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.