Saturday, September 17, 2011

Bead Soup and the Reveal . . .

 All of our ingredients have been simmering on low and it's time 
to serve up what we've been cookin'.
This is my first time participating in the Bead Soup Blog Hop Party
and if you're not sure what this is go here to get the scoop.
Tiffany Long is my bead soup partner and you can find her here.



 "Sakura"

This is the first piece that I made and the size of the focal was a challenge for me. 
It's about 5-6 inches wide and I wanted to make sure that the focal wasn't overshadowed.
I'm a firm believer that sometimes less is more (unless more is just better)! ha
The first thing I did was research the Japanese Cherry Blossom and what I found
was that in the Japanese culture the Cherry Blossom
represents the cycle of life and death and how our lives
blossom and fall.
That they are richly symbolic because of their extreme beauty and quick death.
So I immediately knew what I wanted to do  . . .
I wanted to somehow have blossoms that seemed to be falling off
symbolizing the transient nature of life,
and lucky for me there were two perfect places to attach a jump ring with fine chain.
I used brass chain with a vintage finish and  
I searched through my stash and found the right color orange seed beads
to use with the few Cherry Blossoms that would fall from the chain.


Some more of the soup I received . . .



I then decided to make a bracelet with some of the remaining soup. I used a variety of metals
in this bracelet that would be all about dangles. From the soup I used a few light green pearls as well as the
pretty pink ones, and the very lightweight silver looking ones all topped off with bead caps
I had in my stash. Even though none of the beads had any heavy weight to them, the chains seemed to want
to get tangled easily so I used a jump ring in a couple of places to keep them neat and tidy but
stay in keeping with that loose feeling. 
But it still need that one last thing - pink sari silk ribbon topped it off!




And one last creation using the clasp that she sent me. Silver just didn't seem to go with
the first one and I could have used it in the bracelet, but I think it's just right in this one.


In this one I used this cluster of leaves she sent with crystals that were already put together.
Check out the great little rhinestone headpins!!



And there were 3 pink pearls left. I added some more chain from my stash just like
I incorporated into the bracelet with a vintaj pendant and bird charm - simplicity!



And then after I was finished with both this necklace and the bracelet I had an 'aha'
moment! What if . . .  when I wasn't wearing the bracelet I could attach it to the necklace.

Now, I just need to figure out the best way to do that.


A tremendous thank you to Lori Anderson, Artist and founder of Bead Soup Blog Hop
There are over 300 participants in this blog hop and you can find
the entire list here.


Happy hopping, see ya there!


61 comments:

Shirley said...

Oh, Kim, I love the story behind the necklace. And you totally hit the concept. I can truly "see" the blossoms falling. All the pieces are just gorgeous, and that was such a great idea to convert the bracelet to add to the necklace. Have fun hopping!

Therese's Treasures said...

Hi Kim, your first necklace left me breathless it is so beautiful and I love the meaning behind the cherry blossoms. The bracelet and second necklace are just as beautiful.
Therese

Tracey Leeder said...

WOW! That first piece is absolutely stunning. The pink cherry blossoms against the dark patina of the metal is breath-taking. Well done!

Unknown said...

Wow! The first piece!

T-Rose Leigh said...

Oh my, this is so beautiful I could just cry literally, you made the focal become so much lovelier than I could ever imagine. Great work.

KayzKreationz said...

That focal is to die for and the necklace truly does it justice. I really like the other 2 pieces, too and the idea to attach the bracelet is wonderful. Hope you can figure out how to do it. Lovely.

Shiraz said...

Truly lovely!

Karen Beth said...

These jewelry pieces are all so very lovely and beautiful. I enjoyed my lil hop over to your blog and the soup was devine!

Kathy ~ Artful Accents said...

Gorgeous designs...perfect colors. I love the simplicity of the 2nd necklace. The black and pink are stunning together.

LissC said...

I love love love your pieces!! THey WOW'd me for sure. I would love to wear a piece like this. These are some of my favorites that i've seen so far!

rockcreekcreations said...

Very creative use of your soup!!

Karyn B said...

They'are all so lovely, but my jaw literally dropped when I saw your first piece. Drop dead gorgeous!

Kathleen Lange Klik said...

What beautiful pieces. The Sakura necklace is just gorgeous! I am very inspired by nature and was drawn to this piece immediately. Is the twig from a cherry blossom tree? I am currently incorporating pieces of tree bark and twigs into some designs and am excited to see others who also include natures beauty in their work! The bracelet/necklace combination is also wonderful too-very inventive! Very successful bead soup!

Noemi said...

That necklace makes so much sense when you tell the story behind the cherry blossoms.

coffeeaddict said...

your pieces are very versatile, a lot of different techiniques and mediums used. You have such a wide range as a designer!

Lori Anderson said...

I'm so in love with that first necklace it hurts. OH but I want it.

You did such a good job with your beads!

I hope you'll join me again next time -- the blog button and dates are on my blog now!

Love, Lori

Bobbie said...

All completely fabulous! The sakura necklace is elegant, but the other two pieces totally wonderful, too. Aaah, beauty!

Marvett Smith said...

Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful!

Sweet Willow Designs said...

The first necklace reminds me of Wash DC when the Cherry Blossoms bloom there. Beautiful.

la mar de bonita said...

Like a short visit in the spring-garden! I like this blossom necklace but also the bracelet is very nice! And you do wonderfull photographies!
Greetings, Michi

Skye said...

oh what beautiful pieces! This bead hop is just packed full of amazing treasures! I love all three of these designs !

Steph L. said...

Just gorgeous! Great job with all your pieces!

Unknown said...

Marvelously creative, breathtaking!

Cynthia said...

These are just breathtaking! Where did you get those bead caps in the bracelet, I want some! Beautiful work!

Maggie said...

So glad I finally made it here! Your pieces have this wonderful vintage feel to them. That Sakura piece is stunning, I just want to put the bracelet right on my wrist, and as if the third piece wasn't beautiful enough as is, you can add the bracelet to make it even more stunning!

Sweet Freedom said...

L.O.V.E. E.V.E.R.Ything - don't know what else to say! THe cherry blossom pieces is a work of art, and all your pieces are simply stunning!! Terrific!

Beadbug said...

WOW what can I say it's well thought out and amazing.

Myléne Hillam said...

Sakura is stunning! This is such a well thought out and pretty necklace... you've done such a good job with your design.
I love the bracelet too.... and then to find a way to incorporate it into your second necklace... very, very clever!

Wendy said...

Your designs are stunning but the Sakura necklace took my breath away! Wow!

Jennifer Cameron said...

Amazing! Speechless. Breathless. Love every single thing.

Niky Sayers said...

That first necklace is completly stunning and then there is more! love the idea of having your bracelet on your necklace is great!

Tracy said...

Your Sakura design took my breath away - it's a beautiful design, so well thought out and constructed, and so life-like too. Fabulous job.

Loris Glassworks said...

Wonderful! You have created three terrific pieces of wearable art. I like your use of color and texture, and I love the Sakura necklace, fabulous! Thank you for sharing your artistic process along the way. Cheers!
Lori

CraftyHope said...

You've got SO MUCH eye-candy here!!
That cherry blossom necklace is simply phenomenal! I couldn't take my eyes off of it for a few minutes as I drank in all the details. Beautiful.

The bracelet is also quite pretty, but the way you have it set up to be added to the second necklace is just awesome!
Outstanding work all around. You really came at this challenge head on and knocked down all kinds of barriers. Well done, seriously!

Norma's Bag Boutique said...

What a challenge! Very well managed. That necklace is a piece of art.

Elysian Studios said...

Kim, that Cherry Blossom necklace is amazing. It is so beautiful, and you captured the essence of the blossoms perfectly! I love the meaning you shared about the piece. It is going to be one of my very very favorites of the whole soup! Beautiful job!

My Life Under the Bus said...

These are all lovely! Amazing amount of work the first is my favorite - so sweet!

Geanina said...

Oh my!The first necklace , Sakura - it is stunning,I have never seen anything quite like that. So unusual and unique. Fantastic job!
Geanina :)

Silver Parrot said...

So pretty and delicate. Love the contrast of the dark metal with the pale pink. Gorgeous!

Holly said...

Kim! These just keep getting better as I scrolled through your post! What beautiful pieces you've done here, and the research makes them all the more interesting.

Shannon Chomanczuk said...

That first necklace is amazing! I would have freaked at the focal but wow you go girl. It's stunning. I like all your pieces very much.
Shannon C

LeeLu Creations said...

LOVE the Sakura necklace! Very unique and beautiful....But then I saw the bracelet! Gorgeous! Great job on all pieces.

SoulsFireDesigns said...

Ohhhhh so beautiful! That first necklace! And the second... and the bracelets! I cannot decide which is my favorite, all are just gorgeous!

Beadaholique said...

oh my gosh! I am in love with your Cherry Blossom Necklace. What a fantastic design! The other pieces are really great too but that first one just takes my breath away

Jenni said...

Gasp! The Sakura necklace is just perfect..less is indeed more! Wonderful soup and pieces.
jenni

Terri said...

Gorgeous pieces...I actually said..with no one around to hear me..Oh.. my.. goodness! ..and each piece following. You did some amazing design work here! And I thought I was clever using two bracelets with toggles and making them into a necklace as an either or thing...now this idea and placement of the bracelet with in the necklace is brilliant! Soup-er job!

Thoughtfulhands said...

I really love the piece with the branch and the flowers. They are all just beautiful the pink and the dark metal are just stunning.

Wonderful Work!

Anonymous said...

Stunning and unique pieces - well done!

Carol Tannahill said...

Gorgeous work, especially your first necklace. I love how you used the focal and brought your design in without competing with it. Beautiful!

Honey from the Bee said...

It's taking me awhile to get through everyone's... Oh! Love the bracelet so much and that cherry blossom necklace is divine. Imagine wearing it to have tea with some girlfriends... So glad you found time to join in, Kim.

Cindy Cima said...

Wow! I love all of these designs!
The cherry blossoms look terrific with the brass!

Unknown said...

the cherry blossoms are breathtaking & I love the other pieces too, what a great Soup you made

Christine said...

Beautiful designs & the dark metal with pink is gorgeous!!

Maneki said...

The sakura necklace is just gorgeous! Love it! I really like the bracelet too. The colours are eye-catching and dramtic. I really like the ribbons, multiple chains and leafy bead caps. Fab job!

Lyn Foley said...

Just fun, wonderful pieces. Love the idea of using the bracelet in the necklace.

Christine Altmiller said...

oh, they are all so beautiful! but that sakura is a showstopper! wonderful!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, just wow....The cherry blossom necklace is amazing. And the convertible necklace/bracelet is so clever, and so pretty, too!

Shay Stone said...

Wow... those are some really stunning pieces and your photography is awesome too!

Shyme said...

Oh my... !! What gorgeous pieces!! Love that first necklace - cherry blossoms !!

Anonymous said...

I think the bracelet would be great if attached to the necklace. Hope you will find a way.

Ambra

Ann said...

Those are all beautiful. I'm in love with the first necklace the flowers look so natural.

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