When my friend first saw the spectacular glass focal bead made by my partner, Fay, she commented that it looked like a caterpillar in a milk bottle. As I looked at it again, with the fluorescent green & metallic blue colours, I thought it was more reminiscent of the Playskool Glo Worm™ whose body contained a battery-powered device that, when squeezed, would light up the toy's vinyl bottom creating a soft glow.That most likely wasn’t Fay’s vision when she created the bead but that is the image that stuck in my mind and from that came the design idea. I really felt that the focal bead needed to stand alone, showcased in a very simple and whimsical piece. I purchased lime green and bright blue organza ribbon, plus large turquoise seed beads, and I used the beautiful hand forged sterling silver clasp for this piece.
This is the first time I ever used ribbon in a jewelry design. I kind of like how it turned out. It gives the piece an air of fantasy.
For the second piece, I used most of the other beads & components that Fay sent to me, along with some from my own stash, in a personal challenge piece. In the past, my creations have always been symmetrical. A set pattern laid out in a very orderly fashion. So, I decided that I would step out of my comfort zone and create an asymmetrical piece for the Bead Soup Blog Hop.
I cut the chain so that different lengths would hang from either side of the lobster clasp at the back. From there, I strung two strands of beads as you can see in the photo, one longer than the other. There is no pattern, no regularity, no symmetry. *smile*
To accomplish this, I loosely laid out the larger beads on my bead board, and as I strung them, I added the seed beads in random colour order. I did not let my logical brain convince me to over-think the design. Oh, and this is the first time I’ve ever used beading wire and crimp beads too. I typically use nylon cord & clamshell tips for my creations.
To accomplish this, I loosely laid out the larger beads on my bead board, and as I strung them, I added the seed beads in random colour order. I did not let my logical brain convince me to over-think the design. Oh, and this is the first time I’ve ever used beading wire and crimp beads too. I typically use nylon cord & clamshell tips for my creations.
Unfortunately, one of Fay’s lovely lampwork beads broke in half during transit to me. Somehow the large black bicone beads escaped from the bead board when I wasn’t looking and did not end up in the final piece. I already have an idea for another design that they will fit perfectly with though. I’ll be using the satin cord for that one also.
Overall this has been a wonderful experience for me, once I got over my initial panic about whether I could do it or not. I learned a few things, tried a couple of new techniques & materials, and met some creative people who have inspired me to new heights.
Please be sure to visit some of the other blogs and comment on their creative endeavours.
Very nice, Bonnie - I like both! I am more partial towards assymetrical designs myself - and the colour schema is quite wonderful. I like how you used the silk for the focal bead.
ReplyDeleteI love that glass fused pendant is gorgeous. I love it.
ReplyDeleteI love the focal and the second necklace is just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteAre fantastic pieces !Congrats!
ReplyDeleteahah, me too I do a caterpillar :)
ReplyDeletecome see it on my blog, I'm a partecipant from Italy, I'm trying to visit all of you.
this was really a great experience!
you made great pieces :)
ciao ciao
It IS a lovely pendant and now that you've mentioned it I totally see the caterpillar... I agree, a simple treatment was needed.
ReplyDeletegreat job on the fabric piece... I've only tried fabric once, and it's not my strength... I"m thinking you do it very well indeed!
ReplyDeleteI love that sweet focal, and you did it justice with the simple ribbon.
ReplyDeleteLovely job Bonnie... loved the ribbon..
ReplyDeletehighlights the blue & green in my focal piece!!
Guess we have similiar ideas when it comes to designing...On the 2nd piece.. We both did a 2 strand necklace!!
No panic needed, you did a wonderful job! I love how you decided to go simpler on the pendant, although the ribbon work isn't 'simple' because it's lovely! (I need a better word and it's not coming to me). I think it made the glass so pretty.
ReplyDeleteThe second piece is excellent, too, and I know all about beads losing their way from the bead board!
I hope you join me again this summer!
Both are lovely. But the asymmetrical one is outstanding.
ReplyDeleteThe necklaces are beautiful. Great job on the second, all of those things outside your comfort zone and it turned out great. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteTwo lovely pieces in my favourite colour combination! Gorgeous :) x
ReplyDeleteI love you blog. The jewelry you made is perfect for the colors and pieces.
ReplyDeleteThe asymmetrical necklace is gorgeous and completely out of order...just like you wanted!
ReplyDeleteLove the clasp and the beaded necklace it came together really well. Great soup I love what you did with it!
ReplyDeleteI love the ribbon with that bead really a fun look!
ReplyDeleteYep I like the air of fantasy! Great work with your soup!
ReplyDeleteBonnie love your two necklace both very different but beautiful. I love thinking that your focal bead is the glow worm, it brings comfort and joy!!
ReplyDeleteI love the colours you were sent! You brought eeverything together beautifully.
ReplyDeleteYou rocked asymmetrical! I just love that second necklace!
ReplyDeleteOh nice. I am not sure which one I like more.
ReplyDeleteI love that interesting focal! Both pieces are lovely.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I thought the focal was lovely enough it needed to be the star of the show. I like how you decided to use the other beads in a separate piece. Just lovely!
ReplyDeleteEach necklace is so different and both are stunning! I like the asymmetrical necklace. Asymmetry is a challenge for me too. You did a great job!
ReplyDeleteI like how you separated the focal bead from the others. The two necklaces are both outstanding. I love each design a lot.
ReplyDeleteGreat job!!
Sabine
I love how you used the wonderful focal bead. It can stand on it's own and you highlighted that perfectly. Both of your designs are great. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteLori D.
I love what you made with your beads!
ReplyDeleteI really like the necklace with the glass bead focal..you made this a stunning piece with the fabric / colors..etc..very nice.
ReplyDeleteAll your pieces are lovely
I really like the light airy feeling you great when looking at your necklace. And then the second necklace was great.
ReplyDeleteYou have certainly shown that you could definately do it!!! You made two beautiful necklaces. I love how you incorporated the ribbons. Fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteThe ribbons does help that focal to stand out and shine!!! Terrific! And I love the boldness of the second piece! Great work!
ReplyDeleteI like the asymmetry of it. Beautiful job.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful necklaces!
ReplyDeleteI love the ribbon too! It works great with the focal.
ReplyDeleteI really like the colours in your second piece. The assymetry also makes it quite nice to look at! good job! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, good job! I sometimes get a little OCD with my designs and asymmetrical can be a challenge for me, too. I really like what you did (on *both* pieces!).
ReplyDeleteIt turned out great. I love the focal and the simplicity you used to make it stand out. the organza ribbon is just right for it. And the 2nd piece is wonderful. The assymetry is just right for these beads and the chain. Nice job.
ReplyDeleteI love the piece with no pattern, no regularity, no symmetry. The colors and patterns on the beads are perfect for the design.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pieces! I was always a fan of the Gloworm. :) your use of ribbon really showcased the focal and the beautiful clasp.
ReplyDelete~diana
Lovely designs - great focal! (Too bad one of the lampwork beads broke in transit.)
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job!
Both of your pieces are great! I love the ribbon and keeping the focal as the main star of the design.
ReplyDeleteSonya
You received some really cool beads and used them well. They're very modern and your asymetrical random use was inspired!
ReplyDeleteI have to say I really like the second one the best, I would of had a hard time with the focal, but you did a lovely job presenting it.
ReplyDeleteYour pieces are beautiful. I like the second necklace with the two strands. It really is pretty. Great job!
ReplyDeleteYou did a beautiful job with your bead soup ingredients. I like that first necklace very much - the soft, pretty colours of the ribbon adds a lovely touch to the necklace and makes it stand out.
ReplyDeleteHi Bonnie! *waving from Barrie* Good to meet you, although I think we already have met somewhere...Beadfx? One of the bead shows? Not sure...
ReplyDeleteI think you did a wonderful job of your necklace, and I'm so glad you too had a good time doing this. I'm a first-timer for BSBP as well.
I like that you went with simplicity when working with that large focal. It turned out really nicely. Your other piece (with the layers) is the one I really drool over. It turned out so well!! Wonderful job!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work! I really like your asymmetrical necklace!
ReplyDelete