Friday, September 16, 2011

And finally... the soup is done...

Bead soup... easily one of the most awesome things I have ever participated in.  I have had SO much fun meeting all these wonderful people, especially my partner Elisabeth Auld of Busy Beads for Busy Gals... such an amazing woman.  The soup she sent me was... challenging.  Which is exactly what I hoped for!  It is in a color palette and a style that is new for me and was SO exciting!  I tend towards very muted colors, lots of blues... and she sent me vibrant oranges and coppers and white and... oh such wonderful things :)  The focal she sent me was my greatest challenge, I think.  Because I have never used anything so large, but it is such an exquisite piece, it was so much fun!  I pondered it for two days... and then got to work.  I knew exactly what I wanted... I'm very into using asymmetry in my necklaces these days and decided to continue with that.  The focal is so large and so gorgeous I didn't want to overwhelm it, but I did want to be creative... so I used the gorgeous leather cord (something else new for me!) and a couple of the beads... and then used the gorgeous clasp Elisabeth made for me to balance it out on the other side.  I really, really love it.  I think it is beautiful and am so proud of going so far out of my comfort zone :)

I hope you guys like it!

And Elisabeth was so generous.... and my soup so fabulous... that I managed to finish a bracelet and earrings too.  Again... challenges for me!  LOL  I loved it!  I wanted to see what else I could do that was different and new for me!  So I set up to use one of the large stones as a focal on a bracelet... and it gave me all sorts of trouble.. because I wanted to do it with three strands of beads... and, well, it still doesn't satisfy me, but... it has potential I think.  I made my own clasp for it, but I'm thinking I might end up switching it later if I can find one that would be better.  I re-did it twice already... ;)  but it still looks pretty cool as is.


And then... I decided that the gorgeous lampwork beads she sent me needed to be earrings!  Now... with my minimalist tendencies I longed do keep them really simple... even just wrap them and hang them from wires... but!  Be proud!  I forced myself to be adventurous and make something bold :)  I think they turned out rather well!
Please excuse the photograph... had an off day lol

I rather like them, I think :)  I had SO much fun doing this!  It was such a challenge for me!  Such a stretch in such a great new way!  Now I'm eager to use these colors again!  I will definitely be playing with the oranges and coppers more now!  Thank you, thank you, Elisabeth!  You are the best partner a gal could wish for!
And here is the link for Elisabeth's blog:
http://beadsforbusygals.blogspot.com/
and her shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadsforbusygals
and her FB:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beads-for-Busy-Gals/104432549617439

and.... for the rest of the hop list!  Please, please check them out!  This is an enormous hop, yes, but just imagine the cool things you'll see if you keep going!  The amazing ladies you'll meet!  Here's the link to the Mistress of the Bead Soup herself, Lori Anderson!

THE LIST:
http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/

362 Amazing blogs!  Please check them out!!


These are the partner pairs.

The Hostess, Lori Anderson and her partner, Manuela Wutschke


19. Anna Sabina­­­­ and Erin Siegel



























Thank you, thank you Lori!  For doing this!  You are amazing!!

103 comments:

  1. beautiful and unique! love how the leather pulls it all together!

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  2. I think that your clasp for the three strand bracelet fits nicely. And the necklace is very unique.

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  3. Awesome designs! Love the focal rings. Really great colors too. The first piece, with the leather, is my favorite!

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  4. such awesome pieces, the focal may have been challenging, but you nailed it!

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  5. You really stretched yourself and you should be proud because you did an amazing job! I love what you have created, especially the wire wrapping you did. Great job!!

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  6. This is gorgeous! I love it - super cool. And the colors rock!

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  7. The mix of color and texture is wonderful! Your wire wrapping skillz (yes, with a 'z', lol) are really enviable!

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  8. Wonderful! You have created a terrific piece of wearable art. I like your use of color and texture. The focal bead is fabulous. Thank you for sharing your artistic process along the way. Cheers!
    Lori

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  9. You certainly met the challenge and came out winning. They are all beautiful. Love the three strand large bead bracelet, nicely done. Like the various elements of your necklace too, makes it unusual and eye-catching.

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  10. If that was a stretch for you then you certainly need to stretch more often!!! Stunning!

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  11. Nice job! That focal is absolutely stunning. Orange throws ME for a loop, too (and I also received an orange focal!) I love what you've done -great job!

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  12. I love what you have done with this, organic and elegant all at the same time!

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  13. What a beautiful soup you made my friend, your work is truly stunning!! Thanks for sharing & all I can say is yummmmmy!!!

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  14. Your focal piece is awesome! I'm so glad that it was able to challenge you.

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  15. Beautiful! I just love the soft colors of your pieces- those beads are gorgeous!

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  16. Isn't the challenge wonderful! I love what you did. Good for you for stretching your creativity.

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  17. You did such a fabulous job - I'm loving the colors and flow, as well as the asymmetrical design :) - the earrings are full of color and spark the imagination. What a fun set this is going to be to wear <3

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  18. Jennifer - I just got home from the days adventures and logged on right away so I could check out what you did with the soup I sent. YOU ARE AWESOME! YOUR PIECES ARE INCREDIBLE! I really love how you used the focal and I totally dig the earrings and bracelet. Thank you for being such an great soup partner!

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  19. They all turned out great. And I love the little earrings. Nice job.

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  20. They are all beautiful! You did such a wonderful job on that necklace.

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  21. I love simple also and you did a perfect job on your necklace, bracelet, and sweet earrings.

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  22. That focal on the necklace is so unique, so very cool. I really like your use of the suede cord in it as well. Overall, all of your jewelry for this challenge is just FAB!! Well done!

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  23. The pendant on your necklace is very unique I love what you did with combining the leather it looks very earthy. I like your idea with the bracelet, very cool!

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  24. Very elegant! I like the straight line and these wonderful colours!
    Greetings, Michi

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  25. I love the openness of the pendant, and that gemstone!!!! The earrings are very cute.

    I hope you'll join me next time! The badge and dates will be posted tomorrow, the 19th!

    Love, Lori

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  26. I agree - the necklace is beautiful! I think the fire agate is particularly yummy. You did a wonderful job with things that weren't in your comfort zone.

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  27. Gasp, I love that focal ring. What you did with it is perfect!
    Shannon C

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  28. Wonderful pieces, you met the challenge! We’re all being pushed outside our comfort zones — with amazing results!

    Enjoy the hop,
    Emanda
    http://artemisiastudio.blogspot.com/2011/09/bead-soup-reveal.html

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  29. Lovely creations! The earrings are so adorable!

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  30. Love the focal, and those earrings are so cute.

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  31. These pieces are so elegant and beautiful! Well done!

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  32. Gorgeous necklace! I love how you really showcased that amazing focal!

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  33. Really pretty! Love the earrings!!! Brava.

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  34. It really is a striking necklace. I love your solution for finishing the cord ends... binding with wire works perfectly with the design you came up with.

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  35. Very cool! Love the rings and the wire worked pieces!

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  36. Here it is after 6:00P.M. on Monday and I am only 1/3 the way thru the list.
    Love your designs and I love the colors
    Be blessed to be a blessing

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  37. Man that necklace is just awesome! My eyes just kept circling around, checking out all the details! Love the wirework on the bracelet, and those beads are seriously cool!

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  38. That focal is to die for, and you did a great job of coming out of your comfort zone and just going with what the piece deserved. I love it!

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  39. love your pieces, love the colour....and the focal is beautiful

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  40. So simple and elegant. You really did an amazing job.

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  41. It's always fun to use new colors! I really like your handmade clasp--if you decide to replace it, you should definitely use it in another piece!

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  42. Way to be adventurous! You did a great job :)

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  43. Stunning creation, you definitely faced a challenge with the focal and have made something really special. It all works together so beautifully, a lesson for me to get out my comfort zone and incorporate unusual things into my beadwork!

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  44. I think you did an absolutely beautiful job with your soup! I think that focal is amazing, and the way you put the necklace together balances it perfectly. The bracelet and earrings round out the gorgeous set - fantastic job on getting out of your comfort zone! :)

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  45. That focal was definitely a challenge or at least it would have been for me. Love the simplicity and charm of your creation.

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  46. Your necklace is quite stunning! You have a definite knack for asymmetrical designs!

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  47. I love all you have cooked up with your soup. Nice job with the design.

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  48. WOW loving the focal, that is an excellent piece!

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  49. Very pretty! What an interesting focal! You did a great job with all of your designs!

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  50. Great job! Really loving the focal!

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  51. Love the necklace. The focal is gorgeous AND unusual, awesome job with that piece! And I love the bracelet just the way it is, the clasp is beautiful☺

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  52. Oh wow Jennifer, your projects are absolutely delightful! I love how you photographed them on the books...such clever photography!

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  53. Oh, that's amazing work! I love all three of these pieces. Great job!

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  54. you did a great job with these pieces!! beautiful work!

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  55. Isn't it fun to push yourself outside the comfort zone? You did it and the results are great. I would wear those earrings in a New York Minute.

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  56. You really made that soup sing! Gorgeous golden delights. Very cool way to combine such an array of mediums.

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  57. Gorgeous jewelry set! I love the leather with the rings and gems~ and good call on the earrings! I made the lampwork beads Elisabeth sent, and you made them beautiful. :)

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  58. Such a beautiful set - love the soft colors & designs!!

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  59. WOW I love these!!! The focal is so cool and everything is so earthy! The color is very soothing and just fabulous. All these pieces came out beautifully. Enjoy:)

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  60. Beautiful jewellery! I really like the design of the necklace: nice asymmetry and beads that add interest and working well together with the focal. Fab job!

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  61. I really like your necklace, and think the bracelet is fine with the clasp as it is - and its different too. Good job.

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  62. Really unique and modern designs! Very cool!

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  63. Beautiful! I like the asymmetrical design a lot...

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  64. I can see why you may have struggled, but what you did with that very cool focal was just perfect! It has a nice modern look and I bet it is just lovely on!

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  65. Great Work Jennifer!! I love the clasp and the wire wrap on the bracelet. I'm totally into asymmetry these days too (who am I kidding - always into it, really) so I totally love the necklace - that focal is fantastic!!

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  66. I love how you matched the openness of the focal ring with an uncluttered and well balanced necklace....such a wearable and modern look, beautiful. Am loving the bracelet..nothing wrong with that clasp...if you are still unhappy with it perhaps you could hammer the curve....something to try...and your 'bumpy' earrings are just too cute..love them.beautiful job.

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  67. I think I like the earrings best too, You did a nice job with everything!

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  68. Pretty pretty pretty! I love all that you made - what a lovely colour scheme too.

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  69. Love the colors and texture of the pieces! Very contemporary and lovely...

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  70. Wow!! I would have to say that you got the most unusual and challenging soup of the group!! you did a fabulous job with it however and I bet when you wear it you will get lots of comments!!!! Well Done!!!!

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  71. I love the simplicity yet boldness of the necklace. Great design.

    Thanks for visiting and leaving kudos, how sweet.

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  72. I love fire agate, you made some really pretty designs.

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  73. Your designs are just wonderful and the earrings are just great - Fantastic job!

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  74. I think you did a great job with your Bead Soup! Challenging but you met the challenge! I think the leather pulled it together too!

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  75. great work! I love the earrings, and the bracelet it cool too!

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  76. You made wonderful designs! I suspect you have found a new comfort zone. :)

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  77. Nicely done, you did your ingredients justice.

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  78. love your designs too, what wonderful colours my favorites.
    You certainly did well,we all love a challenge really.

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  79. These are Soup-er cool! You met the challenge to creatively and now have Beautifully designed one of a kind pieces.

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  80. I like your combination of materials! And great wire work! I love it! Have a nice day, Greetings Doris

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  81. You did a terrific job! What a fun set! :)

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  82. I have some of these stones and now you have inspired me! Lovely soup.

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  83. Earthy and light at the same time- you really combined components beautifully!

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  84. love your pieces, really wonderful !!!
    Grüßle
    Doris

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  85. I love how you used the clasp on the side between the beads. It seems just a simple connector. Well done!
    Ambra

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  86. i love the wire wrapped leather pieces! your work is beautiful!

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  87. What pretty pieces! I love that fire agate and the lampwork earrings :)

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  88. I am impressed that you commented on every blog. Necklace is very chic!!!!

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  89. So pretty, love the whole design.

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  90. Great design, I would have had a hard time with that focal but you nailed it!

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  91. Wow, beautiful soft colors, love that focal stone and the unusual soldered ring. Very nice piece.

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  92. Great work, especially the wire work!

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  93. Still making the rounds and tasting all the soups! I really like the use of the rings and leather with the focal. Great job.

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  94. The focal may have been challenging for you but you pulled it off spectacularly! Awesome work!

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  95. You did great. I am a big focal lover and also a fan of asymmetry, it is so beautiful.

    Sorry for being so late - holidays and lots of work here but now I am happy to be here.

    Sunny hugs from Germany and thanks for visiting my blog,

    Manuela

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  96. I'm still working my way through the list! lol You did a great job :) And yes, I had a fabulous partner who sent me larger beads than I'm used to and I love the way everything turned out :D

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment, it means so much to me!