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Bead Soup Blog Party!

Today is the day of the big Bead Soup Blog Party reveal! Lori Anderson, the wonderful host of this event, reported that there are 362 participants this year! That's a lot of blogs to look at. I will try my best to get to each and every one, but it may take weeks!

My partner was Laura Zeiner from Stick Lizard Designs. She has a lot of talent, that girl. If you recall in my previous post, she sent me these beads:

And this is what I made:



I love love love the focal she sent me. It's gorgeous! The lack of sun here in Pittsburgh does nothing for this rock! The colors and crystals are beautiful! I had no idea what to do with it, though, and I pondered for quite a while. I decided to make links with 18 gauge copper wire and think I did an ok job at it. I'm sure there are some better ways to do this, and I'd love to hear about them. I'm just really starting to get into the world of wire and so my skills aren't that great.

In any event, I made some beady links with some of my lampwork beads that went perfectly with the color combo, and incorporated most of the beads she sent me into this necklace. The only beads I didn't use were the purple pearls, because the holes went sideways through the bead and I wasn't quite sure what to do with them. Now that I think about it longer, the pearls would dangle on the end of a chain on the earrings. I will probably add that this weekend!

The earrings were fairly easy for me to come up with, so I started on them first. I used copper, but the ear wires are sterling. I used my own lampwork beads. The little keys are so cute, I love them!

I hope you enjoyed seeing what I made from Laura's components. If you do have any suggestions for me, I would love to hear them, because I'm not sure I'm all that thrilled with the necklace. The gorgeous stone deserves to have all the attention on it, but I think something more is needed to complete the look, I just can't figure it out!

Now, it's time to take a look at what everyone else made with their Bead Soup. The list below will take you there!

The Hostess, Lori Anderson and her partner, Manuela Wutschke

1. Aimee Wheaton and Barbara York
2. Alice Craddick and Sandra Richardson
3. Alison Sachs and Amy Severino
4. Allison Scott and Cynthia Abner
5. Amanda Cargill Austin and Charlene Sevier
6. Amanda Davie and Patsy Evins
7. Amber Dawn and Kim Ballor
8. Ambra Gostoli and Christine Hansen
9. Amy Freelandand Christine Altmiller
10. Ana Krepel-Novak and Eleanor Snare

11. Andrea Morici and Hope Smitherman
12. Andrea Trank and Jayne Capps
13. Andrea Turini and Charlene Jacka
14. Angela May and Emanda Johnson
15. Anitra Gordy and Elizabeth Owens Dwy
16. Ann Rishell and Debbie Price
17. Ann Sherwood and Lynne Bowland
18. Anna Lear and Barbe Saint John
19. Anna Sabina­­­­ and Erin Siegel
19. Nan Emmett and Erin Siegel
20. Astrid Boyce and Birgitta Lejonklou

21. B.R. Kuhlman and Deanna Chase
22. Barbara Bechtel and Bryna Lumb
23. Barbara Blaszczyk and DaviniaDesign
24. Barbara Judy and Holly Westfall
25. Barbara Lewis and Cathie Carroll
26. Barrie Edwards and Lyn Foley
27. Becky Fairclough and Jana Tarhala
28. Bella Borgouise and Gillian Lehman
29. Beth and Evie McCord and Erin Prais-Hintz
30. Beth Bricker and Heather Pyle

31. Beth Emery and Cassie Donlen
32. Bobbie Rafferty and Cindy Cima Edwards
33. Candice McGinnis and Sally Anderson
34. Carol Bradley and Cece Cormier
35. Cathy Khoury and Molly Alexander
36. Carol Tannahill and Hilary Frye
37. Carrie Tahquechi and Cris Peacock
38. Cat Pruitt and Cindy Gimbrone
39. Charlene Gary and Doris Stumpf
40. Charlotte Pevny and Kate Gardenghi

41. Cherrie Fickand Cathie Carroll
41. Claire Maunsell and Cherrie Fick
42. Cheryl Roe and Jenny Vidberg
43. Chris White and Norma Turvey
44. Christa Murphyand Kathy Alderfer
45. Christie Murrow and Dana James
46. Christina Miles and Collette Collins
47. Christine Brandel and Elizabeth Woodford
48. Christine Damm and Cynthia Deis
49. Christine Hendrickson and Debbie Goering
50. Christine Stonefield and Dee Wingrove-Smith

51. Cilla Watkins and Johanna Rhodes
52. Cindy Wimmer and Riki Schumacher
53. CJ Baushka and Cory Celaya
54. Courtney Breul and Joanna Matuszczyk
55. Cristi Clothier and Kathleen Robinson Young
56. Cryss Thain and Serena Trent
57. Cynthia Tucker and Kitty Durmaj
58. Dana Johnson Jones and Eva Sherman
59. Davinia Algeri and Janet McDonald
60. Deci Worland and Lara Lutrick

61. Diana Ptaszynski and Kristy Abner
62. Diane Cook and Kerry Bogert
63. Diane Hawkey and Jen Judd Velasquez
64. Dorcas Midkiff and Jill Harris
65. Doris Radlicki and Heather Goldsmith
66. Dot Lewallen and Gaea Cannaday
67. Elisabeth Auld and Jennifer Justman
68. Erin Fickert-Rowland and Geanina Grigore
69. Erin Grant and Julie Jones
70. Eszter Czibulyas and Helena Fritz

71. Fiona Christie and Michelle Heim
72. Gail Zwang and Genea Crivello-Knable
73. Geneva Collins and Jana Haag
74. Gretchen Nation and Heidi Post
75. Heather DeSimone and Karin Slaton
76. Heather Marley and Terry Carter
77. Ingrid McCue and Jennifer Pride
78. Jackie Ryan and Nicole Keller
79. Janna Harttgen and Joanne Tinley
80. Jean Yates and Lori Anderson

81. Jelveh Jaferian and Jenny Davies-Reazor
82. Jenni Connolly and Jennifer Heynen
83. Jennifer Cameron and Kristi Bowman
84. Jennifer Geldard and Lisa Liddy
85. Jennifer VanBenschoten and Kim Hora
86. Jess Italia Lincoln and Lori Greenberg
87. Jill MacKay and Lori Bergmann
88. JJ Jacobs and Karen Tremblay
89. Joyce Becker and Kathy Welsh
90. Judy Glende and Karen Sinkowski

91. Judy Riley and Kelly Morgan
92. JuLee Wolfe and Julie Bean
93. Julianna Cannon and Julianna Kis
94. Julie Nordine and Lesley Watt
95. K. Hutchinson and Shea Zukowski
96. Karen Firnberg and Karyn Bonfiglio
97. Karen Williams and Kimberly Roberts
98. Karen Zanco and Polly Barker
99. Kari Carrigan and Laura Twiford
100. Karin von Hoeren and Laura Blanck

101. Kate Richbourg and Lorelei Eurto
102. Kathleen Lange Klik and Maria Clark
103. Kathy Engstrom and Keri Lee Sereika
104. Kay Thomerson and Loretta Carstensen
105. Kelley Fogle and Laurel Bielec
106. Kelly Ramstack and Sally Anderson
107. Kim Stevens and Tiffany Long
108. Kristi Harrison and Mandy Williamson
109. Kristi Kyle and Lana Kinney
110. Kristina Johansson and Sue Hodgkinson

111. Kym Hunter and Laura Sanger
112. Laura Zeiner and Susan Kennedy
113. Laurel Stevenand Mary McGraw
114. Laurie Hanna and Lisa Boucher
115. Lesley Weir and Liz DeLuca
116. Linda Djokic and Tracey Weiser
117. Linda Inhelder and Pam Brisse
118. Linda Landig and Lori Dorrington
119. Linda Murphy and Lisa Hamilton
119. Line Labrecque and Marianne Baxter
120. Lisa Lodge and Monica Johnson

121. Lois Moon and Melissa Muir
122. Lola Surwillo and Therese Frank
123. Lori Bowring Michaud and Marci Brooks
124. Lupe Meter and Norma Agron
125. Maggie Towne and Marge Beebe
126. Malin de Koning and Susie Hibdon
127. Mallory Hoffman and Shirley Moore
128. Marcie Abney and Patty Miller
129. Marcy Lamberson and Melissa Clarke
130. Margot Potter and Suzann Sladcik Wilson

131. Maria Grimes and Wendy Blum
132. Maria Horvath and Melinda Orr
133. Maria Rosa Sharrow and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp
134. Marian Hertzog and Melissa Mesara
135. Marianna Boylan and Sandi Lee James
136. Marina Dobrynina and Michaela Pabeschitz
137. Marsha Neal and Miri Agassi
138. Mary Ellen Parker and Melissa Meman
139. Mary Elliott and Tamara Soper
140. Mary Hicks and Laurel Steven

141. Melissa Pynn and Michelle Buettner
142. Michelle Hardy and Niki Meiners
143. Michelle Mach and Moira McEvoy
144. Missy Rappaportand Mags Sarri
145. Molly Alexander and Poranna
146. Mylene Hillam and Nicole Rennell
147. Nadezhda Parfyonova and Stacey Curry
148. Nan Emmett and Nancy Peterson
149. Nancy Boylan and Natalie McKenna
150. Natalie Monkivitch and Niky Sayers

151. Natasha Lutes and Pam Ferrari
152. Noemi Baena and Penny Ilagan
153. Pamela Petry and Rebecca Sirevaag
154. Pat Haightand MaryShannon Hicks
155. Patty Gasparino and Vonna Maslanka
156. Penny Neville and Sandi Volpe
157. Pepita Bos and Wendy Chamberlain
158. Raida Disbrow and Rebecca Watkins
159. Rebecca Anderson and Sabrina Staub
160. Regina Santerre and Rose Binoya

161. Rhea Freitag and Tari Kahrs
162. Rochelle Brisson and Teri Baskett
163. Sally Russick and Tracy Bell
164. Sandra McGriff and Shay Williams
165. Sandra Wolberg and Sara Hardin
166. Sarah Elder and Salla Small
167. Saskia Kaffenberger and Sharon Gardner
168. Sharon Palac and Shannon Chomanczuk
169. Shay Stone and Suzette Bentley
170. Shiraz Biggie and Tammy Powley

171. Staci Smithand Tracy Stillman
172. Stacie Stamper and Tracy Martin
173. Stefanie Teufel and Vicky Taylor
174. Stephanie Dixon and Stephanie LaRosa
175. Stephanie Haussler and Valerie Norton
176. Suzanne Tate and Terri Wlaschin
177. Sweet Freedom Designs and Tammy Jones
178. Tania Spivey and Tari Sasser
179. Tara Plote and Terry Matuszyk
180. Terri Gauthier and Deana Hager
181. Theresa Fosdick and Tracey Nanstad

Comments

Third Eye Gypsy said…
Love that focal! Beautiful necklace!

xo Genea
Barbara Lewis said…
Super cool, Sue! Even with Pittsburgh weather, we could tell you got it goin' on!
Noemi said…
That is a difficult piece to work with but I think that by framing it as you have done you make justice to it.
It probably looks better when worn, doesn't it?
It is a nice looking necklace but you can always re-do it if yo are not that happy with it.
Really beautiful Susan! Great use of those earthy pieces from Laura - love the stones, lampwork and chain together, and that focal is awesome!
What beautiful designs, you really did justice to the beads you received. I love the piece of crystal rock!
Deb x
Very pretty Sue I love how you used the focal piece.
Therese
Lesley said…
Sue, I think your necklace looks fabulous - I love the bitter chocolate tones and you've designed it in such a way that the beads accent that amazing rock but don't detract from or overpower it. The only thing I might try would be to bring the clasp to the front near the beads but I really do love it as is. The earrings are just right to complement the necklace too. Great stuff.
Lorelei Eurto said…
beautiful pendant!!! wow! You did a fantastic job Sue, it's lovely!
Sue that is a beautiful necklace. What a cool focal!!! You did a beautiful job my friend!
Laura Twiford said…
I don't know Sue, I think you did great showcasing that focal. And for just getting started wirewrapping it looks fantastic! Good soup!
I really like the organic feel of your necklace. Great focal too.
Jen Judd said…
I love your design because I think the focal really sings. Bring it along next weekend and we can play with it!
Jen
Laura said…
Wonderful!!! I love the Victorian-inity (whatever) of it. Beautiful job with the wire wrapping and I think the beads you added were DELIGHTFUL! Thanks for being my partner!
Great result. It's rustic and elegant at the same time. Does that make sense? Beautiful!
Amy F said…
So pretty! I LOVE that focal, it is so cool!
Lutka And Co. said…
zBeautiful necklace! I love the focal too!
Rebecca said…
Wow, what a striking focal! It looks great, you've made some beautiful jewellery here.
KayzKreationz said…
I think you did a wonderful job with it. That focal is wonderful and I like that you made wire links for it to hang from. Nice job.
rosebud101 said…
Sue, you did a great job with your soup! Your piece is so pretty! You will enjoy wearing it!
Shirley said…
That stone was a hard one to work on. I think you came up with a great solution. You might like the way Barbara Lewis @ Painting with Fire did hers. The chain and ring links are just perfect. Really pretty design!
I think you did a fantastic job. It reminds me of something that the rich Ms. Howl (?) would wear stranded on the island (Gilligans Island, lol). Very tropical.
Anonymous said…
Sue, your wire working is coming along great! You did a wonderful job with the necklace, it flows beautifully and of course that pendant is gorgeous! I think you did it justice with your design! Great work!!
coffeeaddict said…
oh the pendant! the design is perfect for it!
Lori Anderson said…
That is one of the coolest, most unique pendants I've seen! I have two (three?) geode slices to work with but they're not like that -- that's REALLY neat.

You did an excellent job!

I hope you'll join me for the next party! The badge and dates are up on my blog!

Love, Lori
That focal bead is amazing and you set it off beautifullly.
Very interesting necklace. Nice natural style. Greetings, Michi
Cindy Cima said…
Very cool necklace! Love that toggle clasp!
Love it! Wonderful, rutic, organic look. You definitely did those beads justice.

Terri
Maggie said…
I'm a rock collector and can't believe how wonderful your focal is! What a beautiful necklace. Hmmm, wondering if I can drill holes in some of my rocks now.
Wendy said…
Just beautiful! I love the rich colors and textures!
Myléne Hillam said…
What an amazing focal. You did a great job with your wirework and it's a really good solution to stringing such an unusual piece. I love the whole necklace but just couldn't help commenting on that focal. Great job!
Unknown said…
I really like this! I love working with rocks, slabs, cabs. I really appreciate it.
I wouldn't know what to do with that focal either, but it is really pretty. I think you did a great job with it and can't think of anything to improve. The earrings look fun to wear. Love your lampwork :o)
Silver Parrot said…
I aree with you about the cool focal- it's amazing. Great job!
Tracy said…
Gorgeous unique design, I'm not sure I would've known what to do with that focal, but you've pulled it off perfectly.
I LOVE color! said…
I am so sorry for being so late my computer was resisting too labor intensive:^)Very nice designs. And there is still time to sign up for the give-away, Just go to SandysColoringBox.blogspot.com Sept.16th blog and leave a comment
Be blessed to be a blessing
Your focal is wonderful and you did a great job!
Astrid said…
Awesome necklace, I love the construction. That focal is da bomb, I love natural pieces like that. <3
elisabeth said…
I LOOOOOVE your necklace - incredible - that focal is to die for and you really showed it off well.
Anonymous said…
love it!
What a fantastic necklace! So cool!
that focal is a beauty all by itself yet you somehow worked magic and made it stronger! what a gorgeous piece---i would wear that everywhere!!!
Terri said…
I really can imagine what the focal would look like if the sun were hitting it. You did an amazing design to feature it. A really Soup-er Job!!!
Anonymous said…
I bet it was hard to work with that focal. It's stunning but its shape is not very common. I do think you made a great job!
Ambra
Holly said…
Oh wow, what a beautiful focal! And you dressed it up just perfectly! Love your necklace!
Beadaholique said…
What a cool focal bead - that would be so challenging but you did an AMAZING job! I love the the necklace feels like it is part of the earth.
Alice Craddick said…
your piece looks very woodsy (not sure that is a word either) It would be great to wear in the winter with wool. It was a tough piece to work with but then that was kinda the idea of this~ It gets you really giving some thought to the process, but you learn that some things you think will wonk -don't and some you might not consider (copper and silver- together) work out just great! Hope you had fun and not just stress!
Alice's Beads and Baubles
Sally Anderson said…
OMG, that focal is so amazing and you set it off perfectly. Love what you did with all the soup.
Wow - such a beautiful soup mix you had to work with, and I think you did that focal justice with your wire work. The earrings are the perfect compliment to the necklace - fabulous! :)
Mary Harding said…
Beautiful focal that your turned into a rich, gorgeous necklace. Love your colors.
Anonymous said…
Beautiful necklace, very unique!
Carol Tannahill said…
Gorgeous set! I love the way you used the focal. I can only imagine the thought that must have gone into creating your jewelry. I wouldn't change a thing, it speaks for itself now.
Bobbie said…
What a cool focal! I can understand why it would be a challenge, but you did a nice job with it. Yippee!
CraftyHope said…
That necklace is beautiful. You've done an excellent job highlighting that beautiful focal. But, I do see what you mean by it's missing something. Unfortunately, I have no helpful suggestions right now. Sorry!
Maneki said…
Very nice necklace! That cool focal would likely have had me stumped so I think you did a great job with it. Like the colours and the linked beads. Well done!
Jenni said…
The focal you received is fantastic..and I love how you incorporated it into your piece with your lamp work and wire. Beautiful job.
Jenni
Christine said…
Beautiful necklace - love how you showcased the amazing focal!
Anonymous said…
What a great focal! Beautiful mix of colors, and you did them up right in your pretty necklace.
TesoriTrovati said…
Wow! That is one hunk of rock. The beauty of what we find in nature astounds me! You did a marvelous job. Enjoy the day!
Erin
I love what you did but, if you still feel something's not right, try moving the clasp down and around closer to the stone. I've found that, sometimes, just a little tweak is all you need and you're happy.
Shel said…
I somehow missed your blog during the blog hop and just happened on the post - thank goodness, as your necklace is so amazing. Love how you incorporated the focal - it's fabulous!
jelveh Designs said…
I really like the design you came up with for the focal...it's very unique, I think it's great the way it is...don't chain a thing...
Ann said…
Well done, the focal is really interesting and you did just enough to show it off.

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