Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Finally! The Big BSBP Reveal!

Finally, after some technical difficulties, I am available to reveal the pieces I made from the gorgeous bead soup I received from partner, Stephanie LaRosa, in the Bead Soup Blog Party organized by the amazing Lori Anderson.

What were the technical difficulties I encountered? Well, they hit me on two fronts.

1. I have a new camera and am still trying to figure out how the heck to use it to take DECENT pictures of my work. The pictures I took, did not meet my exacting standards for lighting, so I went to Photoshop online to lighten/brighten them. Why is it that at this point, Photoshop does not want to upload my pictures? Poop.

2. I do not profess to be a stringer. My peeps know this. My comfort zone is wire and tools. Crimps scare me. Will they hold? Am I using the right crimp for this size of beading wire? Am I using the right weight of beading wire for these beads? How can I feed this beading wire through that crystal twice? Wire guardian? Crimp covers? Crimp beads or tubes? AAAHHHHHH!!!!!!

Not being one to back down from a challenge, I decided that I would string a necklace and a bracelet.


I used the Squama stones, clasp, ceramic and shell beads from the soup I received. I added in an African Turquoise pendant that I have been hoarding and used Crystal Tahitian Look Pearls from the Swarovski Elements as spacers. I also added in two Montana crystal bicones.

For this bracelet, I used the following bead soup ingredients: Carved Nut Beads, handmade ceramic beads from Gaea, cream Czech beads, Squama Stone, ceramic beads, shell beads and those funky angled wood beads. I added in the same Crystal Tahitian Look Pearls and one Mocca Swarovski bicone along with my own clasp. I really like this bracelet, but will have to re-do it because it's a touch too big. I think I'll remove some of the pearls.
As soon as I opened the box of bead soup, I knew immediately that I had to do something special with my little seahorse. For some reason, Zeb comes to mind - so that's his name. I found that for how I work, the connector on the pendant was going the wrong way, so I wired around it and created a centre focal. Zeb needs to feel at home, so I added in some two and three sprig crystal coral from SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. To bring all the components I made together, I added in some chain from Garlan Chain and some crystallized yarn in Pacific Opal/Cotton and some Crystal Golden Shadow and Suede. I am very pleased with how this piece turned out and can't wait to wear it!

This gorgeous clasp was a bit of a challenge. I knew that I wanted to create a circular element to offset it, so I did using the carved nut interspersed with crystal on a piece of 22 gauge Vintage Bronze wire from Parawire. The challenge came when I went to put the toggle together and the jump rings I used wouldn't fit through the hole! LOL. So, I grabbed some chain and it worked just fine.

Here is a close up of the centre component with the side components.

Giveaway Bonus: How could I not make some rings with these gorgeous beads? If you leave a comment between now and September 30th at midnight Toronto time, your name will be entered in a draw to win one of these rings. I will draw three names; one for each ring.
 I really enjoyed participating in this Bead Soup Blog Party. It has made me look at the beads I have in a different light - in a stringing light. I have already started gathering little piles to create more items. Thank you to Stephanie and Lori for your support in my participation and to everyone who hops on by.

32 comments:

  1. Wow, I think you did a great job with everything! I love the last necklace, you showcased the pendant so nicely. I think i might be your exact opposite, I never work with wire and am just a stringer. Thanks so much for all my beads - I had so much fun playing with the stuff you sent!

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  2. Thanks, Steph! I just looked at my blog - and there is a whole section missing!!!! Stay tuned to see the whole wired necklace. Ahhh... technology!

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  3. Hey Stephanie, Love your creations. Please enter me in the drawing for a ring. I would love to wear one of your pieces. I especially like what you did with the carved nut beads, and how you sneaked in a few Swarovski parts. I have used your "Swore Off Skiing" story several times in our bead shop!

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  4. all looks fab... wonderful vacation jewellery...in a sarong walking on the beach, mai tai or pina colada in hand, and a little bling to pull it all together...Dawn

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  5. Stringing isn't your thing? Hmm, me thinks you're going to have to update your CV, because these are seriously awesome!

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  6. some fabulous soup created sweetie.... beautiful ;o)

    hugs

    hello gorgeous xxx

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  7. I love the bracelet and the Zeb necklace! Gorgeous! And I of course want to win one of the rings, being the selfish butt I am!

    Shauna

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  8. Steph...you rock at stringing! Every piece is incredible. Well done!

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  9. WOW - for a non-stringer you do fantastic work. I love Zeb!! Beautiful pieces. You know I would love to win a ring. I always love wearing your creations.

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  10. Well done my Sparkly friend! They all look fabulous!

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  11. Cool components! I like that you decided to step out of your comfort zone. And the fiber addition is great!

    Thank you for participating!

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  12. Mmm...I love your mix of textures! Yum! And those rings...uber yum!

    Thank you for the give-away offer! Just what I needed to come out of lurkdome. ;)

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  13. these are all so lovely but that seahorse one is fabulous!!!

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  14. They are all so lovely! I love the colours and the mix of textures - gorgeous!

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  15. I really love your pieces esp the necklace! you did a wonderful job!

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  16. All of your pieces are really nice, but I am smitten with that second necklace and the rings. The necklace is so very original and fun. Excellent work!

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  17. I love all of the pieces! Gorgeous colors!

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  18. Lovely pieces! I really like the first necklace the most. I love dark colors. :) Nice work.

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  19. I love what you've done with your Bead Soup! Beautiful!!!

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  20. All of your pieces are lovely but I really like all of the different elements you added to the seahorse necklace. It rocks!!

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  21. I'm so glad that you were finally able to post your designs...they are beautiful! The first necklace is very me, love those colors! Nice work.

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  22. I really like these colors too! It gives it such an elegant feel to them. I love your layout and concept of the second necklaces with the bead rings and such. You did a wonderful job!

    Melissa
    http://design.kcjewelbox.com

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  23. Very nice designs. I love the rings. So cute

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  24. Very nice designs. I love the rings. So cute

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  25. Very nice designs. I love the rings. So cute

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  26. Very nice designs. I love the rings. So cute

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  27. Very nice designs. I love the rings. So cute

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  28. You did a fabulous job at something you say is not your thing! I love the 'coral' bits off the side of the 2nd necklace. The colour palette in the first is great...so strong.. yet elegant and the focal is a beauty. And your rings are GREAT! ...love each one...sorry I am so late getting through the list!
    jenni

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  29. I love all the pieces you made! They are simply wonderful! I have tried and tried to make rings, and mine never seem to come out the way I want them to! Love yours!

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