Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal
It’s time for the Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal!
As usual, the party is hosted by Lori Anderson. This time around, my partner was Donna Krtil Hoblit. She send me a gorgeous set of Lemon Kitten Lampwork beads. The focals are a pale blue and the flowers are green and purples.That detail work in the flowers is just mind blowing. They really are a stunning set of beads.
But, flowers? Not really my thing. That was challenge number one. Number two is the unique bead shape. I love the shapes, but I was quite thrown for a while figuring out how to tackle them. I may, or may not, have finally landed on a design yesterday.
First, I decided to use the focal drilled on the longer end on its own. It hung so nicely that it just begged to be a standalone. But, then when I strung it with some of the accent beads, they just didn’t nestle up to the focal very nicely, leaving a slight gap I just didn’t agree with. A happy accident uncovered the (faux, I think) turquoise slab and turned the lampwork focal into a new and interesting statement pendant.
Second was earrings. I knew the polka dotted accent beads wouldn’t quite go with my main piece. I definitely wanted them to be earrings. There was some trial and error here, but I landed pretty quickly on the stick peals. I absolutely adore these, and will definitely be keeping them in my own collection. They look pretty dashing with my purple hair!
And last, but certainly not least, is my main piece. I had something totally different planned (once again), but I was pawing through some of my bead stash and realized the Indonesian purple glass vase beads looked perfect with the Lemon Kitten beads. The labradorite rounds quickly followed. I topped it off with some simple bead cones and some twisted strands of rainbow fluorite. Indecisive to the end, I was torn between centering the focals or keeping it asymmetrical. I accommodated both by attaching a lobster clasp to each end of the focal segment and hiding them in a bundle of coordinating silk ribbon. I left some of the ribbon ends exposed to add some contrasting texture. This one feels very Easter Bonnet-y to me, but in a good way.
All in all, this was another great Bead Soup Blog Party. I love the idea of using hoarded beads, and I love the Lemon Kitten sent Donna set, even as challenging as it was. I hope you enjoyed my reveal, comments are always appreciated! And please do continue visiting the rest of the participants, the list can be found here.
Update: To celebrate the Bead Soup Blog Party, I finally opened an Etsy shop! Use Coupon Code BSBP2017 to save 20%!!
Wow, what stunning designs. I love those focal beads, they remind me of sea glass.
I love the strands of twisted flourite – they make me think of a real flower garland
That last piece is incredible!
oh wow! How stunning!! especially that last piece…wow!!!
That is the great fun of these swaps–getting things you wouldn’t buy yourself or think to use together. I’m glad you found inspiration to do those beautiful beads justice.
Very fun to see how you used beads there were a challenge for you. Well done!
I love all the lampwork. But, the last piece really took my breath away – go gorgeous, detailed and lots of work in that one. congrats on a great soup
Absolutely fantastic the main necklace! Congrats!!!
Whoa!!! Absolutely amazing every piece! The last one is beyond beautiful!!!
The necklace with the lampwork focal an interesting statement pendant is my favorite. It is just lovely.
Those focal beads are gorgeous and I love that you admitted they were quite a challenge. I love how you ended up using them and making them “your own.” The turquoise behind the blue glass is perfect. So unusual and fun to keep looking at. Nice touch with the stick pearls on the earrings!
Beautiful job. I love your creativity!
Stunning!
That main piece is quite the stunner! All the beads just seem to go perfectly with the focal beads. What wonderful creativity you have!
Hi Nicole, The focals that you received are really lovely. Using the turquoise behind The lampwork was very clever and it enhances to color. Cool earrings. Wow your statement necklace is wonderful.
Fantastic pieces – really like how you made the different shapes work for you.
I like that your last necklace’s versatility will make it fun to wear, and your other pieces are lovely, too. Best of luck with your Etsy shop.
Very creative!
It’s really hard to tell that flowers are not your thing! 🙂 Your pieces are gorgeous! The first one is my favorite, just wonderful!
Wow! That last necklace is a showstopper!!! I like the other two but that last necklace is incredible
Beautiful! I love that you can wear the second necklace different ways. Cheers!
Not much of a flower petson either. But i love what you did with everything. The purple vase beads just make the flower stems just pop. And the piece with the turquoise piece backing one of the blue beads…I would actually wear that. Great job breaking out of your normal style.
Those beads are amazing! I probably would have been a bit stumped, too, but you really did a beautiful job with them. That last necklace does remind me of an Easter Bonnet 🙂 Great job!
The last necklace… it’s so unexpected, but it WORKS. A little crazy, but a lot fabulous. Nice work!
Gorgeous beads!! Very creative designs.
OMG!!! THAT Necklace!! Those beads!! WOW!! The first necklace is adorable with the turquoise behind the glass focal. Then those earrings are great. I would totally rock those! Then the last necklace is gorgeous, and so unique. It is stunning. And purple is my favorite color!!
I agree with every one, that last necklace is totally over the top!!! Stunning work! And the earrings are really cute! Great job with everything!
I am blown away. I would wear all of these, I LOVE those beads (even went to see if I could find the bead maker but she has nothing for sale on Etsy now). You really, really nailed this.
Fabulous! I really love your pieces, I think the first is my favourite.
Stunning work! Even though the “flower” beads were not your cuppa tea they spoke to you!
Really eyepopping beautiful work! My favorite is the first necklace, especially since it came together as a way of solving the problem of the rounds separating from the triangle focal – lovely!!