Friday 12 April 2013

BSBP7 Reveal!

It's here! The second reveal of the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party®, hosted by the talented Lori Anderson,  has finally arrived. If you're not already familiar with the BSBP, have a look at Lori's blog to find out more. It's a huge, international bead swap and design challenge.

I was lucky to be paired with Marcia Dunne of The Alternative Foundry. I've secretly admired Marcia's work on Etsy and was pleasantly surprised to be her partner in this challenge. I didn't even realise she was in the UK! It's a small world and an even smaller island.

Before we go any further,  I must say a BIG thank you to Marcia! The soup she sent was full of special beads. Thank you for widening my boundaries and introducing me to a few new, amazing bead artists.

Here's a recap of the wonderful soup I received from Marcia. She sent me two gorgeous clasps she made herself, three focals, and a medley of lampwork, Czech glass, leather, headpins she made, and many, many more beautiful beads.




How could you not be inspired by that? The creative gears started turning immediately, but I put off making my pieces right away. I was worried of wasting
the beautiful soup!

Eventually I did start. This was the first thing I made - a copper bracelet with the feather styled metallic beads, the blue nautilus beads, a large crystal, and one of the stamped copper 'Paris' charms Marcia made.




I made a simple clasp (compared to Marcia's!) for the closure and wire wrapped the beads in copper. I loved the flow and interesting mix of beads, so decided to keep it fairly simple.




Dangling from the clasp is the copper charm Marcia made.





The second piece I made was also a bracelet. I adore the clasps Marcia made for me. They're packed with detail and charm. I decided to use the white clasp with the orange butterfly ceramics she sent. I called this one "Fly Me to the Sun".


I added a ceramic bird bead by Gaea Handmade and speckled, etched spacers by Tan Grey. I think the lack of sunshine helped me make this! The mix of oranges with the soft whites and warm copper seemed perfect together.

I added a little more detail at the clasp with some sorbet orange Czech glass leaves. The little leaves reminded me of feathers, so I clustered them and wire wrapped tiny orange seed beads to the tops.




Like the soup Marcia sent me, the beads have lots of surprising details. Here's a picture of the back of Gaea's ceramic with a sweet little heart.




(Yes, there are LOTS of pictures in this blog!). Next up is something similar, but very different. I used the second clasp in another bracelet with earthy and subtle colors. Again, I used a bird in this bracelet. The adorable little birds is, unmistakably, by Caroline from BlueberriBeads. He's been sitting in my stash for a few months and really wanted to be in this bracelet. Doesn't he look happy in his thicket of gemstones? I called this one "In the Thicket".


I used more of Gaea's ceramic beads. They matched the riverstone and aventurine so perfectly, I couldn't resist. I made little gemstone flowers out of turquoise to match the green clasp.




Here's a view of the riverstone flower. The faceted gems sparkle beautifully, too.




And because you have to see his cute little face...







Finally, I had to use a focal. I was so, so torn between the three Marcia sent me. I actually have another necklace in the works, but I finished this one for the reveal. I used the feather focal by TheCraftyBead and made "Feather in the Clouds".


The focal has lovely, subtle colors, and I didn't want to overshadow it with a busy design or too much color. I focused on a palette inspired by the graduated glaze. I used sodalite gemstones, faceted crystals, and vintage glass beads.




The beads are wire wrapped in red brass, and I made a simple brass hook clasp for the closure.




The vintage, etched glass cushion beads were from Old Bicycle Shop. I love the softness they add. The cloud-like details on the sodalite are a nice surprise, too.

I hope you've enjoyed looking at my creations! Don't forget to visit my partner Marcia's blog to see what she made with the soup I sent her. That's all from me! Scroll down to find the full list of participants in the second reveal of the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party®!




Agata Grygiel
Ali McCarthy
Alice Craddick
Amy Severino
Ana Krepel
Andra Weber
Andrea Glick
Andrea Trank
Anitra Gordy Boyers



Annette Rivers
Anu Tuppurainen
April Grinaway
Audrey Bélanger
B.R.Kuhlman
Barbara Bechtel
Barbara Mason
Becky Pancake
Beti Horvath
Billi RS Rothove



Bobbie Rafferty
Brandi Burdick
Candida Castleberry
Carol Dillman
Carolyn Gebert
Carolyn Lawson
Caron Reid
Catherine King
Cathy Jakicic



Chandra Merod
Charlene Jacka
Cheri Reed
Cherrie Fick
Cherrie Warzocha
Cheryl Brown
Cheryl Dunham
Cheryl Foiles
Cheryl Gangle



Chris Eisenberg
Chris White
Christina Miles
Christine Hansen
Christine Murrow
Christine Stonefield
Cindy Ritchie
Clare Etheridge
Cory Tompkins



Cris Peacock
Cynthia Abner
Debbie Rasmussen
Debi Levine
Deborah Brooks
Deborah Read
Debra Behrends
Dorota Żerańska
Elaine Robitaille



Elsie Deliz-Fonseca
Emma Todd
Erin Guest
Evelyn Shelby
Evie and Beth McCord
Francy Inman
Ginger Bishop
Gloria Allen
Hajer Waheed



Hope Smitherman
Ilenia Ruzza
Ilona Hegedűs
Ine Vande Cappelle
Jackie Ryan
Janine Lucas
Jean Peter
Jean Wells
Jeanne Steck



Jelveh Jaferian Johnson
Jennifer Cabic
Jennifer Reno
Jennifer VanBenschoten
Jenny Davies-Reazor
Jenny Kyrlach
Jenny Robledo
Jessica Brower
Jill MacKay



JJ Jacobs
Jo-Ann Woolverton
Joanne Tinley
Johanna Rhodes Nash
Judy Robinson
Juli Cannon
Julia Gerlach
Julie Bowen
Julie Panusis



K Hutchinson
Karen Martinez
Karen Vincent
Karen Williams
Karin Slaton
Karyn Bonfiglio
Kat Douglas
Kate Dufour
Kate Mulligan



Kate Richbourg
Kathleen Gallant
Kathleen Lange Klik
Katie Nielsen-Nunez
Kay Bolton
Kayla Potega
Kelli Jacobson
Kelly Patterson
Kelly Ramstack



Kiersten Kern
Kim Sparks
Klaudete Koon
Klaudia Tóth
Krista French
Kristin Oppold
Kym Hunter
Lana Kinney
Laura Guenther



Lauren Fenty
Leah Curtis
Lennis Carrier
Linda Murphy
Lisa Johnson
Lori Anderson
Lupe Meter
Lynn Jobber
Mandi Effron



Marcia Dunne
Margareta Saari
Megan Milliken
Marie Covert
Mary Ellen Parker
Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens
Megan Milliken
Melissa Meman
Melissa Mesara



Michaela Pabeschitz
Michelle Tucker
Mimi Gardner
Mischelle Fanucchi
Monica Phillips
Mowse Doyle
Nancy Boylan
Nancy Dale
Pat Haight



Patina Queen
Patty Miller
Pia Kaven
Rebecca Anderson
Rose Johnson
Roxanne Blanc
Sarah Goode
Sarah Singer
Sarah Strover



Shalini Austin
Sherri Stokey
Sherry Baun
Sheryl Stephens
Silvia Sernicola
Solange Collin
Stacie Florer
Stacy Alderson
Stephanie Haussler



Stephanie LaRosa
Sue Burleigh
Susan Bowie
Susan Kelly
Susan of Libellula Jewelry
Susan Sheehan
Suzanne Fragiacomo
Tammi Sloan
Tammie Everly



Tania Hagen
Tania Spivey
Tanya Goodwin
Tanya Wiles
Tari Kahrs
Terry Carter
Theresa Buchle
Tiffany Smith
Tina Holden



Tracey Nanstad
Tracie Dean
Tracy Bell
Tracy Kruse
Veralynne Malone
Veronica Campos-Hallstrom



Facebook Participants


D’Arsie Manzella   
Claire Brannigan Hasemeier
Robin Showstack
Melanie Lemen Swope
Beccy Peterson
Kelli Nelson
Chris Schlicht
Shelley Cole-Kuduk

57 comments:

  1. What beautiful pieces! Particularly love your Feather in the Clouds necklace - it looks so gloriously organic.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love how you've used the soup, the Paris bracelet is so classy. I love how you've worked the colours in fly me to the sun and in the thicket is a real charmer. Love the necklace too, very elegant.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, I really, really love all the pieces you made <3 <3 <3

    ReplyDelete
  4. You've got so much beautiful items from your partner - what should I say: you did a really wonderful job with them. My personal favourite under all these beautiful pieces is the orange bracelet- so refreshing!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Absolutely beautiful pieces, all of them. If I had to pick one as my favourite, it would be ´Fly me to the sun´, even if I never ever wear orange. The colours are just what one needs on a rainy Saturday when summer still seems to be far far away...

    ReplyDelete
  6. I really enjoyed seeing all the pieces you made. The coral bracelet is my favorite. Your wire work is beautiful and your photography is top notch.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gorgeous work, every piece is a winner!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lovely bracelets! - I particularly like the peachy one.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Each one of these pieces is special! The Bird bracelet is AWESOME!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Each piece is so lovely and full os sweet details, amazing work!

    ReplyDelete
  11. What truly Gorgeous pieces you made !
    Those clasps are amazing !
    Your designs showed them off Perfectly !!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Gorgeous pieces, the colours are really 'fresh' and definitely 'pop'!

    ReplyDelete
  13. ~i felt as if i was in a heavenly oasis wandering through the pictures of these gorgeous pieces you have created and shared...beautiful job...much love light and blessings~

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love the wire wrapping on your clasps and that peachy orange bracelet is divine! Kristin Oppold

    ReplyDelete
  15. So enjoyed your reveal of each beautifully photographed piece. I too love the coral bracelet for a breath of freshness.

    ReplyDelete
  16. You hit the mother load of wonderful bead soup goodies! Love all of your creations - especially those bracelets! Feather in the Clouds is stunning! Wonderful work!

    ReplyDelete
  17. "Fly Me to the Sun". Stunning Art work like always, I love all of them Leah

    ReplyDelete
  18. Not only are your pieces gorgeous, really gorgeous, but I love the names! Fly Me to the Sun, beautiful bead poetry.

    ReplyDelete
  19. It's so hard... But the last two pieces are my favorites :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. bracelets are really impressive!congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  21. You did your Soup proud. I didn't think I liked peach, but you may have converted me. The chocolate and mint bracelet is equally stunning.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love the light airy style to your jewelry.
    kathy

    ReplyDelete
  23. Wow, great soup and you made some really great pieces with it! Love that peach bracelet!

    ReplyDelete
  24. OK, I'm not usually a fan of pink/peach colors, but that bracelet is way cool. And the next one with the bird is awesome, too! Very nice pieces.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Awesome pieces, love the coral/peach bracelet.

    ReplyDelete
  26. what an interesting soup! the orange/pink bracelet is a beautiful piece for summer!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oh wow! I'm totally in love with all your pieces :-) amazing, full of little details and gorgeousness

    ReplyDelete
  28. They are all beautiful, my favourite by far is the bracelet with the little birdie on it, made me think of our friend who got her wings too early... :) Thank you for the memory! <3

    ReplyDelete
  29. beautiful bracelets and I love the feather design.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Your designs are so beautiful! I love the way you paired the colors, and the peaceful feel of the pieces.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Fly me to the sun is my fav piece of the blog hop. Amazing colors and design.

    ReplyDelete
  32. that coral and pink bracelet is so so pretty and feminine I love it! Everything looks like you had a blast pulling elements together into interesting and textureful pieces. great job!

    ReplyDelete
  33. you received a beautiful soup, and you make beautiful pieces!
    I love especially all the bracelets, my favourite is the second.
    your pieces are on my favourites for this blog hop :)
    I'm on the 3rd reveal, I'm partecipating for the 3rd time on BSBP, I love this funny party!
    ciao dall'Italia

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm a huge admirer of Marcia's too! What an inspiring soup, and I love how you treated those watery blues and warm oranges. You've highlighted Marcia's clasps so brilliantly in the bracelets, but my favorite is the necklace - sodalite was such a fantastic choice to accent the focal. I can SO see you designing the day away in that stone cottage in the Scottish Highlands!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I don't know where to start, everything is fantastic. I love the white wire-wrapped hook, the lovely greens, the color combinations you made, everything! Great job! You started with a gorgeous soup too.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Wow can't decide which one I like best! You made so many beautiful creations with your soup! Loved them all!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Wow, how beautiful. You did so wellll with Marcia's soup. Excellent outcome!

    ReplyDelete
  38. You outdid yourself! I an so in love with the bracelets and the way you highlighted those beautiful clasps.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I really love your "In the thicket" bracelet. I am a big fan of nature-inspired pieces and the color combination you used is just so perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Those bracelets are absolutely precious--but I like everything!

    ReplyDelete
  41. What a beautiful bunch of jewelry! My favorite is the "In the Thicket" bracelet! Love the flower gemstones!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Wow you were busy,every piece is gorgeous, great job.

    ReplyDelete
  43. You did a great job using your soup. 3 bracelets and a necklace is quite a lot from 1 soup and they are all beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Wow! Love your designs!! Especially like "In the Thicket" Gorgeous use of your scrummy bead soup!

    ReplyDelete
  45. i always love your work. those beaded clasps are just to die for!!! LOVE them

    ReplyDelete
  46. I love all of your creations. Great job with the soup.My favorites are the first bracelet and the necklace. I didn't think I even liked blue but your work could convert me. I've made a lot of blue from my soup too. Check me out for the 3rd reveal.

    ReplyDelete
  47. First off, yeah. . .that soup you received was amazing. But, what you did with is was equally amazing. Each and every one of your pieces is a little work of art. I can tell the time and thought you put into each of them. It really shows! Fabulous, wonderful, excellent work!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Nice soup! I really like all your pieces...great design. I love your color blend..so pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Lovely pieces! The bracelets are particularly wonderful, especially since you were able to use all of the fantastic beaded clasps your partner sent. Terrific eye candy - thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  50. OH! My.. Your pieces are so fabulous! I love your bracelets! Particularly the "in the thicket" one. That cute little brown bird! I love the flowers you made.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Hi Leah
    as usual i love all of your creations :-)
    its everytime something special. Also your fotos are stunning.
    Hugs Gite

    ReplyDelete
  52. Hi! Wow, you received such an inspiring soup and made such lovely pieces with it. My fave....hard decision to make.... is 'Fly me to the sun' , the lovely orange tones are full of warmth - and we do need some sunshine here in the UK!! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  53. Soooo many beautiful pieces you made, I especially love♥ the bracelets! It's Springtime :-)

    ReplyDelete
  54. Wow, that a stunning soup! I really love the bracelets, especially "fly me to the sun" and "in the thicket". I love these ceramic birds.

    ReplyDelete