Ocean Blog Hop Sneak Preview

Back in the depth of what seemed like to longest winter in many years, I signed up for another of Lisa Lodge's blog hop. This one started with a kit from Lisa that included cultured sea glass, clay fish by Shaterra and clay beads by Gaea.

We are challenged to create jewelry that has an "Ocean" theme, using as many beads from the kit as possible.

I was able to adapt a planned project to work with the kit. With that completed I needed to use the amazing fish. My first plan didn't proceed as I had hoped. Found a great pattern by Debbie von Tonder.

I just need to get pictures taken of the everything. So, stop back on June 14 to see both of these projects and two other projects that use the rest of the beads in the kit.  

Update - I have been moved to May 31st reveal date! I have everything ready. Stop back on Saturday!

Thanks for the challenge Lisa!

Happy beading!

Bead Soup Blog Party #8 - It is Reveal Day!

One week later than originally scheduled ... it is finally Reveal Day!

I have had my pieces finished for awhile. I have even worn them to work and a family gathering. I am pleased with my designs, but might tweak them for weariblity.

Here is what I was sent by my wonderful partner and fellow Canadian Deborah Read.

Wire, cubes and crystals

Two colour palettes

Blue, teal and copper

Ocher, cream, copper and silver

I used the cubes, teal lampwork beads, copper cresent, mixed metal beads, copper rings and toggle. I added copper seed beads, wavy discs, end cones, toggle and Conso thread.

I wanted to see if I could continue my recent fascination with Kumihimo using the cube beads. I knew that I would need to test the workablity of the cubes. I did a quick test using the cubes and size 8 seed beads.

Test of kumihimo with cubes

This worked well, but it needed a large seed bead. I was able to find some amazing copper metal seed beads in size 6.

Detail of kumihimo braiding

With two lengths of braiding done with cubes and copper beads I connected them together with the etched copper crescent (from the soup), copper seed beads, wavy discs and some of the teal lampwork beads (also from the soup).

Detail of focal arrangement

I used a basic copper toggle to finish this necklace. I have worn it a few times. I like the drape of the focal but it might look better if it was perfectly straight. Will have to look for a harden piece of copper to use.

Overall finished necklace

I decided to use the uncoloured etched toggle that was included in the soup along with most of the remaining teal lampwork and an assortment of the various metal beads included to make a co-ordinating bracelet.

Bracelet

That was everything that I had finished in time for the original reveal day of May 3. With the postponement I was able to do this one other design.

I use a few of the ocher and frosted white lampwork beads with this new earring findings I was sent from John Bead. These findings are interchangeable. You can change out the beads. For now they have the lampwork and a couple of crystals each.

Interchangeable Earrings

Thanks once again to my partner Deborah Read for the amazing soup. I know that I will make other projects with the soup leftovers.

Thanks also to our amazing host, Lori Anderson. I know that being part of this creative adventure helps me to work outside of my usual comfort zone. It is fun, creative and amazing.

I have been lucky to participate twice before. The first time Jelveh Jaferian was my partner and here is what I created and what she created.

6th Bead Soup Blog Party Creations

The second time my partner was, fellow Canadian, Cheryl Brown and here is what I created and what she created.

7th Bead Soup Blog Party Creations

Take some time to look at some of the amazing designs create by my fellow 8th Bead Soup Blog Party participants.

Thanks to all who stop by and Happy Beading!

At Mom's Request

Yesterday I received a couple of emails from my mom. First requesting a bracelet to wear to a wedding in June. The next included a photo of the top she would be wearing.

I called her later in the evening to get a better idea of what her would like. I offered to make something in a bright, bold colour as anything would go with this bold black and white graphic print. She prefered either black or white.

I had just gotten some large white glass beads from Lisa Lodge, so I decided to use them.

I added small black Swarovski pearls and Heliotrope crystals. The circular toggle is inset with hemitite.

I had also told my mom that I would make matching earrings. Here I have made simple dangle earrings.

I just have to pack them up and get them in the mail.I will include a Mother's Day card!

Thanks for the request Mom!

Happy Beading!

Spring Sample Making

According to the calendar spring is offically here, in reality it does not feel like spring. Another sure sign of spring is the start of the bead show season.

Next weekend it is the Creativ Festival, for not just beaders but for all creative people. I will once again be there help Maria at the Rypan Designs' booth (#372).

The following weekend is the Toronto Bead Society's Bead Fair at the Toronto Reference Library.  Maria is not going to be doing this show. I hope to stop by on the Sunday.

Of course the big show is Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee at the beginning of June. Maria will be there in her usual spot, booth #933.

To help her be ready for these shows I have been making some new samples for new designs and new colour palettes.

Here is the Ndebele Motif cuff. This is a new project that Maria is offering. I did two new colour combinations

Teal, purple & cream

Grey, rose & cream

I also played with new colour for the Maria's Beaded DNA bracelet. These did not photograph well. The colours look much better in person.

Green and purple iris

Purple and purple iris

Hope that you will be able to get to one of these spring bead shows. Be inspired by the amazing offerings of the venders and designers.

Happy Beading!

Bead Soup Blog Party #8 - testing a design idea

Last night I decided to start working on ideas for my Bead Soup project. I wanted to see how kumihimo would look with the cube beads that Deborah sent me.

I used some blue conso thread, bronze lined aqua beads (8's) and the cubes. I attached the thread to my small scissors using a half hitch. A small segment of braiding with just the thread helps to secure the braid.

Braiding with the cubes is difficult to start but once I had it going it was easier.

This sample use 15 cubes on each of four threads and 15 seed beads on each of the remaining four threads.

I ended by braiding again with just the thread and an overhand knot.

Going forward with my design I think that I will try using larger seed beads and do a section of braiding with just the seed beads before braiding with the cubes.

More design testing to come.

Happy Beading!

Bead Soup Blog Party #8 - Soup Arrival

After a wonderful afternoon at the Royal Ontario Museum, seeing the members' preview of the new exhibit "The Forbidden City : Inside to Court of China's Emperors" I found a small white box in my mail box.

As I was coming up to my apartment in the elevator I noticed that it rattled. I was very excited to see what was inside! It was my bead soup from Deborah Read.

Once opened, I removed the packing material I saw two containers, two zip bags and a spool of wire.

Inside the box

Blue cubes, bicones and spool of wire

Two zip bags of treasures

Teal lampwork beads, etched copper toggle and cresent and two spools of thread

Assorted lampwork and metal beads, crimps, copper jump rings, etched toggle and bracelet bar

It is going to be an interesting spring as I work with this wonderful soup to create something for reveal day May 3, 2014.

Here is what I send to Deborah. She recieved it in the mail yesterday. Here is her blog post about its arrival.

Happy Beading!

Bead Soup Blog Party #8 Partner

Late last night our wonderful hostess, Lori Anderson posted the international partners. It was great to see all of the amazing list of international participates.

I scrolled down the list to see who I was  partnered with. It was great to see that my partner was a name that I knew - Deborah Read.

I have followed Deborah's blog for a while. Her recent work with copper and brass is interesting.

I had three different soups in progress, one of which included some of Deborah's glass discs (so she was not going to get that one).

I have tweaked one of the soups and it is now ready to send to Deborah.

Will be stopping by the post office on my way to work tomorrow.