6th Bead Soup Block Party!

Four hundred people from all over the world are taking part in the 6th Bead Soup Block Party, hosted by the lovely and talented Lori Anderson! The event has gained so much interest in participation, that she decided to split the reveal dates into three different days; July 28th, August 11th and 25th.

Lori partnered me up with Ann Sherwood from Wisconsin. She sent me an amazing selection of beads!

Ann's reveal date is August 25th, so please stop by her blog then to see what she created with the ingredients I sent her!

This is what I created...

The beautiful artisan beads, Czech glass beads and flower shaped Czech glass beads were part of the soup Ann sent me. I added in freshwater pearls, enameled copper headpins from Sue Beads (love her beads), a copper toggle from The Twisted Bead  and copper links that I forged from 12 gauge copper wire from Dry Gulch.

I had envisioned a design that was similar to the result and was pleased that my idea worked out! It is a very fun, artsy piece-definitely keeping this one for my personal collection!

Next up is a necklace that is designed entirely around the amazing focal Ann sent, a Pennsylvania Trade Bead created by Harold Williams Cooney. 

I wanted to keep the focus on the trade bead, so I kept the design simple by adding in the four peacock blue lampworked glass discs that Ann sent. From my own bead stash; two Bali sterling silver beads from Riverstone Bead Company, argentium sterling silver knitted wire from Silver Silk and a sterling silver toggle clasp.

My third design idea was to create a bracelet with the artisan glass beads, the four square peacock lampworked glass discs and the really cool pocket watch toggle. I envisioned several strands of antiqued brass chain for the bracelet aspect. I then realized that the toggle needed to be center stage as it is too unique to be used solely as a closure!

Time to play! I dreamed up some ideas, this time focusing on the concept of creating a cuff. I sketched a few designs on post-it notes (they have so many uses!) and grabbed some textured brass sheets that I purchased from Metalliferous. First, I cut out a rectangle and shaped the cuff. Then I applied Adirondack Alcohol Ink in mushroom over the texture. Once that dried, I rubbed Gilders Paste from Kabela Design in antique gold on top of the inked surface. This gave the texture a nice dimension and subtle hint of bronze glow.

I knew from the start that I wanted to place the artisan beads on top of the cuff. I just need to figure out how! I ended up stringing the beads onto five inch brass headpins from Susan Lenart Kazmer's Industrial Chic line. I then punched holes into the cuff to connect the strung beads to it.

I'll have to admit, I wasn't sure my dreamy idea was going to work! But after playing a bit, it turned out better than I anticipated (thank you Staci Smith for your post  "Play is Important")! I am also really determined once I get an idea in my head and I like to see it through!

I still needed to make good use of the fantastic pocket watch toggle. I knew I wanted to create a necklace with antiqued brass chain to complement the toggle and it's style and decided that my circles chain from Lima Beads would work perfectly!

After sifting through my vast and ever growing bead collection, I found the perfect addition; labradorite cut into geometric shapes. This added in the contemporary element that I crave!

Once again, I have thoroughly enjoyed creating new designs with beads selected by another artist. Each time that I have participated, I have pushed my creative boundaries! Thank you Ann Sherwood for the awesome bead soup and Lori Anderson for her absolute devotion to this phenomenal event!

To see what other participants are creating: http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/2012/06/participants-of-6th-bead-soup-blog.html