BSBP Bead Hoarders Edition

I was sooo excited when Lori Anderson announced that she was organising another Bead Soup blog hop.  Just in case you don't know about the Bead Soup Cafe you can find out about previous hops if you visit Lori's blog as linked above.

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.

Buttons Etc...

I have had a couple of sessions at the torch since my last post and some of the resulting beads have even become a necklace!

I've attached the beads to a hand-dyed silk ribbon from Di using some cotton cord.  I'm really pleased with the combination of beads with shank style buttons.  I am also particluarly hooked on the green and purple theme, perhaps it's because Halloween is looming?

I've been practising some more with my marble press

And with my two-holed button mandrels

You know what they say about practice, practice, practice.  Who knows I might even get a chance to have another session tonight.  Having said that I have started to go to Knit and Natter at Jumble Jelly and I have embarked on a shawl project, I'll post some pics at some point.  I might just curl up on the sofa with my knitting.....



A present to me

I finally spent my birthday vouchers that my lovely friends gave me back in September.  I got a dress and top to go underneath.  So, now I need some matching jewellery:

Fabric

I just need a few more beads.  I'll post some pictures in due course.....

Autumn Leaves etc..

It doesn't feel much like Autumn today, its grey and wet.  Yesterday was a totally different story with beautiful blue skies and bright sun.  I pulled out my bead stash and found these lovely leaf beads which compliment the green and yellow glass beads that I reclaimed from an antique shop.  I don't often use autumnal colours so this is something different from me.   However, if you look closely you will notice that I have still included the obligatory lampwork in the form of some buttons!

I managed to get some torch time in at mum and dad's on Friday.  We still don't have a definite move date yet so we are still in our rented accomodation which is beginning to wear abit thin!  This means that I am confined to getting torch time over at my parents' place.  This is what the kiln fairies left for me. 

This is a a little set of two 'Beau Beads' with a matching small hole bead.  They have got light blue centres, encased in clear with cobalt blue and white dots on the surface.  I have an idea for these along the lines of a Beau Necklace....  I have also started to play with making buttons and this is what came out of Friday's session.

These are cute little buttons measuring approximately 8mm accross.  They have a cobalt blue base with copper green flowers.  The next picture shows you what the buttons look like from behind.

These buttons make me want to get out the sewing machine... not enough hours in the day at the moment.  I have a tunic pattern that I have cut out and now needs sewing together - one day I'll get it done *sigh*.  Now, better get on and make that Beau Necklace prototype, stay posted for an update.