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!
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
