Saturday 27 April 2013

My BSBP Reveal

Hello & welcome to the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party 3rd Reveal! Before I go any further, I just want to thank the hostess with the mostest (mostess?) Lori Anderson for once again coordinating this amazing event. You'll know by now that she's put together this blog party while grappling with an extraordinary amount of pain. A couple of Reveal postponements were necessary but while Lori may have fretted over them, I welcomed them with open arms :-). As usual, I put off making my creations and the extra time was very much appreciated. So - thank you Lori, and I hope you're doing better now. 

Now, on with the Reveal. To jog your memory, this is what I received from my fabulous partner, June Butt, from New Zealand - a generous helping of soup that included some gorgeous paua beads. 



Guided by the colour palette, and the fact that June lives by the sea, I decided my creations would have an ocean/sea theme. The soup also made me think of Shakespeare's The Tempest. Don't ask me why. My mind is a strange place sometimes. 

I also decided that I would explore new techniques and materials (for me) in my creations. I knew there was a possibility I would fail miserably but I figured - isn't this what the BSBP is for? An opportunity for us to get out of our comfort zone when designing and creating? In the end, I think I had a mix of hits and misses. 

First up....a wire-crochet necklace. May I just say here - I have the utmost respect for those of you out there who wire crochet (or just plain crochet or knit) on a regular basis. Those hooks are a menace! Just so you know, I took apart this necklace about 3 times before I was satisfied.



And a matching bracelet:



I call the necklace/bracelet set Miranda's Pretties. 



You can't see the clasps in the photos above but the bracelet is closed with a faux leather button in a vaguely snakeskin finish (first time ever using a button in jewellery) and the necklace has a mermaid clasp.



Edited to include a close-up of the gorgeous paua focal. June drilled 3 holes in it and I couldn't leave well enough alone, so I strung some seed pearls to form a bow on the side.


After I finished those, I then did a 180 and made a couple of pieces that are much less polished and, for lack of a better word, 'unpretty'. If anyone asks, I think I just ran out of pretty. LOL.   



I was attempting to recreate the look of a fishnet. It was supposed to be a caught-in-a-trap sort of concept.  I think the earrings turned out looking rather squid-like (octopus-like?) instead. Which, if you think about it, is still in keeping with my sea theme. Anyhow, I call this Caliban's Treasure.

And since I honoured Caliban, I couldn't possibly leave out Sycorax (Caliban's witch mother, not the Dr Who alien). So I made Midnight Magic.




I still had some beads left, and I wanted to make something that wasn't jewellery. This is what I came up with.



It's supposed to be a scallop shell made of wire and beads. It needs to be re-worked, clearly. I think Miranda might have made this as a child from scraps gathered from around the island. So maybe this is Sparkly Scrap Shell

By now, some of you must be thinking - "wait a minute, where's the clasp? I thought we had to use the focal and clasp?" Well, yes. It's a rule and I didn't forget. 

The clasp June sent was too pretty and detailed to be stuck at the back of a necklace or bracelet, so I used it in a pair of asymmetrical earrings. Along with the wee silver frog and beautiful Swarovski crystals she sent. The earrings are now the property of a froggy-loving friend. I didn't name them btw but I was leaning towards Ariel's Light. What do you think?



So there you have it! My six bead soup pieces. June - I hope I did OK with your beads, and thank you for being such a wonderful partner. Everyone else - do let me know which pieces you think are hits and which are misses. I'll work on the misses, I promise! Thank you for hanging in there - I know I rambled more than usual. 

Now, since I've taken up enough of your time, let's go visit June and the other participants of the 3rd Reveal.
Adlinah Kamsirwww.dreamstruckdesigns.blogspot.com 
Agi Kisshttp://moonsafaribeads.blogspot.com
Alenka Obidwww.pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
Alison Sachswww.beadsbyearthtones.blogspot.com
Amanda Tibbettshttp://www.amandamade.com/blog
Amy Simswww.amysimsdesigns.com
Ana Cravidaohttp://acbeads.blogspot.com
Andra Marasteanuhttp://bijouxdemonange.blogspot.com
Andria Poolewww.Jewelleryartiste.blogspot.com
Angela Perkinshttp://jeweledinspirations.blogspot.com
Anja Schultzhttp://anjas-perlenwelt.blogspot.de/
Ann Sherwoodhttp://ann-sherwood.blogspot.com/
Anna Nordemanhttp://annas-adornments.blogspot.com
Annita Wilsonhttp://awjewelryandbeadwork.blogspot.com/
Arlene Deanhttp://aglassbash.blogspot.com/
Astrid Boycehttp://astridboyce.blogspot.com/
Barb Fernaldhttp://barbarasfernald.com/
Betty James Hoppensteadtwww.tybetastidbits.blogspot.com
Birgit Klughardtwww.gitesbeads-gite.blogspot.com
Bonnie Coursollehttp://jaspersgems.blogspot.ca/
Brandy Thomason McNairwww.bellavitajewelry.blogspot.com
Brenda Sigafooshttp://brenda-sigafoos.blogspot.com
Carmen Lauhttp://littlemake.blogspot.com/
Carol Wilsonhttp://jetadorn.blogspot.com/
Caroline Dewisonhttp://www.blueberribeads.co.uk
Cassie Donlenwww.cassiedonlen.blogspot.com
Catharine Temaluruhttp://ienmaginationsjewelry.wordpress.com
Catherine Turrellhttp://fairysketches.blogspot.co.uk
Cheri Reedwww.creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com
Cherrie Warzochahttp://colorsofshae.blogspot.com/
Christa Murphyhttp://adventuresofwonebeadywoman.blogspot.com/
Christina Hickmanhttp://vintagetreasuresjewelry.blogspot.com/
Christina Stofmeelwww.fengbeads.com
Christine Hansenhttp://intuitivesparks.blogspot.com
Christine Stonefieldwww.sweetgirldesign.blogspot.com
Cilla Watkinswww.tellyourgirlfriends.com
Cindy Cima Edwardswww.cindycima.com
Claire Lockwoodwww.somethingtodowithyourhands.com
Colleen Vinthagenhttp://www.thewireworkshop.com/blog/
Dagmar Liebischhttp://kokopellidesign.blogspot.de/
Dana Fowlerwww.blogjunepur.blogspot.com
Danielle Kelleyhttp://imbuethemuse.blogspot.com/
Deb Fortinwww.studiok24.blogspot.ca
Dee Elgiehttp://cherryobsidia.blogspot.co.uk
Denise Milwardhttp://milwardstorysofar.wordpress.com/
Diah Anggrenihttp://pernik-manik.blogspot.com/
Diana Gonzalezwww.arteypoemas.com
Diane Valasekhttp://dragonflyclose.blogspot.com/
Dita Basuhttp://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com
Donetta Farringtonhttp://simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com/
Doris Stumpfhttp://glaszwerg.blogspot.de/
Elizabeth Bunnhttp://elizabethbeads.blogspot.com
Elizabeth Drakehttp://mutteringsofacrone.wordpress.com/
Elizabeth Joneshttp://www.eyekandyjewellery.com
Elizabeth Stolarczykhttp://elizabethsart.blogspot.co.uk/
Ema Kilroyhttp://www.emakdesigns.com/blog
Erin Kennyhttp://beadifultherapy.blogspot.ca/
Evelyn DuberryWww.ShebaMakeda.com
Fay Wolfendenwww.torchfairy.blogspot.com
Francesca Watsonhttp://francescawatson.com/
Gen Smithhttp://gennysworld.blogspot.com/
Ginger Davis Allmanwww.thebluebottletree.com
Giorgia Rossiniwww.joyblonde.blogspot.com
Hannah Annearwww.quirkyhannah.wordpress.com
Heather Ottohttp://www.thecrafthopper.com
Heidi Kingmanwww.Heidikingman.blogspot.com
Ildiko Jaraiwww.sviroalkotasai.blogspot.hu
Iveth Carusowww.CreativeAtelier.net
Jackie Locantorehttp://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/MorningStarSanctuaryStudio
Jacqueline Kellerwww.creartelier.blogspot.com
Jane Pranata Limhttp://cherryeve.blogspot.com
Jennifer Davishttp://jennifersjewelsandjunk.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Tough
http://jenniferbeads.blogspot.ca
Jenny Vidberghttp://shymessmycken.blogspot.se/
Jessica KlaarenHttp://cellardoorjewelry.blogspot.com
Joanna Matuszczykhttp://filcowe.blogspot.com
Joyce Beckerwww.joycesjoyfulgems.blogspot.com
Judith Johnstonhttp://www.lampworkbeadlounge.com/
Judy Rileywww.threeredbeads.blogspot.com
JuLee Wolfewww.thepolymerpenguin.blogspot.com
June Butthttp://www.onewhiteswan.blogspot.co.nz/
Karen Mitchellhttp://www.overthemoon-design.com
Kari Asburyhttp://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com/
Karin Kingwww.maverickbeads.blogspot.ca
Karin von Hoerenwww.creativeideen.de
Karla Morganhttp://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com/
Kathrin Lembkehttp://allesperle.blogspot.de/
Kathy Stemke
http://vintagememoriesjewelry.blogspot.com
Katja Benevol Gabrijelcichttp://slovoni.blogspot.com
Katy Heiderhttp://onthepondcreations.blogspot.com/
Kay Thomersonhttp://KayzKreationz.blogspot.com
Kelley Foglewww.mylifeonebeadatatime.blogspot.com
Keren Panthakihttps://vasdea.wordpress.com
Kimberly Idalskihttp://www.Kimisjewelryandgifts.blogspot.com
Kirsi Loponenhttp://peikkonen.blogspot.com
Klaudia Tóthhttp://www.klaudiabizsu.hu/
Krista Quantrillwww.cornucopiaofcrafts.blogspot.ca
Kristina Hahn Eleniakwww.peacockandlime.wordpress.com
Kristina Johanssonwww.wildrosesandblackberries.blogspot.com
Laney Meadhttp://laney-izzybeads.blogspot.co.uk/
Lara Lutrickhttp://www.lutrick.blogspot.com/
Laura Guentherwww.blueantiquities.blogspot.com
Lauren Pottswww.lpsjewelry.blogspot.com
Laurie Vyselaarwww.Lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
Leah Teeswww.mybeadylittleeyes.blogspot.ca
Lena Adamshttp://mommaslilbirdiesblog.blogspot.com
Lesley Wattwww.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Leslie Waymentwww.aabeadsonline.com/blog/
LiliKristhttp://pcbylik.blogspot.com/
Linda Kropphttp://lindasartbarn.blogspot.com/
Linda Newnhamhttp://www.earth-shine.co.uk/
Linda Younkmanwww.lindysdesigns.blogspot.com
Lisa Boucherhttp://lisasclayhappenings.blogspot.com/
Lizzie Clarkewww.theneedtobead.blogspot.com
Lora Brighthttp://fandangling.wordpress.com/
Lorelle McIntyrehttp://beadyart.blogspot.com.au
Lori Andersonwww.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Lori Finneyhttp://lori-finney.blogspot.ca/
Lucie Bouvierhttp://www.carlosbeadstore.com/blog/
Malin de Koninghttp://beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.se
Marina Dobryninahttp://savonfeutre.blogspot.fr/
Marina Kosovichttp://machoopko-design.blogspot.com/
Marion Simmonshttp://www.shadetreejewelry.com/blog.html
Marita Suominenhttp://momentofjewelry.blogspot.fi/
Marjolein Trewavashttp://roomforchangemeuk.blogspot.co.uk/
Marsela Schrothwww.marselita.de
Martha Aleowww.ornamento.wordpress.com
Mary Govaarswww.mlhjewelrydesigns.com
Mary K McGrawhttp://mkaymac.blogspot.com/
Maybeline Tayhttp://thejewelrylarder.blogspot.sg/
Mea-B. Ueblerwww.glasorakel.blogspot.com
Melissa Trudingerwww.beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Menka Guptahttp://menkag.blogspot.com
Merja Sundströmhttp://suntsan.blogspot.fi/
Merja Syrjämäkihttp://helmiriippuvuus.blogspot.fi/
Michelle Buettnerhttp://www.MiShelDesigns.blogspot.com
Michelle Escanowww.cabbycraft.blogspot.com
Michelle Wiggintonhttp://adornedonadelaide.blogspot.ca/
Milla Hopewww.Lbcreativeart.com
Miranda Ackerely

Mowse Doyle
www.mirandack.com


http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com/
Mrs M Makeswww.mrsmmakes.wordpress.com
Nan Smithwww.wirednan.blogspot.com
Natalie Davidsonhttp://northshoredays.blogspot.co.nz/
Natalie Motenhttp://runningoutofthread.blogspot.com/
Natascha Martywww.sommerlicht.ch
Nikki Banham-Hallhttp://jewellerymakingblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Noemi Baenahttp://blog.noemibaena.com/
Norma Turveyhttp://moonlitfantaseas.blogspot.com
Pam DeBoerhttp://pamelas-studio.blogspot.com/
Pam Hurstwww.pamhurst.blogspot.com
Patti Pruhshttp://threebeadsandastring.blogspot.com/
Penny Houghtonhttp://www.smellynelly.blogspot.com.au/
Penny Millswww.cobblestone-lane.blogspot.com
Rachel Van-Walshwww.balancedcrafts.com/blog
Rebecca Sirevaagwww.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com
Regina Santerrehttp://reginaswritings.blogspot.com/
Regina Wood
http://www.gina-design.blogspot.com
Roberta Fauntroywww.thevirtualbeadsociety.wordpress.com
Rosanagh Watson


Rose Johnson
http://ring-a-ring-a-rosie.blogspot.co.uk


http://swtrosethorn.blogspot.com
Rosemary Cheslockwww.glasseyebutterfly.tumblr.com
Rossana De Gasparihttp://rdegas.blogspot.com
Sabine Dittrichwww.perlendschungel.blogspot.com
Sam Waghornhttp://palemooncreations.tumblr.com/
Sandi Jameshttp://www.dobedobeaddo.blogspot.com/
Sandra McGriffhttp://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca
Sandra Wollberghttp://city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.com/
Sandra Younghttp://gypsyroadbeads.blogspot.ca/
Shai Williamshttp://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Sharon Palacwww.sharonsjewelrygarden.blogspot.com
Sierra Barretthttp://giraffecanhas.wordpress.com/
Silke Gröberhttp://just-beads.blogspot.com
Siobhán Keoghhttp://vovsjewellery.blogspot.ie/
Stefanie Teufelhttp://stefaniessammelsurium.blogspot.com
Stephanie Stamperwww.Skwds.blogspot.com
Sue Hamelhttp://cardandjewelrycorner.blogspot.com/
Sue Renniehttp://moonandsevenstars.blogspot.co.uk/
Susan Kennedywww.suebeads.blogspot.com
Susan McClellandhttp://mistheword12.wordpress.com
Susanna Lehtohttp://othellehto.blogspot.fi/
Suse Stelljeswww.pearlify.blogspot.de
Susie Hibdonhttp://vintagesusieandwings.blogspot.com
Suzann Sladcik Wilsonwww.BeadphoriaBlog.com
Tara Plotehttp://newbiebeader.blogspot.com/
Terri G.http://terrisbloomingideas.blogspot.com/
Terry Carterhttp://tappingflamingo.blogspot.com/
Terry Matuszykhttp://pinkchapeau.wordpress.com/
Theresa Frankhttp://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com/
Tina Boshhttp://bookbug-somanybookssolittletime.blogspot.com/
Tina Noonanwww.wingedimp.blogspot.com
Toltec Jewelswww.JewelSchoolFriends.com




Facebook Participants


Audrey Allenhttps://www.facebook.com/adallen07
Cindy Wimmer Musehttps://www.facebook.com/mritech813
Cynthia O'Toolehttps://www.facebook.com/cynthia.otoole
Deb Floroshttps://www.facebook.com/deb.floros
Debbie Jensenhttps://www.facebook.com/debbie.jensen.984
Erin Honeycutthttps://www.facebook.com/erin.honeycutt1
Kaushambi Shahhttps://www.facebook.com/kaushambi.shah
Lisa Lloyd Harrisonhttps://www.facebook.com/lisa.lloydharrison
Mary Jane Tannerhttps://www.facebook.com/mary.j.tanner
Valerie Tilghmanhttps://www.facebook.com/valerie.tilghman

Sunday 21 April 2013

Still here & BSBP Reveals

If anyone's wondering, I'm still here :-). Just a little overwhelmed by real life. I've been ill pretty much most of last month, and my 20yo cat is now terminally ill so life's been mostly crap lately (pardon my language).

To take my mind off things, I've been checking out the amazing creations of fellow jewellery makers who participated in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party. The response to the BSBP was so enthusiastic this year that there are THREE reveal dates. I'm slowly ploughing my way through the 1st and 2nd Reveals and I strongly encourage you to do the same. Take it nice and slow so you appreciate all the effort and creativity that each participant invested in their pieces. You can go here for the 1st Reveal links and here for the 2nd Reveal. 

The 3rd reveal will be next week, 27 April - and that's my reveal date. So come back then to see what I made with my partner's great bead soup.