The Final 7th Bead Soup Blog Reveal!

After weeks of faffing, changing my mind, froggin' it and hours of enjoyable playing I can't believe I've actually managed to finish anything, but finish I have! Here's a reminder of the beautiful bead soup my partner Karen Mitchell of Over the Moon Design sent me:

 

I've used the majority of the first soup (although my poor key had a wee accident and is currently under repair) and borrowed a little from the 'dessert' and these are pieces I've completed:

1) Autumn Sunset Necklace and earrings.

I used the beautiful sari silk together with a strip of green I 'borrowed' from my daughter's skirt and I made my first ever kumihino braid using a homemade kumi-disc. I loved the wooden tree pendant so much it was the first item I used from my soup. To zing it up and make more autumnal (it's autumn here in Oz) I added bead 'apples' from the soup. The bail and end caps I hand made (because I couldn't find anything suitable) and I used the gorgeous barrel beads to add interest. The necklace is finished off with brown cord and a simple pair of sliding knots to compliment the earthy feel.

 

2) Jaded Peacock Necklace and Earrings.

I'm really pleased with these. This is my first proper attempt at wire work. Originally I was trying to create leaf shaped links to finish off the Autumn Sunset necklace but when I attached the chain to the kumihino braid it didn't feel right. Plus the leaves looked more like peacock tail feathers. So the chain became a necklace in it's own right, accented with the african jade, czech crystals and the spicy little rondelles from the soup. I felt it needed a focal so I used one of the gorgeous czech pin-wheels (I've got plans for the other one) and finished it off with my first ever home made clasp. Lots of tool marks but I'm still dead chuffed!

3) Hippy Chic Bracelet and Earrings.

I was going to use the gorgeous hammered toggle clasp on the Jaded Peacock necklace but belatedly realised I should have used a gold coloured wire. So I used Vintaj Patinas to alter it's colour and it suddenly became too funky for the more delicate style of the necklace. And yes, first time I've used Vintaj Patinas too! The funky feel seemed to cry out for the vibrant big rainbow quartz beads and the gorgeous kasmiri bead from the dessert. A bit of matching embroidery floss and a macrame session later this is what they looked like:

I've still got lots of plans for the bits I didn't use and I must say a HUGE thank you to Karen Mitchell for making me the best soup and for really showing me the way for my first BSBP. And another HUGE thank you to Lori Anderson for the gargantuan effort of organising it all. You're an amazing lady Lori.

Thank you for taking the time to come and look at my creations. Be sure to go visit the other participants.

Participants in the 3rd reveal:

http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2013/04/welcome-to-7th-bead-soup-blog-party-3rd.html

Complete list of Participants:

http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com.au/p/past-party-reveals.html