Saturday, April 27, 2013

TADA!! 7th Annual Bead Soup Blog Party, 3rd Reveal

Well, here they are.  

I received an amazing Bead Soup from Kimberly Idalski.  Check out what she sent me here.
     
I don't know what she did to them, but those beads knew exactly what they wanted to be! They told me what to do with them and even when I had other ideas, they pulled me right back in line.  So here I am, on time (hooray!) for my big day, my very first Bead Soup Blog Party, and the 3rd Reveal.
     
I knew immediately that the polymer clay focal bead was going to have to be in a separate piece from the clasp because the clasp is a focal bead itself.  I didn't want it hiding behind my neck.  This necklace is my first piece:
   
   
The focal bead needed to hang from something strong, so chain it was.  This focal was made by Kimberly herself as faux, Grass Green Pyrite from polymer clay with three-dimensional "embroidered" flowers, a dragonfly, and Tanzanite crystals.  It is even more beautiful in person.  
    
The rest of the beads fell into place around the focal and this necklace is what they became.  Notice the lovely, genuine, Grass Green Pyrite tear drops and the genuine, round, Amethyst beads.  There are multiple clusters of three Tanzanite bicone crystals as well as some pink- crackle pearl drops.  I love all the textures. 
     
     
     
Next, I thought I would make an asymmetrical necklace with the clasp on one side as the focal point.  But the beads didn't want to be made into another necklace.  They decided to be a bracelet so that the necklace would have a companion.  You can see why I didn't want to hide this lovely clasp.
      
   
Isn't that rose clasp special?  And look at the two polymer clay beads (again faux Grass Green Pyrite) with the three-dimensional "embroidered" flowers.  A genuine Amethyst bead, clusters of Tanzanite crystals, and pink-crackle pearl drops repeat the design from the necklace.  This bracelet was a little tricky to make because the clasp is magnetic and it kept grabbing the chain.  I thought it might not hang properly on my wrist, but it does and I love it!  I think this is about to become my favorite bracelet.  
   
   
Next I needed earrings to go with the necklace and bracelet.  This time, the beads wanted to make something simple, but elegant, with just a tiny bit of sparkle.  And I wanted to show off the beautiful amethyst beads.
   
     
Kimberly sent me a ton of those dainty bead caps and I love them.  I have a whole bunch more for future projects, too!
     
I have lots of beads left from the soup that Kimberly sent to me, so I'll be using them to make more earrings.  If it's up to me, the next pair will be flashy . . . but the beads might have a different idea!
     
     
Kimberly let me know today that she is having a serious health issue and that her Reveal will be a couple of days late.  Please keep Kimberly in your prayers so that she gets her health back quickly.
     
Don't forget to visit Kimberly's blog at http://www.Kimisjewelryandgifts.blogspot.com.  She has some incredible and unique clay creations there.
        
        
Also, please keep Lori Anderson in your prayers.  As most of you know, Lori is having some pretty serious health challenges.  Thank you for all the work you did on this 7th Annual Bead Soup Blog Hop, Lori.  You are one special person!


And of course, you should visit the other 3rd Reveal Blogs:
   
Adlinah Kamsirwww.dreamstruckdesigns.blogspot.com
Agi Kisshttp://moonsafaribeads.blogspot.com
Alenka Obidwww.pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
Alison Sachswww.beadsbyearthtones.blogspot.com
Amanda Tibbettshttp://www.amandamade.com/blog
Amy Simswww.amysimsdesigns.com
Ana Cravidaohttp://acbeads.blogspot.com
Andra Marasteanuhttp://bijouxdemonange.blogspot.com
Andria Poolewww.Jewelleryartiste.blogspot.com
Angela Perkinshttp://jeweledinspirations.blogspot.com
Anja Schultzhttp://anjas-perlenwelt.blogspot.de/
Ann Sherwoodhttp://ann-sherwood.blogspot.com/
Anna Nordemanhttp://annas-adornments.blogspot.com
Annita Wilsonhttp://awjewelryandbeadwork.blogspot.com/
Arlene Deanhttp://aglassbash.blogspot.com/
Astrid Boycehttp://astridboyce.blogspot.com/
Barb Fernaldhttp://barbarasfernald.com/
Betty James Hoppensteadtwww.tybetastidbits.blogspot.com
Birgit Klughardtwww.gitesbeads-gite.blogspot.com
Bonnie Coursollehttp://jaspersgems.blogspot.ca/
Brandy Thomason McNairwww.bellavitajewelry.blogspot.com
Brenda Sigafooshttp://brenda-sigafoos.blogspot.com
Carmen Lauhttp://littlemake.blogspot.com/
Carol Wilsonhttp://jetadorn.blogspot.com/
Caroline Dewisonhttp://www.blueberribeads.co.uk
Cassie Donlenwww.cassiedonlen.blogspot.com
Catharine Temaluruhttp://ienmaginationsjewelry.wordpress.com
Catherine Turrellhttp://fairysketches.blogspot.co.uk
Cheri Reedwww.creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com
Cherrie Warzochahttp://colorsofshae.blogspot.com/
Christa Murphyhttp://adventuresofwonebeadywoman.blogspot.com/
Christina Hickmanhttp://vintagetreasuresjewelry.blogspot.com/
Christina Stofmeelwww.fengbeads.com
Christine Hansenhttp://intuitivesparks.blogspot.com
Christine Stonefieldwww.sweetgirldesign.blogspot.com
Cilla Watkinswww.tellyourgirlfriends.com
Cindy Cima Edwardswww.cindycima.com
Claire Lockwoodwww.somethingtodowithyourhands.com
Colleen Vinthagenhttp://www.thewireworkshop.com/blog/
Dagmar Liebischhttp://kokopellidesign.blogspot.de/
Dana Fowlerwww.blogjunepur.blogspot.com
Danielle Kelleyhttp://imbuethemuse.blogspot.com/
Deb Fortinwww.studiok24.blogspot.ca
Dee Elgiehttp://cherryobsidia.blogspot.co.uk
Denise Milwardhttp://milwardstorysofar.wordpress.com/
Diah Anggrenihttp://pernik-manik.blogspot.com/
Diana Gonzalezwww.arteypoemas.com
Diane Valasekhttp://dragonflyclose.blogspot.com/
Dita Basuhttp://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com
Donetta Farringtonhttp://simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com/
Doris Stumpfhttp://glaszwerg.blogspot.de/
Elizabeth Bunnhttp://elizabethbeads.blogspot.com
Elizabeth Drakehttp://mutteringsofacrone.wordpress.com/
Elizabeth Joneshttp://www.eyekandyjewellery.com
Elizabeth Stolarczykhttp://elizabethsart.blogspot.co.uk/
Ema Kilroyhttp://www.emakdesigns.com/blog
Erin Kennyhttp://beadifultherapy.blogspot.ca/
Evelyn DuberryWww.ShebaMakeda.com
Fay Wolfendenwww.torchfairy.blogspot.com
Francesca Watsonhttp://francescawatson.com/
Gen Smithhttp://gennysworld.blogspot.com/
Ginger Davis Allmanwww.thebluebottletree.com
Giorgia Rossiniwww.joyblonde.blogspot.com
Hannah Annearwww.quirkyhannah.wordpress.com
Heather Ottohttp://www.thecrafthopper.com
Heidi Kingmanwww.Heidikingman.blogspot.com
Ildiko Jaraiwww.sviroalkotasai.blogspot.hu
Iveth Carusowww.CreativeAtelier.net
Jackie Locantorehttp://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/MorningStarSanctuaryStudio
Jacqueline Kellerwww.creartelier.blogspot.com
Jane Pranata Limhttp://cherryeve.blogspot.com
Jennifer Davishttp://jennifersjewelsandjunk.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Toughhttp://jenniferbeads.blogspot.ca
Jenny Vidberghttp://shymessmycken.blogspot.se/
Jessica KlaarenHttp://cellardoorjewelry.blogspot.com
Joanna Matuszczykhttp://filcowe.blogspot.com
Joyce Beckerwww.joycesjoyfulgems.blogspot.com
Judith Johnstonhttp://www.lampworkbeadlounge.com/
Judy Rileywww.threeredbeads.blogspot.com
JuLee Wolfewww.thepolymerpenguin.blogspot.com
June Butthttp://www.onewhiteswan.blogspot.co.nz/
Karen Mitchellhttp://www.overthemoon-design.com
Kari Asburyhttp://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com/
Karin Kingwww.maverickbeads.blogspot.ca
Karin von Hoerenwww.creativeideen.de
Karla Morganhttp://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com/
Kathrin Lembkehttp://allesperle.blogspot.de/
Kathy Stemke
http://vintagememoriesjewelry.blogspot.com
Katja Benevol Gabrijelcichttp://slovoni.blogspot.com
Katy Heiderhttp://onthepondcreations.blogspot.com/
Kay Thomersonhttp://KayzKreationz.blogspot.com
Kelley Foglewww.mylifeonebeadatatime.blogspot.com
Keren Panthakihttps://vasdea.wordpress.com
Kimberly Idalskihttp://www.Kimisjewelryandgifts.blogspot.com
Kirsi Loponenhttp://peikkonen.blogspot.com
Klaudia Tóthhttp://www.klaudiabizsu.hu/
Krista Quantrillwww.cornucopiaofcrafts.blogspot.ca
Kristina Hahn Eleniakwww.peacockandlime.wordpress.com
Kristina Johanssonwww.wildrosesandblackberries.blogspot.com
Laney Meadhttp://laney-izzybeads.blogspot.co.uk/
Lara Lutrickhttp://www.lutrick.blogspot.com/
Laura Guentherwww.blueantiquities.blogspot.com
Lauren Pottswww.lpsjewelry.blogspot.com
Laurie Vyselaarwww.Lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
Leah Teeswww.mybeadylittleeyes.blogspot.ca
Lena Adamshttp://mommaslilbirdiesblog.blogspot.com
Lesley Wattwww.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Leslie Waymentwww.aabeadsonline.com/blog/
LiliKristhttp://pcbylik.blogspot.com/
Linda Kropphttp://lindasartbarn.blogspot.com/
Linda Newnhamhttp://www.earth-shine.co.uk/
Linda Younkmanwww.lindysdesigns.blogspot.com
Lisa Boucherhttp://lisasclayhappenings.blogspot.com/
Lizzie Clarkewww.theneedtobead.blogspot.com
Lora Brighthttp://fandangling.wordpress.com/
Lorelle McIntyrehttp://beadyart.blogspot.com.au
Lori Andersonwww.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Lori Finneyhttp://lori-finney.blogspot.ca/
Lucie Bouvierhttp://www.carlosbeadstore.com/blog/
Malin de Koninghttp://beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.se
Marina Dobryninahttp://savonfeutre.blogspot.fr/
Marina Kosovichttp://machoopko-design.blogspot.com/
Marion Simmonshttp://www.shadetreejewelry.com/blog.html
Marita Suominenhttp://momentofjewelry.blogspot.fi/
Marjolein Trewavashttp://roomforchangemeuk.blogspot.co.uk/
Marsela Schrothwww.marselita.de
Martha Aleowww.ornamento.wordpress.com
Mary Govaarswww.mlhjewelrydesigns.com
Mary K McGrawhttp://mkaymac.blogspot.com/
Maybeline Tayhttp://thejewelrylarder.blogspot.sg/
Mea-B. Ueblerwww.glasorakel.blogspot.com
Melissa Trudingerwww.beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Menka Guptahttp://menkag.blogspot.com
Merja Sundströmhttp://suntsan.blogspot.fi/
Merja Syrjämäkihttp://helmiriippuvuus.blogspot.fi/
Michelle Buettnerhttp://www.MiShelDesigns.blogspot.com
Michelle Escanowww.cabbycraft.blogspot.com
Michelle Wiggintonhttp://adornedonadelaide.blogspot.ca/
Milla Hopewww.Lbcreativeart.com
Miranda Ackerely

Mowse Doyle
www.mirandack.com

http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com/
Mrs M Makeswww.mrsmmakes.wordpress.com
Nan Smithwww.wirednan.blogspot.com
Natalie Davidsonhttp://northshoredays.blogspot.co.nz/
Natalie Motenhttp://runningoutofthread.blogspot.com/
Natascha Martywww.sommerlicht.ch
Nikki Banham-Hallhttp://jewellerymakingblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Noemi Baenahttp://blog.noemibaena.com/
Norma Turveyhttp://moonlitfantaseas.blogspot.com
Pam DeBoerhttp://pamelas-studio.blogspot.com/
Pam Hurstwww.pamhurst.blogspot.com
Patti Pruhshttp://threebeadsandastring.blogspot.com/
Penny Houghtonhttp://www.smellynelly.blogspot.com.au/
Penny Millswww.cobblestone-lane.blogspot.com
Rachel Van-Walshwww.balancedcrafts.com/blog
Rebecca Sirevaagwww.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com
Regina Santerrehttp://reginaswritings.blogspot.com/
Regina Wood
http://www.gina-design.blogspot.com
Roberta Fauntroywww.thevirtualbeadsociety.wordpress.com
Rosanagh Watson

Rose Johnson
http://ring-a-ring-a-rosie.blogspot.co.uk


http://swtrosethorn.blogspot.com
Rosemary Cheslockwww.glasseyebutterfly.tumblr.com
Rossana De Gasparihttp://rdegas.blogspot.com
Sabine Dittrichwww.perlendschungel.blogspot.com
Sam Waghornhttp://palemooncreations.tumblr.com/
Sandi Jameshttp://www.dobedobeaddo.blogspot.com/
Sandra McGriffhttp://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca
Sandra Wollberghttp://city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.com/
Sandra Younghttp://gypsyroadbeads.blogspot.ca/
Shai Williamshttp://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Sharon Palacwww.sharonsjewelrygarden.blogspot.com
Sierra Barretthttp://giraffecanhas.wordpress.com/
Silke Gröberhttp://just-beads.blogspot.com
Siobhán Keoghhttp://vovsjewellery.blogspot.ie/
Stefanie Teufelhttp://stefaniessammelsurium.blogspot.com
Stephanie Stamperwww.Skwds.blogspot.com
Sue Hamelhttp://cardandjewelrycorner.blogspot.com/
Sue Renniehttp://moonandsevenstars.blogspot.co.uk/
Susan Kennedywww.suebeads.blogspot.com
Susan McClellandhttp://mistheword12.wordpress.com
Susanna Lehtohttp://othellehto.blogspot.fi/
Suse Stelljeswww.pearlify.blogspot.de
Susie Hibdonhttp://vintagesusieandwings.blogspot.com
Suzann Sladcik Wilsonwww.BeadphoriaBlog.com
Tara Plotehttp://newbiebeader.blogspot.com/
Terri G.http://terrisbloomingideas.blogspot.com/
Terry Carterhttp://tappingflamingo.blogspot.com/
Terry Matuszykhttp://pinkchapeau.wordpress.com/
Theresa Frankhttp://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com/
Tina Boshhttp://bookbug-somanybookssolittletime.blogspot.com/
Tina Noonanwww.wingedimp.blogspot.com
Toltec Jewelswww.JewelSchoolFriends.com


Facebook Participants


Audrey Allenhttps://www.facebook.com/adallen07
Cindy Wimmer Musehttps://www.facebook.com/mritech813
Cynthia O'Toolehttps://www.facebook.com/cynthia.otoole
Deb Floroshttps://www.facebook.com/deb.floros
Debbie Jensenhttps://www.facebook.com/debbie.jensen.984
Erin Honeycutthttps://www.facebook.com/erin.honeycutt1
Kaushambi Shahhttps://www.facebook.com/kaushambi.shah
Lisa Lloyd Harrisonhttps://www.facebook.com/lisa.lloydharrison
Mary Jane Tannerhttps://www.facebook.com/mary.j.tanner
Valerie Tilghmanhttps://www.facebook.com/valerie.tilghman

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Bead Soup 3rd Reveal Postponed

My place in the Bead Soup Blog Party is the 3rd Reveal, originally scheduled for Saturday, April 13.  Lori has been having some health issues, so the 3rd Reveal will now happen on Saturday, April 27 instead.

I don't mind the delayafter all, there's no reason that the deadline needs to be etched in stoneand I hope that Lori is feeling better very soon.  Anyway, it gives me more time to finish my creations and to view more of the 1st and 2nd Reveal blogs.

In school, I was the kid who waited until two days before my term paper was due to write it.  I'd do the research in plenty of time, but when it came to putting it all together I had a hard time getting organized.  I was a kid; I didn't know why.  Once I got rolling, I usually did a pretty good job.

These days, when my favorite customer says, "Please design a necklace and earrings for my niece's graduation present.  She likes purple," I ask for the deadline.  

I'm always done well in advance of the deadline, but my husband says I wait too long to start.  He's Felix Unger to my Oscar Madison.  I try to explain to him that jewelry designs itself in my head and it's hard to speed up the process, but he doesn't get it.

It recently hit me that if I start putting the components together too soon, I won't have an opportunity to come up with a better idea. Now maybe there isn't a better idea, but I need to give things time to ferment in my head, just in case.  

Last week I decided that I would make two different pieces of jewelry from my soup, one for the focal bead and one for the clasp.  You'll see why when post the photos.  I've completed a necklace with the focal bead.  I'm still not sure what I'm going to do with the clasp.  Yes, I've narrowed it down to a couple of possibilities and I'll decide on the final design in the next day or two.

After all, I have 9 more days before I have to post the photos!