published in a variety of beading magazines throughout the last few years that include Bead Trends, Stringing Magazine and Jewelry Affaire.

Lauren work mainly with natural elements. Stones, shells, bone, wood, horn, etc. She also like crystals and creative glass pieces, but enjoys working with gemstones the most.

Her motto and goal is to strive to make one of a kind pieces for those who are one of a kind. In the jewelry business however, there usually isn't a beaded design that hasn't already been done or a technique that nobody else knows about. That being said her creativity and individuality comes from the designing of those techniques and her color schemes. Color combos and coordination are her strongest points.

You can follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lpjewelry

View her blog:  www.lpsjewelry.blogspot.com

Check out beautiful jewelry!