aving just started a new job I was so worried that I wouldn't have time or be able to get my pieces made let a lone a blog done. I have no idea how to set it up to automate nor the time to figure it out. Anywhoo... that being said; I made it! Later than I expected but without further adieu I give you; my bead soup pieces and my wonderful bead soup!!!
These were some of the coolest things I have ever worked with and it was sooo not my style. The keyhole focal was beyond awesome. I hung it on the beautiful leather I was given with a few accent jasper beads, which just happened to match PERFECTLY. My goal here was to make the focal the ABSOLUTE focus point. The design of this keyhole was astounding to me. I know this design seems simple but to me, this isn't about showing off MY work, it's about showcasing the work of the focal artist. Sometimes, less is more. And here it is:
Seriously, is that keyhole not to die for??? Ugh, by far one of my favorite soup pieces ever! Which by the way if you haven't seen my pre-post about my partner. Check her out! She uses this type of stuff all the time and is pretty fabulous at it!! See her blog here: kymhunterdesigns.blogspot.com she did beyond a beautiful job with the soup I sent her.
For my next piece, I focused on the bead mix she sent me with the most adorable owl bead ever. I absolutely LOVED the antique feel and style of the colors and patterns of the beads. But after making a simple design I felt as though this simply strung well patterned bracelet just wasn't enough...
I absolutely loved this bracelet! I really wanted to keep it for myself!! Anyway, I really didn't want to take this apart. I LOVED the colors, pattern, just everything but I felt it just wasn't creative enough. So I took it apart and did this instead:
I was much happier with this. I got to keep to the pattern for the most part with the beads and some of the awesome chain Kym sent as well as part of the super cool clasp.
I was so in love with this soup I just can't explain it!! I have much of it left over for future inspiration which I could really use. Since the start of the new job it has been months since I've had the joys of picking up my tools and playing in my beads. But the leftover soup sits out where I can see it regularly to keep me inspired.
Here's what I sent Kym. (The photo is hers photography skills. She's even awesome at that too!!) Please visit her blog and see the lovely things she made. http://kymhunterdesigns.blogspot.com/
Busy in Beads
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Sunday, March 16, 2014
New year, New things!
So this if FAR past the NEW YEAR time but I finally started to get into metals this year which is something I've been wanting to do for YEARS!!! Oh the ideas I have, the things I want to try but oh the time I DON'T have to do it all lol. So I finally found some sheet metal to cut, stamp, emboss, patina, flame paint, etc. Here are a few samples of the things I've done lately. I'm on the hunt for a good sealant to protect the colorings of the copper but I may have found one, I just haven't had time to test it yet. Fingers crossed. Here are some photos of new metal pieces:
I'm really hoping to have the sealant figured out soon because I can't explain how much I enjoyed this!! Looking forward to doing more!!
I'm really hoping to have the sealant figured out soon because I can't explain how much I enjoyed this!! Looking forward to doing more!!
8th BEAD SOUP has commenced!! Meet my partner!
Well it's that time of year again! The Bead Soup party. The time where you get paired up, send some beads, get some beads and make some stuff then blog about it. Oh who am I kidding, there's SO much more to it than that!!!
This is an amazing event that hundreds of people partake in. You discover wonderful new artists and find new inspiration. I've been paired with some great people in the past and I am REALLY looking forward to networking with my newest partner; Kym Hunter of kymhunterdesigns.blogspot.com. Here are some samples of her work:
Her pieces are awesome!! I adore her blog. I love everything about the colors and themes she uses. Her use of mixed media puts me in mind of some of the things I've done and am currently doing as well as on my "try that" list. (It's funny because I follow another artist on FB who sometimes seems to be on the same mind path that I'm on. I'll have a project in mind, and she'll post she's done one. I'll start dabbling in new things, and she starts dabbling in similar things. It is so funny how some of us artist just have the same wavelength at times. It kind of makes you feel connected.)
I'm so excited about this pairing because this is the first time I've been paired up with someone who I felt was similar to my own style but unique in the materials. I've been talking with Kym here and there since the pairing and I genuinely enjoy her. Can't wait for the big reveal!!
This is an amazing event that hundreds of people partake in. You discover wonderful new artists and find new inspiration. I've been paired with some great people in the past and I am REALLY looking forward to networking with my newest partner; Kym Hunter of kymhunterdesigns.blogspot.com. Here are some samples of her work:
Her pieces are awesome!! I adore her blog. I love everything about the colors and themes she uses. Her use of mixed media puts me in mind of some of the things I've done and am currently doing as well as on my "try that" list. (It's funny because I follow another artist on FB who sometimes seems to be on the same mind path that I'm on. I'll have a project in mind, and she'll post she's done one. I'll start dabbling in new things, and she starts dabbling in similar things. It is so funny how some of us artist just have the same wavelength at times. It kind of makes you feel connected.)
I'm so excited about this pairing because this is the first time I've been paired up with someone who I felt was similar to my own style but unique in the materials. I've been talking with Kym here and there since the pairing and I genuinely enjoy her. Can't wait for the big reveal!!
Saturday, April 27, 2013
My Boyfriend Makes Beads!!! What a Happy Girl I am!!!
My
boyfriend (Keith aka Boyfriend) picked up lampworking around February
of 2012. Since then it has taken quite some time to get him motivated on
doing anything serious with it but after he recently invested in a new
torch set up and an ever so kind friend (Dean Abner of Bubby & McGurk Beads
sent him some WONDERFUL resources) he's finally getting into his
groove!! I can't say how excited I am to have a partner who cares enough
to find a way to make himself a part of my hobby! This blog is my way
of sharing that with you my followers and random viewers. In this blog I
will show off some of my favorite sets and some pieces made using the
up and coming "Boyfriend's Beads". You can follow him on Facebook or check out his Etsy shop for more info and samples! I also have some older sets in my photos on my Facebook as well. Feel free to join us in our networking!! :)
And here they are ladies and gentlemen. Some of my favorite sets/pieces of "Boyfriend's Beads"
These are what I refer to as the "Peacock Pattern". Not sure where that came from but it sticks. I was browsing a bead store and found the most perfect feathers for these.. here's a sample.
Another one of my favorite sets of Keith's beads are what we call the "Tiger Pattern". The peacock set was one of his first sets and shortly thereafter came the tiger set. So rich in color I fell hard for these babies!!
Now, as of lately Boyfriend has been getting into some specialty glass and frits. I can say I am REALLY enjoying that part! Some of my favorite specialty sets I'm having a very hard time parting with, and one I've already decided to keep.
This last set is one I kept for myself. I made a nifty leather wrap that showcase the beads and have 2 beads left to make matching earrings. I LOVE this set!!!
I also made some other random pieces with some beads focusing moreso on the piece as a whole as opposed to trying to showcase the beads. They ended up being some great fillers!
Here I used a set where the frit hadn't quite turned. I thought it was perfect for spring. As things are just starting to bloom, so was the frit.
On this piece, the specialty green set with accenting sea foam green beads worked GREAT with my stamped and painted focal. I couldn't be more happy with this piece!
On this one I used some "Messy Olive" glass beads to add to my acorn stamped and painted focal. This one looks better in person!
I've had this sea horse for years now. It finally came together for me with some of Boyfriend's creamy glass and light transparent green dots. Just goes to show... there will come a time for EVERY bead piece you collect. (Told ya Mom! hahah)
This is the last one I promise! You should really click the image on this one to enlarge the photo and see the beads. I was going for something beachy when I picked this glass out. The black was a total fluke. Did not expect it but I loved it. It reminded me of black beach stones. So the bead, to me, has blue for water, white sandy tone for white sandy beaches, and black for the beach stones. The sari silk and pendant give it an Island feel and the pearls and Swarovksi crystals jazz it up a bit while the riverstone ties it all together.
There are just so many possibilities in jewelry and that's why I love it so much. The creativity is never ending. There are always new avenues to explore. So explore some "Boyfriend's Beads" and see what kind of inspiration he can ignite in your designs!
And here they are ladies and gentlemen. Some of my favorite sets/pieces of "Boyfriend's Beads"
These are what I refer to as the "Peacock Pattern". Not sure where that came from but it sticks. I was browsing a bead store and found the most perfect feathers for these.. here's a sample.
Another one of my favorite sets of Keith's beads are what we call the "Tiger Pattern". The peacock set was one of his first sets and shortly thereafter came the tiger set. So rich in color I fell hard for these babies!!
Now, as of lately Boyfriend has been getting into some specialty glass and frits. I can say I am REALLY enjoying that part! Some of my favorite specialty sets I'm having a very hard time parting with, and one I've already decided to keep.
This last set is one I kept for myself. I made a nifty leather wrap that showcase the beads and have 2 beads left to make matching earrings. I LOVE this set!!!
I also made some other random pieces with some beads focusing moreso on the piece as a whole as opposed to trying to showcase the beads. They ended up being some great fillers!
Here I used a set where the frit hadn't quite turned. I thought it was perfect for spring. As things are just starting to bloom, so was the frit.
On this piece, the specialty green set with accenting sea foam green beads worked GREAT with my stamped and painted focal. I couldn't be more happy with this piece!
On this one I used some "Messy Olive" glass beads to add to my acorn stamped and painted focal. This one looks better in person!
I've had this sea horse for years now. It finally came together for me with some of Boyfriend's creamy glass and light transparent green dots. Just goes to show... there will come a time for EVERY bead piece you collect. (Told ya Mom! hahah)
This is the last one I promise! You should really click the image on this one to enlarge the photo and see the beads. I was going for something beachy when I picked this glass out. The black was a total fluke. Did not expect it but I loved it. It reminded me of black beach stones. So the bead, to me, has blue for water, white sandy tone for white sandy beaches, and black for the beach stones. The sari silk and pendant give it an Island feel and the pearls and Swarovksi crystals jazz it up a bit while the riverstone ties it all together.
There are just so many possibilities in jewelry and that's why I love it so much. The creativity is never ending. There are always new avenues to explore. So explore some "Boyfriend's Beads" and see what kind of inspiration he can ignite in your designs!
BEAD SOUP REVEAL TIME!!!
Bead soup is an amazing event I think all beaders should take part in at least ONCE in their lifetime. It will be a memorable moment I promise you! The event was created and is managed by the AMAZING Lori Anderson from Pretty Things Blog. Lori is beyond amazing actually. How this woman organizes an event with over 500 people involved as well as manage her other priorities, health and of course her little one, I will never know but bless her for it because it is TRULY a rewarding experience.
How does it work you might ask? Well she picks you a partner, you send eachother a focal, clasp, and coordinating beads. On your reveal date, you show what you've made with the items! So without further adieu.. I give you my bead soup. But first... a reminder of what my partner Kathy Stemke, who I've rather enjoyed being partnered with, sent me!
So here is the first piece I did. Using some of the diamond shaped beads I paired it with some of my own hand dyed silk scraps and Czech glass beads. I also used one of the 2 clasps she sent. I just LOVED this clasp. I found it soooo nifty!!! I think the stone is pale labradorite, but not entirely sure.
After piecing this one together, I moved on to the super cool pink fire agates Kathy sent me. Along with some of the chain, I tied up some dangly earrings!! :0)
Sticking with the earring mode I moved on to another set of earrings, using the nifty carved pink beads from the soup
Staying with the pink, I moved along to the mighty chunky pink howlite/magnesite pieces. These were screaming "PAIR ME WITH SOME NEONS!!" So I pulled out some green and orange glass, paired it with some chain from the soup and VOILA!! A funky chunky necklace that screams LOOK AT ME!!! :0)
Moving right along I set out to do something different with the carved focal I was given. I ADORED this pendant. I had never seen something so neat!!! I really tried to pull the colors out of the pendant using some more of my hand dyed silk and some "beach glass" green beads paired with some creamy seed beads.
I must say I got some nice agates in this soup!! I really liked the green crackle agates from Kathy but wasn't sure what to do with them. I ended up just making a pendant out of the one and I think it turned out to be my second favorite piece. This was my first time attempting a wire wrapping like this so I was really happy with how it turned out.
I've saved my favorite piece for last. I was BEYOND happy with this piece. Using some copper metals to accent the brown edges of the stones, some hand dyed silks, manmade hematite to draw out the grays/blues, and some fire agate to flare it up a bit. Out came this beauty! Never have I been more happy with a Bead Soup piece!
I really enjoyed this bead soup. I greatly enjoyed my previous one as well with Grace Neff of Grace Elements Jewelry. She is such a peach!!
Kathy sent me such an amazing soup! My inspiration flared as soon as I opened all the adorable easter eggs she sent. The chocolate helped through the late nights of designing and made for a great little refuel!! I really really just genuinely enjoyed the event and I hope you who visit enjoy this blog! Head on over to Kathy's Blog and see what she did with the soup I sent her! Browse the blog list below to see the other participants!
Thank you Lori Anderson for hosting another Bead Soup event! Such a treasured time in my jewelry life! I look forward to the rest to come!
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