Saturday 17 September 2011

Waiter, there's sand in my soup

Well, didn't that come around quickly! I'm really looking forward to having a swim around in all the other soups over the next few days, but in the meantime...

For those not 'in the know' - the bead soup party is a global affair organised by the fabulous Lori Anderson. Its organisation is no mean feat with almost 400 participants this time. Basically we are partnered up, swap beads, make our creations and reveal. It's a great social, a creative challenge and much more!

You may recall that the lovely Saskia sent me these beauties all the way from Germany:


They include a shaped shell pendant, rectangular shell beads, shells, a fancy silver toggle clasp, wooden beads, sodalite chips, a heart charm, a fish charm, the cutest little wire sea-horse, a wire fishy and more! And here's the here's what I cooked up:


I used the shell pendant and beads and the wooden beads and wire dangly that Saskia sent along with some shell and bronzite beads from my stash. I have used wire to join them. I also added a couple of silver tube beads and some chain and a few wee garnet danglies on the pendant.

I think this has a real sand-y beach-y feel.

I learned a lot doing this. I learned that I tend to prefer to work with a limited range of colours in each piece. Mixing the blue and pinks and brown seemed a step too far out of my comfort zone. Although I know others could have done a fab job with those colours. I'm happier mixing metals. I think this is my usual style, maybe a bit more elaborate. Also it is slightly assymetric because of the different wooden beads either side of the pendant. I am a bit of a control freak so ANY assymetry is a major deviation! I'm really pleased with that though, I think it adds character.

I had also intended to use the lovely blue lampwork beads and charms that Saskia sent (including that soooo cute little wire sea-horse) to make a blue sea-themed charm bracelet, but it just hasn't happened yet. I'll post a photo on the blog when it's done though.

I hope Saskia likes what I did with her soup ingredients. I hope you do too !

A few more pics:




Now, why not visit the other bead soup partiers and view their creations, it's truly inspiring - you can find the full list at: http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/

45 comments:

  1. Lovely! The shell looks great with the tassel over it.

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  2. It does look wonderfully beachy! Great job.

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  3. Great stuff. Looking forward to seeing more pics in the future of the rest of your stash. :o)

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  4. Lovely piece! Well done :) Any deviation from your usual is exciting :)

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  5. Definatly a beachy feel! A really nice piece

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  6. Very pretty organic feel to it! Happy Hopping!

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  7. The necklace does say "summer" to me! Good job moving out of your comfort zone!

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  8. so very beautiful and beachy and sandy :-)

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  9. I love what you did with the focal, very nice!

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  10. What a delightful piece you have created..artsy earthy and fun! It all came together so nicely.

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  11. Very nice and the title of your post is so appropriate.

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  12. Very nice job. You really capture the beach vibe perfectly!

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  13. Oh now, you had me at the dangles! I love me some dangles! Well done!

    I hope you'll join me for the next party! The badge and dates are up on my blog!

    Love, Lori

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  14. You had a beautiful soup to work with!

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  15. It really is a very beachy piece and the colours really do remind you of sand. I love the casual feel of the design you came up with.

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  16. You're right, it really does have a beach-y, sand-y feel to it. Just looking at it makes me think of collecting pretty pebbles and sea glass and shells at the beach. I love how you brought all the pieces together, and those dangles in front of the focal are a very nice touch.

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  17. the chain dangles layed in front of the shell pendant is a really nice touch! Good work.

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  18. Nice Job! I liked how you talked about what you learned from the soup too :)

    Julie & Andrea

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  19. Love what you did with the focal, very pretty necklace, great work!

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  20. Yes, definitely a "beachy" feel!! Lovely work!

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  21. I think you did a great job. I love the assymetry of it. It really has a beachy feel. And the little garnet dangles on the shell pendant really draw attention to the focal. Very nice. Can't wait to see what you do with the little seahorse. He looked so cute.

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  22. I love what you've done with the focal. Very cool design!

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  23. What a pretty shell pendant. Love the dangles. Beautiful beach inspired necklace.

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  24. I really like the added dangles on the pendant! It's got a great shape to it that's only enhanced by the added bling. :)

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  25. Love the beachy feel to your necklace! Great job!

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  26. I really like the soft, easy feel of this piece. I love the colors, and I the layered look on the focal is great. Awesome job!

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  27. I don't get the beach in this necklace, but I definitely feel autumn setting in when I look at it. It's a really nice necklace. Well done!

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  28. Really nice design. I like the subtle addition of chain and wire work.

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  29. Oh, I can almost hear the ocean when I see the necklace. And the tassles make it a beach party!

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  30. Very beach inspired, lovely design.

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  31. Hi Sharon, Lovely beachy piece. Nice selection from Saskia too. We’re all being pushed outside our comfort zones — with amazing results!

    Enjoy the hop,
    Emanda
    http://artemisiastudio.blogspot.com/2011/09/bead-soup-reveal.html

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  32. Beautiful earthy necklace! Very nice colour and bead mix (know what you mean about asymmetry). I like the seaside feel of it. Great job!

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  33. Wonderful necklace, love the dangles hanging off the focal pendant shell. The clasp is so yummy too! Great Job...

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  34. Ooooh, that is so earthy and pretty. I love how light and airy it looks. It is a very easy wearing piece. Nicely done!

    Melissa
    http://design.kcjewelbox.com

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  35. Very nice! Great use of the ingredients.

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  36. We all learn something when working with someone's else beads. Looking forward to see how you will use the wonderful blue beads.
    Ambra

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  37. You cooked up a lovely soup :) Giving your blog a follow, hope you return the favour!!

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