Saturday, March 25, 2017

Bead Soup Blog Party: Bead Hoarders' Edition - Reveal Day

I will admit, when I first received the package of beads from Sally, I had virtually NO idea how or what I would create with them. I had expected to receive only one focal bead, but instead she sent two focal beads and a few extras.

I scoured pages and pages of images on Google and Pinterest searching for inspiration. I did not think I was going to be able to create something that would do justice to these lovely beads and was beginning to panic. Thank goodness, I finally found what I was looking for. 

Once I had the idea in mind, it was time to go to my bead stash to find the co-ordinating beads needed to complete the piece. The idea was to use only beads from your stash and not run out to buy new ones.

i did pretty good. The only thing I had to purchase for this project was the bead caps, as I had none of those. Here is the completed necklace.





I pulled the colour red from the two focal beads for the seed beads used for the bottom portion of the necklace. I used all the beads that Sally sent me for the focal points on either side, and clear cracked quartz and red seed beads for the upper portion.



There are some serious construction flaws in this piece, a few things that I did not clearly think through before plunging into making it. I love how it turned out but will have to go back and resolve those issues before I dare wear it for fear of it falling apart, seed beads scattering all over the floor!

Here is the original inspiration for my creation. It is considerably chunkier that my necklace but follows the same basic structure. 

This was a lot of fun to make, and it was great to reconnect with someone I had been out of touch with for several years. Check out what Sally made with the bead that I sent to her. Click here.

A big thank you goes out to Lori Anderson for hosting this event. Check out the creations of the other participants on her blog. Scroll all the way to the bottom to see all the links.

53 comments:

  1. Gorgeous! I believe Sally will be very pleased with what you crated with the beads that she sent to you.
    Therese

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    1. Thank you, Therese. It is different than anything l've made before. It was outside of my comfort zone. But that's what this is all about, right?

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  2. Wow! How amazing piece you have created. Well done!The colour is so lush and well coordinated. Love it!

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    1. Thank you Noemi. I'm glad I did not have to go out and purchase new beads. My stash is a wee bit smaller now.

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  3. That's beautiful Bonnie. You did a fantastic job.

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    1. Thanks, Nelly. I'm pleased with how it turned out. I learned a couple of lessons along the wzy too.

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  4. Bonnie!!! This necklace is fantastic!! And it is made with my favorite colors!! Therese is right I am over the moon with this design! Gorgeous!! I'm so glad that you were my partner, this was so much fun!!!

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    1. Thank you, Sally. I hoped you would like what I created. *smile*

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  5. I love how this turned out! Looks awesome.

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    1. Thank you, Yvonne. I took a chance and wore it to work yesterday and it did not fall apart. It might be okay.

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  6. Hi Bonnie, Your design is fabulous. I would have thought two necklaces with the two beads but you managed to use them together beautifully.

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    1. Thanks, Becky. I figured that the beads belonged together. It took me quite awhile to find a design that I could incorporate them both in but I did it!

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  7. I'm glad it didn't fall apart - I can't imagine have to pick up those little beads! I bet you got lots of compliments - it is beautiful!

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    1. Thank you, Dorothy. Everyone at work seemed really appreciative of the design, and I love wearing it. I would not enjoy picking all those seed beads if it fell apart, I agree. Maybe it is fine and I'm worrying for no reason. Let's hope so.

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  8. Your necklace uses the beads you were given perfectly! Sometimes good things come out of last minute panic😀

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    1. Panic does inspire creativity sometimes, I agree. LOL

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  9. Wow, that's a seriously beautiful piece of work right there.

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    1. Thank you, Sarah. Your kind words are much appreciated. I tend to be overly critical of my own work. It is nice to know that others like what I do.

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    1. Thank you. In spite of all the challenges, I'm quite please with the finished piece.

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  11. Really beautiful-love the colors and the design.

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    1. Thanks. I'm sure that I will wear it often.

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  12. I absolutely love how you used your beads. The red is strong and perfect for setting off those pretty lamp worked beads.The bead caps are just right. You would never know you panicked over this one. It is a gorgeous necklace!

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    1. Thank you, Barb. I'm glad that I was able to come up with a design that could use both of these beautiful beads.

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  13. You did a lovely job! I adore the finished piece.

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    1. Thanks, Hannah. I always worry that my work does not match up to others. I imagine all artists are like that.

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  14. What bold beautiful colors. I really like the execution I wouldn't have been able to pull off something so pretty. And it looks like you used every bead she sent, very attractive piece!

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    1. Thank you, Maria Rosa. I'm glad that I was able to incorporate all the beads she sent to me in the design.

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  15. wow looks like you had a bit of a challenge and a lot of fun! The necklace looks great.

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    1. Thanks, Dar. It WAS a bit of a challenge but the finished product is worth it.

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  16. What a great necklace - lots of bold colour and texture.

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    1. Thank you, Susanm. I'm a fan of LOTS of colour.

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  17. Hey Bonnie your necklace turned out amazing!!!

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    1. Thanks, CJ. Sometimes, I surprise even myself. LOL

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  18. It's beautiful!!! - I love it!!!

    I know exactly what you mean - I have two pieces that need to be restrung for exactly the same reason.

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    1. Thank you. The good part is that we learn vital lessons from our mistakes, and hopefully, never make them again.

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  19. I LOVE this necklace. You found the exact right way to use these beads. It looks great. I love that you chose the red seed beads. Such a great, colorful necklace.

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    1. Thank you, Ann. I must say, until I found the right inspiration, I was straining my brain to come up with an idea.

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  20. How gorgeous! I love that you used both the focals on the same necklace and drew out the color that they had in common! It's really awesome!

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    1. Thanks, Rachel. I really wanted to keep the beads 'together' because it was important to my partner that they stay together. *smile*

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  21. I hate to hear there are construction issues as this necklace is really stunning. I would have never come up with something like this, but I love it so. I do hope your fixes don't take away too much from it because I think you made just what those beads were to become. It's fabulous!

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    1. Thanks, Hope. I've worn it twice and no mishap yet. Since originally making it, I've come up with a more viable construction plan if it ever decides to fall apart. No worries, it would look the same.

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    1. Thank you, Carol. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.

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  23. Beautiful job showcasing those lovely beads!

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    1. Thanks, Liz. Once I found the inspiration, the rest was easy.

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  24. That is some creation. Totally awesome job on your soup.

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    1. Thank you, Joyce. I love it when a plan comes together so well.

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  25. Oh my gosh, you NAILED it! I would never have thought of that. You did a fantastic job!

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    1. Thank you, Lori. Glad you finally got here to see it. Coming up with a plan was a process but it turned out better than I expected.

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  26. Your inspiration necklace is gorgeous and so is the one you put together from your soup. The multiple strands of red make those glass beads stand out like no other color would have. Great idea and perfect end result. Lovely!

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  27. Awesome necklace, the beads you received look great in it.

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  28. You did an amazing necklace, I love your color choice. Stunning!!!

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