Saturday, August 25, 2012

My Bead Soup Creation!

This has been quite an adventure for me!  Thanks first to Lori Anderson for hosting this tremendous project.  It's been a lot of fun to participate!  Next I'd like to thank my partner Jane Haag.  She is a very sweet and kind person that I'm so happy to have met...long distantly.  I've enjoyed working with her little works of art so very much.   

Now, I thought I'd start out by showing a couple of teasers so you could get just a taste of what I'm serving up.

Everyone should know by now that I'm not really a jewelry maker.  I made most of the lampwork beads in the necklace and bracelet for this Bead Soup project.  I chose some of my favorites to compliment what my partner sent me.

Hungary Yet?
Double Helix is a silvered glass which when exposed to a reduction flame brings out all different kinds of shimmer.  The main bead in the middle of the top picture is made with two different types of DH glass. The side with Psyche is where you see the green, purple and pink luster.  Triton is the other side with the rich purple luster.  The pinkish beads are made of Aurae, another DH glass that really is sort of unpredictable, sometimes gold, sometimes pink and sometimes a soft magenta!

My partner Jane Haag, sent me the most beautiful silver hammered pieces that she made herself.  I really love how Lori Anderson paired us up, with both of us being artists that create the components of jewelry.

I love what Jane sent me too, and when I saw all the ingredients I pretty much knew what I wanted to do.

If you read one of my blog posts a while back, you know what I mean by "Who am I making this for?"  The answer is, I made it for me.

I've always loved necklaces that have different tiers of strands with kind of a whimsical, random look.  I also like necklaces where you see the exposed silver wire that space out the beads or charms.  So that was my plan.
Looks Good Enough To Eat!

It was a no-brainer that I was going to use the sterling silver flower as the focal (she sent an alternate which I used in the bracelet).  That was the main piece of the bottom tier.  The silver hammered rings were stunning, but she only sent me three!  The challenge there was how was I going to make this work....remember I'm no jewelry designer.  I played around with different ideas and came up with the idea of wire wrapping one of my beads to link two together.  So that was the focal of the next tier.  Finally, on the last tier I used that last ring to attach the sweet little charms together.  Joy, calm, and bliss.....well, not yet.

I could write a book about the struggles I went thru putting it all together, but I know you have other blogs to hop.  Let's just say that I felt that joy, calm and bliss after about 3 weeks working on it...on and off.  I had to get away from it at times to collect my thoughts and think how to solve the many problems I encountered during the construction.

Triple Layer Bracelet with Kazuri Focal Bead
By the time I was finished with the necklace, I was totally exhausted so I got some of that memory wire and started using up what was left of the beads that Jane sent me. 




This is How We Hang!

Since it was necessary for me to show how the necklace would hang around someone's neck. The only person around I could use as a model was my husband, so that was out.  I could have modeled it myself, but naaahh. Please excuse the less than perfect photography.

It worked out fine with the necklace display piece, even though it was dirty.  I covered it with a pretty piece of fabric.  In order to get it to hang right, I had to wrap the back of the necklace around the front, which shows off the lovely clasp that Jane made.

Sorry to have kept you so long.  I did go back and do some editing....really!

Happy Hopping!

50 comments:

Anonymous said...

lovely designs and great beads

Jane Haag said...

I love what you made Grace!! I'd for sure wear the necklace any day - very funky cool. You did a great job combining the elements. Its so hard to strike the right balance in a asymmetrical piece. Well done partner!!! The bracelet is also rich and lush - love!!

Grubbi said...

Love the necklace, definitely a statement piece!

Raven said...

No jewellery designer - I beg to differ! Your pieces are lovely...

CWSlevin said...

Awww shucks! Thanks girls! It was such a pleasure to work with Jane's silver pieces!

Joanne said...

Multi Layerd Fabulousness! (is that a real word...?). Both great pieces :)

Terri said...

Fantastic pieces! Fun and whimsical!

Unknown said...

Nice design.

Lupe Meter said...

Awesome design...lovely bead soup too! Great job!

Christine said...

Great necklace design!! It lays nicely on your display - what a fun piece to wear!! Your bracelet shows off the focal beautifully!

Ann said...

Wow that necklace is definitely a statement piece. You sure look like a jewelry designer from here:)

Becky Pancake said...

You don't lack design stills, that's for sure. Your designs ROCK!! You just need practice & confidence. Asymmetrical that is everything you described is wonderful.

Lori Anderson said...

You did an awesome, awesome job! I am in LOVE with your beads, too -- need need need some. You should never worry again about making jewelry because you certainly nailed it!

Please come again for the next BSBP!

Shai Williams said...

There is no way that you can't call yourself a designer when you did such a fabulous job! I love the necklace.

gretchen said...

The necklace is wonderful and that bracelet is something beautiful to wear everyday!

BlueAntiquities said...

Wow, these are both so pretty! Gorgeous beads and designs! I think this necklace would look great on your hubby! I want some beads too, and I want to buy the bracelet! XO Laura

Unknown said...

I love the way it hangs and I love the whole look.Beautiful.Love and hugs Tanya

Anonymous said...

Ooh I'm drooling everything looks so lovely!

Anonymous said...

Ooh I'm drooling everything looks so lovely!

Unknown said...

Excellent design! You did a great job and what fun beads to work with!

AllesPerle said...

That's a necklace I would wear every day! So lovely.

Giorgia Rossini said...

I love all your pieces!
ciao dall'Italia

Kepi said...

Bead soup perfection!

Andra Marasteanu said...

Stunning pieces! The bracelet is my favourite!!

Sweet Freedom said...

Beautiful necklace!

bailaora said...

absolutely eatable soup!!!!! Congratulations!

Cindy Cima said...

Your necklace is extremely cool - I would wear it in a heartbead!
Love the bracelet too!

Cindy Cima said...

Meant to say I would wear it in a heart beat!

aneri_masi said...

That is one long and beautiful necklace!

Kathy Combs said...

You did some really fun stuff. Light and airy and oh so summer!

BeadsByEarthTones said...

crazy cool necklace...the possibilities are endless when wearing it! love that flower focal too! the bracelet is a beauty too....such soothing colors :)

Jean A. Wells said...

That is gorgeous. Love how it is hanging! Great job!

Torque Story said...

This is very cute--I love your design of making the strands different. Jane Haag was my partner in Lori's last bead swap, so I know she does beautiful work. Love your glasswork too!

Rachel said...

I love how you have the clasp up front with the silver chain! What a beautiful piece--and I would keep it, too, if I were you! :)

Lara Lutrick said...

Beautiful necklace. It is stunning. I like how you used your own beads too. Great work.

Linda Younkman said...

Very cute piece. Love the bracelet

Sandi Volpe said...

Great layers in your necklace and the braclet is beautiful too!

RanaLea said...

And you say you're not a designer... lol! Beautiful!

Kumi Fisher said...

Amazing design and gorgeous work! I would love to wear all of them!

CraftyHope said...

Jewelry designer or not, you made some really nice pieces. And since you made them for you, as long as you are happy it doesn't matter what the rest of us think. It sounds like you're happy so it's a winner in my book! I hope you had at least a little fun making these lovely pieces. :)

CreARTelier - Jacqueline Keller said...

cool design.. i love multi-layer necklaces. you've did a great job!
greets
jacqueline

Alice said...

Both pieces are fabulous! And your own lampwork beads work perfectly with your bead soup. Nice job!

Lisa Chapman said...

That necklace is fabulous! You said you weren't a jewelry maker but you could have fooled me with your designs. Great work!

bwheather said...

Love that layered look, well done. ;-)

Elizabeth Beads said...

Wow, that is a gorgeous necklace!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful necklace and bracelet -- and fabulous beads, too! Worth the effort! ;)

Anonymous said...

That's a beautiful necklace, I love the layered look of it, each layer has something to draw the eye. The bracelet is lovely too.

SueBeads said...

Beautiful!

fay ................................................... said...

Well done.. love the silver flower and glass beads

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