Today is the big reveal for The Bead Soup Blog Party and I'm really excited to have you here!
My partner this year is the lovely Leah Curtis of Beady eyed Bunny. I was so busy with getting ready for the Flame Off, I didn't have the chance to properly introduce Leah (sorry Leah!) so before I show you what I got, I'd like to show you who it's from.
Leah makes really individual beads and components from polymer clay, gorgeous little beads like this cute pink bird.
And these beautifully coloured rustic dogwood flower beads...
I chose turquoise and lilac for this design, nice and bright! With turquoise beads, more Czech glass, bronze flower spacers, handmade lamp work beads by Lighthouse Glass, seed beads and a bronze button by TheaElements.
Leah makes really individual beads and components from polymer clay, gorgeous little beads like this cute pink bird.
And these beautifully coloured rustic dogwood flower beads...
You can visit her Etsy shop here, and her blog here and see what other wonderful things she creates!
So after introducing ourselves and swapping addresses, I sent off my package of beads...
And eagerly waited for what Leah sent to me. I was really excited to see what would be in my parcel, and I wasn't disappointed!
There was a beautiful sea glass focal bead with matching polymer beads and a patinated copper clasp, all handmade by Leah, Sari silk, Czech beads, vintage crystal dangles and a piece of clay pipe. A little treasure trove of pretties!
It took me a lot of thinking to decide what to do with each of the components. I wanted to get across the ancient feel of Leah's designs.
My first design was using the sea glass focal and clasp.
I'd decided early on that I wanted to use copper to match the beautiful dark verdigris finish of the focal, so I teamed some ancient looking copper spacers and lava beads to make a simple necklace.
Next I decided I would make a pair of earrings. I never make earrings so I thought it was about time I did!
I chose the Czech glass ammonites and vintage crystal dangles and paired them up with some 8 & 10mm fire polished beads. The main reason I don't really make earrings is the ear wires. It would be a shame to put nice beads on a mass produced ear wire, so I had a bash at making some myself.
Next I decided on a bracelet. A couple of weeks ago I made a collection bracelet for the AJE Component of the month with a few of my favourite beads, and really enjoyed making it, so decided to try the same idea again in green.
I chose one of the verdigris polymer beads from Leah and added in some gorgeous rough Czech glass nuggets in shades of green and gold, more fire polished cut rounds, table cut Czech beads, a great big chunk of green stone which I have no idea about, a celtic connector by Jenny Davis-Reazor and a bronze button and charm from TheaElements.
Next, because I was really enjoying myself, I made another necklace. I picked the clay pipe to be the focal and decided that I got a beach feel from it. I can just imagine someone sitting by the shore smoking their pipe before discarding the broken pieces in the sand. I wanted to make something a bit brighter as everything so far has quite dark colours.
And finally, the sari silk. I had wimped out originally with this. I love it, but never know what to do with it, but I pulled up my pants and went for it.
The colour gives it an oriental feel (to me anyway!) So I made a lamp work lentil and painted it with silver precious metal clay in an oriental cloud design.
This was fired on to fuse it to the glass and make it permanent. I threaded large golden seed beads on to the silk and wrapped the ends with bronze wire to attach the clasps. The little shell dangle is from Thea Elements and was pilfered from one of my bracelets as it was the only thing I could find that I liked!
I'd like to say a great big thank you to Leah for her beautiful and inspiring soup, and I can't wait to go and see what she's made with mine! And to Lori, for organising such a fantastic event!
To join me in the hop, follow the links below...
My Partner Leah - http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.co.uk/
Lori Anderson, Hostess www.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Kristina Hahn Eleniak www.peacockandlime.wordpress.com
Kari Asbury www.hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com
Kris Binsfield www.cherishdesigns.wordpress.com
Cheryl Gangle www.RockCandyJewelryDesign.blogspot.com
Amber Dawn www.InventiveSoul.blogspot.com
Michelle Wigginton http://adornedonadelaide.weebly.com/
Kayla Potega http://teejewelry.blogspot.com/
Becky Pancake www.beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Debbie Rogers http://debbiestreasuresandgems.wordpress.com/
Jenny Kyrlach www.anafiassa.blogspot.com
Genea Crivello-Knable www.geneabeads.blogspot.com
Deborah Read www.deborahreadcom.blogspot.com
Julianna Cannon http://julsbeads.blogspot.com/
Lisa Liddy www.lisaliddy.wordpress.com
Debbie Rasmussen www.Kepirasmussen.blogspot.ca
Iveth Caruso www.creativeatelier.net/blog
Rana Wilson http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com/
Corrie Williams http://thecedarbeader.blogspot.com.au
Linda Anderson http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Miranda Ackerley http://blog.mirandack.com/
Andra Weber www.andrasjoyfuljourney.blogspot.com
Loretta Carstensen http://www.designsbyloretta.blogspot.com/
Penny Houghton www.smellynelly.blogspot.com.au
Tania Hagen http://pelimadesign.blogspot.co.nz/
Robin Reed www.willowdragon.blogspot.com
Laurie Vyselaar www.Lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
Rachel Baron www.rbarondesigns.blogspot.com
Erin Guest www.renlish.com
Emma Todd www.apolymerpenchant.com
Kelly Schermerhorn http://meanderingwithkelly.blogspot.com/
Dana Hickey http://magpieapproved.blogspot.com
Rebecca Ednie http://eclecticendeavours.blogspot.com
Marybeth Rich http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/
Sherri Levinton www.cuttergazette.blogspot.com
RaMona Woolson www.jerseygirlsbeadwork.blogspot.com
Jo-Ann Woolverton www.Itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca
Audrey Belanger http://esperianterra.blogspot.ca/
