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I'm a mother, wife, grandmother, daughter, sister, friend. I'm a self-taught potter. I make beads from clay and jewelry from my beads. Follow me on my online journal as I toss around ideas from my life and from my studio.

Friday, June 25, 2010

It's Souuuuuuuup!

So, are you sick of soup yet? I didn't think so. This is my first time participating in a Bead Soup Party and I'm having a blast!!! I love being among such talented people. It's inspirational. And speaking of inspirational, my Bead Party Partner is Jen Judd Velasquez. She's already had her reveal with the beads I sent her. If you haven't seen it, you really should. I was blown away by what she did with my humble ceramic pendant and the rest of her soup! So here is what she sent me.
That large spiral focal is recycled green glass. She added some other cool earthy things like wood, turquoise colored round beads, her own copper wire beads, more glass beads, a copper clasp and some coppery silk ribbon. She did her research and new the colors I love. But I don't think I've every designed without ceramics. So the challenge was on.
As soon as I opened the package, that spiral screamed out, "I want to be a clasp, I want to be a clasp". So I made it both. A focal and a clasp. I used mostly the beads Jen sent, adding just some light green glass beads, the same ones I sent to her, I think, a large copper ring to complete the clasp and some copper wire at the ends of the silk ribbon. And ta-daaaa!
It's simple but the clasp/focal really makes a statement I think. I love the ribbon at the back of the neck. It's very comfortable to wear, which I've done and have gotten lots of compliments. And I can wear this with practically anything.  I had some beads of Jen's left so I made a bracelet adding a few of my ceramic beads. (Well, I had to get them in there somewhere)  I used the clasp Jen sent me on the bracelet. Kind of Wilma Flintstone but again, it goes with everything.

Okay, keep going!!! The party's not over yet!! Hop back to Lori's blog for today's schedule. Thanks Lori for putting this party together. It's been a blast!!

41 comments:

  1. What a cool and interesting design, with some inspiring ideas to mull over.

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  2. COOL focal!! You did a nice job with these!

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  3. The focal is very interesting, gives the necklace a very native look. Well done.

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  4. Very creative use of the focal. Enjoy your soup!

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  5. i loved the colors of your soup mix ,that focal was wild..great job

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  6. I love your use of the focal as a clasp!

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  7. I love what you've done with the spiral! This is a really cool set you've made here:)

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  8. OH, I love it! Way too cool! Thanks for stopping by my blog too. I finally have the red one posted if you would care to take a peek if you haven't already.

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  9. Now this is totally awesome! It's a bit primitive but so stunning! I love how you creatively used the clasp as THE FOCAL! I can see this set worn with a little black dress or with a pair of jeans. Great and amazing job! Your soup is completely "meaty." :D

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  10. what a great use of the focal. I just love this piece

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  11. I LOVE it when components tell you what they want to be! Great job, I love both, but love how you used the spiral the most.

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  12. love your necklace, specially the way you used the focal, very creative

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  13. I love how you used the spiral. You have a good eye for great combinations of textures and colors.

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  14. I love the use of the spiral. And I love the silk ribbon. Beautiful piece!!

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  15. That is really a cool bunch of ingredients she sent you, I hadn't seen them before. I love what you did with the recycled glass, and I love that there was recycled glass! I think this is the first piece I've seen with something recycled and I love that! Great design and looks comfy too!

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  16. What a cool use of the focal! Well done!

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  17. I love it! That simple earthy design is something I really like the most:) Well done!

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  18. Awww man I love this. It is very innovative what you did with the swirly spiral.

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  19. That is a really cool focal. I love that spiral. And the fiber is so in right now. I love bead soup! Yours was delish.
    Enjoy the day!
    Erin

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  20. Now THAT is totally a cool way to use that spiral! I never would have thought of that! I love the necklace and bracelet very much!

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  21. Cyndi,

    I love the earthy, organic designs you came up with. Just beautiful!

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  22. Oh, I would not have thought about using the spiral as a focal and a clasp. Smart idea. And nice design with the ribbon.

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  23. And what's wrong with Wilma Flintstone? Love it!

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  24. I am a little late getting around today but love what you did and you were so right to use the glass as focal and clasp! I love it and would wear it everyday. I love Wilma's jewelry (Flintstone that is)- check out my Cave Girl necklace on Etsy- your bracelet would make a nice accompaniment!

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  25. I love how you used the focal as a clasp. Very nice design.

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  26. Very unusual - love the spiral as a clasp!

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  27. Great idea to use the spiral bead as a clasp, so different and eye catching. Always loved chunky bracelets, love yours. great work.

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  28. I love the way you used the spiral as a clasp. I also love the ribbon/silk - Great innovative design.

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  29. Great job at beading it all in an harmonious earthly way! just back from your etsy shop by the way ^_^ Virginie

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  30. Great design, beautiful necklace

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  31. The organic feel is wonderful! The way you used the spiral is amazing! Beautiful work!

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  32. Making the focal into a clasp was perfect! A great necklace.

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  33. I love that you made the focal into a clasp. It's perfect. You had some different components to work with and you did a great job putting them together. Great work!

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  34. GIIIIIRRRLLL!! I'm such a bad party partner...my crazy move and lack of connectivity really got the best of me, so I'm sorry it has taken so long for my comments...I absolutely LOVE both pieces!!! It's perfect that you took the little bits and made them yours!!! That spiral as a clasp...I never would've thought of that even though it seems perfect now that I've seen it!! I'm so glad you were able to mix in some of your ceramics, too...I was hoping with the "natural" sort of beads that'd work out and it did!!! I'm so happy to have met you through this party!!!

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  35. Thanks, Jen. It was great soup to work with. Hope the move went well.

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  36. Nice job. Love the colors and the ribbon. Funky Focal!
    Bead Happy!
    Michelle

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