Saturday, September 17, 2011

The Bead Soup Blog Party!

And of course, here I am, late to the party as always...

My partner, Kim Hora, sent me this:



I was totally in love with these gorgeous handmade enamel rings that she sent. Kim even sent me an extra ring to play with later! I had no idea what to do with any of them, and they were certainly out of my comfort zone, even though I loved the colors. I just don't do that much with metals!

A trip to my local Michael's craft store and some new brass chain was what I needed. I came home, sat down with the chain and my headpins, and created this:


Totally NOT what I usually do, but it's still my style! I think I'm going to get a lot of wear out of this necklace - in fact, I'm wearing it right now!


I loved playing with different combinations of beads and those filigree bead caps on the headpins. That brass flower was going to get used, no matter what, I decided. I decided to save the dragonfly for another project - and besides, Colden likes to come up to my work pad (where the dragonfly currently lives), gently lift it up and make it "fly" away across the house for a little while.

Thanks so much to Lori for making this all happen! I can't imagine what kind of work goes into pulling off something like this. This is my third Bead Soup Blog Party, and I can't wait to sign up for the next one!

If you want to see all of the gorgeous designs that were made around the world in this Bead Soup Blog Party, you can find the whole list here. And make sure you drop by Lori's blog and take a look at her Bead Soup pieces - absolutely gorgeous!

And now, I go take a rest. Tom and his friend have been on the roof all day, tearing off shingles and putting on paper, and it sounds like they are starting to hammer down another layer of something. Colden and I went to Plattsburgh and ran errands, then I came home and put away all the groceries, made lunch, did the dishes, and ran to get sandwiches for the guys and the kids. And of course, I discovered that we had no frozen peas and no more sliced almonds in the freezer for tonight's dinner. Figures. So, a little rest for me before I have to get back in the car and go up to AuSable Forks and get stuff for dinner.


39 comments:

Lis said...

absolutely beautiful piece!

Tammy Jones, JewelryMakingDaily.com said...

Lovely, Jen! I love that brass flower too--I made a necklace out of one of those a year or so ago and it tinkles like a wind chime. I wish I hadn't sold it!

Michelle Mach said...

How fun! I don't think I've ever seen a piece of yours that wasn't beadwoven!

Those flower beads are some of my favorites. I just made a pair of earrings with them and feel almost guilty that they're so beautiful with so little effort on my part!

Shiraz said...

Really lovely!

kimmykats said...

Jen, what a beautiful piece you created. We were at a flea market today so I could only get a small pic of the finished piece on my phone...couldn't wait to get back to the motel so I could really see it! I love the flower caps too and how you put the large bead with it. I wish you many hours of wearing your lovely creation. You have my permission to go back to your comfort zone now!!! This has been a wonderful learning experience and I thank you for my soup.

Unknown said...

You did an awesome piece and without beadweaving! You are a girl of many many talents!

Carol Tannahill said...

very beautiful work.

Sweet Freedom said...

Love what you've done! I have one of those Vintaj brass flowers,and I am hoarding it. I need to get it out and design. You have inspired me!

VS said...

What a beautiful soup you made my friend, your work is truly stunning!! Thanks for sharing & all I can say is yummmmmy!!!

Jennifer Cameron said...

Fab job Jen! Love the necklace and would totally wear it.

Maneki said...

Beautiful autumn necklace!

Unknown said...

I think I'd be wearing it too.

Sweet Willow Designs said...

The way you set off the focal with the dangle was just great. Really seeing your work.

Loris Glassworks said...

Wonderful! You have created a terrific piece of wearable art. I like your use of color and texture. Thank you for sharing your artistic process. Cheers!
Lori

Lori Anderson said...

LOVE the long pendant dangles! Well done!

I hope you'll join me next time! The badge and dates will be posted tomorrow, the 19th!

Love, Lori

Maggie said...

What a beautiful focal. Always nice when you go outside your comfort level and then up loving what you make.

Christine Altmiller said...

this is so pretty! great work!

Wendy said...

Very pretty! Great job! :)

Tracy said...

Lovely design.

beautifullybrokenme said...

I love your necklace - with the beautiful colors and design, I would wear with everything! Great job! :)

Ann said...

You're sharing dragonfly beads? I never would:) Nice work it's great that those components you don't usually use led you to create something you're already wearing.

T... said...

very pretty....love the focal

KayzKreationz said...

What a nice piece. I love the way you attached the enamel ring as the focal and the little flower as a dangle underneath. The chain is a nice addition, too.

I LOVE color! said...

I am so sorry for being so late my computer was resisting too labor intensive:^)Very nice designs. And there is still time to sign up for the give-away, Just go to SandysColoringBox.blogspot.com Sept.16th blog and leave a comment
Be blessed to be a blessing

Beadbug said...

I love the colors and design, it's so much fun to see what everyone has created.

Jo said...

That is lovely!

Cynthia said...

I don't work much with metal, I love what you made, beautiful

SoulsFireDesigns said...

Beautiful!!!! Wonderful way to bring it all together :)

Beadaholique said...

Jen, I always love your designs, and this is no exception! Great job :)

Christine said...

Beautiful necklace!

Terri said...

Cool soup and I like the pieces you selected out of it to created the beautiful necklace. Soup-job!

CraftyHope said...

You did a great job stepping out of your comfort zone and creating something lovely. It's a simple necklace, but it does make a statement. Nicely done!

Bobbie said...

Ooh, ooh, ooh, that enamel ring is very cool! The necklace is very cool - I'd be wearing it right now if it was within arm's reach!

Unknown said...

I really like the way you used the bead caps too! Great Soup!

Shay Stone said...

It looks great!

VanBeads said...

Wow, I am totally overwhelmed with the comments! Thanks so much, everyone! :-D

Elysian Studios said...

Very pretty! I love the way you incorporated the enameled rings into a stunning focal! Beautiful!

DaviniaDesign said...

Beautiful piece!

Aquariart said...

That donut is beautiful- love the sparkly gree in it!! Really nice soup. I like the way you used the metal rings for a bail- they don't hide any of that focal.