Saturday, May 10, 2014

Bead Soup Blog Party

Party Time!!!
Lori Anderson's done it again ~ Today is the reveal for the the 8th Annual Bead Soup Blog Party!
Somehow she's managed to partner up a few hundred people to swap beads. We had to send a clasp, a focal and some coordinating beads.
This is my second time participating. It's great to meet jewelry desingers across the country and work with new and different components. You can check here to see what I did last year... BSBP 2013

This year my partner is Jayne Capps from Oklahoma. I had already "met" Jayne during one of Andrew Thornton's destash events. We had a great online chat and I learned more about Jayne through her blog. I especially related to the post about fixing up her workspace. Make sure you check out what she created with the beach glass I sent her. Jayne's Blog
It was so much fun to get find this package in my mailbox!





And look what I found inside...



Don't you love the way she tagged everything?!

I want to know how Jayne drilled the bakelite mahjong tile.






The group of glass beads told me they had to become a bracelet. I grabbed a few bead caps and spacers from my stash, whipped up a toggle clasp and wire wrapped it all together.













The mahjong tile has so much character on its own that I decided to keep it simple. Jayne's linked beads are now connected to chain and hang from the bottom of the tile. A few spacers, some sloppy wraps and an extra long chain ~ it's good to go!








I combined several different components for this final piece. The hammered tubing is really cool. (so cool that I almost picked some up from Home Depot last week. I love their plumbing and electrical aisles for supplies!)

My original plan was to hook the necklace in front in the smallest ring. When I headed outside for photos, I realized you could actually hook it in any one of the rings. I think I like the hook in the middle ring best.





Anyone who follows me know that whenever I participate in a challenge I have to try something new. My Artistic wire was too shiny, so I torched it to add color and age. (I'm not sure if that shows up in the photos.) It was also a bit tricky to solder the jump rings connecting the copper tubing and chain.








I still have plenty of turqoise nuggets to play with. Earrings!
Thank you so much Jayne for this really fun soup!

And.... huge thanks to Lori Anderson for organizing the group once again!


Please visit some of the other participants!!!
You can access the extensive list on Lori Anderson's post - Welcome to the 8th Bead Soup Blog Party

94 comments:

  1. WOW! I am in love w/ the last necklace, love that it is adjustable,& the mix & balance is spot on.Have you layered it w/ the tile necklace? That is perfect w/ the chain, btw. ( & a Dremmel is how I drilled the hole). The bone inlay bead looks great w/ a bead cap, ( I may have to um, 'borrow' that look!). The bracelet looks very 'world traveler' to me. You made some fab pieces, it was fun being partners.

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    1. Borrow away, Jayne! I've been wearing the necklaces and getting loads of compliments! The mahjong tile is quite popular. I made simple carnelian earrings to go with it. Thanks so much for such amazing beads, etc to work with!

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  2. Oh, wow! Those are so elegant.

    I love the bracelet in particular.

    I swear, one day I'll learn to make my own clasps like all you clever metalworking people.

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    1. Sarah - I originally started making my own clasps when I needed a brass one and didn't want to wait. Now, it's how I distinguish myself from all the other jewelers at local arts and crafts fairs. I still string, but a distinctive clasp makes a huge difference!
      Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. The bracelet is gorgeous. Great designs.

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    1. Thanks Mischelle! Unfortunately I made the bracelet standard size which will be too large for my ridiculously tiny wrist.

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  4. I love the different looks to the necklace depending on which loop you use.

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  5. Wow! Love that! I have the hardest time with asymmetrical and I just love your necklace! I agree middle circle, the top works pretty nice too though :) Great soup!

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    1. thanks so much! I usually struggle with assymetrical too! The final design is very different from what I originally envisioned.

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  6. Very nice! I especially love what you did with the Mahjong tile. Now I want one!

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    1. Thank you!
      I agree - that tile is really cool. I'm glad I left it simple.

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  7. As Sarah (above) I'd like to make my own toggles and clasps; thank you for the inspirational pieces!!

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    1. Thank you for your sweet compliment. You'll be making clasps in no time - you're already on your way with your links.

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  8. I love this wireworked bracelet!!!!

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  9. love the contemporary look, clean and modern, great job

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  10. love the interchangeable design of the necklace. You could probably try and hook all three rings at the same time as well for a 4th option :-)

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  11. Beautiful creative pieces!

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  12. The necklace is brillinat!! Love what you ahve done!

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  13. I love the necklace ! Amazing creations <3

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  14. I love your designs - they each stand out and I can see wearing them all time!!

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  15. I love the second necklace design - simple and elegant. I love the simple mahjong tile necklace and it's dangles. Very nice job!

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  16. Love how simple clean and organic your designs are. They really show off how lovely each element really is :)

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  17. Gorgeous bracelet I love that you mixed bead caps :)

    Linda
    http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
    http://cherryOnTopDesign.co

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  18. Beautiful pieces. Nice colour combinations. Love the different options to wear the second necklace.

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  19. Elegant and simple (meant in a positive way) those are the words I would like to use for this ♥jewellery

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  20. Such pretty easy to wear pieces. I'm a fan of the hook and eye and how you chose to use it on your necklace. I have to say it is one of my favorite ways to use it too. Really Soup-er!

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    1. Thanks Terri! I love to clasp in the front. I'll often use larger chain that will accept the hook to make the necklace adjustable and create different looks.

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  21. I really like it how you kept the necklace for the mahjong tile so simple, that indeed was the right choice in this case, sometimes less really is more! I absolutely adore the other necklace too, how awesome how it can turn in all these different ways simply by changing what ring to put the hook in! awesome job!

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    1. Thanks Ghislaine - I started to add carnelian to the chain and it seemed to take away from the mahjong tile.

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  22. Three beautiful designs from your soup. I agree, I like the last necklace hooked through the middle loop. Nice balance.

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    1. Thanks Tammy! That's how I wore it the other day and received many compliments!

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  23. What a lovely package you´ve recieved. I must remember to give some character to the envelop itself when mailing!
    I think you are right hooking the clasp to the tube rather than to the focal piece, it looks much nicer.
    Nice job!

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    1. Isn't that envelope cool!
      Thank you for visiting and for your thoughtful comment!

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  24. Hello Jeanne - Lovely soup! I think the piece you made with the Mahjong tile is my fave but I really like your inventiveness on the adjustable necklace. Glad to have "met" you on FB!

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    1. Thank Debi! The Mahjong tile is definitely a keeper. After posting I made simple carnelian earrings to wear with it!

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  25. so pretty. Love your creation

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  26. All your pieces are great. I like that you kept the Mahjong tile the simple. It is such a special component. Love the bracelet. See you at the next book challenge.

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  27. Beautiful warm colours and the copper toned wire sets it off to perfection. Two wonderful pieces.

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  28. I love your designs! Especially the amber necklace-love how it's adjustable! The bracelet is right up my alley too! Love the color combo!

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    1. Thank you Heather! I wish I had made the bracelet to fit me. I have ridiculously tiny wrists. Oh well, a lucky art lover will have to purchase it this summer!

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  29. I am very intrigued by that necklace with the tubing too. So neat that you weren't even meaning for the varied ways of wearing it when you put it together. I also feel the need to run out and slice and hammer some tubing....

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    1. Don't you love when something turns out better than your original vision?! Thanks for your thoughtful comment!

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  30. All beautiful pieces, the mahjong tile is beautiful. Very well done. :-)

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  31. I love the simplicity of the mahjong tile necklace. All of you pieces have a nice clean look. I would enjoy wearing any one of them!

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  32. I really enjoyed all your pieces. They are unique and special but at the same time lend themselves to being worn very easily with anything. I LOVe that about jewelry. I really like the mahjong piece with the dangles.

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    1. Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment! I'm definitely keeping the mahjong piece!

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  33. All your pieces are elegant and beautiful. Love them.

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  34. "hook in the middle ring" is definitely my favorite :) Looks very nice, not too much of stuff in it, but very unique.

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  35. Lovely necklaces I love the majong tile necklace especially simple but special.
    Jackie

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  36. Love the organic and earthy colors. All the pieces are simply beautiful. You did nail the perfect setting for that mah jong tile. 'Right on!

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  37. Great necklaces - I love both of them!

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  38. Such warm summery colors! You made beautiful, fun pieces to wear :)

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  39. You've designed beautiful and elegant pieces of jewellery. I love all of them.

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  40. Very beautiful pieces, I love them all...I am really liking the long necklaces...your bracelet is so me..love your style!

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  41. Lovely pieces, the tile necklace is great and I love when you can adjust the length, and wear it in different ways!

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  42. Wow what a great use of your soup. I like the colors, the textures the length of the necklaces. All around I think u did your partners soup proud...Take a bow

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  43. I LOVE that mah jong tile nekclace - beautiful =)

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  44. That last necklace is great! I just love it when you can change a necklace's look just by moving the clasp.

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  45. Love the multiple stylings of the last necklace. Great work!

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  46. Great Job! I like the different elements of your designs. The texture is wonderful!!! Have a Blessed Day!!!

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  47. Love all three of your pieces. Very bohemian.

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  48. Simply beautiful, so pretty. Great designs!

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  49. Great color combinations....beautiful designs! Well done!!

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  50. My favorite thing is when you can wear a necklace more than one way. For that reason, I am completely smitten with your last look! That would be a very versatile way to use up your stash in a great design. I see a lot of potential in that! Thank you for sharing your creations in the 8th Bead Soup! Enjoy the day. Erin

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  51. Everything is wonderful! What talent.

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  52. I love the necklace with the loops"

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  53. I like the spread out design of your pieces. Just right and not cluttered. Relaxing.

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  54. So you tried successfully some new "hardware" techniques - cool! I like the last necklace for its impressive subtlety and versatile clasp!

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  55. Wow, Jeanne, you got an awesome soup and I love what you created (of course being a bracelet gal I just adore yours!)

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  56. Wow! I just checked out your ocean hop AND the BSBP . I love each and every piece from both. I'm kind of flabbergasted to be honest. The colors, composition, everything! I'm following. I love your style.

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  57. Each piece is fantastic! I'd be happy to wear them all. I'd be hard pessed to pick a favorite. Well done!

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  58. Yep still hopping....beautiful pieces!

    http://veradesigns.blogspot.com

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  59. Oh, your pieces are just wonderful. That last necklace is really stunning though!! I adore it.

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  60. I am still hopping too! Love that tile focal :)

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  61. I am still hopping too!! Love that tile focal, the necklace is beautiful. Laney

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  62. Hi Jeannie, Your Bead Sop pieces are great. Making the last necklace multi-wear is very creative.Good job.

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