Saturday, May 10, 2014

Bead Soup Blog Hop - The Reveal

In spite of the late start, I've managed to create two pieces from some of the fabulous components sent to me by my partner, Janet, of JayBee Jewelry Designs. To the right, you can see the original mix of elements that she sent to me. I wish that I had the time to design and create something with all of them but the flood clean up had to be done before anything else.

For the first design, I used copper rings to make a chain mail base. I added the enameled clasp and gorgeous copper focal pendant that Janet made for me. My intent was to use some of the sari silk to weave in between the links but there would not have been enough left for the other design I wanted to try. So, I used organza ribbon instead. If I try this technique again, I will not use a sheer ribbon but something that will make a bolder statement.


Enameled Clasp

Hand-made copper pendant focal

For my second piece, I started with the sari silk as a base. I loosely braided and randomly wire wrapped it with 24 gauge copper wire. Next came the beaded fringe pendant, inspired by a tutorial I found on the Art Jewelry Elements blog. I did not have enough of the lime green nylon cord, so I alternated it with some dark green nylon cord that I had on hand for the fringe. In retrospect, I can see that there are way too many dangles but that's hindsight for you. *smile* And I remember why I don't work with seed beads often too.




Both designs had me thinking 'outside of the box' that I normally work in but that is the point of the bead soup blog hop, right? To challenge us to try new techniques, work with components we may not have used before and to learn from our 'mistakes' along the way.

Last minute edit: I completed a third piece this morning. I made paper beads and strung them with glass beads from my stash and the lovely radiant orchid beads from Janet. The magazine pages that I used to make the paper beads had more of the radiant orchid colour on them than the final beads would suggest.



I can't wait to see the creations of all the other participants. Hop over to Lori's site to see the full list. You won't be able to visit them all in one day. Over 500 people signed up this time!

39 comments:

  1. I'm loving the braiding and wire wrap around it! Very pretty!

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  2. Beautiful job Bonnie! I especially like the silk braiding....very creative!

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  3. How fun...very pretty necklaces....I love how you mixed large beads in with the seed beads on the second necklace...

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  4. I like the way you wire wrapped the sari silk. You made lovely pieces!

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  5. Lovely designs! I just love how you used the sari silk. Really makes it pop.

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  6. Outstanding job on all three pieces Bonnie. I like the sheer ribbon with that gorgeous copper focal. It adds a touch of femininity. Your paper beads with the purple is striking.

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  7. I rally like all your pieces. I especially like the one with sari silk. From my angle I don't think you have too much fringe. It looks great.

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  8. Lovely design ideas. Nicely done.

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  9. The use of fiber on the first two pieces are so lovely! Beautiful work!

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  10. Beautiful! I love the sari silk necklace! Excellent work. Thanks for joining and posting!

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  11. Loved how you used the ribbon and had the wired pieces in between. Very nice work.

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  12. I love the necklace with the green fringe! I love how you wire wrapped the segments of the ribbon. The fringe reminds me of the moss beards hanging down from the trees- so beautiful.

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  13. These are really Pretty!!! I like them all. I think you did a Great Job!!! Have a Blessed Day!

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  14. Really like the sari silk necklace and how you wire wrapped it. The fringe is great too!

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  15. Very pretty necklaces, great job!

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  16. Very nice reveal. Love that second necklace. It always amazes me how others can weave ribbon in chain and make it look so nice. When I do it, it looks like....well, let's just say I don't get the same results. Great job.

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  17. Beautiful designs, Bonnie! I actually think the fringes are OK, love the fact they are sooo many! It gives some extra weight to the light necklace. All your pieces are adorable - love them all!

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  18. Oh I love that fringe focal Bonnie! That is definitely on my list of to-do's. Such a grwat way to use up all those little leftovers. What you've done with the braided silk is gorgeous. I love how you've interspersed little wire wraps around it. Really adds zing. And going back to your first necklace - your colour choices for the ribbons make that beautiful copper focal pop right out. Beautiful creations Bonnie.

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  19. Each of your pieces is lovely. I especially like the fringe focal necklace is lovely - gorgeous colour that is highlighted by the design.

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  20. I love each piece, Bonnie, and I'm glad I am so "slow" to hop, as it allowed me to view your lovely orchid-themed necklace as well :) I actually love the subtlety of the purple in the paper beads you created; they are a wonderful element :)

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  21. Your texture combinations are yummy! There's no way I could tell you were out of your comfort zone. Beautiful creations!

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  22. I must have missed your news about a flood. I'm so sorry to hear about this, but am glad you seem to be okay.
    As far as your pieces, you did such a nice job stepping outside your comfort zone. I especially like the fringe piece. There's just something about the contrast in the softness of the silk and the shiny of the fringe that is really kinda cool!

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  23. fabric necklaces are absolutely gorgeous!

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  24. My favorite part was the last necklace, with the coordinating paper beads you made yourself

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  25. I really like you fringe necklace so bohemian

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  26. Fabulous pieces! I love your use of fibers in the first two necklaces. The second necklace is wonderful!

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  27. Beautiful pieces and such creativity in wrapping the silk in copper. The texture is amazing and really brilliant. =) I also really loved the paper beads necklace - so cute!

    Linda A.
    http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
    http://cherryOnTopDesign.co

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  28. Your pieces are all beautiful, but your green beaded fringe necklace is just gorgeous! The paper beads are great, they complement the other beads so well in your lovely necklace.

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  29. Beatuiful pieces epecially I love the second one. Simple and so nice.

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  30. I quite like the shimmery organza ribbon couple with that lovely copper pendant you used in the first piece. I love sari silk and haven't used it yet. I really like how you braided and added wire to it. Very inventive. Last but not least I love how your paper beads complement the glass beads so nicely. Beautiful soup!

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  31. Better late than never, Bonnie. I've barely begun to hop but will eventually get through it. It's lovely to see everyone's creativity. I love what you did with the sari silk it works really well. i struggled with many different ways of using it before I finally came up with a design I like. The fringe is a perfect balance to the lightweight ribbon. All of your necklaces are terrific! Great use of your soup.

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  32. purple and green, such a gorgeous color combo, forgot how much I love that! thanks!

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  33. I love how you used fabric, so interesting, the silk necklac eis my favorite and has such an original focal! Great work!

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  34. I love your soup pieces! I think the sheer ribbon looks fabulous in the first piece. I someday would like to make my own paper beads. Yours in the last necklace are great. My favorite is the sari silk necklace with the wire wrapping and dangles. I love every element of it!

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  35. I like the organza ribbon with that piece. It has a very feminine look. I'm with you on the seed bead thing.......whew, they make me crazy, but that's a cool piece. And that necklace with the paper beads! Wowie! I've not tried paper beads, I tires me out just watching it. I'm an Aries and do not have a lot of patience. Do like the wire wrapped sari also.

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  36. So clever of you to make your own chain, and I really like how it looks with the sheer ribbon through it. I'm not a seed bead person either, but I really like how you used them as a focal on that sari silk necklace. I don't think there are too many dangles either. It works. Nice use of the wire on the braided sari silk too. You really were creative with your soup!

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  37. I like your work for the beautiful colors and mixed media but most of all the fringe necklace - I like the wirework with the silk and the fringe itself - good color combo and design!

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  38. Well I'm glad you snuck that third one in, I think it's my favorite of the three!

    Great soup!

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