Saturday, April 13, 2013

Bead Soup Blog Party - My Big Reveal!

I'm so excited I'm so excited I'm so excited!

Can you tell I'm excited?

Okay, without further ado, here is what I created with those fabulous beads from Tina Holden, which I've decided to call, "Be Love":

Isn't it a doozy? I don't know why I was drawn to this set from the two that Tina sent me, but I think it was a combination of the colors and the heart pendant. I don't often work with hearts, and that was a challenge for me. I enjoy a good challenge lately, and this one was so inspiring!


Picking the colors for the triple spiral rope (thank you, Nancy Dale, for the amazing tutorial!) was something else. I had this assortment of beads on my bead mat that looked totally awful in the tubes - blues, greys, golds, brown, orange... I thought, there's no way those colors are going to work. Ugly!

But, I picked up my needle and thread and started stitching. And stitching, and stitching, because triple spiral rope takes three times as long to make as a regular spiral rope, doncha know!

The colors just blended together beautifully, just as they did in Tina's gorgeous set. I was absolutely thrilled to see how the spiral turned out, and it made me feel much better about trusting my own innate sense of color.


I learned a couple of things about triple spiral rope, too. The first is that thread choice is EVERYTHING.

I started out using a piece of moss green Spiderwire fishing line, thinking that it's a little thinner than Fireline and probably wouldn't clog up the bead holes so fast. What I didn't realize is that Spiderwire tangles like crazy - and when you're using 15 feet of beading thread, yeah, a few tangles can definitely slow you down.

After I finished the first 3-inch section of triple spiral, I switched over to Fireline and was absolutely amazed at how much easier it is to use when working a triple spiral! The beads just slipped together nicely, even if they did get a bit unruly at the end. Which led me to discovery number 2...

When working a triple spiral, always bead much looser than you normally do! Really. Like I said in my blog earlier this week, once I loosened up, those core beads and accent loops just lined themselves up perfectly, with very little cajoling from me.


Attaching the segments of triple spiral was a learning experience, too. It's one thing to be able to join sections of spiral rope, or even double spiral, when you can at least see the core beads pretty easily, but trying to join the sections of triple spiral, where you have to try to peek under nine or twelve little outer spirals is definitely not for the faint of heart. I lost count of how many times I stuck the needle into the core beads where it came out the other side and directly into my fingertip. Ouch!


 I'm so in love with this piece... I briefly thought about selling it, but, nah, I think this one is a keeper. Wearing it will be a good reminder to me that I need to be love, to give and receive love, and to trust myself and the Universe that it will all work out okay in the end.

If you're totally in love with the handmade polymer clay beads, button, and focal in this piece, I suggest you check out Tina Holden's Etsy Shop and see all of the other amazing goodies she has in there. You'll find beautiful polymer clay cabochons and beads, as well as lots and lots of fabulous tutorials and supplies for making your own polymer clay pieces. And, of course, don't forget to check out Tina's blog to see what she made with the sparkly dichroic cab soup I sent her!

And, of course, make sure that you spend some time checking out all of the other amazing reveals today in the 2nd Reveal of the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party! Cheers!

49 comments:

Unknown said...

I would have been at a total loss on what to do with that heart. You accented it beautifully. Sorry you stuck your fingers so many times. Thanks for the tips on triple spiral. I'll definitely have to try it soon.

coffeeaddict said...

Wonderful necklace!

Jo-Ann said...

I love the big heart focal, it is amazing. Your triple spiral rope is a lovely blend of colours. I will have to give it a try!!

la mar de bonita said...

Nice soup cooking, you did a wonderful job, Jennifer!

DVArtist said...

Wonderful work Jen. I love the colors you joined with Tina's beads. Really beautiful.
Nicole/Beadwright

Anonymous said...

Wow. Pretty much, just 'wow' :) I like, a lot!

Unknown said...

Elegant, perfect match of focal and beadwork.

Juli Cannon said...

Drooool. That heart is gorgeous and you've created the perfect frame for it. Love.

Cheri said...

Beautiful work!

Sea of Dreams said...

Truly an amazing piece! I can't wait to try the triple sprial rope...thanks so much for sharing where to find the tutorial!

Unknown said...

Oh wow, that piece is breathtaking. The heart and the way you've used it is so lovely !

Dolores Raml said...

Beautiful necklace, love the heart and how you used it.

Unknown said...

Super color combination. I love it!
I don't usually like hearts, but this one with its pewter look is beautiful. It works soooo well with the triple spiral.
kathy

Cyndi L said...

That beaded rope is fan-freaking-tastic!!

Windbent said...

I agree, not a heart person, but you sold me! This is amazing.

Chelle said...

Beautiful necklace.

Unknown said...

Amazing and it just took my breath away!!!

Karin Slaton said...

I've never tried a triple spiral, but now I simply MUST! Like some of your other commenters, I, too, would have been stumped by that heart. Your color palette, with its striking but muted tones, turns this necklace into a sophisticated masterpiece. Bravo!

Unknown said...

WOW! I love your necklace and don't blame you for keeping it. I really admire your beadwork. Congratulations on a great bead soup challenge reveal.

Unknown said...

OMG!
Your necklace is just so lovely ^_^

bailaora said...

great spiral rope in super necklace!

NEDbeads said...

Holy moly cow!!!!!!! I can't say how much I love this!!! Jen, you make that heart look outstandingly beautiful!! I especially admire that you worked with the colors despite your initial reservations - you brave lady - and it's a good reminder to us all to stretch as much as we can, as we may well love the results after all. I LOVE your triple spiral!!! :) Huge hugs, and congratulations on a mega massively gorgeous piece!!!

PiPa said...

You made an awesome work, triple spiral rope isalso one of my favorite and you rocked it! It matches perfectly to the focal

Karen Firnberg said...

Absolutely fabulous! Everything about it. I love the components, balance, colors. Great, great work!

EB Bead and Metal Works, LLC said...

Love that rope strand necklace you created to showcase that heart pendant! Love it!!!

Kaybree said...

This is exquisite, the triple spiral rope was the pefect way accentuate the focal heart.

Kaybree said...

This is exquisite, the triple spiral rope was the pefect way accentuate the focal heart.

SwallowtailJewellery said...

Beautiful design. I am in awe of your triple spiral rope chain! Wish I could seed bead! Gorgeous bead soup!!

Giorgia Rossini said...

wow, I love this necklace!
I'm on the 3rd reveal, what fun BSBP!
ciao dall'Italia

Ann said...

Fantastic necklace, the spiral rope is perfect for those beads.

Unknown said...

Wow! Stunning piece! Love the design and colors...really fantastic job!

Kumi Fisher said...

This necklace is one of my favorite! Beautiful work!

Lupe Meter said...

Your beadwork is amazing...love this creation! You did an awesome job with your bead soup from Tina!

Shalini said...

Beautiful!

april grinaway said...

Wow, you did a beautiful job!

Peggy@ColorMoiMandalas said...

Love it! Thank you for sharing the links!

CraftyHope said...

I love all your talk about creating this piece but wish I knew what it all meant. Unfortunately, seed beading skills allude me. I can, however, totally appreciate how beautiful this necklace is. You rocked this challenge.

Bobbie said...

Gorgeous! I'm with you on not often working with heart shaped beads, but the size and colors of this one makes it a heart of substance, not some dainty little thing. And the triple spiral is a rope of substance, perfect to balance and highlight the wonderful focal. Yep, I would keep this one for myself, too!

Libellula Jewelry™ said...

The materials, colors, and design of your necklace make it a true work of art! It somehow manages to be both exquisite and subtle at the same time.

ACBeads said...

Gorgeous necklace. I love everything in it. Excellent work.

Lilik Kristiani said...

I love the colors combination =)

Kepi said...

Gorgeous necklace, love it!

A Polymer Penchant said...

you simply must trust your own innate sense of colour. I'm glad you descided to keep it, you should hang it over your colour wheel when you aren't wearing it as a great reminder. I can't imagine fighting 15 feet of anything with a mind of it's own. Kudos on wrangling it all into this beauty!

Unknown said...

Wow, a triple spiral. I didn't know you could do that. I want to do one now. You did a fantastic job and your color choice was spot on.

Becky Pancake said...

Jen your necklace is beautiful. I love spiral ropes.Thanx for a new spiral rope to try.

Shai Williams said...

I am not a big one for seed beads but your necklace just might change my mind. It is incredible!

Unknown said...

Spectacular work on your soup! That triple spiral rope is gorgeous with the focal!

Lori Anderson said...

That is so completely gorgeous. I wish I had that vision, that talent. You are wonderful!

Lori Anderson said...

That is so completely gorgeous. I wish I had that vision, that talent. You are wonderful!