Friday, August 10, 2012

6th Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal #2!

Tada!  August 11 snuck up on me a lot quicker than I thought had.  When I decided to join the Bead Soup Blog Party hosted by Lori Anderson back in May, I was both excited and a bit nervous.  For those of you not familiar with Bead Soup Blog Party, it is a blog party where you sign up and you get randomly matched with a partner somewhere in the world.  You exchange a focal piece, a clasp, and beads or other components with your partner and assigned a reveal date to showcase what you made with your ingredients you received.  It kind of mirrors the concept of one of my favorite shows "Chopped" where you don't know what's going to be in your basket and you have to create a great dish.  The 6th Bead Soup Blog Party had 400 participants from 45 US States and 25 countries!
I'm one of the two dots in Hawaii!!

This is what Melissa sent me :)
I was matched with Melissa Muir who is a talented metalsmith teacher/jewelry artist and she sent me a beautiful soup with the color theme of turquoise, black and gold! The focal pendant is a gorgeous black druzy encased in textured and pierced brass.  I couldn't be happier when I opened my package from her. You can read more about Melissa in my earlier post here.  One of the highlights of this blog party was getting to know Melissa better.  I've been following her blog Kelsi's Closet Jewelbox Design Journal for sometime now and am a huge fan of her Tool Time Tuesday!

I haven't work much with brass or gold so the gold color theme definitely stumped me a bit.  I spent many nights going to bed with design possibilities going through my head.  The more I worked with it the more I loved the look of brass especially with black and turquoise combination.  I really wanted to showcase the stunning focal pendant Melissa made so I made a hammered curved brass bar to hang the pendant on. Then I wire wrapped the different beads and used a waxed black cord with couple of turquoise dangles as an accent.  The necklace is 32 inch long and I love being able to see the beautiful focal pendant with shiny druzy encased inside.


Next I decided to make a chainmaille bracelet using brass and black Artistic Wire jump rings.  This is a Byzantine weave which is one of my favorite.  I wire wrapped the black and turquoise beads in between the weaves to incorporate the color theme and they helped pop the brass and black colors.  I used the clasp Melissa sent me and I love how it perfectly complimented the weave.  I had to be careful working with the black jump rings as it marred easily.  Some of the rings were hard to get the perfect closure but if I didn't put my reading glasses on they looked great!  hehe
 
I wanted to come up with a simple design for the earrings.  I coiled the brass wire at the end to match the black swirl beads and added the turquoise.  They complimented the necklace well :)  I didn't have a chance to work with the copper blanks for this reveal but I will sure be using them for future projects!


Here are all three pieces together!  I'm stumped why I never worked with brass before when it's this beautiful.  The color combination of turquoise, black and gold will definitely be a winning combo in future designs :)  Can't wait to wear this ensemble with a black dress! 


This has been such an incredible experience!  I met so many wonderful people and never been so inspired visiting all the blogs.  The Facebook Group Bead Soup Cafe has been a great community of like minded talented artists and I feel like I have so many new friends.  Working with materials you normally don't work with really opened my eyes and forced me to think outside the box.  Mahalo Nui Loa to the Bead Soup Blog Party Host Lori Anderson for making this all possible and to my wonderful Bead Soup Partner Melissa Muir for sending such incredible ingredients!  Grab your favorite beverage and hop over to all the wonderful participants from Reveal #2!  Mahalo for visiting!!  A Hui Ho ('till we meet again)!

 Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
Adlinah Kamsir, Dream Struck Designs
Adrienn Lukacs, Raszputyin Designs
Agata Grygiel, Cytherea Bijoux 
Alenka Obid, Pepita Handmade 
Amy Dickerson, Damyjo Designs 
Amy Freeland, Copper Diem 
Amy Schmidt, Amy's Treasure 
Amy Severino, Amy Beads 
Andrea Trank, Heaven Lane Creations
Anke Humpert, Anart Island Studios
Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye
April Grinaway, Brooklyn Bead Goddess 
Ashley Bunting, Miss Ashely Kate 
Astrid Boyce, Astrid Boyce Beads 
B.R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem Studios 
Barbe Saint John, Saints and Sinners
Beata Benkone Meggyesi, Beahobbi
Brandy McNair, Bella Vita Handmade Jewelry 
Brenda Sigafoos, Sunshine's Creations 
 Bryna Lumb, Bryna's Bead Box
Carmen Lau, Little Maketto
Carrie Tahquechi, Carrie T
Cate van Alphen, Fulgorine
Cathie Carroll, Cathie Carroll's Studio
Cathy Khoury, Touch Jewelry 
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads 
 Collette Collins, Fire Fly Myst Artisan Jewelry
Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul 
Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons
Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures
Deana Hager, Just Deez'Art & Life
Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing
Dhea Powers, Java Bead
Diana Welte, Lilyweeds
Dita Basu, alankarshilpa
Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas 
Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals
Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs
Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant
Eva Sherman, Eva Sherman Designs
Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead and Metal Works
Francy Inman, Francy's Studio
Ginger Bishop, lilmummy likes...
Giorgia Rossini, Jo in Wonderland
Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World
Ine Vande Cappelle, Jewels by Ine 
Iveth Caruso, Creative Atelier 
JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
Jackie Ryan, Kydo Jewellery
Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog
Jelveh Jaferian, Jelveh Designs
Jenna Tomalka, Twin Birch Studio
Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Beads
Jennifer Van Horn, Jennifers Jewels and Junk
Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
Johanna Rhodes-Nash, Fire Phoenix Creations 
 Joyce Blair, Bent Wire West Coast
JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin
Karen Vincent, Swallow Tail Jewellery
Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads
Kayla Potega, The Eclectic Element 
Kim Dworak, CianciBlue
Kris Lanae Binsfeld, Cherish Designs by Kris Lanae
Kristen Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs
Kumi Fisher, Malie Kai Designs <---You are here :)
Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs
Lennis Carrier, Windbent
Leslie Wayment, AA Beads & More
Linda Murphy, Bonita Bead
Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders
Lisa Sittniewski, Love, Yesterdays
Lois Moon, Que Onda, Q'Town?
Lola Surwillo, Bead Lola Bead
Lorelei Eurto, Lorelei's Blog
Lori Bowring Michaud, Artfully Ornamental
Lori Finney, Using My Beads
Margareta Saari, Mags-koruja
Maria Horvath, Horimarika Beads
Marian Hertzog, M's Place
 Mary Ellen Parker, BeeTree by m.e.
Mary K McGraw, MK's Creative Musings
MaryLou Holvenstot, time2cre8 
Martha Aleo, Ornamento
 Maybeline Tay, The Jewelry Larder
Megan Collins, Churchy & Her Sailor
Melissa Meman, Art. Life. Love.
Melissa Mesara, One-Eared Pig Beads
Melissa Muir, Kelsi's Closet Jewelbox<--- My Partner in Crime!
Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs
Pam Farren, re-maker
Pam Hurst, Pam Hurst Designs
Patricia Handschuh, The Color of Dreams
Patty Miller, CabariBeads
Penney Klapoth, Faerie Acres
Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings
Rhea Freitag, starrgazer creates
Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle
Sabine Dittrich, PerlenDschungel
Sandra McGriff, Creative Chaos
Sandra Neights, Petalo Azul
Sandra Young, It's a Bead Life!
Sara Oehler, SoftFlex Girl
Saturday Sequins, Saturday Sequins
Shanti Johnson, Sunshine Bliss
Shari Replogle, Plays With Paper
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stefanie Teufel, Stefanies Sammelsurium
Tammie Everly, TTE Designs
Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs
Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures
Tina Holden, Polymer Clay Bytes!
Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends 
Tracey Nanstad, A Beadiful Mess
Tracy Choy, BumbleBeads Designs
Valerie Norton, Hot Art
 

78 comments:

  1. Gold is bold! I like these so much, especially the chainmaille bracelet!

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  2. I'm in love with the bracelet you made - although I have to say your necklace is beautiful too, and the earrings are something I would totally wear. I have complete respect for those of you with the patience and precision to do chainmaille. I tried Byzantine weave once but gave up after 15 mins :-). Wonderful job all around on your bead soup!

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  3. This has to be the prettiest set I have seen in a while. LOVE the bracelet, exquisite!

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  4. Stunning focal and I love those rich colours in the beads

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  5. You did it with style. I don't like gold (and I got gold beads from my partner too...), but I think even gold can look good when idea comes :)
    Incredible ;)

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  6. Great idea to suspend the focal from the bar you made. I also like the leather at the back.. is that adjustable? And I am totally impressed by your byzantine weave. I have not used brass/gold colour combination for a while but your pretty combination of colours is making me think it might be time to try again! And what a stunning focal!
    Jenni

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  7. Awesome !!!
    Especially love how your necklace shows off the great focal pendant !
    Delicious Soup !
    m.e. :)

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  8. Beautiful work. I love the way you treated the focal bead. The bracelet is awesome.

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  9. wohhh!!! beautiful!!! I love what you did with yout soup and I can imagine you are looking forward to wear everything. I would, too...;-))

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  10. Gorgeous pieces.I love the bracelet and earrings too but that necklace is just something! The way you made the pendant show it's beauty is just amazing.

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  11. Oh my this is just a gorgeous set, so very wearable I love the focal bead a lovely design!
    Jackie

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  12. Great designs. I love the bar you made to hang the pendant from. It really makes the beautiful pendant stand out.

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  13. I don't usually admire gold much, but this is a truly lovely set. You really did justice to that amazing focal.

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  14. I'm so glad it sounds like you had a good time getting to work with new-to-you materials. That's just one of the things I love about the BSBP. You worked with these 'new' materials like a champ too and created some really beautiful pieces. Like you said, I can totally see them with a black dress!!

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  15. All pieces are cool, but my fav is chainmaille bracelet.Very precise work.Congratulations!

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  16. Your designs are so rich and elegant! I love your attention to detail ... that brass bar you created to enhance the pendant was such a beautiful addition!

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  17. Your work and designs are wonderful. I really love the bracelet and earrings. Just my style.

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  18. Love the gold tones.Very very delightful.Love and Hugs Tanya

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  19. I too love how you created a separate space for the focal by hanging it on the bar. And the rest of the necklace is just the perfect compliment to it.

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  20. What a beautiful focal for your necklace! I like that you found a new color and medium to work with through this swap...very cool! I would definitely wear those earrings!!

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  21. Love how you suspended the focal that Melissa made - what a way to improvise! I am in awe of anyone who does chainmaille - the bracelet is gorgeous and looks so fun to wear! Wonderful creations with the soup ingredients!

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  22. Oh Kumi, It turned out just beautifully. You did such a wonderful job. I have such a hard time working with gold and brass as well. But the brass just made that black druzy pop and I knew I had to do it. You have done a great job and created a super stunning set. Well done my friend. Well done!

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  23. gorgeous soup! I'm loving the Byzantine weave bracelet, the combination of gold and black links really transforms the weave

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  24. great soup and gorgeous designs!

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  25. Wow! I love the pieces that you made. The gold color with the blue and black just pops.

    The way you hung the pendant is wonderful. You are so great with design. I think I am going to work more with gold color. It is rich.

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  26. You did a lovely job with the gold and that pendant is amazing! you should be really proud!

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  27. You made a main meal out of your bead soup!! absolutely love what you did the with the pendant!

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  28. Oh goodness gracious, that soup you received...incredible! Especially that pendant O.O I think I drooled a wee bit. LOL

    Everything you created is just stunning! I must say though, I think my favorite is the necklace ^.^ You can tell you put in a lot of hard work into ALL your pieces though.

    Happy Hopping!

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  29. I really love the design of that necklace. The focal is to die for!

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  30. I haven't worked with brass a lot either, but I think you've inspired me! Really beautifully done pieces.

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  31. A great set. I hope you're a brass convert now.

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  32. What a fantastic set you designed. That focal and the necklace is to die for and everything else supports it so wonderfully.

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  33. You did such a beautiful job on your soup! I'm so thrilled to see your chainmail design. I've tried it a couple of times, and have tremendous respect for those who do it all the time. Just too much math for my poor brain. Your earrings and necklace are wonderful, I love seeing how you put it all together!

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  34. It is such a lovely, lovely set! The black rings in the byzantine set it off and pull the elements together so beautifully! Hanging the pendant as you did from the wire piece was genius and really shows it off well. I had no doubts, but you still blow me away with your creativity and talent! :)

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  35. Love it all, especially the bracelet. Great work.

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  36. Oh my goodness, that set is beautiful! For NOT working with that color much you sure pulled out a winner!!

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  37. Beautifully sophisticated set. Sounds like you'll be working with brass in the future.

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  38. Gorgeous pieces! Each and every one of them. You did a wonderful job bring this soup together.

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  39. I love your work. I am excited to check out Tool Time Tuesday. Thanks for sharing.

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  40. Gorgeous job with your soup! Your design works so well with the focal. Love that... Beautiful work!
    Kris

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  41. Ok, I'm normally a silver girl. But you got me as at least a partial convert with these pieces. I love the art nouveau soft curves feel they have. Beautiful work

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  42. This is a very nice set!! the earrings are very classy and I love gold! You did a great job!

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  43. Just to die for, love everything you made with the soup.

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  44. fantastic. love the chain maille and wirework accents. beautiful work! ~diana

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  45. what a lovely cohesive set you've created, nice job!

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  46. That focal is gorgeous and you did such a great job with everything. Love the chain maille bracelet. Great job!

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  47. Beautiful pieces! I absolutely love your necklace, that focal piece is a stunner!

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  48. Love, love the colors. Beautiful workmanship. You have me thinking about brass...

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  49. Just beautiful Kumi~ I think you ROCKED that soup. I would totally wear any of those pieces!

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  50. Love the wire wrapping on your last piece and the chain maile bracelet is lovely!! I havent been brave enough to add beads to my chain maile.. Thanks for sharing and for visiting my blog!!

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  51. Hi Kumi,
    OMG! I love your set it is gorgeous! You knock it out of the park with your designs! Fantastic job!
    Therese

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  52. I haven't worked much with brass either, but your beautiful creations make me want to start, great job!!!

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  53. So beautiful! Very classy and unique!

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  54. Beautiful bead soup! The bracelet is gorgeous! Chainmaille is on my list of things I want to try :)

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  55. Your pieces are beautiful! That focal is incredible...you did such a nice job highlighting it. Brass has never been one of my favorite but you have me looking at it in a whole new light!

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  56. Great job on all 3 of your pieces. The way your showcased the focal is absolutely Awesome.

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  57. Lovely colours in your soup. Nice to see some gold tones in the hop. Love the chainmaille bracelet!

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  58. I'm not a big gold fan, Kumi, but this definitely caught my eye. Nicely done!

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  59. Kumi, These are wonderful! I love what you did with pendant hanging from the brass. I like the earrings a lot too! Your very talented! Laura

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  60. I love the bracelet!
    perfect for my style!
    ciao dall'Italia

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  61. So simple and elegant! I love your pieces. Yummy soup.

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  62. I like how you showcased the gorgeous focal you were sent.

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  63. You did a beautiful job and the pieces work so well together!

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  64. Lovely pieces!, I really like the ear wires that you made and the color combinations.

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  65. I love the set you created with your bead soup!So pretty! Would love to wear it!

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  66. I love all three creations! It's fun to step outside your comfort zone, isn't it?!?

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  67. you are right! the black, turquoise and brass do make a nice combination and your work is fabulous!

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  68. Very beautiful designs. I love all of them.

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  69. Your work is stunning. Absolutely gorgeous soup!

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  70. I LOVE all the fantastic designs you did with your amazing soup mix! Thanks too for visiting my blog earlier and I hope you're having a great time at the blog party! *Ü*

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  71. what a cohesive design resonating all three pieces...!!! i especially like the bracelet but i think the colours combination work well in showcasing all three

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  72. Thank you for your comment for the BSBP. Please visit me http://savonfeutre.blogspot.fr/2012/09/thanks-for-your-comments.html

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