Bead Soup 7 - My Day To Reveal

I am so excited that it is finally the second reveal day for Lori Anderson's Bead Soup 7 Blog Hop Party.  This is a long post, but these posts are long because there is so much to share.  This is a very important event.  Lori has been ill and this is a huge undertaking for her and we are all so appreciative of all she does for us.  Lori - you are my hero!  So sit back and enjoy. 

This is my fourth time to participate and my partner this time is the very talented lamp work artist Jelveh Jaferian Johnson.  She made me some of the most beautiful lamp work beads - lots of them.  They were beautiful and I loved the greens and sandy mother of pearl colors in them - the challenge they presented for me was working with beads of their large size.  They are the kind of beads where a little goes a long way - at least for me - as I am more comfortable working with beads of a smaller size.  Those of you that make components and beads for me on a regular basis will know that I am always asking for "something smaller".

Here is a picture of what I received from her.  I used most of what she sent
me.  I did not use the silver bead caps, the silver dangles, heart pendant, gold oval beads and small silver clasp.

From the rest, I made three necklaces, a braclet, and a pair of earrings.








First, I wanted so badly to include some seed-beaded components or elements to this Bead Soup reveal.  That is because first I so admire the seed bead work that others do, it is beautiful, creative and I am so jealous of what others are able to do.  Secondly, I have been toying with it the last year on a very limited basis and have been experimenting with some beads and bead caps.  I have managed to make a few seed beaded bracelets that are a success.  I have kept one and have worn it every day now for the last month or so and it is so comfortable.  I listed one and it sold within a few minutes of being listed to a cousin of mine that saw it on facebook and there is another listed in the shop to replace it.

But, for this project, it didn't go so well.  The beads were okay, but didn't add much to her beads and I was not able to make two bead caps that were the same even after trying for three days, so I gave up and went with one that was half-way decent.

I first wanted to work with that gorgeous pendant bead.  That is my beaded bead cap on the top (it's okay to laugh out loud because I can't hear you) and I used black to pull out the subtle black stripes in the bead.  I also used two of her round beads as accent beads.  I used two beaded beads that I managed to make look halfway decent.  I also added copper bead caps, mother of pearl ovals, shell beads, green faceted jade, and mother of pearl donut beads from my stash.

I made a copper chain from mother of pearl beads to finish the back neck strap.

 The next necklace that I made incorporated the other beautiful focal bead that was oval shaped.  This bead has the most beautiful depth and color I gave up trying to capture it on the camera.  It has a clarity of leaded glass with a subtle goldish iridescence to it.  Anyway, take my word, it is gorgeous.

I used two more of her larger accent beads in this piece, along with a creamy riverstone looking oval stone bead from her soup and I began using those beautiful small button pearls she sent to make a chain.

From my stash, I used small clear green glass diamond beads and even though I made these pieces with copper wire that I left unoxidized (for this set) I used her sterling silver star clasp.  I love mixing metals and it needed to be up front so it could be seen.

I could be wrong, but I think by using the pearl/copper chain and spacing out the lamp work beads, I was able to show case her beads and still make a wearable necklace.

 Next, I made a bracelet using her last lamp work focal bead, the other riverstone oval bead, and one of her mother of pearl beads as a dangle.  I used two of my beaded beads, a lamp work bead by designer Deb Houde (because the color matched and the stripes went the same direction as the stripes that Jelveh used in her beads), a mother of pearl donut and faceted jade beads.

 This bracelet will match either necklace beautifully.

 And finally, a pair of earrings that will match either set.

I used her mother of pearl button beads for the dangles, my jade beads and green glass diamond beads and mother-of-pearl donuts that I received about the same time as I received Jelveh's beads.

I worked on this entire set thinking they had come from Jelveh, but finally figured out they were actually sent to me by Melinda Orr.  They matched beautifully and I was thrilled to get to use them in this project.


These too, will match either necklace.













Now, last but not least, I was left with the orange coral disc beads and the green tagua nut button.  My   original idea was to make a bracelet featuring the orange coral and using the button as a clasp.  That did not happen, but look what did happen!  Yes, as if my magic, this necklace just happened!  Isn't it gorgeous!  Now, I don't often toot my own horn, but ISN'T IT GORGEOUS!!!!

Just a reminder.  This is what I used to make the next necklace.  I'm looking for more of the orange coral disc beads so if anyone has any to destash, let me know.  They are about 10mm x 3mm or thereabouts.

I do believe this is the best thing I've made since I made the brooch for an Artisan Whimsy prong-setting challenge last fall.

I was going to do something like the center of this for the bracelet, but it was too large and the button wasn't flexible enough.  Way too much for a bracelet.  The button, however, makes a beautiful pendant.

I love the way this circles the neck and I love the coral and nut and African turquoise with the oxidized copper.

Again, I wanted to keep the back simple and let the focus stay in front.

Just made hammered copper links connected with twisted copper jump rings.

I took 12" pieces of 22 gauge wire, held two of them together and balled the end so that the balls had two wires coming off them.  I strung them through a turquoise glass bead, a silver wavy cap, a domed copper cap, the coral disc (some of these holes were too small for two strands of wire so I had to drill larger holes - scary but I had no problems doing it).  Then I used the two wires to wrap the copper framing securing the discs to the top.

And, as I learned while quilting, it is important to show your work, so here is a picture of the backside.

I considered trimming the copper, but hate wasting it so I just wrapped it until it ran out.  It can be seen in places from the front, but I think that adds interest.


This was an exciting time for me.  Jelveh, I so loved working with your lamp work beads and the coral you sent me.  Thank you so much for making this such a challenging and fun Bead Soup 7 for me.

Here is a reminder of what I sent Jelveh.  Lots of jasper, earthenware, gemstones, glass beads, and copper.  I can't wait to see what she does with this.  But, I bet it will be fantastic.  I know she has been working on it for awhile.

Here is a link to Jelveh's blog.  Let's hop over there and take a look.

Jelveh's Blog



And, last but not least, here is a blog list of the other particapants for the Second Reveal Day of Lori Anderson's Bead Soup 7.  But, before you scoot off to check out the other participants, please take a moment to leave a comment.  Comments just make my day and I love to hear what you all have to say.  And, if you haven't already, I'd like to invite you to become a member of this blog.  It's easy, just click on the link to the right.


Agata Grygiel
Ali McCarthy
Alice Craddick
Amy Severino
Ana Krepel
Andra Weber
Andrea Glick
Andrea Trank
Anitra Gordy Boyers
Annette Rivers
Anu Tuppurainen
April Grinaway
Audrey Belanger

B.R.Kuhlman
Barbara Bechtel
Barbara Mason
Becky Pancake
Beti Horvath
Billi RS Rothove
Bobbie Rafferty
Brandi Burdick

Candida Castleberry
Carol Dillman
Carolyn Gebert
Carolyn Lawson
Caron Reid
Catherine King
Cathy Jakicic
Chandra Merod
Charlene Jacka
Cheri Reed
Cherrie Fick
Cherrie Warzocha
Cheryl Brown

Cheryl Dunham
Cheryl Foiles
Cheryl GangleChris Eisenberg
Chris White
Christina Miles
Christine Hansen
Christine Murrow

Christine Stonefield
Cindy Ritchie
Clare Etheridge
Cory Tompkins
Chris Peacock
Cynthia Abner


Debbie Rasmussen
Debi Levine
Deborah Brooks
Deborah Read
Debra Behrends
Dorota Zeranska

Elaine Robitaille
Elsie Deliz-Fonseca
Emma Todd
Erin Gues
Evelyn Shelby
Evie and Beth McCord
Francy Inman
Ginger Bishop
Gloria Allen
Hajer Waheed
Hope Smitherman
Ilenia Ruzza
Ilona Hegedus
Ine Vande Cappelle

Jackie Ryan
Janine Lucas
Jean Peter
Jean A. Wells
Jeanne Steck
Jelveh Jaferian Johnson
Jennifer Cabic
Jennifer Reno
Jennifer VanBenschoten
Jenny Davies-Reazor
Jenny Kyrlack
Jenny Robledo

Jessica Brower
Jill MacKay
JJ Jacobs
Jo-ann Woolverton
Joanne Tinley
Johanna Rhodes Nash
Judy Robinson
Juli Cannon
Julia Gerlach
Julie Bowen -- don't have a good link
Julie Panusis

K Hutchinson
Karen Martinez
Karen Vincent
Karen Williams
Karin Slaton
Karyn Bonfiglio
Kat Douglas
Kate Dufour

Kate Mulligan
Kathleen Gallant
Kate Richbourg
Kathleen Lange-Klik


Katie Nielsen-Nunez

Kay Bolton
Kayla Potega
Kelli Jacobson
Kelly Patterson
Kelly Ramstack
Kiersten Kern
Kim Sparks
Klaudete Koon
Klaudia Toth
Krista French
Kristin Oppold
Kym Hunter

Lana Kinney
Laura Guenther
Lauren Fenty
Leah Curtis
Lennis Carrier
Linda Murphy
Lisa Johnson
Lori Anderson

Lupe Meter
Lynn Jobber

Mandi Effron
Marcia Dunne
Margareta Saari
Marianne Baxter
Marie Covert
Mary Ellen Parker
Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens
Megan Milliken
Melissa Meman
Melissa Mesara

Michaela Pabeschitz
Michelle Tucker

Mimi Gardner
Mischelle Fanucchi
Monica Phillips
Mowse Doyle

Nancy Boylan
Nancy Dale
Pat Haight
Patina Queen
Patty Miller
Pia Kaven
Rebecca Anderson
Rose Johnson
Roxanne Blanc

Sarah Goode
Sarah Singer
Sarah Strover
Shalini Austin
Sherri Stokey
Sherry Baun
Sheryl Stephens
Silvia Sernicola
Splange Collin

Stacie Florer
Stacy Alderson
Stephanie Haussler
Stephanie LaRosa
Sue Burleigh
Susan Bowie
Susan Kelly
Susan of Libellula Jewelry
Susan Sheehan
Suzanne Fragiacomo

Tammi Sloan
Tammie Everly
Tania Hagen
Tania Spivey
Tanya Goodwin
Tanya Wiles
Tari Kahrs
Terry Carter

Theresa Buchle
Tiffany Smith
Tina Holden
Tracey Nanstead
Tracie Dean
Tracy Bell
Tracy Kruse
Veralynne Malone
Veronica Campos-Hallstrom

If you find an error in a link, please advise.