I was sent these lovely beads by Lori in Canada who bought them from Grubbi here in the UK. Funny eh? And I had to giggle as I the focal I sent Lori was bought from the same beadmaker!
First I decided to play around the with the beads which co-ordinated with the focal. (I've quite impressed that I had the focal back to front of the photo and never noticed until I just started writing this blog entry)
I've made something similar to this before using more formal gemstone rounds, but never tried it with artbeads before, but I like it! I bought some 1mm and 0.5mm copper wire to match the clasp Lori sent me and went to work after adding in some rainbow fluorite rustic round beads. if you look at them closely you can see that they are roughly rounds but with a flattish edge here and there which I think really adds to the effect with the artbeads.
I used this in this manner as I had a plan for the focal and the beads which Lori had handmade herself, along with some more of the newly bought copper wire.
As you can see, I used more of the rainbox fluorite, and added a few tri-colour jade beads in there too, and some of the semi precious beads which were in my original bead soup from Lori.
As you can see from this photo, I option for a non-symmetrical necklace. Having said that, I feel that the designed is very well balanced
I'm loving the texture and colours that were sent to me. So many different textures and a great selection of colours, all taken from the handamde ceramic focal.
It took me a while to think of what to make with these beads but once I finally came up with an idea the making process was over in one evening and I am so happy with my results! So happy in fact that I am going to use some more of the beads I have bought from Grubbi to make another necklace ina very similar style. Watch this space.
Please go and visit Lori to see what she has made with the beads I sent her. She's very talented so I imagine it will be well worth your visit.
And if you have time and fancy a bit of inspiration, how about visiting the rest of the Bead Soup Blog Hop Partiers too?
http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2014/05/welcome-to-8th-bead-soup-blog-party.html
I love the colours and how you've put them together. That wire wrapped wavy bracelet is awesome.
ReplyDeleteThankyou so much. You are very kind.
DeleteI love the way the necklace is so well-balanced; I had to take a second look to realise it was asymmetrical. Very cool!
ReplyDeleteCool indeed! If you didn't notice then my design worked exactly like I hoped it would. Cheers!
DeleteWow, great job! I LOVE what you've done with them! I'm especially really, really liking the enamel bead at the front hung with the heart focal. I probably wouldn't have thought of that, and it looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for being my partner, Sarah, and for sending me such a beautiful grouping of beads to work with as well.
I had all the beads sitting in a bowl staring at me for a long time. I really wanted to do them justice. Thankyou so much for sending them to me. It made me get off my bum and buy some copper. (A material I don't usually use) and I'm really inspired to use the other beads by Gubbi that are sitting waiting for me in my stash.
DeleteGreat pieces Sarah! Love them!
ReplyDeleteThanks Shalini!
DeleteLovely colorful designs! I struggle to mix colors in a piece, so I really love seeing designs that make it work so beautifully!
ReplyDeleteAw. Cheers! I love working with colour.
DeleteBeautiful asymmetrical necklace! It's amazingly balanced, and the asymmetry is so subtle is adds to the beauty, rather than taking away from it. Great job!
ReplyDeleteIf you didn't notice then my design worked exactly like I hoped it would. Cheers!
DeleteBeautiful designs - the colors are lovely! Wonderful job!
ReplyDeleteThankyou. And thankyou for popping by too.
DeleteNice work! The bracelet is really cool
ReplyDeleteCheers!
DeleteI didn't realise your necklace was asymmetrical until I took a closer look. I particularly like the enamel bead with the focal, it's lovely!
ReplyDeleteIf you didn't notice til you took a closer look, then my design worked exactly like I hoped it would. Cheers!
DeleteLove that bangle - wonfpderful wirework. What a clever way to showcase beads! And the necklace, phwoar! Like Karen I didn't notice that it was asymetrical at first. Lush!
ReplyDeleteThankyou for your lovely comments. Much appreciated
DeleteBeautiful beads in beautiful colors, great necklace. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThankyou. I owe the beautiful colour palette to my Soup Partner Lori. I was very lucky :)
DeleteI love your heart necklace!!!
ReplyDeleteThankyou so much!
DeleteTOTALLY loving the color palette, which is normally not my thing, but I think it's because the beads are soo cool and I don't know, it just speaks to me. That NECKLACE! I would so wear it. It's wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating in these events!!! It means the world to me.
The colour palette isn't me either, or wouldn't normally be but it opened my mind and was a great thing to do. I'm so proud of my pieces this year. Thankyou for running it again.
DeleteLove your designs! I have to take a closer look at the bracelet, It is lovely!
ReplyDeleteThankyou. can you see all the detail of the bracelet that you'd like to see? i can take more photos if you like? :)
DeleteI'm just learning how to make torch fired enameled beads and I'm always looking for good ways to use them...I think you did this one justice!
ReplyDeleteThankyou so much! i really wanted to highlight how beautiful the beads were
DeleteBeautiful designs (both of them) from a beautiful soup!
ReplyDeleteI was so lucky with my soup. It was beautiful. Thankyou for visiting.
DeleteBeautiful work! I love the necklace design--I think it showcases the beads from your soup just perfectly. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteThankyou. I really enjoyed making it once I figured out the best way to show off how lovely they are
DeleteIt's all so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThankyou :)
DeleteWonderful work, my favourite is the necklace. Beautiful clours!
ReplyDeleteThankyou. When I made them i liked the bracelet the best, but when I photographed them, I preferred the necklace :)
Deleteindeed love the asymmetry of your necklace, what a lovely piece! good job!
ReplyDeleteBrill. Cheers! and thankyou for popping by too
DeleteSuch a lovely necklace, I really like the colors and variety!
ReplyDeleteI like your style =) I love the bracelet and think it's genius to add the copper wire. It adds just that little extra pop! Beautiful pieces!
ReplyDeleteLinda A.
http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
http://cherryOnTopDesign.co
Love the wired bracelet! Great soup!!
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job showcasing the heart focal in your necklace. Both pieces are lovely.
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty piece and showing off that heart focal perfectly.
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely be happy with your results! I thought that the focal was just the simple heart with the work feeling to it (like in your first picture) so I didn't really notice it was the back until you said something. Ha! As far as both of your designs go, they are really gorgeous! You definitely let the beads shine. I love all the colors you pulled together for the necklace. It's so bright and full of color, and I love color. :)
ReplyDeleteI am in love right now. So many different kind of beads here and they look so great together, you mixed them up perfectly
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely work well done!
ReplyDeleteI love how you used copper wire to connect your beads in both pieces. Lovely designs.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty designs, Sarah :) The colour-play is divine!
ReplyDeleteLovely pieces - great job!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous necklace and the bracelet is cooler than cool! I love the heavier copper wire running in a wavy pattern with the beads. Really makes for an interesting design.
ReplyDeleteSarah, those are gorgeous designs. I love the wavy copper bracelet and the colourful, slightly assymetrical and elegant necklace. Well done.
ReplyDeleteAna
Your bracelet and necklace are beautiful! I love how you did the wire work on the bracelet.
ReplyDeleteLove the technique you used for the bracelet. I have not seen anything like that before. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAwesome bracelet! And your necklace is beautifully balanced. Great job.
ReplyDeleteA very playful necklace, lovely ♥summer colours! Ready to wear in the ☼sun☼ shine! Have fun with it.
ReplyDeleteSuper cute bracelet and necklace, love the wire work!
ReplyDeleteWow! Sarah these pieces are fantastic! Lovin' that bracelet. I did the same thing with the photo I took of my soup..the toggle I was sent... I ended up showing the underside. Either way toggle /focal...Looks like we both got it right for the reveal. What a terrific color palate you had to play with. Really Soup-er!
ReplyDeleteGreat pieces! It took me a minute to register that the necklace is asymmetrical. So well balanced, full of color and life and fun to wear too!
ReplyDeleteLove how you wrapped the wire around the beads for the bracelet and the heart focal necklace is just to cute! Lovely job!
ReplyDeleteI love the look of your wire wrapping technique - the bracelet is super and the colorful necklace with the asymmetrical bead arrangement looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah, I like the up and down scallops of your lovely bracelet. I may have to give that a try. You accented Grubbi's focal wonderfully. Great job using your soup. Congratulations of going full time with your jewelry.
ReplyDelete