Saturday, September 17, 2011

Bead Soup Blog Hop




The day has arrived...I can finally reveal what I have made with my Bead Soup mix!  For a summary of the Bead Soup Blog Party, read this post.  A huge thank you to Lori Anderson for hosting this fun event.

If you recall from this post, these beads were sent to me by Christa Murphy.  Be sure to visit her blog to see what she made from the beads that I sent to her.


Christa knew that my favorite colors to work with are blues and greens, so she took me out of my comfort zone a slight bit by sending me yellow!  Furthermore, she inched me away from all of the familiar metals I have worked with (silver, gold, and antiqued brass) and introduced me to copper.  And THEN, she took me yet one step further away from my comfortable place and threw in some Via Murano twisted crimp tubes to try!  But I took Christa out of her comfort zone as well...I sent her plenty of PINK!  We have enjoyed getting to know each other.  I think we successfully challenged each other, but gave moral support to each other along the way.

Despite the challenges presented, I was delighted with the selection of beads that Christa sent to me.  I made 1 necklace, 2 bracelets, and 2 pairs of earrings using her beads and a strand from my own stash.  And I really liked the twisted crimp tubes which seem to have a more sturdy hold than the traditional crimp tubes.


"Fall A Flutter"
This asymmetrical necklace features a sampling of all the beads Christa sent.  I added the swirly brown round ceramic beads to the mix.  I used the focal stone as the pendant and added some tiny topaz crystals for contrast.  Plus I decided the hook clasp was too beautiful to be at the back of this necklace, so I brought it to the front.  Then I added a copper butterfly charm for whimsy.























"Honey Harvest"
This bracelet is a nice complement to the necklace.  In a random pattern, it features all of the same honey-colored beads as the necklace.  The flower toggle clasp adds charm!  All it needs now is a copper bee charm.  Hmm, maybe I'll add that...


























"A Touch of Blue"
Blue makes an appearance, although a small one!  I only used several of Christa's beads for this charm bracelet, but I wanted to include it as well.  Its inception was inspired by the other pieces you see here.





























"All Is Not Lost"
For the whole story on the meaning of the name of these earrings, please come back for a future blog post!  It involves a dog and a boy.




"Butterfly on Goldenrod"
We have a field of blooming goldenrod behind our house right now.  Butterflies are often spotted fluttering around in the field.


Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog to see the creations I made in my first Bead Soup Blog Party.  This experience was fun but not without its challenges!  I tried new crimping techniques, used a new metal, and experimented with photographing outside.  On that note, remember to come back soon for a story about a missing earring!


Please take some time to visit some of the other blog pairs who participated!
Click on each name to go to their blogs.
These are the partner pairs:


The Hostess, Lori Anderson and her partner, Manuela Wutschke





19. Anna Sabina­­­­ and Erin Siegel













































140. Mary Hicks and Laurel Steven






















90 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous collection! I love how you placed the clasp in front for the necklace, adds an unexpected element. My favorite piece is the "Touch of Blue" bracelet. Partially because it has a leaf on it(leaves are my favorite) but also because it reminds me of Autumn, my favorite time of year!

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  2. I am SO sorry for being late -- today our internet provider decided to crash. My stress level is through the roof, to say the least! They're still working on it, but it's like dial-up.

    I absolutely LOVE how you used the large hook and eye clasp! The butterfly charm with it is perfect. The color is a hard one to work with, and wear, but it's also unusual, so if you're a selling sort, someone's going to snap that up just because of the color, let alone how gorgeous it is!

    I hope you'll participate again!

    Love, Lori

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  3. Beautiful. We’re all being pushed outside our comfort zones — with amazing results!

    Enjoy the hop,
    Emanda

    http://artemisiastudio.blogspot.com/2011/09/bead-soup-reveal.html

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  4. Sometimes it's good to be taken out of our comfort zone and you've created beautiful things with yellow.... nice job!

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  5. Partner, your pieces are absolutely the bomb. I would be proud to wear any one of them. I especially like the necklace and the last pair of earrings and of course the first bracelet. I can't believe how much you produced out of what I sent you. The use of the big clasp on the first necklace is just way too cool. I sure was glad to be your partner and you certainly met our "color challenge" and you went even beyond it. I am so very proud of you.

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  6. Beautiful work! I love the colors and balance between the soft beads and hard metals.

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  7. Absolutely beautiful! I love the necklace! I have a hard time designing asymmetrical necklaces but yours is fabulous! :)

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  8. So many great pieces. Really great use of those beads.

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  9. Love those ivory colors with the copper in your necklace! All your creations are positively lovely!

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  10. What beautiful autumn jewelry! Everything has such a warm, wonderful feel to it.

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  11. I love those creamy colours! You did a great job!
    Greetings, Michi

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  12. you have a great eye for positioning beads to achieve a very fluid design with perfect accents where needed.

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  13. Beautiful pieces, but your first is delightful. Love the focal and the big clasp at the front...they look so well together and do not fight at all! I like the touch of a little butterfly to fill in a little space..really lovely work.
    jenni

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  14. Really nice, how you used those yellow colored beads - does not seem at all to be out of your comfort zone. I absolutely adore the S hook clasp on the necklace with the little butterfly in the center. So sweet.

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  15. Beautiful jewellery! I like the colours (and yellow isn't a colour I work much with either) and style. My fave is probably the necklace as I really like how you used that clasp. Great job!

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  16. Beautiful pieces! I love the color palette . . . are you SURE this color was out of your comfort zone? I have a feeling your comfort zone is much bigger than you know! =D

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  17. Great use of the beads. I really like the necklace.

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  18. Simply gorgeous - these are so amazing. I saw them yesterday but was having trouble w/blogger letting me comment on people's blogs for some reason. I'm glad I stopped back by - I think these are some of my favorite designs!!

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  19. Beautiful pieces! The honey colors are yummy! :D

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  20. Christie, They are all gorgeous, I love the first necklace and the last pair of earrings!
    Therese

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  21. Wonderful! You have created several terrific pieces of wearable art. I like your use of color and texture for all of them. My favorite is the fabulous necklace. Thank you for sharing your artistic process along the way. Cheers!
    Lori

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  22. all of these pieces are so beautifulI love the bracelets. the necklace has such fabulous balance

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  23. Partner, I am just as in awe of you as you are of me. I looked at your pieces more than once and showed them to my good friend last night and she was wowed too. I would not have made nearly as great a use of yellow as you did. Pink was definitely a challenge for me and I am so glad you liked my pieces. Just don't look too closely at the wirewrapping - that was the hardest to do with my eyes. I can bead blindfolded but wirewrapping was my nemesis with the eyes.

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  24. What Lori said :^) I absolutly love love your designs and I am so pleased you are using copper. I love copper it is so warm and unasuming
    visit mt copper Etsy shop
    CopperCandyJules.etsy.com
    Be Blessed to be a blessing

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  25. Wow, you made so many pieces and they are all so lovely! My favorite is the touch of blue bracelet, that would be my 'go to' bracelet!

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  26. Oh such lovely pieces. I really like the touch of blue used in the bracelet. Over the weekend I stepped out too from my usual colors and bought some beautiful yellow! I can't wait to read about the missing earring.....sounds like something I am prone to doing..with the help of my furry friends. Thanks so much for visiting my soup.

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  27. I LOVE your "Fall A Flutter" necklace! The colors are like warm liquid honey. I think this is my favorite necklace so far in the hop. Well done!

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  28. These pieces are a-maz-ing! The 'fall a flutter' necklace is beautiful

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  29. Love every piece you made with your soup! Looks like your venture outside your comfort zone was very successful! Thanks for you sweet comment on my soup! I've been praying for a miracle for this back for a lot of reasons. I agree with you, we do serve a Mighty God, and I know He is still in the miracle business. I will be back to find out about the missing earring and the boy and the dog! I am your new follower, so I won't miss a thing! Have a blessed week! :)

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  30. You have been a busy lady! Such lovely pieces and I really like how you used the clasp the form is so pretty and you really showcased it well.

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  31. I just think the first piece, with its serene focal and classy design, is so lovely, and it is amazing how much you got out of your kit. Really nice work!

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  32. Not sure which piece I like the best...ALL OF THEM!!! I've always liked yellow, and the butterflies, love them too. Since my daughter's wedding this summer (the theme used butterflies and yellow), I have really gotten into the butterflies. GREAT JOB!!!

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  33. I really like everything you did, particularly the necklace! How wonderful that you were able to make so many pretty things :)

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  34. I am just blown away by the quality and amount of pieces you made with your bead soup! They are all so very beautiful.

    Also, thank you so much visiting my blog! I hope you enjoyed it and will visit again soon...

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  35. You made so many lovely pieces despite being out of your color comfort zone! Your necklace is stunning!! Your bracelets & earrings are so pretty

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  36. Oh, the copper and the yellow go so well togeter! Especially your necklace is very appealing - I love your use of the clasp! This color always attracts me and I am hoarding a lot of beads in exactly this yellow. Everytime I see them, I simply have to have them. But... I said I am HOARDING them... because it is also a very difficult color all in all, so I hardly ever use it. You did a great job and I think you can be very proud!!!! P.S. This was the first time you worked with copper? Copper and your favorite color scheme (blues and greens) go so incredibly well together, so maybe this soup can be taken as an inspiration to use copper more often in the future? :)

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  37. Wow! Not only did you make some beautiful pieces, you came up with great names for them. I envy people like you with such great imagination.

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  38. wow! you have created some delicious soup sweetie! ;o)

    hugs

    hello gorgeous xxx

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  39. Hi Kathy,
    You didn't make soup you made a feast! Beautiful work!!
    Cilla

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  40. For someone who does not work in yellow, you sure need to keep working with it. Like all your pieces, but especially like the necklace. It is so elegant.

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  41. They are all great. I love your creativeness with the wire/metal and the little dangles. The colors are great. Very nice.

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  42. I love your designs and have become a follower of your blog. I cant wait to see more of your designs and to hear more on the "dog and the boy"

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  43. Just, wow! Are you sure you were outside your comfort zone? Each and every one is exquisite! Love the soft colors. You truly did a wonderful job on your soup!

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  44. What beautiful pieces! I think my favorite is 'Fall a Flutter', as I am a huge fan of the asymmetrical necklace. Great job! :)

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  45. What are the honey colored beads? Are they a glass or a gemstone? I love the fall-like feel of your creations.

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  46. WOW...what lovely pieces, honey and wheat.

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  47. Love all the pieces you made, but the way you used the big hoop as both clasp and connection for the focal? Genius!

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  48. Nice caramel colors. Great wardrobe basics for Fall!

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  49. You know, I think you should try being out of your comfort zone more often, these are beautiful. Great job!! Love them all. And thanks for swinging by to see my work. Take care, Riki

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  50. You made a beautiful fall collection, just lovely!

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  51. This gorgeous set will definitely sing with blues and greens!! Beautiful!!

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  52. I think you have the best photos of your jewelry in this hop. They are wonderful(as well as the jewelry)!

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  53. Wow! You have been busy! I love the butterfly dangle on the first necklace; that is a great design element! "A Touch of Blue" is stunning - my favorite of all your creations, but I am also quite fond of the "all is not lost" earrings!!

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  54. Each piece is really lovely! I think you did a fabulous job with that color palette, and I love how you snuck in a little blue ;)

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  55. Gorgeous fall tones! I like each piece you came up with but the necklace is my favorite!

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  56. Well I was sure I posted before but I guess not...I really love these pieces - I love yellow and it looks awesome with that heavy etched chain (which is waaaayyy cool btw)!!

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  57. All your pieces are beautiful! My faves are Fall a Flutter and Honey Harvest.

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  58. You really accomplished a lot. All of your pieces are pretty, but my favorite is the necklace. The way you placed the clasp at the front was really inspired and works with seamlessly in the design. Well done!

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  59. Wow!! You really got soup busy! I love what you made, that chain and dangle bracelet, a touch of Blue I believe, is my favorite!! Beautiful!

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  60. Christa was great seding you those beads so far from your comfort zone, but your did great! I love the asymmetrical necklace and placing the clasp at the front is a wonderful idea.
    Amnra

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  61. You have a fantastic eye, these pieces are all GORGEOUS! Way to step out of your comfort zone, waaaay out, and make incredibly beautiful things!!!

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  62. I LOVE your assymetrical necklace- the clasp with that butterfly dangle.. I like your other pieces, too. But that first one, wow.
    Good job!

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  63. Those beads made me squirm- I would never have combined copper and honey yellow beads- You made it work beautifully!! It has been amazing to see all the unusual (to me) color palettes coming alive!! Great soup- all of it!

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  64. All of your pieces are gorgeous! My favorite has to be the first necklace , but I love the butterfly earring too!

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  65. What a beautiful color combination, I love copper, yellow and butterfly. I would wear your necklace in a heartbeat. Just love what you did with your soup!

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  66. I love the way you used the clasp in the butterfly necklace. And the bracelet looks great with it! Love the pop of blue in the charm bracelet, too!

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  67. lovely pieces! I really love the story behind the piece inpspired by your grandmother.

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  68. Yellow would have put me out of my comfort zone also, but you did a wonderful job. Love the necklace and the last bracelet.

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  69. I just love that honey color, and you used it so beautifully in all of your pieces! Really fabulous jewelry- great job!

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  70. Beautiful post and gorgeous photos of your amazing creations. Loved them all!! You did a really soup-er job with the soup mix you were sent.

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  71. simply stunning work! I love all of it! The earrings are probably more the style I'd wear but the necklace is so beautiful !

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  72. I would of never thought to use the hook clasp the way you did. Love the look of it. Your creations are lovely with great composition.

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  73. They are all lovely, but the beautiful touch of blue bracelet is definitely my favourite!

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  74. So - I think you did a fantastic job with for warm color palette. I like it all! Question: since its not your usual palette - do you think you will wear it?! ;-)

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  75. Jennifer - to answer your question, see the post called "All Is Not Lost" that I wrote today! :-)

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  76. Well she did some good pushing because you made some lovley pieces! I have grown to love the warm sheen of copper also.

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  77. What a beautiful collection! I love the warm honey-coloured stones, the clasps on the bracelets and the beautiful earrings. The photos on your blog look great. Well done !
    Geanina.

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  78. Love that gorgeous clasp in the front of the necklace... adding the butterfly charm was a nice touch and just brings the focus back to the focal. Great design. Love all you pieces and also that you used so much of the soup you received.

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  79. Your main necklace is stunning! Loved all the pieces. Great work with the soup.

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  80. Beautiful - I love the colors and the great work. I am sure you enjoyed the soup a lot.

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  81. Beautiful - I love the colors and the great work. I am sure you enjoyed the soup a lot.

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  82. Kathy, what a gorgeous necklace you created! I absolutely love the composition - everything looks perfect...the way you placed the hook in the front, the assymetrical design, even the visual weight. And the bracelets are so pretty too - I especially love your charm bracelet.

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