Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Bead Soup Blog Party!

On my other blog, Pretty Things, I ran a blog party called the Bead Soup Blog Party. Each person got a partner, got a pack of beads, including a focal, a clasp, and some coordinating beads, and was then tasked with making something with them. The only thing we HAD to use were the focal and the clasp, but there were lots of creative packs sent around! You can visit all the 80+ participants by clicking here.


I had three pieces to make as there were two late-comers to the party that I could not would not turn away -- I am NOT that kind of hostess!


First, my piece made with beads by Libby Leuchtman. I've long been a fan of Libby's flowers, so when she asked me what I liked, I secretly longed for one. I told her I really loved all her work (and I do) but I told her I have trouble designing with donut focals.


So she sent me a donut focal to make me push my designing skills. Smart girl.


Her work is stunning, and I loved the challenge I had. I told her that I love pink and purple and blue, but I always have trouble with yellow -- another design challenge (and I love a challenge)! There's nothing quite like working outside your box in things that aren't what you normally would have chosen, with things that are gorgeous.


Here's the result (click the photo for a larger shot).



I've never quite worked with donut beads other than sling them on leather and call it a day. Of course, with this beauty, that just would. not. do. So I dug out some seed beads I had in my stash, created a holder out of them, and then used some of the bead soup for the neckline. The trick was not to go TOO overboard with the beads since there's a fine line between the desired funky-beyond-all-reason effect and the ouch-my-eyes debacle. So I made the top of the necklace less bright than the bottom -- besides, the back of the necklace hides under most people's hair, anyway.


I had some beads left over for earrings -- one pair was in my ears at photo shoot time.



Thank you, Libby! You can visit Libby's blog at LibbyLeu and Glass, Too.




Next, a mix of gemstones from Dee. She sent dyed jade, horn, silver, and moukite. Moukite is one of my favorite earthy stones and I was excited about using it. I knew EXACTLY what I was going to do with that faceted focal as soon as I saw it.




I wanted to stretch my wire skills so decided to make some components that I have never done before. First, a herringbone weave I learned from Eni Oken ....




Next, a J-section I learned from Connie Cox...



Next, a smaller component that I've used and taught often with larger focal beads -- this time with much smaller beads....


And the final result (click for a larger photo) .....


Not only do I love the deep cherry reds in this piece, but I love how this forced me to finally get off the stick and learn some wire techniques I've been wanting to learn for a long time. I also pulled out the liver of sulphur gel I got from Fundametals.net and oxidized the entire thing, then brushed the high points for depth. Like?


Thanks, Dee! You can see Dee at Runako Designs by Dee.




Finally, a piece that traveled all the way from Korea. I used to live in South Korea, so I have a fondness for this one. Dale sent me a mix of metal pieces she made and some pretty bead soup. She gave me instructions for how the parts were supposed to go together, but when I couldn't find the screws I needed, I got a brain storm as I dug through my watch bits and bobs.




I've long been interested in the steampunk craze, and have a nice collection of old watch parts, but have never used them. I mean, we're talking TINY gears and such. So I pulled those out and used them to connect the frame to the sandwich of silver and brass. See how she stamped "PRETTY" into the silver? Then, I dug even further into my stash and found a Volcano Swarovski crystal to go with her green and purple seed beads and crystals and filled in the frame.





I can't tell you how tickled I am that I even thought of this. I am NOT this type of jewelry designer at all so this really did stretch my horizons. I love it!





It's going to take up permanent residence in my office, on my dressmaker dummy. I made the length of the necklace out of a huge bowl of bead soup I already had, using bits of Dale's green and purple to make it all come together.



Thanks, Dale! Dale can be found at Flights of Fancy.




So there you have it -- my contributions to the party. I hope you liked them. Now go to www.prettythingsblog.com and see what the other 80+ participants made!

75 comments:

  1. To the wonderful Bead Soup Party hostess, you are AMAZING! You received three entirely different sets of beads, and you turned them all in to three incredible pieces of art jewelry!!!
    I love what you did with Libby's bright beads...and how you created the bail for the donut focal is pure genius (never would have thougth of that!) - it's gorgeous. And what you did with Dee's earthy set of beads - all of that wirework is really up my alley. Your herringbone weave focal is PERFECT. And oooh, I just love what you did with Dale's set!!! That was clever how she stamped "Pretty" - a play on your shop name! I REALLY like the mix of metal and crystal - a little grunge and glitter - gotta love it! Please don't hide your Pretty necklace in your studio on your dummy, you should wear that to your next show....how about next month when you come up for the Craftsmens Classic? :-)
    Lori, you're a hard act to follow. Thank you for this hosting this FUN party!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks! That donut took more work than you would think, to make sure that the wire didn't show. And that's the first time I've done the herringbone OR the J-link!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am so much in awe of you right now. You are a wonder of a hostess. And you managed to make three completely different sets of jewelry. I love the colors in that first one. Color is a challenge for me in 2010 as I learn to design freely in it rather than my dark and neutral palette.

    Those wire tricks you shared are awesome! When can I come and take a class with you? (Will you be at Bead & Button perhaps?) I love the bright cherry red in the piece. Tied it all together nicely.

    And that steampunk stuff...wowza! I think that "fearless" must be your middle name. I love that you were so inventive. And it works so well. By the way, I want a dressmakers dummy like that, where did you find her?

    Great stuff, Lori. Thank you so much for sharing your inspiration with all of us. Now...when are we going to do it again?!

    Enjoy the day!
    Erin

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks so much, Erin! And I got my dummy on Ebay -- it's got a jersey cover and it can telescope up or down or come completely off for table-top display.

    I've not been asked nor applied to teach at Bead and Button -- that's a dream!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi lori,
    I've had such fun with the bead soup. Thanks for hosting it!

    I just uploaded my REAVEAL post on my blog. I'm going to do a drawing Saturday from all the comments.

    Emanda
    ArtemisiaStudio.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lori, you are the hostess with the mostest! You make it look so effortless. Thanks for having us all. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. What can I say? You are absolutely BRILLIANT! All three of your pieces are just gorgeous and I want...no NEED!..all three :)
    Thanks so much for hosting this great party. It's been a workout for me with all this creative stretching but it's been sooo worth it! I can't wait to see what everyone else has done....off I go...

    ReplyDelete
  8. BRAVO!! You really got creative and the results are stunning...great job!!! Thanks for putting this together you really got me off my tush! I'll be late party hopping tomorrow, but I will make it by everyone's blog!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Those are all awesome, Lori. Great job. I love the wirework on the beads.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow!!! You art is awesome!!!! gorgeous!!! My favorite... the pretty necklace!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. That is so amazing Lori, and you did this all last minute! I wracked my brain for weeks, I feel so unworthy to be part of the party now your pieces are so spectacular! Thanks so much for all the hard work and constant attention you put into this and for helping us all along the way, I can't wait to go now and see what everyone else has done!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow, Lori, those are amazing. The steam punk piece is just amazing. I don't think that I could have done it justice. My fav is the donut, cause I love blues! That is one fun necklace. Your wire wrapping skills are wonderful. I just love how you framed those special beads!

    Thank you so much for hosting this party. I too look forward to the next one!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lori, i was so amazed with the pretty, pretty piece you made from the beads i sent you! The way you filled the frame with beads looks uber-fantastic. What a fantastic job you did! I'm so pleased.

    As for the herringbone weave.... all i can say is wow. It looks really quite amazing. It is now definately on my 'to learn' list....

    ReplyDelete
  14. Holy Monkey Lori! Your work is amazing! I love each and everyone of them. WOW!

    ReplyDelete
  15. pretty pretty pretty!!! Love them all Lori. You are the queen!! I thank you for all of your hard work in organizing this fun today, you did a great job!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Lori, Wow! That's all I can say! Wow!

    ReplyDelete
  17. That's quite a large party, Lori! Kudos to you for organizing it!

    I love what you did with the Steampunk theme - you've add sparkle to it, love how one thing lead to another and you came up with it. Just beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Those are really pretty! This has been a lot of fun... I actually have a 1930's headless mannequin that I think I may have to start using for necklaces as my husband can't get the necklace in focus when I'm wearing it... haven't figured out what he is focusing on but it certainly isn't the necklace! (I bought mine at an Eaton's store that was going out of business in about '96..)

    Lynne aka Islandgirl

    ReplyDelete
  19. Good Morning! Wonderful stuff Lori! All your ingredients are gorgeous!!! I love your herringbone wire wrap:) Thanks again for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lori -- You outdid yourself. Each necklace is unique and fun. But I have to say i am especially partial to what you did with "Pretty."

    Thank you for hosting this event. It has been fun and am looking forward to seeing everyone's work.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your pieces turned out great Lori! Thank you so much for hosting this awesome exchange. I am so excited to be a part of it. You were a fantastic hostess.

    Thanks for the cup of soup.

    ReplyDelete
  22. oh my gosh, Lori..I love what you created with your bead soups! And that wire piece, because I am partial to wire, is amazing!! They are all amazing.....

    ReplyDelete
  23. Wow, I loved one piece more than the next. What a gorgeous collection of jewelry. I LOVE the wire wrap you did on the faceted focal - I've got to look that up. I tried some new wire skills with my soup and I have to say, I have a long way to go!

    Thanks for this wonderfully fun party!

    ReplyDelete
  24. The Perfect Hostess! I'm in awe and inspired by your pieces! I've had so much fun with this bead soup party--I'm hoping you will throw another one soon!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thank you from me as well for a great party ( and it's barely gotten started - I'm gonna be clicking for hours). Your three pieces are really inspirational - especially the wire work.
    I liked how you kept the lampwork donut focal simple.
    Your wire work with the gemstones and faceted focal turned what could have been just another stringing job into a exceptional necklace.

    And the stamping/steampunk -such fun.

    Way to go.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I am so gobsmaked by your talents Lori.

    The first piece using Libby Leuchtman beads; I could have sworn you said you found working with yellow and donuts a challenge, well you could have fooled me ;)

    Your wire work using Dee's beads in the second piece is so inspiring, I find wire wrapping so much more challenging than it looks.

    And last but not least the third piece made with Dale's elements is very covetable and I love how you put all the elements together. Did you glue the gems into the 'bezel' type area of the pendant?

    Your feast completely enjoyable and I am satiated but I am off to do more blog hopping. Thanks for organising this great party, you are the best.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Lori, this is amazing. I know you are the first on the list, but you deserve to be the first to get all the comments. ;-)
    All three are amazing. I am always worried of too much color (see my stuff ;-)), but this first one looks so much like spring, I really like it. I am in love love love with what you made out of Dee's set. I love the color and I love wire techniques. I haven't tried the herringbone, but it looks so sophisticated, I think I just have to get another one started. And the steampunk is awesome. I can't get those materials over here, or at least don't know where, but this is so cool, since a lot of people can string beads on a wire, but not a lot can do this amazing metal work. I am so sad that this was it now. Thanks for all that fun. Nicki

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thanks for all your hard work on this party. Your designs are amazing! I'd wear all of them!

    I may be able to sneak in some beading time later while my kids nap and still make the deadline.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Lori,
    what a fantastic group of creations! My favorite...hmmm...I think design #3. I've been getting into longer necklaces lately.
    Bead Happy!
    Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  30. HOLY smokes Lori your work is amazing! You really took on the challenge of the disk focal and it is really amazing. I am truly honored.
    Your creation from Dee's soup mix is so creative and wonderful. I love the wire work. You have really inspired me with your work.
    And let me just say Dales piece is to die for. It is really right up my alley with the use of metal and beads.
    You are one talented lady and I am so glad you were my partner.
    Thank you for all your hard work Lori.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Wow, I love all of your pieces!

    The first piece would have been a color challenge for me too, since I am the Queen of Earthtones. My Bead Soup ingredients included lots of pink, so I was happy to have a challenge of my own.

    Love all of the fun wire tricks you did with the second piece!

    And I adore Steampunk and the thrill of playing with watch parts, so I am glad you got to play with yours too.

    Thanks again for organizing this! I had a great time!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Wow Lori! great Job! I just love your wire sections! I tried some simple wire stuff for my entry.... But now I think I need to take some of those classes that you took!

    Thanks for organizing this party Lori! You are the best!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi Lori, all those three creations are SPECTACULAR!!! Wow. You did such a good job of putting the pieces together.

    ReplyDelete
  34. WOW Lori!
    GREAT job! Love what you came up with for all three pieces!
    Thank you again for hosting this fun party...
    Off to blog hop now, Maria
    www.mariagrimes.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  36. love them all! very beautiful and creative

    ReplyDelete
  37. OMG Lori...these are all amazing! I really can't say enought and that you had to do 3 of them... your rock! Thanks for organizing this fun event!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Wonderful, Lori! I love it all, especially the one with all the cool wirework. I have to try that herringbone design!
    Thanks so much for hosting this fun party! It was a joy to be a part of and I look forward to another one. :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. Wow, Lori! Those are both wonderful, but the red one...aaah, the reds and the special wire techniques - I could just eat that one up! And the steampunk is great too! Thank you SOOOO much for hosting this amazing event, and for allowing me to be a part of it. I'll have blog reading to do for the next week, but that's OK!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi Loris I really love what you did with all three of your bead soups! and I just wanted to say thank you for hosting the party, its been lots of fun!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Lori, first of all, thank you for organizing the party. It's been so much fun and a great way to meet people and get inspired.
    Next, WOW! you had some beauties to work with and you did such an amazing job creating pieces that are each so different, but so gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Wow, Lori... you had your hands full, didn't you? You did a fantastic job w/ all three of your soups! All three so different... what a challenge!! Libby's piece is awesome... so colorful & really nicely done...you did a wonderful job showcasing her incredible focal. Dee's piece, I just love it. You put together such interesting components... it all fits together really wonderfully. Now Dale's piece...WOW. Really...quite amazing. Such fun components to work w/, I would've had a blast working w/ this stuff. The piece is really stunning & playful @ the same time. Very cool.

    THANK YOU so much for hosting this party, Lori. You put so much into it for all of us, I really appreciated being a part of such a wonderful event. My first blogging event ever & I enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you for putting Jen & me together... I can't imagine a more perfect partner.

    Can't wait till the next one. :o) Next week?? LOL. Thanks Lori!!

    ...Julie.♥

    ReplyDelete
  43. What fun to be able to create 3 pieces! Love what you've done with each one. Thanks for hosting this party! It has been a lot of fun.

    ReplyDelete
  44. All I can say is WOW! What a fabulously talented woman you are, and a wonderful hostess to boot! Beautiful necklaces all, and I can't wait for the next party. Thanks so much for organizing this!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Lisa,
    All I can say is wow!! You've been busy and made so many beautiful things!! I especially love the wire wrap since it's right up my alley!

    I want to thank you for all of the hard work you put into doing this! I think we all had a great time with it!

    ReplyDelete
  46. You are GOOD! I'm not much of a jewelry person but I love color and I love art - and these pieces are VERY artistic and so beautifully colorful! Very nice - thanks for sharing your work.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Wow - all three pieces are stunning! I love what you came up with :D And I LOVE how you pushed yourself!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Wow! My favorite is the last one! I'm glad you're keeping it! It looks like you had a great time with these!

    ReplyDelete
  49. All I can say is WOW Lori! What an excellent job on all three pieces. I love how you describe the challenge or new horizon in each piece. I'm kicking myself for not joining in the fun. Definately next time, if there is one.

    ReplyDelete
  50. they are all beautiful but the wire wrapping on the middle one is really fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  51. I saved your blog for last,such a wonderful day I've had, all the pretties, the talented artists, the awe inspiring work, Thank You so much! this was my first foray into the blogging/swapping world, I had mostly lurked until now. You took 3 groups of completely different beads & made some fabulous things. the wirework in particular is really great, I love the herringbone weave you did. this was such fun, I loved being included

    ReplyDelete
  52. Wow! you set the bar very high for the rest of us. Great creations, I feel happy, warm and very special as I look at your necklaces. Can you guess which ones made me feel this way? Thank you Lori for hosting a wonderful party. Looking forward to your next invitation!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Lori that pc you made is so spunky exciting!! I would love to have this pc myself that you made. Sooo Nice!!!

    ReplyDelete
  54. One more thing!!! THANK YOU for this party Lori its been so Much fun and a real treat lol! We should all do this every 3 months??!! You made me really Smile with all of this and its alot of fun looking round at everyones Blogs! ox

    ReplyDelete
  55. you are so talented...i love these, I am sorry I missed out on this party...I would love to be in on the next bead soup party you hold...

    ReplyDelete
  56. You are too amazing for words and I'm so so so so happy to have participated in this bead soup party. What amazing pieces you created.

    Great job.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Wow! You have been busy! I absolutely love each piece...they are all so different. I especially love all the wire work you included in the 2nd piece. Thank you so much for hosting this fun party, Lori!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Wow, I don't think I could actually wear these. They are too beautiful and I'd be afraid I would mess them up. Bravo!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Hi Lori,
    Thank you for organizing this fantastic blog party. I have been enjoying all of it. I love your three pieces. Each so different and all so good. I love those wire work techniques you showcased. Again thanks for the party and all your helpful tips.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Wooohoooo!! Is there anything you can't do, Lori? Hostess-extraordinaire. I'm in awe of your creations. You should definitely wear those beauties! Thanks again for the party. We all had fun. You should definitely host a summer party, so we can all come wearing shorts and tank tops instead of turtlenecks and long pants!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Great pieces, Lori! I'm especially in LOVE with the second piece! OH MY STARS, that is gorgeous! You really blew me away with the design and exceptional wire work in this piece!!! Wonderful work all around to do three designs!

    Thank you so much for hosting this amazing party! Thanks for all the hard work you put in to make this the most successful blog event I've ever had the pleasure of being apart of! I've met so many friendly and talented artists, all these connections means so much. Thanks, again!

    ReplyDelete
  62. I love them all, Lori! It's hard for me to say which one I love more than the other. Libby's lampwork in the first is so gorgeous and the way you worked all those colors together is very cheerful. I'm a big fan of wirework, so the second one holds a special attraction to me because of the way you used all those skills so creatively in one piece. The third...what's not to like about all that combined handwork with the bling? Well done on each one!

    Thanks for organizing this party! It's been fun :)

    ReplyDelete
  63. Wow Lori, you stepped UP! They are all so wonderful. Libby's beads are pure sunshine and you kept to the 'party" theme with those colors.

    And that herringbone wrap on the red gemstone, holy cow!

    Your placement of the beads inside the frame on the third piece....gosh, I'm just so impressed with all of your work.

    ReplyDelete
  64. OMG - SO amazing! All of them! I love the seed bead bail, and you are SO imaginative!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Lori, you made amazing pieces with your 3 bead mixes..thanks for this blog party.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Beautiful! I'm amazed you managed to do 3 great projects, you talented overachiever! I especially like the one with the herringbone wire focal. Thanks for arranging the party--you were a great hostess!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Lori, this has been such an awesome experience. I've loved meeting my fellow art bloggers and seeing the love put into their work. You are an amazing lady, and I thank you so much for putting this together!

    Also? I'll be over tomorrow to pick up those creations, 'Cause they all look JUST LIKE SOMETHING I WOULD WEAR!!!

    ReplyDelete
  68. They all came out great! All so different. It's so fun to stretch ourselves. Thanks for hosting tis party!

    ReplyDelete
  69. Lori, you are AWESOME!!! You have made 3 great looking necklaces and done a wonderful job with the party. You go girl. Thanks so much for all the work you did and looking forward to next time.

    ReplyDelete
  70. All three of them are super neat, but I especially love the second one, although the pendant in the third one is really cool and the focal in the first is awesome...!!!!

    Thanks so much for hosting the soup party! You put a lot of work into it and I appreciate it very much!

    I'm not sure how you do it with all your migraine's!? I had one on bead soup reveal day and it was a challenge to get to the blogs that I visited!

    Thanks again!!

    ReplyDelete
  71. I am amazed that you found time to make three soups! They are all so different and beautiful in their own way, but my favourite is definitely the second design with Dee's earthy mix of beads.

    Thank you so much for organising this and being such a fantastic hostess. I've had a great time!

    ReplyDelete
  72. Those are all so pretty. I think my favorite is the second. But I love how you worked with something you're not familiar with on the third one and the colors for the first are fantastic.

    Great job! And thanks for hosting! I look forward to next time.

    ReplyDelete
  73. I'm a little late getting to everyone's bead soup, but enjoying it just the same! I love all the pieces you created...you were quite ambitious to take on 3! Thank you so much for hosting this fun event. I almost didn't join because I was afraid I wouldn't have time to participate, but I am SO glad I decided to! It has been so much fun, and I am stoked to do it again!!

    Great job!!

    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  74. so so so pretty!!! All of them, oh what fun Lori! Are you keeping them all for yourself? :)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for commenting!