Bead Soup

 

Inspired by:  http://beadedlaughter.blogspot.com/

 

 

WELCOME TO MY BEAD SOUP!

I'm going to post this Friday night because I'm not sure when I will be able to get on Saturday.  I hope this doesn't break any rules.

First thing is a confession/apology.  I didn’t send my lovely and talented partner Jasvanti a focal or a clasp.  In retrospect I can’t believe it.  Seems impossible.  However, I think my brain was muddled by a very small example of a ‘perfect storm’.  I was new to blogging, new to Bead Soup, mistakenly interpreted the rules for seed beaders as being different from the regular rules, and was also facing minor outpatient surgery (which was making me incredibly nervous) as I needed to send my soup.  So let me just say I’m sorry for that!!!  Here is a link to Jasvanti’s blog Jewelry by Jasvanti.  Even though she was short changed, I still can’t want to see what she made.  I'm also looking forward to spending a lazy Saturday afternoon looking at as many of the other blogs that I can manage. 
 

Time to reveal the creations from my soup. 

Jasvanti was very generous, she sent me a huge number of beautiful beads.  I was able to complete 3 pieces, and still have beads leftover.  After letting the soup simmer for a couple of days, I decided I really wanted to use the colored leaves/flowers she sent. I don't usually gravitate towards pastels but they intrigued me.

 

 

The first piece I did is a pink, black and white one, which has an Art Deco feel to me.   It uses pink leaves, as well as black and clear crystals from the Soup.  I glued it on the top of a small box and gave it to a friend.  It has quite a bit of sparkle.
 

 

 

The second piece is inspired by the ocean. My partner lives in California, where I lived many years ago. When I swam in the ocean I enjoyed watching the large fronds of kelp move back and forth in the water so gracefully.  This piece utilizes leaves and flowers and many blue crystals from the soup. 

 

 

 

 

 

The third piece I finished uses the focal.  I must admit I had a bit of a struggle with that bead.  I loved its elegance, but I wanted to create something other than just beauty.  Don't get me wrong, I very much appreciate beautiful things.  I tore the piece apart a couple of times.  The piece also uses black crystals from the Soup.  I have a bit of crystal photography frustration.  The piece looks much better than the photograph.

 

 

 

 

At first I used orange crystals for the eyes.  A creature born of lava should have fiery eyes.  However, they blended in completely with the background, so I tried green.  In retrospect green might have been the perfect choice.  My lava creature could perhaps be the green-eyed monster (jealousy).  I was curious where the reference came from, and found out it is probably from Shakespeare.  He used the phrase in both Othello (green-eyed monster) and The Merchant of Venice (green-eyed jealousy).

I am looking forward to continuing to learning about all you beautiful bead artists in cyberspace.  It’s a new and exciting world for me, I love exploring all of your blogs.  The Bead Soup Blog Party has definitely been loads of fun.  I'm glad you came to visit!  Don't forget to check all the other blogs, the full list can be found on Lori Anderson's 7th Bead Soup Blog Party website here.

 

A HUGE thank you to Lori Anderson <3