The whole process has been like Christmas unfolding. The suspense while you wait to be accepted, and then wait to be partnered up, the anticipation of a bead parcel falling through the letterbox.... Carefully unwrapping the package, the joy at the goodies inside.
I was partnered with Noemi Baena and my goodness did I get a package and a half.
This isn't a great photo but it gives an idea of the size and variety of the package. I had everything here metal, ceramic, glass, enamelled, and some fabric beads from Peru. Not to mention a lovely little pair of enamel studs that Noemi made!
The main bead from this collection was a beautiful lampwork glass barrel bead from Susan Kennedy. It reminded me that often the beauty of glass is in simplicity, this is an etched bead with a drizzle of fine silver wire on one end. As soon as I saw this bead I knew what I wanted to make.
I have a book called Bohemian Inspired Jewellery by Lorelei Eurto and Erin Siegel, it is one of my go to books when my mojo has gone walkabouts. This is what I made
As you can see, the barrel bead is the focal bead. I added some of my own lampwork beads and one of the metal beads from my package.
Next up is a piece that is a bit unusual for me both in terms of colour and style. I don't tend to work with neutral tones, but it just so happened that I had a piece of silk similar to the one that I sent Noemi. It has been languishing in my stash for quite some time waiting for the right moment.
I did some wire work on the pendant bead which I then embellished with some c-lon. As you can see I used some of Czech beads and a metal component from the bead soup.
This next piece I used one of Noemi's enamel pieces and I added a key that was in the soup.
I also used some of the natural beads threaded onto Irish waxed linen cord and plaited. Again, this is an unfamiliar colour pallette for me but I was pleased with the way it turned out.
After the necklaces I decided to make a bracelet. The metal element of my soup contained some gorgeous chunky brass beads so I used one here.
Again I used some of the Czech glass beads from the soup and added some Liberty fabric from my stash.
I was so inspired by the ingredients in this soup that I also made some earrings for good measure
Here I have used some of Noemi's enamel pieces and some of the Czech glass beads with some of my handmade ear wires.
I loved these Peruvian beads, they just had to be earrings. I still haven't decided whether to oxidise the bails on these.I still have A LOT of ingredients left. However, unlike edible soup ingredients, this soup is not going to spoil.
I hope I have done your bead soup justice Noemi, thank you so much for such a generous mix.
There are lots of very talented designers taking part in this blog hop so please take some time and visit some, or all, of them. Just head over to Lori's blog for the whole list.
Great assortment of pieces!!! I love what you've done with them!
ReplyDeleteThank you Je St.
DeleteWhat wonderful pieces you have made!
ReplyDeleteIt has always amazed me how someone else can do so different things with pieces you have had and how different they look from what one would do with them. (I hope it makes sense).
I love the way you have use my enamelled pieces. Specially those blue earrings.
The way you have used the focal bead is soo different to what I have had in mind when I got, but I am so glad you got it because I LOVE what you have done with it.
It has been a real pleasure working with you.
Thanks Noemi I loved the pack you sent, there was so much to work with and so much that I wouldn't normally use.
DeleteSo many genius metalworkers this year! I really enjoyed looking at these.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah.
DeleteVery nice pieces!
ReplyDeleteThank you lisivonabc
DeleteReally beautiful, all of them. I really like the key with the yellow enamel, I think that is my favorite piece.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I wouldn't normally think of gluing stuff to other stuff in my jewellery making but I have been watching Candie Cooper and she does a lot of that kind of thing.
Delete
ReplyDeletegreat pieces, especially the bracelet, congrats!
Thanks Bailaora, the bracelet was a bit of a last minute piece.
DeleteWonderful pieces, those fabric beads are cool!
ReplyDeleteAren't they!! I loved them too.
DeleteLike all your pieces. I really like your use of red with all the neutrals. Really sets everything off.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ann. The red tome is actually in the focal bead but very subtley so it didn't pick up very well in the photos.
DeleteYou're right, this soup won't spoil! Clever!
ReplyDeleteI love how you embraced all the challenges you found and really made unique pieces. You should be proud!
Thanks again for coming to my party!
Thank you Lori, I have loved every minute and I would definitely come again.
DeleteYvette,every one of your pieces are so wonderfully unique, great job!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Cj.
DeleteOh I truly love your style!! Awesome!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Terri.
DeleteOh I truly love your style!! Awesome!!
ReplyDeleteLove all the pieces. That barrel bead pendant is so clever.
ReplyDeleteThank you Janine, it's a great book to start with if your mojo has gn walkies.
DeleteI love the funkiness of your style and the touches that go into that, like the fabric on the bracelet with the large metal piece and your handmade ear wires.
ReplyDeleteHi Yvette, Your simple design let Susan's beautiful lampworked bead be the star in your first necklace. I like the accents that you chose for it. The yellow enamel pieces is really eye-catching.Good job on the handmade earwires.
ReplyDeleteI just love the orientation of that barrel bead by Susan Kennedy. I collect her beads and have never thought of using one that way. Bravo! All of your pieces are fun and whimsical. Love the key with the yellow enamel. Well done!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should work with neutral tones more often if this is what you make. I like all the mixed metals.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteYour pieces are very pretty, I love some original combinations you've made!
Alenka
I love how you used the barrel bead as a focal in an interesting way! I haven't seen one done like that before.
ReplyDeleteYou nailed this soup! I love it all; the organic loveliness, shapes, funk, and your handmade ear wires are over the top awesome. Really nice work.
ReplyDeleteI don't usually work with or gravitate to neutral colors either but your piece is gorgeous! Great balance!
ReplyDeleteLots of fun soup that you turned into fun, pretty, colorful pieces. The enameled discs with glass and your earwires stand out to me personally, in part because of your earwires - they are so funky and unique. You made so many lovely things. Hope you enjoy wearing them.
ReplyDeleteI really like what you did with your ingredients. The necklace with the SueBeads bead is especially lovely. I really like the way you used the cord to create an area for the dangles. It's very cool!
ReplyDeleteWow, so many beautiful pieces created from your soup, awesome!!
ReplyDeleteYvette, sometimes my favorite creations are ones made with components or colors I'm not particularly fond of. I really think it's the universe laughing at me when that happens. I think everything you've made is fantastic, and I really enjoyed reading your blog. Thank you for sharing it!
ReplyDelete