Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Bead Soup



After simmering for almost a month, the Bead Soup Party has begun! As I was a bit of a late signer-upper, I was partnered with the lovely Lori Anderson, the host of the swap. I mailed off a lovely package of mixed beads that worked together well, with a hand-forged metal pendant and clasp. In return, i received such a lovely box of beauties! This is what arrived at my doorstep a couple weeks ago.



In this box were so many little lovelies! I received lovely two tone 'artistic stone', a pendant and lovely beads of adventurine, a sterling silver clasp, and some great silver beads from Bali. I was so overwhelmed with all the pretty little rocks here! I have to admit, when buying beads for myself I am usually buying fairly cheap ones, so I was awed at the chance to work with so many special beauties!



After much deliberation and hard work, here's the final product! I had not too long ago visited a history museum with an impressively inspiring collection of ancient Peruvian relics, including a lot of gold jewelry. I picked up the middle gold piece there, knowing I'd find a use for it and it's many, many holes. I used all the different varieties of lovely beads Lori sent me and am so excited to still have leftovers of some for later use!!!

Here's some more detailed shots to finish the post off. I would highly recommend joining in on our blog party day today, and checking out what all the other bloggers have to offer! Just check out Lori's post here to see all of our many, many participants in this great swap, and what they created.

48 comments:

Pretty Things said...

WOW but you did good. That tribal bead is just amazing, and gives this piece a true museum look! You should be so proud! I hope you did like what I sent!

Rickie said...

Your necklace with the bead soup goodies is awesome!

Adrienne Jewelry Designs said...

So pretty! I love the Green Aventurine and the pendant is just awesome. The addition of the Peruvian gold piece was pure genious! Congratulations on a lovely piece of jewelry!

Lisa said...

Wow...that looks amazing. Love the gold centerpiece with the large green pendant hanging off.

Loretta said...

Very nice design, Dale. I love the gold piece you added. Just the right finish.

Anonymous said...

What a great component you added it! It coordinates really well with the focal bead Lori sent. Great work!!

Lorelei Eurto said...

I like the addition of the tribal bead. That was a nice choice! Cool necklace!

Kella said...

What a lovely stash to go with your museum find, a great marry of elements and metals.

Marcie Abney Carroll said...

Wow. Nice. Great job adding the gold pendant!

Islandgirl said...

Does have the look of something from a museum! Great job.

Lynne

Cathryn said...

I'm in awe! This is beautiful and creative! How inspiring! I'd wear this!

Juli Cannon said...

Great composition and pairing of those beads with the peruvian piece! Super lovely.

Terri said...

A fiesta for the eyes! beautifully done.

Nancy said...

That is a lovely necklace. Those would have been quite a challenge for me but your end results are fabulous!!

Maria said...

Great bead soup! I'm hungry now! Very yummy!
Maria

You are welcome to stop by for a cup of "Spring" soup on my blog.
www.mariagrimes.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I love how you add the Peruvian influence to the piece. Perfect! Very nice!

Michelle Mach said...

Very clever use of the pendant. Love the green & gold combo!

TesoriTrovati said...

Dale, that is a very special focal piece. It really does evoke a more tribal influence and is paired so well with the earthy beads that Lori sent you! Thanks for sharing this heaping serving of great soup! Be sure to stop by and taste some of mine. Enjoy the day! Erin

Nicki said...

Dale, what a nice design. So special. I am sure it looks wonderful when you wear it. So delicate.

lisa oram said...

How'd you get the green rounds to atach to the gold centerpiece? Love, love, the final product. I appreciate that you left the chain simple to allow the pendents to really take the show.

Mermaid Glass said...

So pretty. It does look like a museum piece. So ornate.

Patty said...

Wowsers! This piece is incredible! I love the green stones in particular.

Jen Judd said...

That Peruvian gold accent is just perfect with that cool green combo from Lori. I love it!

Marianna said...

wow! so exotic and beautiful!

Terri said...

you really came up with a very special necklace ... adding just the right elements. Great job.

Jo said...

The mix of the gold with aventurine is beautiful!

Julie said...

Lovely, Dale. You did a fantastic job!!

Jo Ann Gallagher said...

Dale, Very beautiful work!! So unique! Love it!!

Mary K. McGraw said...

What a distinctive piece, great work.

Maria said...

It looks so wonderfully exotic! Great work!!!

Katie said...

Ooh - what a pretty piece! I don't usually use a lot of gold, but I love how you used it and how well it goes with the green beads from Lori!

Regina said...

This is truly museum worthy! My compliments to the chef!

Dee said...

You created a wonderful Piece with your soup mix. Such an eye catching necklace, and you had wonderful pieces to work with...great job!

EmandaJ said...

What a great response! FABU Peruvian component. Sometimes yu just have to listen to the beads.

Hasn't this been fun?

Emanda
www.ArtemisiaStudio.blogspot.com

Mary Harding said...

Wonderful necklace with some really nice components. You did them proud. Love it.

melanie brooks said...

Very nice! I love the ethnic feel this necklace has! Thanks for sharing!

rosebud101 said...

OMG! This is gorgeous!

Patti said...

Gotta love that green! Creative and unique!

Anonymous said...

Amazing work! It does look like it belongs in a museum! The mix of gold and green real does give it a richness.Thank you for sharing your talent with us!

In Beads and Happiness,
Suzann Sladcik Wilson

Fredbean's Nook said...

Yummy. This piece really does have that museum look... quite beautiful :0)

Kate said...

That sure did go well with what Lori sent you, a very intriguing piece, sure to turn many heads for a second look!

Hope you are enjoying the Party!
Kate ~
Organic Odysseys #46 Bead Souper

Unknown said...

This is def an exquisite pc fit for an upscale store! Its just Lovely!!

Spirited Earth said...

that focal was so powerful i was wondering what you would make..this is perfect..lovely

Erin Siegel said...

Oh, this is wonderful! I absolutely love the Peruvian style of the necklace! I'm so inspired by other cultures and styles from around the world!

JBird's Garden said...

A timeless piece of wearable art. Lovely!

Round Rabbit said...

Love the tribal, ancient feel of this piece! Great job! :)

Anonymous said...

love what you did, i really like the trial bead, very cool!

Cindy said...

Well done! This is truly an exotic necklace... so pretty!