What is a Bead Soup Blog Party?
Each beader was paired up with another jewelry designer and tasked with sending the following:
~ A focal
~ A special clasp (not just a lobster claw)
~Some coordinating spacers or beads
Using the focal and the clasp was mandatory, but we could use anything from our own stash to round out the rest, and choose to use the coordinating beads or not.
Here’s what I received from my partner Rebecca Anderson from England!
My dilemma was pulling together a necklace out of all the different things I received. This was a challenge for me because I usually start with a strong focal that has coordinating beads to support it.
I spent a few days looking at the stash I was sent. I tried matching up components, trying to make a complete necklace from my stash.
Then I started trying to place different beads of mine next to some of the things I was sent.
The 2 flowers were buttons made out of wood and were too light for my beads and they didn’t look good together either because they were different styles.
The turquoise flower is a beaded flower and too light to mix with lampwork beads.
So I asked my son to help me and he started to sort all the little beads in my stash. And for some reason, once everything was sorted, I felt relieved.
Then he told me to put aside all the things I didn’t like. Once I did that I was left with a small pile of beads that I was excited about and my creative juices started to churn.
And here is what I created!
I’m really pleased how easily it came together once I organized what I had received.
I can shorten the necklace and give it a completely different look.
I think I did quite well using components I received. I used the stone leaf as a dangle that matched the 2 butterflies. These were my favorite things I got.
Also from my stash were small beads that matched the butterflies and I used those throughout the necklace. My floral glass lampwork beads were a perfect companion to the butterflies and leaf theme. Other things I used from my bead soup stash were ribbons, swarovski crystals & copper rings.
I think the necklace pulled together beautifully!
Things I Learned that might help you …
1. I was overwhelm with all the different components and colors. By organizing the stash, I was able to deal with the chaos.
2. By picking out my favorite things, my creative energy immediately began to flow.
3. By staying true to what I loved, I realized that I didn’t have to feel guilty because I wasn’t using the whole stash.
What would you have done with the bead stash? Comment below!
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51. Lori Dorrington, Lori’s Glassworks
Very nice! Love the spring colors!
Very nice! Love the spring colors!
What a tremendous amount of participants and beautiful work. Congratulations!
Carol Trickett
http://www.trickettglass.ca/customstainedglass.html
What a tremendous amount of participants and beautiful work. Congratulations!
Carol Trickett
http://www.trickettglass.ca/customstainedglass.html
Lovely, colourful necklace!
Yes, having a mix of materials and colours in front of one can almost be overwhelming. Like trying to unravel tangled yarn, but once it’s all sorted it’s so much easier to find one point to focus on and then go from there.
Lovely, colourful necklace!
Yes, having a mix of materials and colours in front of one can almost be overwhelming. Like trying to unravel tangled yarn, but once it’s all sorted it’s so much easier to find one point to focus on and then go from there.
Wow, thats a spectacular necklace, love it. Your lampwork flowers are amazing!
Wow, thats a spectacular necklace, love it. Your lampwork flowers are amazing!
Hi Patsy, Thanks for your comment on my blog — I LOVE your work! I am a huge fan of lampwork glass and yours are gorgeous. I agree with you about seeking order out of chaos — necessary but sometimes difficult. And creativity is much easier when there is order (hint to self — get organized!)
Emanda
Hi Patsy, Thanks for your comment on my blog — I LOVE your work! I am a huge fan of lampwork glass and yours are gorgeous. I agree with you about seeking order out of chaos — necessary but sometimes difficult. And creativity is much easier when there is order (hint to self — get organized!)
Emanda
What a super fun necklace! Great job!
What a super fun necklace! Great job!
Oh dear Patsy, I’m sorry I sent you so much stuff you didn’t like! I guess I pushed you too far out of your box…..!! I’m glad you salvaged something from the selection anyway. Your beads here are stunning as always!
Rebecca, I hope I didn’t hurt your feelings. I know you sent me your very best beads and I did like them. It’s just I didn’t feel comfortable pulling that many styles of beads together in one necklace. Since I only had time to create one necklace I picked out the things that I loved the most. Thanks for your gracious compliments and sending such a bountiful collection of beads!
Oh phew! Don’t worry, I wasn’t offended – just worried I’d gone too off course with my beads! I’m hope you will be able to use the beads in later pieces :-) I wouldn’t have expected you to have put them all together! They were an absolute mixed bag and I hope they provide lots of inspiration for the future.
Oh dear Patsy, I’m sorry I sent you so much stuff you didn’t like! I guess I pushed you too far out of your box…..!! I’m glad you salvaged something from the selection anyway. Your beads here are stunning as always!
Rebecca, I hope I didn’t hurt your feelings. I know you sent me your very best beads and I did like them. It’s just I didn’t feel comfortable pulling that many styles of beads together in one necklace. Since I only had time to create one necklace I picked out the things that I loved the most. Thanks for your gracious compliments and sending such a bountiful collection of beads!
Oh phew! Don’t worry, I wasn’t offended – just worried I’d gone too off course with my beads! I’m hope you will be able to use the beads in later pieces :-) I wouldn’t have expected you to have put them all together! They were an absolute mixed bag and I hope they provide lots of inspiration for the future.
Really beautiful, you did a lovely job!
Really beautiful, you did a lovely job!
I also was blessed with a lot of different components. I started to try to use everything, that did not work for me. I had to work through it similar to you. I love what you came up with it is very complete. It reminds me of a scarf look instead of just a necklace. Very nice.
I also was blessed with a lot of different components. I started to try to use everything, that did not work for me. I had to work through it similar to you. I love what you came up with it is very complete. It reminds me of a scarf look instead of just a necklace. Very nice.
This necklace is so eye-catching both because of the bright colors (which you blended together very nicely) and because of its multistrand design. Thanks also for sharing your process with us!
This necklace is so eye-catching both because of the bright colors (which you blended together very nicely) and because of its multistrand design. Thanks also for sharing your process with us!
I like it! Very beautiful!
I like it! Very beautiful!
Very nice design Patsy. I really liked the way you blended different elements in the necklace.
How sweet that your son helped you in choosing the beads. My 8 yr old son too loves to design jewelry with me.
Very nice design Patsy. I really liked the way you blended different elements in the necklace.
How sweet that your son helped you in choosing the beads. My 8 yr old son too loves to design jewelry with me.
#209 here…WOW beautiful…I would have never come up with that you did a great job….
#209 here…WOW beautiful…I would have never come up with that you did a great job….
what an absolutely stunning piece, I love the help and inspiration you got from your son. This is such a fun piece and can be worn with so many different outfits. Gorgeous job!
Dee, my son is a silversmith and used to make a lot of my jewelry. If you look at my “What’s Up” on my website, I have jewelry that we collaborated on for competitions, magazines & books. Now he is a Physics graduate looking for a job! But he’s still a great help getting a totally right side of the brain artist (me) focused ! He evidently uses both sides of his brain. I am a lucky mom!
what an absolutely stunning piece, I love the help and inspiration you got from your son. This is such a fun piece and can be worn with so many different outfits. Gorgeous job!
Dee, my son is a silversmith and used to make a lot of my jewelry. If you look at my “What’s Up” on my website, I have jewelry that we collaborated on for competitions, magazines & books. Now he is a Physics graduate looking for a job! But he’s still a great help getting a totally right side of the brain artist (me) focused ! He evidently uses both sides of his brain. I am a lucky mom!
WOW! stunning pieces
WOW! stunning pieces
You really pulled all the pieces together nicely.
You really pulled all the pieces together nicely.
A very Patsy necklace! I love your work, having seen it in person, and your son is an awesome young man (I met him at Bead and Button, too, about four years ago). My middle step-son is a Physics PhD from Yale and he just got a job near us — we’re really relieved about that.
I hope to see you at Bead and Button this year (yes?).
A very Patsy necklace! I love your work, having seen it in person, and your son is an awesome young man (I met him at Bead and Button, too, about four years ago). My middle step-son is a Physics PhD from Yale and he just got a job near us — we’re really relieved about that.
I hope to see you at Bead and Button this year (yes?).
I love what you have made.
I love what you have made.
What a lovely necklace. I too find too many options can confuse my creativity, on the other hand too few can limit your creativity also. It’s so nice to have a son who will participate in your passions. And he did a fabulous job based on the outcome.
What a lovely necklace. I too find too many options can confuse my creativity, on the other hand too few can limit your creativity also. It’s so nice to have a son who will participate in your passions. And he did a fabulous job based on the outcome.
I think your captcha code is a impossible but I love your necklace.
I think your captcha code is a impossible but I love your necklace.
Wow you did do a good job of combining all your soup mix. Very pretty.
Wow you did do a good job of combining all your soup mix. Very pretty.
I love the way you use the ribbons here, a charming and colourful piece!
I love the way you use the ribbons here, a charming and colourful piece!
What a fun and unusual piece! I love the bright colors and exciting design! Great job! ;)
What a fun and unusual piece! I love the bright colors and exciting design! Great job! ;)
Wild! Makes me grin.
Wild! Makes me grin.
Wow, I really love this one. I think you did an amazing job with al those versatile components. The result is stunning
Wow, I really love this one. I think you did an amazing job with al those versatile components. The result is stunning
I like how you decided to organize everything that is generally how I lik to work! You created a great work there and should be very happy with it!
I like how you decided to organize everything that is generally how I lik to work! You created a great work there and should be very happy with it!
You did a lovely job working with the soup stash. While it seems you were challenged and overwhelmed, your talent really shone through in the end!
You did a lovely job working with the soup stash. While it seems you were challenged and overwhelmed, your talent really shone through in the end!
I LOVE what you said about what you learned at the end. It’s great to be faced with a challenge, and to really learn something from it, that’s what it’s all about. Thanks for sharing your creation!
I LOVE what you said about what you learned at the end. It’s great to be faced with a challenge, and to really learn something from it, that’s what it’s all about. Thanks for sharing your creation!
such a bright, happy necklace :)
such a bright, happy necklace :)
cool necklace.
cool necklace.
Wow! What a fun piece! Lots of energy and bright colors. Nice!
Wow! What a fun piece! Lots of energy and bright colors. Nice!
Beautiful piece – looks like Spring!
Beautiful piece – looks like Spring!
Your necklace is gorgeous! I didn’t use all the beads sent to me either. I chose the ones that I thought looked best together and then pulled the rest from my stash. Your necklace came together beautifully and I love how you used the ribbon as its own layer. Beautiful!
Your necklace is gorgeous! I didn’t use all the beads sent to me either. I chose the ones that I thought looked best together and then pulled the rest from my stash. Your necklace came together beautifully and I love how you used the ribbon as its own layer. Beautiful!
Love Love Love the way you laid out all the color and used the ribbon to tie it all together! Fabulous job!!!
Love Love Love the way you laid out all the color and used the ribbon to tie it all together! Fabulous job!!!
I really love what you did with your bead soup
I really love what you did with your bead soup
Adjustable…that is brilliant! Beautiful colors!! you did a Soup-er job!!!
Adjustable…that is brilliant! Beautiful colors!! you did a Soup-er job!!!
Oh my goodness! So bold and colorful! I think this would be suited to the pretty little bird girl from “The Magic Flute” or something like that, it’s so whimsical and colorful! Exotic like a botanical garden all in bloom. :D I love it!!! Glorious work!
Oh my goodness! So bold and colorful! I think this would be suited to the pretty little bird girl from “The Magic Flute” or something like that, it’s so whimsical and colorful! Exotic like a botanical garden all in bloom. :D I love it!!! Glorious work!
I love the colours in your piece. And just back from your etsy shop and your work is amazing, I really appreciate all your encased work as I love nothing more than a gorgeous encase floral bead ^_^ Virginie ViviBijoux.com
I love the colours in your piece. And just back from your etsy shop and your work is amazing, I really appreciate all your encased work as I love nothing more than a gorgeous encase floral bead ^_^ Virginie ViviBijoux.com
Fun and Funky! Colorful! Great job.
Fun and Funky! Colorful! Great job.
I love this piece. The colors are amazing and you did a great job! Luv!
I love this piece. The colors are amazing and you did a great job! Luv!
This necklace was such an unexpected surprise. The colors just leap off the page. It is such a vibrant and cheerful mix of colors. Really, really stunning!
This necklace was such an unexpected surprise. The colors just leap off the page. It is such a vibrant and cheerful mix of colors. Really, really stunning!
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you receive a stash of beads that you are not familiar working with. I think you took good care of your Muse and did an excellent job of selecting just the right mix for you. Very pretty design.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you receive a stash of beads that you are not familiar working with. I think you took good care of your Muse and did an excellent job of selecting just the right mix for you. Very pretty design.
Awww wow these are absolutely Beautiful!!!
What colour and pizazz!! I love what you
did with the ribbon too….very Creative.
Youve done a Splendid job I think..such a WOW!
Awww wow these are absolutely Beautiful!!!
What colour and pizazz!! I love what you
did with the ribbon too….very Creative.
Youve done a Splendid job I think..such a WOW!
How fun! I love it.
How fun! I love it.
LOVE the colors and layers. Your work is gorgeous and I love the fibers you incorporated as well. Lovely. Sorry about the late comment, I am still trying to see everyone’s soup today :)
LOVE the colors and layers. Your work is gorgeous and I love the fibers you incorporated as well. Lovely. Sorry about the late comment, I am still trying to see everyone’s soup today :)
Hi Patsy, I didn’t realize you were participating in the Bead Soup Party!! Your piece came out beautifully!
Jeanette
“Glass Art Calendar
Hi Patsy, I didn’t realize you were participating in the Bead Soup Party!! Your piece came out beautifully!
Jeanette
“Glass Art Calendar
Wow Patsy – bet you had lots of fun wading thru all those beads to come up with your gorgeous creation.
I think I prefer the shorter length :) either way, i think it looks fabulous!
Wow Patsy – bet you had lots of fun wading thru all those beads to come up with your gorgeous creation.
I think I prefer the shorter length :) either way, i think it looks fabulous!
I love the story you have there! It turned out great! Very pretty and unique!
I love the story you have there! It turned out great! Very pretty and unique!
Really love your necklaces, and your beadies – WOW!
Really love your necklaces, and your beadies – WOW!
Fabulous BEAD SOUP Friend!!! I love what you designed with all your components… Beautiful work!Thanks for sharing your creativity!!
Smiles,
Susie
Fabulous BEAD SOUP Friend!!! I love what you designed with all your components… Beautiful work!Thanks for sharing your creativity!!
Smiles,
Susie
Patsy, your necklace is really nice and I especially like how you combined the various layers, with different options to wear it. You’re right, it is a totally different look to wear it longer with the chain shwoing in the back, or shorter. As you may have noticed in my blog post, I received a huge variety of beads as well but knew from the beginning that I was never going to use them all in one piece. I think our partners were just being generous giving us several different options for a starting point. :-)
Patsy, your necklace is really nice and I especially like how you combined the various layers, with different options to wear it. You’re right, it is a totally different look to wear it longer with the chain shwoing in the back, or shorter. As you may have noticed in my blog post, I received a huge variety of beads as well but knew from the beginning that I was never going to use them all in one piece. I think our partners were just being generous giving us several different options for a starting point. :-)
I love the versatility of the different lengths! And the colors make me feel like I’m at a carnival–stunning work!
I love the versatility of the different lengths! And the colors make me feel like I’m at a carnival–stunning work!
Love how you put it all together! I would have found it challenging as well :)
Love how you put it all together! I would have found it challenging as well :)
OMG Patsy! This is SO beautiful!
You really did get a soup full of all sorts of colorful fun things!
I love how you made a multi-stranded necklace. I love the different components, silk and of course YOUR BEAUTIFUL BEADS in your design! It’s so creative, colorful and happy!
Amazing work, my friend!
OMG Patsy! This is SO beautiful!
You really did get a soup full of all sorts of colorful fun things!
I love how you made a multi-stranded necklace. I love the different components, silk and of course YOUR BEAUTIFUL BEADS in your design! It’s so creative, colorful and happy!
Amazing work, my friend!
I guess this is what the party is all about – stretching ourselves as designers, putting it all together, and completing the project. Nice soup! & nice necklace!
I guess this is what the party is all about – stretching ourselves as designers, putting it all together, and completing the project. Nice soup! & nice necklace!
This necklace looks really fun! I’m glad you had a bit of a challenge, cos that’s what the party’s all about
This necklace looks really fun! I’m glad you had a bit of a challenge, cos that’s what the party’s all about
Lovely! The colors are just beautiful in your necklace. Love the length as well. Great bead soup!
Lovely! The colors are just beautiful in your necklace. Love the length as well. Great bead soup!
Look at those gorgeous happy colors! I can’t believe that you got so much into your necklace without it looking crowded at all. Fabulous job!!
Look at those gorgeous happy colors! I can’t believe that you got so much into your necklace without it looking crowded at all. Fabulous job!!
Makes me think of Mardi Gras with the colors and the ribbon.
Makes me think of Mardi Gras with the colors and the ribbon.
What a stash you received, your bead soup partner was very generous. But I can see how you can be overwhelmed with such a variety. Love what you have created with your favorites, that is quite a necklace. Unique and eye-catching, I love it.
What a stash you received, your bead soup partner was very generous. But I can see how you can be overwhelmed with such a variety. Love what you have created with your favorites, that is quite a necklace. Unique and eye-catching, I love it.
boy, you got quite the stash there, and I loved what you did with it…so unique, and I love unique.
boy, you got quite the stash there, and I loved what you did with it…so unique, and I love unique.
What a great piece… so bright and happy! I love the addition of the ribbon. Well done!
Karyn
Australia
What a great piece… so bright and happy! I love the addition of the ribbon. Well done!
Karyn
Australia
I am looooooving the fun, festive, bright and energetic feeling of your piece! It’s just perfect! I’m going to spend some quality time looking at more of your beads…they look yummy!!
Jen
I am looooooving the fun, festive, bright and energetic feeling of your piece! It’s just perfect! I’m going to spend some quality time looking at more of your beads…they look yummy!!
Jen
Wow the colors in that necklace just POP! When you showed the shortened length I fell in love with the piece. Gorgeous!
Wow the colors in that necklace just POP! When you showed the shortened length I fell in love with the piece. Gorgeous!
What a very fun and festive piece! Love the layers and that you can change the length depending on your mood! :)
What a very fun and festive piece! Love the layers and that you can change the length depending on your mood! :)
Great necklace!!! love all the strands. I like the way you used your soup and added some of your own beads. Very beautifuld!!
Great necklace!!! love all the strands. I like the way you used your soup and added some of your own beads. Very beautifuld!!
Yes, that was quite a challenge wasn’t it? But then, we knew that coming in and it made us grow, which is exactly why I jumped in feet first. I had never participated in Bead Soup, so this was my first…and I absolutely loved it.
I do want to keep in touch…your lampwork beads are phenomenal. I can’t believe the intricate details you ladies design into your beads~simply amazing!
I have a new appreciation for your craft.
I also teach at the Art Guild in Fayetteville, and I will be an artist in their Art Walk at the end of April. I would so love to meet you =)
Take care~
diane
xoxo
Yes, that was quite a challenge wasn’t it? But then, we knew that coming in and it made us grow, which is exactly why I jumped in feet first. I had never participated in Bead Soup, so this was my first…and I absolutely loved it.
I do want to keep in touch…your lampwork beads are phenomenal. I can’t believe the intricate details you ladies design into your beads~simply amazing!
I have a new appreciation for your craft.
I also teach at the Art Guild in Fayetteville, and I will be an artist in their Art Walk at the end of April. I would so love to meet you =)
Take care~
diane
xoxo
Beautiful design and beads. I love the energetic colors and versatility. You designed a beautiful piece! Thank you for stopping by my blog and commenting. Glad to be in this group with you.
Beautiful design and beads. I love the energetic colors and versatility. You designed a beautiful piece! Thank you for stopping by my blog and commenting. Glad to be in this group with you.
Patsty, I appreciate both the happy, colorful, COMPLEX piece you produced and your explanation of how you got to it. I know not all beads are up my alley – most aren’t, in fact – so to hear you be so honest about needing to winnow and focus to be inspired was refreshing. Nice all round.
Patsty, I appreciate both the happy, colorful, COMPLEX piece you produced and your explanation of how you got to it. I know not all beads are up my alley – most aren’t, in fact – so to hear you be so honest about needing to winnow and focus to be inspired was refreshing. Nice all round.
Stunning necklace! It really makes you think of spring which is nice on a yucky and rainy day.
Stunning necklace! It really makes you think of spring which is nice on a yucky and rainy day.
Thanks for sharing how you ended up making what you made. I think you did an amazing job and your beads are lovely.
Thanks for sharing how you ended up making what you made. I think you did an amazing job and your beads are lovely.
Patsy, I love your necklace! Especially in the shorter version. So colourful and playful. It makes me really happy. Great balance between the different qualities of materials. I would wear it to a party! Please could you provide a larger photo or of higher resolution either here or on flickr. I wish to come closer you see.
Patsy, I love your necklace! Especially in the shorter version. So colourful and playful. It makes me really happy. Great balance between the different qualities of materials. I would wear it to a party! Please could you provide a larger photo or of higher resolution either here or on flickr. I wish to come closer you see.
Forgot to say: It’s a favourite!
Forgot to say: It’s a favourite!
Beautiful design. A real eye catcher.
Beautiful design. A real eye catcher.
Beautiful! I love how you sorted through what you received and then combined your favorites with favorites from your stash to make something that was totally new and fresh.
Beautiful! I love how you sorted through what you received and then combined your favorites with favorites from your stash to make something that was totally new and fresh.