Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Bead Soup - Revealed!

I'm very excited to share with you that the time is finally here to reveal what I did with my bead soup! In case your new to my blog...here's the back story :)

The Bead Soup Party has been hosted by Lori Anderson, and she's done a tremendous job! How does it work? Well we had 85 jewelry artists sign up (incredible!) and Lori organized us so we each had a partner. She took on more than one since we had some late entries. We then sent out partner some "Bead Soup." What was in that bead soup? A focal, some beads to compliment it, and a clasp. Then we each have sat down with our soup and created something lovely!



My partner was Suzann - and I love the beads she sent me!



Creating this necklace was a challenge. I had so many fun elements to work with, and I wanted it to have a some of "me" in the necklace too! I don't usually get to work with components like this because, well, I just don't have the bank for it :P


The beads sat on my design table for at least a week. I knew I wanted to combine the components using hand crafted wire links (which goes back to my beginnings as a jewelry artist) but I was still trying to decide the best way to combine everything.

Then I hit on the idea of using some beaded beads to add the finall "me" touch to the piece! I've been wanting to learn how to make beaded beads and I knew one of the simplest ways is to make a tiny peyote tube. So that's what I did! They were fairly challenging for me because it was a lot of SMALL work. I'm used to a piece growing bigger as I work on it!



I like how everything worked out. I like how the bumps on the lampwork beads are complimented by the "bumpiness" of my little beaded tubes. I'm actually toying with changing the design slightly now that I've seen it complete and with photos...but there was no time before the deadline today! LOL

Edit (2/11/10) The current pictures reflect the minor change I made. I changed the way the focal was attached so that it hangs more smoothly now. It originally hung from it's own "link" that had several beads on either side of the hook. But the hook wouldn't stay in place and tended to move around, so I removed that link and instead attached the two side links directly to the hook. That probably doesn't make sense to anyone other than my fellow jewelry makers :P But I'm happy with the change!

Edit: (2/11/10)
This piece is now for sale in my Artfire shop!


Like I said - there area lot of other incredible designers involved in this bead soup party,
click on their blogs below!


1. Lori, Pretty Things
9. Adrienne, Adrienne Designs
11. Laurel, Rue's Daftique
14. Cassie, The Glass Beadle
17. Lisa, Lo and Behold
19. Judith, Judith B.
20. Debbie, Prairie Emporium
24. Marianna, Pretty Shiny Things
25. Lisa, Joolz by Lisa
26. Cristi, 2 If By Sea
30. Leslie, Bei Mondi
31. Loretta, Designs by Loretta
33. Kathie, The Bead Cult
34. Patty, Plays With Fire
35. Nicki, Nicki's Reef
36. Anne Marie, Heart's Desire
39. Emanda, Artemesia's Studio
40. Whitney, Whitney Lassini
41. Marcie, La Bella Joya
42. Suzann, Beadphoria
45. Janiece, J Birds Garden
47. Laurie, The Mermaid Tale
49. Sue, Sue Beads
50. Janeen, Janeen 365
51. Nancy, The Rabbit Muse
52. Kristie, Artisan Clay
53. Regina, Regina's Writings
55. Lyn, Lyn Foley
57. Cathryn, Chile Cats
60. Juli, Jul's Beads
61. Julie, RockerJewlz
70. Lynette, Rock Hill Designs
74. Ruthie, Rose Works Jewelry
75. Elizabeth, Turquoise Sky
76. Maire, Maire Dodd
77. Janet, Singing Woods
78. Eileen, Dorset Hill Beads
80. Joann, Jo's Jewels

57 comments:

TiLT said...

That looks fabulous!!!!
I see I am going to need a good chunk of computer time to check out everyone elses :P

melanie brooks said...

This is very pretty with all of the light colors. I like the detail of the beaded beads!

Juli Cannon said...

Oh so pretty and girly. I like the use of the beaded beads also. Great job!

Unknown said...

I agree w/ you, you nailed it w/ the peyote tubes against the bumpyness of the lampwork, great call! I'm glad to hear someone else say they want to rework their necklace now that they've seen it in a photo, I'm thinking the same thing~just a little tweaking!

Terri said...

Lovely! Reminds me of summer. You did such a beautiful job....This is a great Party.

When I passed on the links..I did not include mine #3 so perhaps you can fix it by adding my link.

Kella said...

This is a lovely airy piece I love your beaded beads.

Heather Powers said...

I love the bright and sunny color combination!

Lisa said...

Yummy! that focal looks like candy and I love the seed beads you paired with it.

Marsha Wiest-Hines said...

Very pretty and springy Ruthie! Great soup.

Maria said...

Great bead soup! I'm hungry now! Very yummy!
Maria

You are welcome to stop by for a cup of "Spring" soup on my blog.
www.mariagrimes.blogspot.com

Katie said...

I love that you made little peyote beaded beads - they are so fun and simple and can add so much to a piece. It's so light and springy!

Unknown said...

It's so cute!! What a great mix of beads to use and I love what you did with them.

Michelle Mach said...

What a fun necklace! I love the way your seed bead pieces mimic the lampwork!

Pretty Things said...

I love it! Love it all! And you're right, it's good to put a bit of YOU in it!


Thanks for being a part of the party -- we'll do it again soon!

Marcie Abney Carroll said...

How cute and so summery!! Great job!

Rickie said...

Yummy colors--so feminine and pretty!

Susan said...

What beautiful spring colors! (Now, if we could only have spring to go along with it). Love your design!

TesoriTrovati said...

I really love the soothing, fresh spring colors in this palette! I love that you challenged yourself to learn something new, yet keep the piece true to your style. Wonderfully done! Thanks for sharing this heaping serving of great soup! Be sure to stop by and taste some of mine. Enjoy the day! Erin

Mary T Designs said...

Wow! I really love the effect of the beaded beads combined with the lampwork. Excellent combination and finished piece. This sounds like so much fun! I am going to try to visit all of the participants' blogs.

Jen Judd said...

Very pretty! I have to get some beaded beads into my repertoire...you're inspiring!!

Anonymous said...

I love the colors!! You did a fantastic job with some very lovely components. Makes me long for spring.

moonlitfantaseas said...

very nice springy colors nice and delicate looking

Jo said...

What a fun design! I love the clasp especially.

Eileen said...

a beautiful creation...you did a great job with this one...the colors are so ready for spring...

Mary K. McGraw said...

I think your beaded beads were the perfect thing to accent the great beads you received.

BeadedTail said...

You did a beautiful job Ruthie! It certainly does have a bit of you in it which makes it very special!

Erin Siegel said...

Ooo...this is so pretty!

Jo Ann Gallagher said...

Quirky! Love what you did with these jazzy beads!

EmandaJ said...

It looks like you are ready for the summer, yummy soft color palette.

Hasn't this been fun?

Emanda
www.ArtemisiaStudio.blogspot.com

Patty said...

Beautiful! Dainty, full of the spring freshness. Your beaded beads are the perfect touch.

lisa oram said...

You did a great job. I also had the challenge of putting "me" into beads that were a bit out of my comfort zone. I also work with seed beads, and like you, was able to weave come components to go along. What fun!! Enjoy your necklace.

Julie said...

Ruthie... you did a WONDERFUL job! This piece is so lovely. The colors in Suzann's pieces were so pretty & subtle, I think what you put together is so quietly beautiful, perfect w/ Suzann's work.

Dee said...

how cool is this!!! I love the fresh airy feeling of this piece..perfect summer design...great job! You also do lovely beadwork...I envy anyone with the patience!

Patti said...

Sooo pretty... this is definately one of my favorites!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Ruthie!,
So glad you enjoyed the beads I gave you! It is fun to try something, new isn't it!
The beaded beads are fabulous! Such patience! Please post when you finish your re-design. Would love to see what you come up with! (Although I think what you have is awesome!)

In Beads and Happiness,
Suzann Sladcik Wilson

Kate said...

Ruthie, first I'd like to offer my condolences on the loss of your grandma, I lost mine over 10 years ago and miss her still, but the great thing is that she lives on in my heart and I'm sure yours will too. ((hugs)) to you in this trying time. I am astonished you could even continue on with this party, but I know sometimes concentrating on an artistic project can help give our hearts and minds a respite so that we can move on safely and heal.

Beautiful and fresh design, light and airy and refreshing as a Spring day!

Hope you are enjoying the Party best you can...
Kate ~
Organic Odysseys #46 Bead Souper

Unknown said...

This too your necklace is one of my Faves. Its so pretty and fun so Spring in your step! Its just Lovely! A job so well done.

Spirited Earth said...

this looks like spring is on the way..lovely..

Mermaid Glass said...

So pretty. It's light and fun, not fussy at all. Girly but cool, too.

Unknown said...

YUMMY! So summer-y and fresh! You are a great "cook!"

Cindy said...

Wow! Your piece is full of gorgeous art beads - the beaded beads and that beautiful focal! I think you created a real Spring beauty here! :-)
Cindy
www.sweetbeadstudio.com

Judy said...

Such a pretty piece with soft soothing colors. I really like how you wire wrapped everything giving it a delicate look.

Loretta said...

Your handmade beads look great. A nice compliment to the other beads. Very nice design.

Fredbean's Nook said...

Just lovin' those peyote beads... a beautiful piece :0)

SueBeads said...

Very nice necklace! I love the peyote tubes as well! I need to learn to make those!

Nicki said...

Your beaded beads are pretty. The white makes the piece light and airy and bright. I really like it.

RockerJewlz said...

The bumps make it all work...very nice addition. These colors are bright & springy...nice to see this time of year.

Islandgirl said...

That's a really nice combination of beads! And yes it does scream spring... hope it works... I'm ready!

Regina said...

So pretty, it's spring time again!

JBird's Garden said...

Very pretty necklace. Looks like summer!!!

Memories for Life said...

That turned out great! And I love the colors!

Splendid Little Stars said...

Wow! The necklace is spectacular!

Round Rabbit said...

The perfect necklace for summer! Beautiful job! :)

Anonymous said...

lovely, reminds me of spring

Linda said...

spectacular! A perfect Spring Awakening necklace :) Great job!

nomadcraftsetc said...

AMAZING! I love the design-you are super talented!

Evie's Tool Emporium said...

Love how you featured the focal piece!