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 

Ana Krepel, Cat's Pajamas, Dog's Tuxedos

Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey

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 

Barb Fernald, Barbara S. Fernald Jewelry 

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 Davis, Natural Treasures by Deb

Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing

Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That

Dhea Powers, Java Bead

Diana Welte, Lilyweeds

Dita Basu, alankarshilpa

Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas 

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Eleanor Snare, The Magic Square Foundation

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

Krafty Max, Krafty Max Originals

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 Florian, Lilys of the Valley Jewelry Creations

Linda Murphy, Bonita Bead

Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders

Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures

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 Callahan, Dancing Wire and Beads by Lori

Lori Finney, Using My Beads

Marcia Dunne, The Alternative Foundry

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 DeBoer, Purple Notes from the Studio

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

Tanya Wiles, Tenebrous Hollow Studio

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

 

Chain Chain Chainmaille

One of the first things I became obsessed with through my rebirthing of creative journey was chainmaille.  I saw a bracelet made by my friend's mom and couldn't believe you can make something so beautiful out of jump rings!  In my usual OCD nature I searched everywhere online about chainmaille.  I learned how to make the Byzantine weave from Beaducation's free online class.  Colin Mahler's instruction was so thorough she gave me a great foundation about how to open and close jump rings.

Then I found Urbanmaille who offers high quality jump rings in Sterling Silver, Argentium Silver, and Copper.  Urbanmaille also offers great tutorials and kits and Aislyn and Gary deliver the highest level of customer service.  One of the key things when making chainmaille is choosing high quality jump rings.  Don't go for cheap jump rings as you will end up with jump rings that won't close tight or have nicks on the rings. 

When I took Tracy Stanley's class at Weekend with Wiremasters in 2010, she raved about Dave Arens' Koil Kutter System.  In my usual self sustaining and tool junkie spirit, I had to get tools to make my own rings. Kevin Potter has since took over the Koil Kutter System and you can purchase it at Potter USA.  I have to admit I was pretty intimidated about using the rotary cutter with my Dremel to cut the jump rings but the blade guard offers total protection and it was much easier than I expected.  This is what the Koil Kutter looks like.  I mounted the coiler on a wooden board so it's nice and stable. My Bead Soup partner, Melissa Muir, posted a great article comparing the Koil Kutter vs. Jump Ringer on her Tool Time Tuesday. If you are deciding on a jump ring maker, this is a must read post.

I chose the Dremel version with the millimeters Koil mandrels.  Dave said the Koil system is easier to work with Dremel rather than the flex shaft.  Luckily I found Desiree's Desired Creations who posted a step by step photos on how to assemble the Koil Kutter on the Dremel.  Once the jump rings were cut, I tumbled them to work harden and polish the rings.  After a couple of hours, the rings come out so shinny.   The cuts were straight and closed nice and tight without gaps.  Success!

 You don't need a lot of tools for chainmaille but having the right pliers is really important especially when you are working with heavier gauges.  I have my trusted Lindstrom pliers which I simply can't live without.  Bent nose in one hand and flat nose in the other. The ring tool is another simple but must have tool to open the hundreds of rings for chainmaille projects.  When working with heavier gauges (16g+)  I dip my plier tips in Tool Magic which coats the tips with a thin rubber cover so you won't mar the rings.  Once I finish the bracelet I tumble it for couple of hours to get rid of any burrs, work harden a little more, and to give it another polish.

Here are some of my favorite weaves.  From left to right, Jens Pind, Byzantine, and Full Persian weaves.  I personally prefer Argentium silver over Sterling silver as it is a lot more tarnish resistant.  Once you have the basics of chainmaille down, CG Maille is the site to go if you want to find out about the 100's of different weaves.  The website hosts tons of tutorials of weave patterns.  Great graphics & photos and it is updated with new weave patterns and tutorials often. Pick up those pliers and open & close, open & close, open & close... So many weaves and so little time!

6th Bead Soup Blog Party!

I saw so many people raving about how much fun they had during the last Bead Soup Party which was held in March 2012, so I decided to join in on the fun!  Lori Anderson is the host of this worldwide blog hop which started in February 2010 and this marks the 6th party.  There will be three reveal dates with a total of 400 participants.  I have to say I was both excited and nervous about joining the party but the Bead Soup Cafe group on Facebook is such a supportive community.

On Friday June 22 we found out who amongst the 400 participants will be our partners.  I received Lori's email during my lunch break and I found out my partner is none other than Melissa Muir.  Yes THE Melissa Muir!  I literally squealed when I read the email as I am a big fan of her blog Kelsi's Closet Jewelbox Design Journal and love her Tool Time Tuesday which is packed with great information about tools!  Happy place for a tool junkie like me :)

After my initial excitement I came to a realization that I'm going to be partnered with a metal master!  Gulp!  My girlfriend Heidi gave me a good idea for the swap.  This is going to be a fun weekend making the focal piece, clasp, and beads!  Let the fun begin!