Welcome to my little corner of the Bead Soup Blog Party (BSBP). I am super happy to post my big reveal for Lori Anderson's BSBP. Please head over to Lori's blog for a full list of participants in order to be able to fully enjoy the experience of the hop.
Here is a picture of what my partner Cory sent along to inspire me. I have to admit, this was a major challenge for me! She sent me lots of items that were of a larger scale than I typically work in. Also, in the past, I have not necessarily embraced the gemstone donut as a viable centerpiece. I love how this exchange offered me the opportunity to stretch myself creatively.
My favorite part of my soup was the clasp she sent. I am not used to working with metals in a finish other than silver, I love how this experience pushes us to try new things. I did decide that I was going to make something that could utilize this clasp as a focal, so here is what I made.
I really love the color combo on this piece. Again, this is not something I would usually do in terms of color palate. Typically I have been wearing this piece with the clasp in front but off center, but I could easily wear the clasp in the back for a different look. I was amazed at how difficult it was to find beads with a copper finish in the mainstream shopping experience. I had to seek out a local specialty bead shop in order to find adequate supplies.
And then there was the donut...I am not going to lie, for me this was difficult to use.
I was able to use the focal by utilizing lots of other fun materials from Vintaj. Again, I was stumped on size. After lots and lots of consult with my artsy friends, I embraced my giant modified focal and added a simple chain. The necklace is quite long as I used 36 inches of chain.
And here, a nice close up of my focal. I really love the look of the patina on the bird. This little detail also actually ties the two pieces together quite well.
Here you can see how nice they look together. Surprisingly, they coordinate very well.
I still have some left over soup to continue to challenge me. I really love those cream colored carved beads, but everything I tried to make with did not work due to the size issue. I do not give up easily. I am confident my extra beads will end up in a project soon. There is a special place I am going to use Cory's handmade bail, so stay tuned to see the completion of a really cool mermaid project soon.
Thanks as always for stopping by! I hope you will use the links provided above to visit other blogs on the hop!
Cheers,
Rhea
Wow, that is something amazing! I was also stumped with a donut in my bead soup, your idea is so totally amazing!
ReplyDeletePS: Would be awesome if you would turn off the word verification
I love the look of your pieces together! :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and inventive pieces! Very nicely done. :)
ReplyDeleteThose colors are meant to be together. Once upon a time I couldn't stand copper. Now, it's the only thing I want to use -- and I like how you've incorporated your donut into such a unique focal. I like the last photo with them both together - you could totally wear them that way.
ReplyDeletewonderful color palette
ReplyDeleteI'm a partecipant from Italy, I'm trying to visit you all, this experience was great :)
ciao ciao
The pearl necklace is sooooo elegant and I love the way you incorporated that clasp. So cool!
ReplyDeleteA great idea with the donut! I love your colour choices too. Gorgeous! :) x
ReplyDeleteAwesome Rhea, just awesome! Can't wait to see the rest of what you do with the beads and bail.
ReplyDeleteI love the colors, very warm
ReplyDeleteLovely pieces. They work so well together.
ReplyDeletelove the layered look, great work
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job using the donut in a very creative way.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness - love this. Rustic beauty.
ReplyDeleteYou never would have known you had a moment's trouble with your soup, because it's amazing! I'm so glad you got to experience a new metal (and I work in primarily silver, too) and the donut is amazing!
ReplyDeleteWow! Those work so well together, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThat's the thing about challenges like this, they really push us to our creative limits. While you worked with materials, metals, and sizes that are unfamiliar to you; you came out with two really fabulous pieces. The first is really elegant and classic, but the second is my favorite. I LOVE your take on working with the donut. The addition of the filigree and little bird is inspiring. You did a wonderful job and really conquered the challenge!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy looking at your creations!!!! everything’s just perfect: colors, designs, scale....WELL DONE!!!! Congratulation!!!
ReplyDeleteThe color combination is just perfect. I really liked the patina bird on the big focal.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous, Rhea!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful piece, especially since it was so far from what you normally use. You did that donut focal justice. It looks amazing with the patina bird.
ReplyDeleteThat's surely something for the wow-effect on a cool party evening! Simple and gorgeous - what a wonderful combination, the two necklaces together!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful! Love both pieces and love the colors!
ReplyDeleteYour pieces are stunning,I love copper and pearls so this is a win win for me!
ReplyDeleteBoth necklaces are great and they coordinate beautifully. The focal you created with the stone donut is fantastic. And your clasp stands out well with the turquoise and copper beads.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work ..I could not pick a favorite I love them all.
ReplyDeleteThat first necklace is incredible. You can't beat teal and copper.
ReplyDeleteLove what you did. Looking forward to more.
ReplyDeleteThe first necklace is really pretty, but oh my! how you have used the focal is absolutely stunning! I love it!
ReplyDeleteThis experience does challenge us to think outside the box, and I would say you did a fantastic job with that! Both pieces are so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!!! You found an amazing solution to the donut problem.
ReplyDeleteClassic simplicity with your designs. Really well done.
ReplyDeleteOh, that bird focal is just stunning! Love the interplay of textures!
ReplyDeleteOh, that bird focal is just stunning! Love the interplay of textures!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty I love that you added the bead very earthy - I love earthy jewelry. Great Job! work of art for sure. Have a great Sunday
ReplyDeleteI meant i love that you added the bird to the donut.
ReplyDeleteReally loving everything you made. The colors are gorgeous and I would never have thought to work the donut the way you did, love that!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great treatment for your focal. I love it!
ReplyDeleteRhea - you did a fantastic job with your soup! I love the way you took that donut focal and made it your own with the filigree and the bird. And the pearl/copper necklace is just sublime - simple, yet stunning and classy. Well done!
ReplyDeleteOh My Gosh! I love how you styled the focal, it's fabulous and works perfectly with the first necklace. You did a great job with your soup ingredients!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Lori D.
The transformation of that donut is nothing short of amazing. Great job!!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, gorgeous work Rhea...and I LOVE that your two necklaces can be worn together.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work, I like the vintage look:)
ReplyDeleteGreetings sabrina
You did a great work transforming that donut. Adding the filigree and the bird was a great idea, I admire this kind of creativity. It implies great confindence in your skills. Love it.
ReplyDeleteAmbra
Big focals on simple chain are really "in" right now. You did a great job with yours and I love that the other necklace lets the clasp be featured as an option.
ReplyDeleteAdore that turquoise with the brass - and the bird is so sweet!! The color is perfect for tying the two together! Love the two together!!
ReplyDeleteLove both of these necklaces - they do look great together!
ReplyDeleteLove the color combo - you should use more copper and brass and vintage because you really did it well!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pieces ..I really like them layered together!
ReplyDeleteOh what you did to that gemstone donut!!! It is gorgeous! And I love the first necklace, with the beautiful toggle worn to the side! I, too, am partial to silver, but I am finding copper lends to so many design opportunities. You did a beautiful job!
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! I LOVE what you did with your beadsoup. The colors work great together. I work only with silver, but seeing your designs make me wanna step to the other side for once :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful necklace. I love how you surrounded the donut focal bead with your own design. Love the bird.
ReplyDeleteYou really rocked this one! What you did with the donut focal is awesome!!
ReplyDeleteLove what you did with that focal! I avoid donut pendants as much as I can - I never know what to do with them. Adding those Vintaj filigree components was a genius touch!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous color choices. Copper and turquoise are from the same place and the pieces feel very Southwestern without being gimicky or trite. Really beautiful.
ReplyDeleteCopper and teal are beautiful together. I love what you made. That was very creative to sandwich the focal in the vintaj filigree. Beautiful and you are right. The patina on the bird really ties it all together. You did a great job! You should be proud.
ReplyDeleteI really like the 2nd necklace. did you distress the bird or did you get it like that? in any case, it works perfectly with the donut!
ReplyDeleteYou used one of my favourite colour combinations: teal and copper. Very interesting idea of using the doughnut as a base for the filigree - and the bird is just perfect! Wonderful work - I like how they wore easily together.
ReplyDeleteI love both of your pieces, but the donut focal is my favorite. I love how you can wear both of them together.
ReplyDeleteSonya
I am not fond of donuts either, and the way you handled it was brilliant! Love how you turned things around, you truly embraced the spirit of the Bead Soup challenge and really went the extra mile. Great results!
ReplyDeleteI can't really see the bail in the picture of the soup. Wondering what challenge that is offering.
Hey, the struggle was really worth it! I love your donut solution!
ReplyDelete