Saturday, September 17, 2011

bead soup party!

Today's the day! It's time for show and tell with the beads I received from the lovely Joyce Becker. She was such a generous swapper that I was able to use her beads almost exclusively in the two pieces I made. First I'll talk about the bracelet.Here's an overview of the whole piece. The beads she gave me have a very earthy feel which I love, so I wanted to highlight their earthiness.

 Here's a closeup of the clasp. Joyce made the clasp and distressed it. She also patinaed the leaf. Aren't they beautiful?


She included this elegantly marbled blue and amber glass bead, and handstamped the word "create" on the round brass charm.


The only things I included from my stash are the brass bead caps and the gold divider beads. I LOVE my new bracelet!!

The second thing I made was a necklace. I made the pendant first using Joyce's beads (the blue oblong one and the round blue marbled one). I added a hammered silver circle, gold divider beads and brass bead caps.

For the rest of the necklace I used the dark amber beads sent by Joyce, a couple of dichroitic beads in amber tones, two more marbled beads (all sent by Joyce). 


I added brass chain to add a little interest, a lobster clasp, charm on the extender made with Joyce's beads and voila, an earthy, totally cool necklace!

Here's a link to Joyce's blog. I can't wait to see what she made with the beads I gave her!

39 comments:

The Joyful Gem said...

Hi Kathy, Wow! I LOVE what you have done with the stash you got! These are fabulous pieces, so well designed and artistic. Great job! I'm so glad you were able to use them and hope they enjoy their new life with you, or wherever they end up. You are truly creative and talented! It has been so fun to "trade" beads and to meet you too!
Joyce

Shiraz said...

The bracelet you made is really lovely!

VS said...

What a beautiful soup you made my friend, your work is truly stunning!! Love, love, love the colors!!! Thanks for sharing & all I can say is yummmmmy!!!

Jennifer Cameron said...

You got some incredible components to work with and wow did you work it! Love the patina'd pieces. You did a fab job designing with them.

Carol Tannahill said...

Lovely jewelry! You made a very nice soup!

Unknown said...

Great! You did beautiful work! That clasp is really something.

Sweet Willow Designs said...

Both of these pieces are gorgeous. You really highlighted the wonderful components you received.

Loris Glassworks said...

Wonderful! You have created two terrific pieces of wearable art. I like your use of color and texture for the bracelet, it's my favorite. Thank you for sharing your artistic process along the way. Cheers!
Lori

Shirley said...

Oh, these pieces are just lovely! The colors really talk rich and romantic. Your design is just perfect!

Lori Anderson said...

I love the toggle, and everything turned out great!

I hope you'll join me again next time -- the blog button and dates are on my blog now!

Love, Lori

Maggie said...

I'm a bracelet girl and just love the one you made!

Cynthia said...

Wonderful pieces!

Kathy ~ Artful Accents said...

I really like the bracelet, nice design!

Wendy said...

Beautiful! I especially love the bracelet!

Tracy said...

Lovely work, like the blue/brown combo of colours, it just works beautifully. The create tag is a nice touch too.

Karin Slaton said...

Gorgeous leaf and toggle - would be tempted to wear that bracelet every day! Just beautiful!

T... said...

stunning creation, love the design

Sweet Freedom said...

I love your bracelet, too! Great job on that clasp - beautiful. And your necklace is so creative - lovely job!

KayzKreationz said...

What neat pieces. I especially like the bracelet. The create dangle really fits with the theme of creating something from your soup. And the necklace is lovely.

Beadbug said...

Very nice, I love the colors and design.

Jo said...

They are both lovely! I do like the mix of colours.

SoulsFireDesigns said...

What beautiful creations! I love love that bracelet! Such beautiful colors and a wonderful feel!

Anonymous said...

Cool creations - I really like the blue elements in the pieces, ties them both together

Beadaholique said...

Kathy, Great soup! Both designs are really nice. The clasp on the bracelet is phenomenal! :)

Terri said...

Soup-er cool bracelet and necklace. Organic and earthy feel! I can see these worn with a nice dark pair of blue jeans. Great work!

Maria Rosa Sharrow said...

Love Love Love the bracelet. Gorgeous!!

Christine said...

Beautiful pieces - love those colors!

Silver Parrot said...

Beautiful! I love the clasp on the bracelet!

Bobbie said...

The necklace is lovely, but that bracelet? Fabulous!!

CraftyHope said...

Both of your pieces are really pretty. I definitely get that earthy vibe from your bracelet. Of course, both the bracelet and necklace are very well done. You did a really great job with this.

Unknown said...

ohhh I wish these were mine!

Shyme said...

Beautiful pieces! Love the bracelet!

Shay Stone said...

Great pieces you've created!

Christine Altmiller said...

these are GORGEOUS pieces! lovely earthy feel. nice flow. well done!

Elysian Studios said...

Very pretty! I especially love the focal bead on that bracelet! Beautiful work!

Maneki said...

Lovely jewellery! I really like the mix of colours and materials in the bracelet. Great job!

Ann said...

Nice results from your ingredients. Very pretty bracelet and necklace.

DaviniaDesign said...

I love the bracelet.
Gorgeous work!

Aquariart said...

Love necklaces that have something interesting on the back part too! Nice soup.