Friday, July 27, 2012

Finally the Bead Soup Blog Party Has Returned to my House!

The very first thing I want to say is thank you, thank you, thank you to Lori Anderson for figuring out a way to include us all in the Bead Soup Blog Parties, and further thanks for hosting them!  I missed out on the last one, and I was so sad.  But no more,  doing the happy dance again!

When I sent my beads to Michelle Hardy, my erstwhile blog partner, I really did not know her at all, so I picked out a fun focal, and cued the colors of the associated items to that.  Here is Michelle's Blog, http://fireflyvisions.blogspot.com/ so you can see what magic she has done with my crazy collection.


Well, she did the same thing I did.  She sent varied, and yet somehow perfectly suited pieces, that are not my usual color palette, but really worked well together.  So, I am thrilled to be able to again go outside my "normal."


I first noticed the blue bead soup because it reminded me of the bayous in Louisiana, where I lived for 11 years until Hurricane Katrina.  So, I decided to go with the bayou theme.

The blue soup got combined with a sandy soup of my own and turned into a wild free form netting/peyote/who knows what the heck stitch necklace that I called  Bayou's Edge.  It also has one of Michelle's clasps, a big ol' brass clasp that I just loved!


Here's a close-up of the center detail.  It is still kind of hard to see because the sun/shadows kind of washed out the blue in the center, but I hope you can make it out.


Then, because I hadn't used any of the soupy focals, I decided I had to have some fun with the giant gold colored stamping.  I domed it slightly, patina-ed it, then I painted it with alcohol ink to enhance the plants and the darling dragonfly detail.  I added a tiny beaded edging, to give me a place to attach my ribbons and copper beads.  Then I put it on the bronze rolo chain from Michelle's bead soup, and added the Melinda Orr s-clasp to that.  I called this one Bayou Dance, because the ribbons look kind of like a tutu.  (Work with me here, as my hubby likes to say.)



Lastly, I had these two amazing Melinda Orr components from Michelle that were just crying to be used.  So, I combined them with some of the turquoise and faceted soup beads, and put them on earwires.  I had to call them Blue Bayou, because what bayou collection could ever exist without that?


So, use the Bead Soup Blog Party button at the top right to find the links to the blogs for everyone in Reveal #1.  Visit those blogs, leave party comments, and just have a good time.  I'm afraid you will have to wait a bit until the next reveal, but that's part of the fun.  The anticipation makes it so much better!

57 comments:

Unknown said...

Your pieces are so detailed and must have taken an age to do.I love the colours and flow.Divine.Love and hugs Tanya

coffeeaddict said...

Amazing! So intricate and elaborate. Bead weavers continue to amaze me.

Leah Curtis said...

All beautifully organic pieces. Love the detail in the first.

Jean Katherine Baldridge said...

How lovely! Wonderful work!
jean yates!

A Polymer Penchant said...

So much fun. I love the carefree style of the random what not stitching, feels very bayou to me (Although I've only been in my imagination)

Unknown said...

Hmmm, I love the mixes of teals you have going here.

Therese's Treasures said...

Oh Wow Shannon,
You did an fantastic job with your soup mix. I love the free form bead woven necklace it is gorgeous and so are your other pieces.
Therese

AntiquityTravelers said...

I don't know where to start! I am in such awe of free-form bead weaving. I'm still getting the hang of these stitches that I don't think I'd be able to get outside the box yet! The second necklace is stunning - those colors and style - just stunning! But my heart goes to Boho ... those earrings knocked my socks off. Gorgeous!

Jean A. Wells said...

Wow, what beautiful jewelry. You put a lot of time into its creation. Love it all. Great job!

Linda Younkman said...

Very pretty pieces. Love, love, love the earrings. What great beadwork in the free form necklace.

Snazzy Doodle Designs said...

Beautiful pieces! I love the earrings, they are just my color!

Cilla said...

I love how much work and love must have been used to make your jewelry. I love the boho earrings best !

Anonymous said...

I love what you did with Michelle's soup. The first necklace is amazing!

AWJewelry said...

It all looks good!

Unknown said...

Wow! I have to say that I am a boho girl myself, so those earrings are one of the prettiest sets I have come accross in a long time! Ive been wanting to try bead weaving for a while and I think this hop has definitely pushed me towards trying it! Beautiful work!!

Cornerstoregoddess said...

Love, love, love the colors in Bayou Dance. What a sensuous piece!

Sarah Sequins said...

Yay!!! I love, love, love what you made with your soup. That freeform is amazing!

JJ Jacobs said...

WOW -- they are all beautiful!!! I can't even begin to pick a favorite....well done!!

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

I mist learn to beadweave...you have a such a talent! Everything is lovely!

The Jewelry Larder said...

Awww... I wish u have taken a close-up pic of the focal of your second piece cos I am so greedy. I want to see more of your beautiful pieces.
I LOVE all your pieces! Very bohemian.

Unknown said...

I am a big fan of free form so I love your necklace. Lots of work! Also love the patina copper ear rings - well done!
Katherine

Unknown said...

I'm pretty sure if you look closely, you'd see my name on those earrings! :P

Jennifer Cameron said...

Oh WOW! That first one is amazing! I love the freeform organic feel of it and that it is based on your experience of living in the bayou. Your ability to create something so beautiful out of those tiny beads is astounding.

Unknown said...

Beautiful Pieces and glad you are back to the party!

Bookbug said...

So much detail. I wish I could see it in person. Great job.

Heidi Post said...

You seed beaders kill me! Great work!

ChristinaMarieH said...

I love the 1st necklace, it looks like a wave hitting the beach! And the patina on the earrings is so pretty!

Unknown said...

Wow, that first necklace is amazing!

Unknown said...

Love anything beachy or watery! Your necklace is a great balance of beach and water! Lovely work all!

jenny said...

Your freeform peyote piece is a stunner!

Lisa Chapman said...

I love all of your bayou designs. The necklace definitely makes me think of the water's edge and a sandy beach.

Pretty Things said...

I love it ALL! How creative you got! And I'm glad you participated!

Sandra said...

Sweet, very impressive beading. I love that you went ahead and colored the brass disk, that gives it a completely different look and feel - great idea, that. And I want to steal those earrings. >>

salla said...

I am always so impressed by those who can pull off free form stitching! Wonderful job!

Unknown said...

Really unique and beautiful pieces. Wonderful work!

Shirley said...

I've got some serious love going for your pieces! That freeform is so very cool, just love it!! And the earrings!! You really had a lot of fun with your soup, and it shows. Great job!!!

Kathleen Lange Klik said...

Everything is really wonderful. That first necklace is absolutely stunning; your bead work is amazing! The earrings are gorgeous too. Really nice work!

CraftyHope said...

There's so much depth and texture in all of your designs!!

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Your beaded jewelry is just amazing. I can't imagine stringing all those tiny beads. Love the one with the ribbon pieces and the color of the earrings is just gorgeous! have a wonderful new week. Tammy

LeeLu Creations said...

Love the earrings!

Bobbie said...

LOVE the free form necklace - just beautiful!

Shyme said...

Lovely pieces!

coolmoon said...

Yay! More seed beads! Weavers unite!

Amy's said...

Amazing free form necklace.Every piece is gorgeous

Anonymous said...

I have no idea how you made that necklace, but it's amazing - love the earrings too!

Kumi Fisher said...

The Blue Bayou earrings are gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic creations!

Cheryl said...

Love the free form beading. I've done some of that in the past and I've been thinking about getting back into it. This has inspired me to break out the seeds. :-)

TJewellicious by tanti said...

Beautiful pieces..! Nice beadwork..! :)

WindDancerStudios said...

LOVE those earrings! Looks like you had a lot of fun with your soup :)

Becky Pancake said...

Great creativity on all 3 of your pieces. You were definitely up to the challenge.

LoriF said...

Now THAT is the ultimate Bead Soup! LOVE your freeform Bayou necklace...and also those earrings! Must have broken your heart to have to move away...I know it would have broken mine.
Hugs from another bead weaver...

flyingbeader said...

Fantastic free form...me...I have so much trouble doing free form...I keep wanting my random to be random, but it always winds up as a pattern.

Giorgia Rossini said...

I love all your pieces!
ciao dall'Italia

Sandra said...

great work! love the earrings!

adlinah said...

What beautiful work! I love the details you put into each piece. My fave though is probably the simplest of your designs - the earrings - so so pretty!

Dragonfly Close said...

I love your creations! I love the free-form necklace, it's just amazing!