BSBP #8: REVEAL DAY!

Today is the Reveal Day for the 8th Bead Soup Blog Party hosted by Lori Anderson from Pretty Things!  YAY!  I can't wait to peruse all the blogs (around 500!) with all the new pretties!  Seeing what each person makes with their fun, unique, beautiful, and sometimes really challenging soups is so exciting and inspiring!  But even more exciting for me this year was the chance to participate in my first BSBP!

As a reminder (you can see more photos in the original post), this is what I sent to my partner, Gloria Allen of Gloria Allen Designs, plus some sterling silver beads:

The soup I sent to Gloria - gemstones, pearls, glass, crystals, chain, sterling clasp and beads (not shown).

And this is what Gloria sent to me:

The soup Gloria sent to me - gemstones, glass, crystals, copper findings, several focals and clasps.

One of the main draws of the BSBP is the inherent challenge each soup provides for the participants.  The soups are supposed to be put together or made from materials and beads from our own stash, which will hopefully provide something different for our partners to work with.  The soup I received was a challenge for me because I don't often mix several colors together in one piece - my designs tend to be more monochromatic color schemes mixed with "safe" neutrals, or with just a hint of a complementary color mixed in....

The soup I received, however, was full of bright, beautiful colors in gemstones, crystals, and glass!  There was purple, green, blue, yellow, and brown!  I took up the challenge in at least one of my pieces - making certain to bring several colors together in a single design in this beadwoven bracelet.  The large dyed quartz and jade beads in greens and purples were from the soup, as well as the brass floral toggle.

Spring Flowers - Beadwoven Bracelet.  Lime green, teal, and purple beads from my soup, as well as the brass toggle.

My original idea was to use the focal bead by Donna Millard in the beadwoven bracelet design.  As I was weaving, though, I realized the gorgeous focal would be lost in this bright bracelet.  I decided to save it for a necklace, where I could really let it be the center of attention!  I wanted to try a peyote rope with a subtle spiral, and after a couple false starts, came up with this pattern.

Untitled Necklace - Donna Millard Focal Bead, accent beads, and clasp from my soup.

In the spirit of challenging myself, I tried a "messy wrap" around my focal beads in this necklace.  I love crisp, clean lines and neat wire wrapping - so this was actually very difficult for me to do and leave alone.  However, I really like the end result and it sits so nicely when worn!  I used one of the focals with accent beads and another floral clasp from the soup.

Untitled Necklace with a Donna Millard focal bead and beadwoven chain.

One of my favorites from the soup (there were so many!) were these carved gemstone flower beads.  I thought of making this design bigger or bolder, but in the end I kept it simple.  I haven't decided if I'm listing the previous designs in my shop or keeping them, but I know I'm keeping this simple flower necklace for myself!  It'll be perfect for summer, when I don't want a heavy necklace but need just a little something extra for my outfit.....

Summer Necklace with Carved Gemestone Flowers and handmade clasp.

Unfortunately, these were the only designs I completed in time for the reveal from my generous soup from Gloria.  But, fortunately for me, this leaves quite a few beads, focals, and a clasp that I still get to design around!  I have an idea stewing for the fairy focal but it hasn't finished simmering....

And what of the little "extra" gift from Gloria?  Well, she suggested I make myself some earrings from these rough cut aquamarine beads - and I agreed!  I'm always in need of more colorful, noticeable earrings!  I may rework the design, but that's for another day.  Because today I'm wearing them!

Aquamarine Earrings - 2 1/2 inches long, wire wrapped, rough cut stones.

Thank you, Gloria Allen, for being my partner and sharing this wonderful experience and all these beads with me!  Please be sure to visit her blog (follow the link in her name) to see what she made with my soup - I know I can't wait - and I'll be sure to keep sharing what I make with my leftovers!

And thank you, Lori Anderson, for all your hard work and dedication to this group and this party!  To keep hopping, please follow the link - her blog has the complete list of participants!

Finally, thanks for stopping by!

Happy Hopping!
PZ