Visit my Etsy Shop

Visit my Etsy Shop
Click Photo to Visit my Etsy Shop

Friday, May 9, 2014

Lori Anderson's May 10, 2014 Bead Soup Reveal

As you all know, this is an annual party hosted by Lori Anderson.  Quickly, for those who don't know, you sign up, Lori partners you with another person that signed up, those two partners exchange a bead soup which MUST include a focal and a clasp and then the other partner must make something that incorporates both the focal and the clasp, but not necessarily in the same piece.  Of course, partners are free to include additional things in their soup if they choose.  Then there is a reveal date when the partners post what they made with their soups on their blogs.  Well, TODAY IS THE DAY! 
I do want to remind those of you who did not know before that my partner this year is Ginger Davis Allman of the Blue Bottle Tree.  She is a talented polymer clay artist and author.  Check out her BLOG at The Blue Bottle Tree and look for her tutorials in her ETSY store at The Blue Bottle Tree.

Here is the soup that Ginger sent to me.  I was really worried about coming up with beautiful designs when I first saw it.  These are colors that I rarely work with, but I knew that I would figure something out.  I always do.  I just gave myself a few days to think about the beads and I began to have some ideas. In fact, they started coming faster than I could make jewelry.  So, if you are ready, here is what I did with it.


First, I turned those gorgeous yellow pendants into earrings with an exotic tribal look to them.

Her pendants, her crystals, her blue pearls, a couple of her seed beads.
















These were first intended to be the dangles on the yellow sun earrings, but I decided to go with the purple druzy beads instead.  I didn't want to take them apart, and they technically still qualify because they have Ginger's seed beads on top of the faceted stone bead, so I made these short earrings from them.

Waste not, want not.


On this set, I used the lampwork lantern bead, the toggle clasp (that had an Asian feel to me), her blue pearls, and her butterfly wings.

I added silver lotus beads, porcelain beads by Marti Conrad and Natalie Pappas, glass pearls, glass flower Czech beads, and some silver yoga inspired lotus and fish charms.









I matched the earrings using her pearls, and the lotus and fish charms, and the Czech glass beads.
















Ginger made the focal pendant bead, and the six accent beads.  I used some of her seed beads and crystals for accents.

I added titanium cobalt blue druzy beads, verdigris copper links (I did that) and a copper bail, made the focal bead frame and clasp.











I have always been challenged when using polymer beads.  Because of their light weight I have trouble making them do what I want them to do.  They seem to want to twist on the wire or not hang heavy enough.  On this set, I wired the polymer beads to the copper frames that I made, forcing them to bend to my will.  Hahaha  (I wish it was that easy to force my three Rottweilers to bend to my will.)

I also used some genuine lapis rounds that I have been hoarding.











I moved on to the vintage Japanese tube beads.  I loved these beads, but in the beginning had no idea.

This design hit me just before I fell asleep one night. I couldn't wait to get up the next day to execute it.

I used the blue/gray optic glass ovals she sent me, two of Ginger's polymer oval beads, the blue glass rounds, and her seed beads.

I added the black dyed bone feathers and I have to tell you, this is my favorite set. 


I used her blue pearls and crystals and that gorgeous sterling teapot and spoon toggle clasp she gave me to make this sterling bracelet.

I learned something interesting, at least to me, on this set.

I have been making my own ball headpins for a couple of years now.  I have always just used my torch to make them, but I have always made them out of copper.

When I attempted to make these headpins using the torch on 22 gauge sterling wire (which is the only wire that would go through the pearls) my torch just burned up the wire.  I put the project away to think about it and I had an idea.  I have always had, and prefer, a gas cook stove.  I actually made these headpins in the flame of my gas cook stove.  It was hot enough to ball the wire, but cool enough not to burn up the wire.  I'm sure others already knew this, but I felt like I had invented the wheel!



These earrings are made from Ginger's blueberry quartz stone heart beads, her crystals and the four lucite flower beads.

I added the purple opal faceted fire polished beads, copper beads, glass beads, bead caps and made the copper earwires.

These would actually make two pairs of earrings as they are a bit long, but they are not heavy so I guess it would just depend on how long you like your earrings.




My "Everything Else" bracelet.  This piece was made using the third clasp she sent me, a floral charm she made, some faux biwa pearl beads she made, some nugget beads she made, two lampwork beads, those three purple glass tube beads, two vintage lucite rondelles and I accented with her pearls

Although I made matching earrings for most of the pieces I made for this Soup, I did not make any for this bracelet because "There Wasn't Anything Else".  (Get it?)



But, that isn't quite true.  At this point, I had the silver stamping, 12 blue pearls, 24 crystals and 4 seed beads left.  I had an idea brewing for the silver stamping, but I had to ruminate (I love that word) on it for a week or so.

The Victorians loved their stripes (wallpaper) and I liked the addition of the hammered copper and to me the stamping is more of an Edwardian design.  I connected the stamping to the base with rivets.










I used butter soft deerskin leather on the back and a silver pin back to finish the brooch.







But, I wasn't done yet, I still had 24 crystals, 12 pearls and 4 seed beads.








 I have had this set of clay pieces that were made by Barbara Hanselman for some time.  They give me a tribal vibe.

I don't believe it would ever have occurred to me to mix pearls and crystals with tribal had it not been for the challenge to use all of Ginger's materials.

So I just went for it.


I used copper wire to wrap pearls to the holes, made a couple of links for the neck chain, decorated the Irish linen with the crystals and seed beads and here you go.

Finished out the neck chain with carved burnt horn, sand river stone, and serpentine olive jade.







This is my fourth participation in Lori's Bead Soup Blog Party.  It has always been a personal goal of mine that I use everything received from my partner. A couple of times I managed to use every single thing, right down to the last seed bead.

I didn't use the toggle from that beautiful toggle clasp used in the necklace with the Asian flare.

Perhaps I will design my Fall line around it.


The purpose of this exercise is twofold:  First, we get to know someone in the jewelry community that we might not already know.  Second, by making something with a soup chosen by someone else, we may (or may not) be challenged to push beyond what we are comfortable making.  That was certainly the case in this installment.  When I first saw Ginger's soup choice, I was stunned.  I had no ideas!  I just thought "Oh My God."  But, once I got started, ideas came pretty easily, so I guess I can now say that in the future, I will be more comfortable working with pink, purple, and blue "pretty beads."  Thank you Ginger for your choice.  I love everything I made and I hope you do too!




Now that you have seen what I made, here is the soup that I sent to Ginger.  Our soups were so similar, they could have been litter mates.  Let's go see what she made with hers.

I hope the rest of you enjoyed my reveal as much as I have enjoyed participating in this year's party.  Please leave comments, they mean so much to me.






I usually include links to all the other participants, but there are more than 500 this year.  So, I have included only two links.  The first goes to my partner's blog, Ginger Davis Allman
Go to her blog and see what she made with her soup.

The second is a permalink to Lori Anderson's blog.  She will have a complete list of links there.


List of Other Bloggers


My Previous Soups
2-29-12 - Partner Erin Grant
February 29, 2012


7-28-12 - Partner Judy Turner
July 28, 2012


7-29-12
 July 29, 2012 Update Judy Turner


4-13-2013 - Partner Jelveh Jaferian Johnson
April 13, 2013

111 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow - you really made that bead soup stretch. I love the fancy ear wires on I think it's the second set down....nice. You've really outdone yourself and your partner has to be tickled PINK.

Linda A. said...

Beautiful and well done! I LOVE the copper earrings! I'm working on my own wireworking so you have inspired me to try some new things!

- Linda - http://FromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com; http://cherryOnTopDesign.co

Ginger Davis Allman (The Blue Bottle Tree) said...

I am speechless. Impressed. Pleased to bits. And utterly humbled. I am always in awe of the way people can make magic come out of their brains and through their fingers to make art. And I am completely in awe of you. I can't even comprehend how you thought of all those ideas. You're completely in your element, Jean. You have absolutely found your calling in life. You are a master! Thank you for making my humble beads so happy.

Anonymous said...

Blimey you made a huge amount of delicious goodies. Those tribal earrings rock right up my path and the Japanese tube beads and leaves is a cool design. Love the lantern bead and butterfly necklace too.

Mags said...

So many awesome pieces!
I specially like the first pair of earrings and the set with japanese tube beads and... well, all are great :-D

Chelle said...

I adore the Everything Else bracelet. Your designs are gorgeous.

Othel said...

Beautiful! The tribal necklace is my favourite, but I really admire how seriously you took the challenge to use everything from the soup.

Anonymous said...

LOVE them all !!! They are my favorites :-) Amazing talented you are.. thank you for showing us. xx Dian

Unknown said...

Hahahaha - I can't wait to see your fall line :) They are all great pieces. I'm pretty sure that first pair of earrings wants you to put them in an envelope & send them to me. Do you hear them?

WindDancerStudios said...

Wow Jean, when you said you had been busy, you weren't kidding! Love it all!! You and Ginger make a perfect team, soup was divine!!

Tammy Adams said...

There's so much magic in your designs I hardly know where to start. I especially love how you embraced the challenge of this color palette and made it work with your voice. The way you used wire with the polymer components in the earrings is my favorite. Everything is exceptional.

vovsblog said...

Such lovely work well done!

Unknown said...

Seriously stunning pieces as always Jean! Beautiful soup!

bailaora said...

I'm impressed!Great wirework! The brooch is my fav!

Unknown said...

What a lot of gorgeous designs, you have made some truly beautiful jewellery and i leave your blog totally inspired.

Anonymous said...

Don't listen to Sherri! Those earrings really want me to wear them. The tribal set is also lovely, not my usual style but it is just so striking that you've convinced me I've been missing something.

Jean A. Wells said...

Sherri and Windbent -- I bet if you talked really sweet to my partner, Ginger, she might sell you your very own yellow pendants. Thank you both for loving them.

Carol D. said...

Love the innovation in your pieces Jean. I will definitely have to come back and look at these more closely.

Unknown said...

WOW! I kept wanting to jump to posting a comment after I saw each piece because I was convinced that one was my favorite, then I scrolled down and saw another, and another.... and yet another that would take paragraphs to tell you why, which I will not do out of consideration for the commentators!

But let me share that I absolutely love how you took the Japanese tube beads and created such an amazing centerpiece with them, I love that look and the purple is a great unique color to use!

But the last necklace with the ceramic set by Barbara, it is magnificent! I loved the mix of earthy neutral colors with the pops of purple pearls and flashes of crystal.

I really enjoyed seeing what you created with your bead soup, your designs are feel good pieces!
Thank you for visiting my own party post!

Pookledo said...

I think your collection is my favourite in the bead soup blog hop so far. Thankyou for sharing. They re lovely pieces.

Unknown said...

OMGosh, Jean! You always create such energetic and earthy designs. LoVE them. My favs in this soup are many -- I especially love how you used the Japanese tube beads and that amazing tribal necklace with the pearls and clay beads. Fabulous!

Rachel said...

Great job with a beautiful soup! Very creative!

Unknown said...

Quite the lovely soup you created. I especially like the use of the tube beads. Very creative use of a lot of soup ingredients.

PiPa said...

I am speachless, Ginger components are already gorgeous but you made some pretty amazing pieces with them! I am in love with the first pair of earrings and the vintage Japanese tube necklace! Absolutely stunning!

Martha said...

Beautifully done!

Kym Hunter Designs said...

Wow, you were on a roll! All of your pieces are very lovely and creatively made!

fay ................................................... said...

Simply gorgeous... the whole lot... Loved the colours that you had to work with!

Unknown said...

Wow...beautiful work..love your style! great tip on the silver wire BTW :) I gonna fire up my stove and make my own headpins!

Unknown said...

I am just awestuck by these works of art... Especially the first set of earrings and the last necklace. I would wear that all the time !

Christine said...

Your pieces are so lovely and unique - love all of the wire work!

Isabelle said...

Wow, Jean...you really outdid yourself on these pieces.
I loooove the colors and the designs are very unique. I really love the style. Will you have them for sale on your etsy shop?

Liz said...

Jean, you amazed me again! Your pieces are breathtaking! I especially loved the tribal inspired pieces because they were in non-traditional tribal colors.

Kepi said...

I want I want I want....each and everyone. Absolutely beautiful work. You are an inspiration!

Unknown said...

Those are both such great soups. I love Ginger's beads so much! Really love what you came up with - the copper frames for the lightweight beads on those beautiful earrings, the stunning tribal piece with the pearls and fringe, the brooch... very creative and well conceived bunch of goodies!

Janice said...

My,my,my...that's exactly what ran through my mind from first glance at your lovely soup right to the last beautiful piece. I love every. single. piece.

createmyworld said...

Wow! Simply gorgeous, all of it! Love the designs you came up with to showcase your gorgeous soup from Ginger!

adlinah said...

I love every single piece you made! Each of your creations are absolutely stunning - so so very creative and clever.

Shalini Austin Metalsmith said...

Beautiful pieces. Very hard to choose a favourite. They are all gorgeous :-)

Simply Cindy @ Moose River Glass said...

Wow Jean...what a collection! Beautiful!

Elizabeth said...

Wow!! i am a big FAN of your wonderful work Jean and I am thrilled to see all that you did with this soup!1 the pearl bracelet with the silver head pins is a stunner and I love your tip about the gas stove. Sadly I dont have a gas stove- NEXT house for sure!! All of your wire work is amazing and how you treated the polymer pieces certainly made them all shine!! fantastic!!

Saraccino said...

Your tribal and organic look is so beautiful! :)

Just Beads said...

Wonderful pieces, all of them. I really love the last set. Wow!

Freestyle Elements said...

Inspirational creations, you came so close to meeting your personal goal to use every single bit of soup--works of art and soul each one. Loved them all.

Unknown said...

Amazing pieces, great work!

Jean Katherine Baldridge said...

Dear Jean, remember the year we were mistaken for each other? Well ... for the record, after seeing you in action here, I don't mind in the least! To say you are brilliant is an understatement! I love and would wear EVERYTHING !!! AND I would wear it all at once! You did some kind of beautiful job!
love, the "other jean"!

Third Eye Gypsy said...

Beautiful pieces all around, but the last necklace really takes my breath away! Beautiful work! xo Genea

Shyme said...

So many beautiful pieces you have created!

Peru-Medesigns said...

Beautiful work...the tribal necklace is my favorite..

Unknown said...

Stunning work, each piece, such a gorgeous combination of colours and materials! It's ♥breathtaking!

My Life Under the Bus said...

This may be one of my favorites color wise - so bright and cheerful and summery! The tribal piece with the pearls is a real stunner!

Loris Glassworks said...

You've created some beautiful pieces with your soup. I love how you were so creative with your focal beads. My favorite is the tribal design - Cheers!
Lori in Atlanta

Charis Designs said...

Talk about a ton of creativity and inspiration! Each of your pieces is so unique and varied. I'd get to one piece and think "wow" and then there was another and another and another... Lovely work. Christie

min said...

So many pieces!!! It's like one eye-candy after another. Also I'd like to point out you have one of the neatest wire-wrapping skills I've ever seen! Really great work with your soup.

Alicia said...

Wow, where to start, Jean?! For someone who was 'stumped' of her soup, you managed quite well, in the end. Who am I kidding - you are truly amazing! I love that you wanted and delivered on the idea of using every single bead in the soup. As for your creations: Wow! is describing my feelings very well. Everything is beautifully designed, extremely well executed, and plain gorgeous!
P.S. I always had the opposite issue with the ball pins, can't get them to form. I guess you used some fine silver there, but nonetheless, thank you for the tip, I'll have to try it!

Ann said...

You did a great job using up just about every bead you got in your soup. All of the earrings look great. I actually wear earrings daily so I am often drawn to them first. My favorite is the everything else bracelet though, and not just because it has such a great name. I love the colors in it and the different shapes and textures too.

Unknown said...

Outstanding!! You made wonderful designs, I think the tribal necklace and earrings are my fav's!!

esterina said...

I am amazed! All is stunning! I feel like... you know.. when a child enter a room full of different kind of sweets!!
.... starting following your blog. You and Ginger are a perfect match.. you both made asthonishing pieces of art!!

Unknown said...

It's all so beautiful!
Well done!
Congrats ^_^

Unknown said...

Wow, wOw and WOW!! You have made so many gorgeous wearable pieces! I love your style and how many different ways you used your soup!!

Shaezocha said...

Rock it. Love all the textures in the clay/pearl creation. loved all the earrings.

Terri said...

Inventive, creative, and amazing designs! And how cool was it that you both sent out similar soups! Really Soup-er

Anonymous said...

Wow! Did you get some awesome soup! The designs that you made are all so interesting! Love how everything has a different feel to it. Kudos on a well served soup.
- Suzann Sladcik Wilson

Unknown said...

I really love the "tribal" piece. Wonderful work.

Unknown said...

I really love the "tribal" piece. Wonderful work.

Kari Asbury said...

WOW! It's all so lovely. I think the last necklace is my favorite...an unusually beautiful combination.

la mar de bonita said...

Wow, that's an amazing soup, Jean! Such a lot of beautiful pieces. My favourites are the first earrings and the last necklace, they are totally my taste.

Unknown said...

Wow! So prolific! I think the tribal clay pieces by Barbara Henselman look lovely with the pearls! I really like how the pearls are wrapped around the front of the pendant. Stunning!

BlueAntiquities said...

So so amazing! I agree with all the wonderful comments here. I love the pearls and crystals pieces! Fabulous!

Susan said...

Unbelievable! You made so many things where can i start? The color combos are really beautiful. The first earring pair with the yellow focals just stuck with me through all the pieces. Fabulous collection.

Barb Fernald said...

What a generous soup you got from Ginger, and what an amazing collection of jewelry you made with it! Each piece is more unique than the one before. So fun to see them all. Nice job!

Unknown said...

beautiful pieces!

Esfera Jewelry said...

Amazing, just amazing. Each and every piece you created is mouth dropping gorgeous. Love the handmade ear wires as well. I will come back to look at all the pieces again.

The Creative Klutz said...

Love all your designs - the colours are amazing =)

CraftyHope said...

Impressive to say the least. You not only used all your soup ingredients, but you made a ton of really beautiful pieces. My favorites are that first pair of earrings, the framed polymer clay bead earrings, the lovely brooch/pin, and that last tribal pearl set. Of course, all of your pieces are gorgeous!

Andrea said...

Well- I'm definitely inspired to not let one leftover go to waste. I just am awed. If I absolutely had to choose a favorite it would be the floral focal necklace. But really- they are all absolutely beautiful! Great job!

Karen Mitchell said...

Wonderful, gorgeous, amazing! All my favourite colours :)

BluMoon said...

You certainly made good use of that bead soup, couldn't pick a favourite but I very much like the first necklace in blue with a dragonfly just my colours!
Jackie

Anonymous said...

Fab wire work and I like the way you have used the colours. All beauties.

AWJewelry said...

everything is lovely but, I love the tribal look

Unknown said...

Your pieces take the cake. Wow. As I was reading, I'm like this one is my favorite. The earrings with the polymer clay discs and your copper frames that you made. Shoot, then I see the photo of the Japanese tube beads and I'm thinking in my mind to change my mind on my favorite piece that you made. I decide that I can pick a few. The final piece with some hoarded clay will be my 3rd choice. You did a wonderful job using many techniques to use up your bead soup. I can't wait to finish hopping, so that I too can use up my soup.

Anonymous said...

An amazing assortment of beautiful things! I liked every piece. Of course, these colors are the ones I work with most often so are much loved by me. Even so, you did a wonderful job with your soup.

Anonymous said...

Wow, so many pieces and I love them all. Thanks for the tip about the head pins. I'd love to make my own but I assumed I'd need a torch and other expensive equipment.

Chris Hansen said...

Wow Jean - you really rocked that soup, didn't you?!??? Everything you created has such a wonderful feel - it's hard to believe that you haven't worked with this palette much before! I especially adore the way you combined the clay pieces with the pearls and crystals. Love it!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous designs, Jean - each one and every one! Now I see why you wanted more of those tube beads :)

LoriF said...

Oh my goodness, I'm impressed that you used EVERYthing!...and in such great pieces, all of them. I absolutely love the blue/mauve colour combination, which I wouldn't have thought of...and with your copper additions, those are my fave pieces. Great work!

baymoondesign said...

All of your pieces are wonderful. I love the colors and designs.

gelfling50 said...

Hey we'll I feel like I have been here already but can't remember for sure. So I looked around a bit and read a bit aod totally fell for your brilliant designs...I love the little birds nest piece ...don't ya just love Moriahs beads and pendants she is so very talented as you are....Ty so much for sharing you fantabulous beautiful jewelry...see ya next year I hope...lol...we'll I better hippity hop on outta here I have blogs a waitin on me. Bye now

Bev said...

I love the pin and tribal set. Very nice wire work on that. Great job!

Pepita said...

Wow, so many original and beautiful pieces!!! Love your use of wire and how you approdach to each piece in a different way!
Alenka

Wendy & Megan Chamberlain said...

Lovely creations, your wire work is
amazing.

Shai Williams said...

Jean, your designs are beyond incredible! With the exception of the really long earrings (I have a short neck), there isn't a piece that I wouldn't be proud to own and wear.

Cassi said...

So many gorgeous designs! I love your wire work!

Susanm said...

Each piece is beautiful. The tribal earring and the wire ones with the pink/purple polymer rounds are my favourites - so unique.

Becky Pancake said...

Jean you did a fabulous job of using your soup. The yellow earrings are unique and very pretty. I really like the necklace with the blue lampworked focal.I also like necklace with the purple polymer focal that Ginger made. Blue was the perfect accent color for that necklace.The necklace with the vintage Japanese tubes is way cool.The teapot and spoon clasp is cute. Thanx for the wonderful tip on making headpins with sterling silver wire. Your brooch is superb. Kudos to you for using everything but the toggle bar.

Anonymous said...

I think that last set was my favorite! Omg. Great job

Kelly said...

Holy Toledo, I'm in awe. So beautiful, all of it!! I especially like the first pair of earrings in the line up of photos. Gorgeous, but then again everything is gorgeous. I'll be sure to check out more of your blog on another visit.

Anonymous said...

Great soup, and love how you pulled all the pieces together. The colours are so scrummy!

Unknown said...

Absolutely Fabulous work!!! Every Time I thought "oh I like this the best" you break out another master piece!!! I really love them all!!! have a Blessed Day!!!

Ghislaine said...

absolute stunning results here, you sure had your muse keep you going there! love the necklace with the tube beads and your last piece with the tribal feel to it (it kinda to me had a hula theme, hehe) and thank you for the heads up on balling silver, I had no clue, so now I am pre-warned!

sheilaposter said...

I counted, you made 13 pieces of jewelry. Everything was so well made. I loved those tube beads and how you used them, your victorian brooch worked out nicely too. Very good indeed

lamplight crafts said...

My favorites are all of the earrings. I also like that last necklace. Everything you made was just beautiful.

TesoriTrovati said...

Good gravy! For not having any ideas you sure were inspired! I love all of them but that one with the feathers is so retro and modern at the same time. And that tribal one with the fringe is really dynamic! Love them all! Thank you for sharing your creations in the 8th Bead Soup! Enjoy the day. Erin

Cris Peacock said...

Oh my goodness!! So many, many lovely and creative pieces! You put me to shame :) Have to say I think I love the tribal earrings best....or maybe the yummy lavender bracelet...or....too hard to decide :)

Unknown said...

Beautiful pieces each and every one. Just love the tribal piece! Amazing job!

Shirley said...

Well, I was going to tell you that my favorite piece was the polymer earrings that you 'forced to your will'. Then I saw that seriously awesome tribal necklace! Holy moly woman, you are just a creative powerhouse! I adore you! (in the most platonic way!)

Kumi Fisher said...

So thoroughly enjoyed seeing all your beautiful creations! Your work is inspiring in so many levels!

Monique (A Half-Baked Notion) said...

Loving all these amazing pieces, Jean! You are an inspiration, girl :)

Silver Bee said...

Each piece I saw made me think...that's my favourite...until I saw the next one. Seriously talented with the composition of all the pieces!

Empty nester at last said...

I would have to say stunning,,,but I can't get my mouth to close....awesome pieces as usual! I love what you did with all the beads...and I can't say which I like the best...they are all just stunning...I tip my Chef hat off to you!

veradesigns.blogspot.com

bairozan said...

What a pleasure to red this post and witness all this beauty! You have made some fantastic creations in different styles, added amazing wire work, great colors and textures! My favorite piece is the vintage Japanese beads set but then it was so difficult to choose!

Lori Anderson said...

The first earrings,and first and last necklace, are HUGE favorites of mine!