First, let me apologize for being a day late at posting this. We were away most of August doing events from Eganville to Fergus and when we returned, my computer would not boot up! My son spent a week trying to build me a working computer from bits & pieces he had available, without success.
I went out yesterday to a local computer shop and purchased a refurbished one. I spent most of the day trying to get all the programs installed so I could use it. All of my old files (photos and documents) are still sitting on a hard drive that is on my son’s workbench. At some point, they will have to be transferred to the new computer but that won’t be today.
Now, to my bead soup reveal. I have long admired the delicate and intricate chain mail & wirework of other designers, so my challenge to myself this time was to try my hand at both. I have a newfound respect for anyone who can create using these methods. I had moderate success with the chain mail portion but need lots more practice with the wirework.
Here is the bead soup sent to me by my partner, Fay.
Since I spent so much time fussing with the design, I only got one piece finished. Please note, I did wind the copper rings myself and my partner cut them for me. I found the copper very easy to work with but I think I hold the pliers too tight because many of the rings have marks on them. I need a lot more practice before I get it right, I’m sure. I did learn a few things that don’t work though and I will try not to do those again. *smile*
So, without further adieu, here is my creation.....
It did not turn out quite the way I'd envisioned it in my head but I'm relatively happy with my first venture into the chain mail and wirework genre.
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| Close up of the hand-made clasp by Fay |
Thank you, Fay, for the fantastic bead soup you sent to me. I will be using the rest of it in another creation. Take a look at what she created from the bead soup that I sent to her...click here.
Be sure to check out the work of the other designers in the 3rd Reveal...
Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming
Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming
Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones
Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'
Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage
Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads
Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations
Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog
Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash
Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution
Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents
Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory
Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart
Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart
Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen
Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle, Jasper Gems
Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle, Jasper Gems
Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space
Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry
Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog
Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure
Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous
Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous
Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Eileen Snyder, Dorset Hill Beads
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda
Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels
Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation, Art Food Lodging
Hannah Annear, Squintessential
Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier
Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?
Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs
Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels
Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen
Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home
Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time
Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show
Klaudette Koon, Only Road
Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities
Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures
Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN
Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops
Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio
Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival
Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Milla Hope, LB Creative Arts and Crafts
Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts
Natalie McKenna, grubbi
Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color
Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner
Penny Neville, Copper Penny
Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry
Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog
Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog
Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Goode, Pookledo
Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire
Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila
Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs
Solange Collin, Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs
Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created
Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design
Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs
Oh, Bonnie, what problems you've had. Just let me know I understand as I've had them too. It's a wonder you got this much done. I love your necklace. It does take some practice but before you can practice you have to do it for the first time. The necklace is beautiful and the colors go great with the copper. Great job! I make my own jump rings for the most part - they are a challenge, but they are worth it. I cut them with a jeweler's saw and that makes the ends nice and flat. You can't even see the seams.
ReplyDeleteMy partner has been making his own rings and creating chain mail jewelry & clothing for 15 years. He has a special, super secret way of cutting them so there are no sharp points and they butt up together quite nicely.
DeleteSorry to hear about your computer. That is so frustrating. But I really like your necklace. I haven't tried chainmaille yet, but it's something I've been wanting to try. I think you've inspired me to go ahead. You did a great job with your first try at it. And I love the copper with those colors in the beads and focal. Nice job.
ReplyDeleteCopper or aluminum rings are good choices when you are learning. They are not so hard to manipulate with the pliers and fairly inexpensive to practice on.
DeleteI really like how the necklace turned out.
ReplyDeleteAs long as you don't look too closely at the wirework, it looks pretty good. Thanks.
DeleteThe necklace turned out gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI might even wear it to work this week, if I can fins a top that will complement it. Orange is not a colour that I typically wear.
DeleteI love the colors of your beads!!! It makes a really big statement...my kind of jewelry :)
ReplyDeleteI don't work with the colour orange very much. It was a fun change.
DeleteBonnie, this is wonderful - I love your necklace!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I was afraid for awhile that it wasn't going to come together so nicely.
DeleteWorth the wait.Thanks for letting me know.Love and hugs Tanya
ReplyDeleteI was getting frantic when I did not have a computer for over a week. I'm glad that I wasn't too terribly late posting. I'd like to be included in future bead soup hops.
DeleteI know what you are going through, my computer is off to Atlanta for repairs and I won't have it back for another 5 weeks! Oh, the anxiety!
ReplyDeleteYou did a wonderful job on your necklace, congrats!
Thank you. I'm fairly pleased with the results. I do have a bit to learn about wire wrapping though. This project proved that. LOL
DeleteThe necklace is very pretty and quite an accomplishment for a first try at chainmaille and winding and cutting all the rings yourself. You really met your goal.
ReplyDeleteWith the lessons I learned the hard way this time, I should have more success with future designs.
DeleteYou did a great job, Looks like not only did you have soup to challenge you with, you challenged yourself with your ability! Great work!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was a challenge, and more than a bit frustrating at times. I did it though!
DeleteI think you did a beautiful job!!! And orange is definitely the colour this year!!!
ReplyDeleteMyra-Jane
mjlewis@sympatico.ca
(don't know what my URL is so....couldn't fill that in)
I've been rummaging through my closet and I don't own anything that will complement this necklace. Well, maybe a beige/tan shirt will work.
DeleteGreat necklace Bonnie! How nice to have a partner to make all of those jumprings for you!
ReplyDeleteWell, he made me wind them myself, he just cut them. It wasn't hard to do at all, not with copper anyway. It's about time I started playing around with chain mail since he is The Chain Mail Guy.
Deletehttp://www.chainmailguy.com/
wow, all the wire work, you did a great job and
ReplyDeletethe result is a wonderful necklace!
greets
jacqueline
Thank you. Both the chain mail and wirework are techniques I will be working to improve.
DeleteVery spectacular work!A very unique necklace !Congrats!
ReplyDeleteI'm fairly pleased with the results. Thanks. It goes to show that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks.
DeleteHow brave you are to try new techniqes for this challenge, but I guess that's what makes it a true challenge. The result was a fabulous necklace. I love you put the pretty clasp where it could be seen. Nice job with the chainmaille!
ReplyDeleteBrave or stupid....I'm not sure which but I'm glad I stood up to the challenge. It's broadened my horizons considerably.
DeleteSuper, wonderful Necklace. I love it
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. Everyone has been so kind with their compliments.
DeleteHow great that you took this opportunity to try something new. It may be a start, but it's a good one. Your necklace turned out so nicely!!
ReplyDeleteI've very encouraged to continue improving my chain mail and wirework techniques.
DeleteVery nice Bonnie :) For a first attempt at chain maille, it's amazing! My first attempt at chaine maille fell apart lol I used nylon coated pliers which helped prevent marking the rings. I hope you manage to save everything from your hard drive :) x
ReplyDeleteI'll look into getting a couple of pairs of the nylon coated pliers. Thanks for the tip. My son will be coming over tomorrow to install all my old files.
DeleteVery nice! And you mastered the wire work!!
ReplyDeleteWell, I wouldn't say I've mastered it yet but it was a good start. *smile*
DeleteGreat work with the chain making and wire work! It's a lovely necklace, and you did a terrific job stretching outside your comfort zone. And any marks on jump rings I make, I call "texture" ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh, I like that....'texture'....yeah, it's a design element, not a mistake. LOL
DeleteIt turned out quite lovely - copper is so pretty.
ReplyDelete~cryssT
Thanks for checking out my creation. Copper is easy to work with also. I've used brass also. It's a bit tougher to manipulate.
DeleteVery nice. I've not ventured into chain maille yet. Bravo.
ReplyDeleteI was a bit intimidated by the chain mail at first, but once I got going, I realized it wasn't as difficult as I'd imagined. You should give it a try also.
DeleteJust love it. The copper and orange is a total knock out. ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt's a great combo, isn't it? Fay made good choices for my bead soup....the orange beads and the copper clasp she made got me started.
DeleteSo glad to see your post, Bonnie. I was a bit worried not seeing posts from you for so long.
ReplyDeleteI love your necklace :-) Can't tell this is your first attempt at chain maille, its wonderful!
Well, I'm back. We still have several events to plan for but the schedule will not be quite so crazy. And I have a working computer again too. Thank goodness.
DeleteI did not take close up shots of the wirework for a reason, Kashmira. *smile* Then you would have seen how 'bad' it is.
Amazing piece! the colors go great together and the design complements everything!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm pleased with the results.
DeleteGreat job on your necklace and the chain maille looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteChain mail is certainly a technique that I will be using again. I really enjoyed doing it.
DeleteYou did a great job with your soup. It's wonderful that you tried something new. You can put tape around your pliers jaws or use dipit to help not get marks on your wire.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips, thanks.
DeleteIt's beautiful! And you're braver than I am about cutting rings -- I'm liable to cut a finger off! I have the same issue when I use heavy-gauge wire -- leaving tool marks -- so you aren't alone!
ReplyDeleteActually, it was partner who cut the rings. He's been making, cutting & selling rings online for many years. I'd never have tried it myself.
DeleteIt's beautiful. I haven't wandered into chainmail yet so my hat is off to you.
ReplyDeleteIt's easier than you might think, give it a try! If I can do it, anyone can. *smile*
DeleteGorgeous chainwork Bonnie! I can't believe this was your first time working with this type of thing and your necklace is lovely! *Ü*
ReplyDeleteThank you. I learned some valuable lessons this time and will make improvements with the next piece.
DeleteGreat job using your soup ingredients! Chain Maille can be frustrating for me, you did a fantastic job balancing the design. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteLori D.
Thanks. It was a bit frustrating at time, I agree, but fun learning something new too.
DeleteHi Bonnie: I have been away since Sunday, but back now. Love the combo of the copper chain maille & my beads... Nice Job. I too make my own jump rings... jewellers saw does a nice job of making straight edges... so they don't catch on your clothes, etc. Just keep practicing opening & closing the jump rings!!!
ReplyDeleteMy partner has developed his own method of cutting rings that helps them butt up to each other nicely and leaves no sharp bits to poke or scratch. I just have to learn to relax my hands when opening and closing rings...not hold the pliers in a death grip. LOL
DeleteI think it's fantastic that you tried to learn new techniques while doing this challenge! That's what it's all about!
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed...challenging ourselves is the whole point. Having fun is important too, and I did both. *smile*
DeleteComputers huh..!!! The piece you made is really nice the red with the copper chain works well.
ReplyDeleteI have a first giveaway of a pendant from my blog soup do come on over and take a look and enter to win if you get a minute!
Jackie
Very Beautiful, I love the color red. The combination you put together is very pleasing to the eye. Lovely!
ReplyDelete