Friday, May 9, 2014

Blog Hop Reveal is HERE!!

It's finally time to show what I made with my beads from the Blog Hop!!!!

Okay as a refresher --- I started with these thanks to my lovely partner, Amanda Wacasey. Here's her blog so be sure to check it out! Blog link: http://mandyinmystic.blogspot.com



Great stuff about this: I love this color theme! There is a great variety of nice looking beads ---and
a great big glass focal!
Challenges: Okay, I confess, I thought I was going to get a small selection of big beads.
And as you can see this is a large variety, but small quantity,  of  mostly 4-6mm beads!

But this is supposed to be about challenging yourself to try new things! And I took this to heart!

I'm experienced with kumihimo ....a style of Japanese braiding, which in its modern version can also incorporate beads. BUT this takes lots and lots of small beads and I didn't see a good way to use my bead soup in this way. SO, I thought well what about bead weaving? I've always wanted to try this!

Here is my first attempt.....



And then this turned into this pile......



Which then turned into these pieces!




These are earrings with a matching necklace. But as you can see, these are an antique-y brown color and my clasp? Antique silver but never fear....I changed the color to match! I used Swellegant Bronze and I think its a near perfect match! (:




By the way, I enjoyed Bead Weaving so much that I've learned herringbone, right angle weave and peyote.  So for this reason alone, I am thrilled that I joined the blog hop! (:

BUT of course, this didn't use all the beads.....so for those I practiced some of my basic wire working skills and made this:




This charm bracelet was a perfect way to use the beads, and of course allowed me to make sure there was plenty of sparkle. I have to thank Lori for the inspiration for this piece1 I was feeling stuck and she suggested a few ideas. This bracelet spawned from one of them, and I'm very happy with the result.

BUT if you notice, I STILL haven't used the focal. I was a bit stuck to be truthful --- how DO I use a big focal, display it well, yet make it interesting? Finally I came up with this, and I think it lets the focal shine but still provides some interest.





So, there you have it. I thought this was a very valuable experience that allowed me to learn new things! I hope you have enjoyed the visit. (:

AND Please go and check out the other blogs in the blog hop by following this link:

http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com//2014/04/welcome-to-8th-bead-soup-blog-party.html



53 comments:

  1. I love love love your bracelet. Great job.

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  2. I love the earrings, so charming!

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  3. Excellent work! Love what you did with the starfish...he really shines! And I am getting into beadweaving too...love it! Thanks for joining and posting!

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  4. Thanks everyone! I'm off to look at posts! (:

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  5. What a wonderful way to use your beads, love the beaded beads and your starfish necklace is adorable.

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  6. Wonderful! Love how you put things together. Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did:)

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  7. The beaded beads you made are beautiful

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  8. those sputnic bead earring are cool and I love the big starfish necklace

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  9. How wonderful that you got to learn something new and used it to create such lovely soup, wonderful job!

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  10. You did a little bit of everything, bead weaving, wire working and stringing. You showed all the soup to the best advantage. Great job!

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  11. Loved the color scheme. The bracelet was my favorite.

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  12. I love your beaded beads - you've done a great job with your soup. They're really fun pieces.

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  13. I love those beaded beads ! And those earrings - amazing and lovely ! The necklace reminds me of the sea :)

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  14. you did the focal justice and tried a new technique - so great job

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  15. Lovely ♥shiny jewellery! The starfish is my favourite...

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  16. So beautiful pieces, especially I love the earrings. They lokks like tiny little turbans.

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  17. Great use of your soup. Really like the sparkly charm bracelet and think you showcased the focal very well.

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  18. Great pieces, you did an excellent job of using your soup is the most beautiful way. The focal is awesome!

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  19. I love the sea star piece! The strength and simplicity of the necklace really stands up well to the bold pendant, and the chain at the back keeps it dainty! Great stuff, and yay for new skills!

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  20. Lovely pieces - you challenged yourself beautifully!

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  21. GREAT job! I LOVE the weaving! I'm curious what you used for that. Such a GREAT job and the bracelet is to die for!

    Linda A.
    http://cherryOnTopDesign.co
    http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. The beaded bead used 11/0 metallic brown iris, 6mm fire polished beads from my partner --I'm guessing Black Diamond AB?, and some bi-cones (these are actually Preciosia clear and a light blue). I used Smoke-colored Fireline

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    2. And (part 2)....antique bronze headpins. The pattern for the circular bead part is on etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CielCreations?ref=l2-shopheader-name

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  22. The first pair of earrings is truly amazing. Love your work!!!

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  23. Beautiful designs. I am impressed that jumped into the deep end of bead weaving for this. The woven beads remind me of little sea urchins in the top down view photo.

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  24. I like your bedwaving and I love what you did with the starfish...he really shines! Excelent work!

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  25. You are one talented lady! You did a Soup-er job with your bead soup! I'm inspired!

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  26. I love to see people try new techniques with their soup. Your pieces are inspiring! Nice job!

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  27. Wonderful beadwork! Love your beaded beads.

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  28. Yes, that necklace is perfect for that big funky focal. I love it! It's my favorite.

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  29. It is great how this soup has push you into learning new techniques. Love way to embellish those crystal beads. very creative.

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  30. love the maritime touch in your pieces!

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  31. Lovely pieces - love your bead weaving!!

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  32. Wow you learned all those bead-weaving skills so fast. love the earrings. As seedbeader I often wish I had better wire working skill. well You do.

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  33. I just love what you did with your focal! That double strand necklace is great.

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  34. Well done, I love how you used the beautiful starfish very innovative!
    Jackie

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  35. You rocked that soup for sure...I would have found it very hard to figure out what to do with the tiny beads...You made it look effortless...ty so much for sharing your brilliance with us all..bye now gotta hop along

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  36. Hi Alisa, Great job using your soup.Kudos to you for learning bead weaving. You did a good job of it. Your charm bracelet and earrings are pretty.

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  37. Great original applications resulting in beautiful designs with a lot of visual interest, Alisa :) I agree: your treatment of the large glass focal really enhanced it without distracting the eye :)

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  38. Great designs - love the way you've displayed the focal =)

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  39. Really nice pieces..so cool you learned bead weaving!

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  40. I really love how you embraced the art of bead weaving!!! i love the designs and then the bracelet and matching earrings and the last necklace with the star fish focal. These are all very well done ! Great Job! Have a Blessed Day!

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  41. When you have a focal that large and commanding it is always great to keep it simple! I love the bead weaving beads! Those mesmerize me and fascinate me. I love that you taught yourself that new skill. Very nice assortment! Thank you for sharing your creations with the 8th Bead Soup. Enjoy the day! Erin

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  42. Really beautiful pieces from your soup! and bless you for learning to beadweave! I wish that I had the patience :)

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  43. I really like that you saw the challenge in the beads you received, faced it head on, went for it, and made some beautiful pieces. Excellent work!

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  44. Your first attempts at beading look gorgeous! Challenge accepted! I like all your designs and especially the last necklace - the two beaded strands make it special!

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  45. I love the starfish bracelets and the simplicity of the matching earrings.
    Learning something new for the hop is always my favorite thing to do. It's great that you challenged yourself!

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  46. Your pieces are so beachy they will all go together well. I like what you did with the seed beads and how you made them their own beads. Great job!

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