Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Soup Is Served


It's today, it's today, it's today... party time!! A few weeks back, I signed up to take part in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Party. I was wicked super thrilled when I was paired with the divine Barbara Lewis as my co-cook in the beady kitchen. The ingrediants for my soup she sent were just.plain.awesome. I can't tell you how even more over the top excited it has me for the Painting With Fire workshop I am attending in DC in March. But enough gushing... on to the creations!

bead soup necklace a
bead soup necklace a detail
I knew the minute I saw Barbara's beads that I would be pulling out my own enamels and mixing them with glass. I started with a base of transparent light brown and dusted it with layers of lavender and bold blue, picking up the tones in the enamels that I think Barbara used. I thought hollows would settle perfectly into these sorta filigree like bead caps. I created a chain linking the beads together that is about 6 inches long. I attached it to a super long length of some very pretty raw brass chain. The chain is so long that you can wear it doubled up, or like a lariat, or like a long laynard. Love it.

bead soup necklace b
bead soup necklace b clasp detail
bead soup necklace b detail
That last photo there is seriously seriouly one of my favorite jewelry photos ever. As I made this second necklace, I using most of the extras that Barbara sent. The Czech fire polished crystals, the bead cones, some pretty little florettes, and that gorgeous focal. I knew I wanted layers, lots and lots of layer. I mixed in several different brass chains, waxed linen cording, and, to make it *me* some vintage enameled chain too. I also have had a couple Jade Scott pendants I have been waiting to use in something special. Yep, one of them is in here! Working on this got me thinking... if I did the "vintage style jewelry thing" that everyone loves right now, I would do it like this... vintage with POPS of brights. I mean really, Kerry=Color, does it not?

bead soup bracelet a
As if the necklaces (and the pair of earrings from the week before) weren't enough, I had so many beads that I could make some bracelets too! I told you she sent too much!! This first bracelet is styled after a Lorelei Eurto bracelet I (the top one) bought a few weeks ago as a treat to myself. I made some very think, very chunky discs in my favorite shade of transparent ink blue, rolled the edges in a few shades of enamel, and set them up on their sides like the ceramic ones in Lori's bracelet. I made a flower disc as the catch for the clasp to match the sweet Barbara flowers. *sigh* I love it, and it huges your wrist just right.

bead soup bracelet b
bead soup bracelet b 2
For this bracelet, I grabbed one of my big huge felted wool beads and popped it in the center of one of the larger caps Barbara sent. I made a big wire work loop, added one of my smaller hollow beads, linked to a short length of silk ribbon, the wool bead link, some copper chain, another Jade Scott charm, and a vintage enamel flower. Try to say all that in one breath, lol... it's a long sentence! Just so in love with this. It dangles off one side of your wrist, so much cooler then those springy bracelet key chain things, but kinda like those. LOL...

bead soup jewelry
Okay... so now what right? You have seen the soup jewelry from me, but you are still hungry right? I just wet your whistle and you need more!! First, check out what my partner created with the beads I sent here!! THEN, pop on over to Lori Anderson's blog and just start clicking... clicking... clicking... and check out what the EIGHTY plus other artists created. It is one hellva party... my guess it is going to last for days and we will all have hangovers... but in a good way. :)

57 comments:

Kella said...

Like I said in the flickr group, your rendition of the beads are beautiful and has made me mad for enameled elements, oh be still you moaning wallet. :0)

Kate said...

Wow, what treasures! Each one reminds me of a treasured ornament, they have that look of long ago with enough modern to make exciting! Love them all, you look like you had tons of fun!

Enjoy the Party!
Kate OrganicOdysseys #46

Barbara Lewis said...

Totally, totally amazing! I love what you did! The felted ball ... perfect! There are just so many interesting things here! Beautiful work, Kerry!

Lorelei Eurto said...

My Favorite collaboration yet! This is just amazing. I would love to wear any of these pieces, and you did such a nice job bring your Barbara's and your feel to each piece. great job Kerry! LOVE the JADE SCOTT ADDITIONS!!!!

Erin Siegel said...

Very cool, Kerry! Barbara's beads are pretty amazing! I especially like the multi-strand necklace you made! Love it!

Heather Powers said...

I love how you took the muted beads and added in your dose of brights to make an entire collection of jewelry that compliments and plays off one another. Lovely, lovely, lovely!

Anonymous said...

Kerry, I couldn't wait to see what you created with Barbara's enameled beads! Amazing!

Mary K. McGraw said...

Love what you did and how you mixed everything up.

Lyn Foley said...

Really like the assortment of pieces, They all show your awesome creativity - again and again.Love the muted colors as well.

lisa oram said...

Why am I not surprised you made like a hundred pieces?? WOW!! Love every one but my favorite is the multi-strand necklace. Now on to see what got made with your beads!

JBird's Garden said...

I love the makings of a creative mind! Beautiful treasures indeed!

Cathryn said...

I'm totally in awe how you worked the beads into so many pieces of wearable art! How creative and talented! Great job!

Cindy said...

Kerry! You don't know how long Randy and I have been sitting here admiring it all.... (Randy was up early and saw yours before me...he reported on the felted ball first...says it reminds him of Horton Hears a Who). You sure know how to surprise us, yet adding your touch to a pastel set of beads. And I remembered that bracelet from your earlier post with Lauren painting her mailbox...you had it right out on the table - you are sneaky. :-)
I don't know where to begin, these pieces are so pretty. Barbara's beads are out of this world, and I LOVE what you did to each and every one...my favorite is the long, layered necklace (and Randy's is the bracelet, he can't get past that cool felted ball). You outdid yourself, girlfriend.

Cristi Baxter Clothier said...

Gorgeous, Kerry!

Libby Leuchtman said...

Kerry so cute. I love what you did.
You are one talented girl..er I mean
WOMAN. You rock kiddo.

SueBeads said...

WooHoo! Love them all!

Lisa said...

Gorgeous results! I love seeing what everyone has done.

Maria said...

Absolutely STUNNING!

mairedodd said...

simply gorgeous kerry - each and every one... but the layered piece is really great...

Pretty Things said...

Very very pretty! I love all the work, the flowers, the felt, the perfect mix -- you done good, girl!


Thanks for being a part of the party -- we'll do it again soon!

Adrienne Jewelry Designs said...

I'm absolutely drooling! What a great mix of color and texture in ALL of the pieces you created! You are one lucky and talented lady!

Terri said...

amazing creations...you put all together so artistically..way cool.

Rickie said...

WOW! What a fabulous stash you receive and what you did with them is amazingly awesome--I love everything, especially that second necklace--great designing!

Round Rabbit said...

You lucky, lucky girl for getting to work with such amazing beads! I just love everything you did with them. Excellent!

Silver Parrot said...

Love, love, love what you did with all the beads! Good soup for sure!

Laurel said...

Over the top awesomeness!

Jen Judd said...

Fantastic! Kerry definitely equals color, so I think it's especially cool how you interpreted the latest cool fads in your own way. It's very inspiring! I'm signed up for your class in Philly in April...I'm sooo ready for some fun!
Jen

Anonymous said...

wow, what wonderful designs! love them all!

Mermaid Glass said...

Gorgeous! I loved those beads so much when I saw them in the Flickr group and couldn't wait to see what you did with them..

Spirited Earth said...

love what you did...amazing

Patty said...

Wow, Kerry, you've made a whole *collection* of jewelry! These designs are great, and make me want to try enameling on copper too. I love your design sense.

jessememan said...

These are all so yummy, Kerry! I will be taking a class with Barbara in March and this just wets my appetite! Beautiful!

Nicki said...

I love the catarpillar necklace. Very pretty beads - and all pieces are very much you, colorful and recognizable.

Judy said...

You were one lucky girl to get Barbara's beads! The way you made the necklace with the beads all trailing each other is genius! I love how you can wear it as a lariat.

Jo Ann Gallagher said...

So unique and beautiful! You were busy!! :O)

Unknown said...

Excellent! I love them all!

Regina said...

Love the colors and love what you've done with the beads! I can tell you had fun creating this lot.

Unknown said...

1st you are so lucky to have these beads to work w/ 2nd, I'm speechless ~ no words, except I want them all!!

Unknown said...

Oh they are just so DEVINE!!! so lovely!!!!

Dee said...

very pretty...I truly love how you mixed so many different techniques into all your pieces. They are all very eye catching..great job!

rosebud101 said...

Kerry, your work is fantastic! I love all the wonderful items you made!

Debbie / Prairie Emporium said...

I love each one. Barbara's beads are great and I love what you have done.

Leslie @ Bei Mondi said...

Love the earthy feel of these creations. It's a bit different from your usual masterpieces but they are masterpieces just the same. And, man, you were able to make several pieces for this project. Great job!

moonlitfantaseas said...

love what you did, its funky and totally something I would wear

EmandaJ said...

Well aren't you clever,to get several pieces out of the same package! Sometimes you just have listen to the beads!

Hasn't this been fun?!?

Emanda
www.ArtemisiaStudio.blogspot.com

Marcie Abney Carroll said...

Holy Smokes! Party at your place!!! You're like the friend that always has the best and most food at their parties! Haha! Great job, I really like the long focal. I've been slightly obsessed as of late with Y necklaces and long focals, so this is great. Loved every part!

Lynette said...

I love how you incorporated all the soup ingredients! I love when you can wear something more than one way, so a huge shout out for the long piece you created. Very cool!

Michelle Mach said...

Amazing! You practically came up with an entire jewelry shop! Love the bright mix of colors and textures!

Sharon said...

Just gorgeous pieces, all! I especially love the wool felt bracelet, a touch of whimsical genius!

Juli Cannon said...

They are all beayoooutiful, but that first one steals the show. Excellent work!

TesoriTrovati said...

You were uber-inspired, Kerry! I am so jealous that I don't live out East or I would be in that enamel class with you! I love what you have done...the layering, the style, the perfect POPS of kerry-color all over the place. This is hands down one of my top three favorites in the soup-hop! Thanks for sharing your recipe for success! Enjoy the day! Erin

Patti said...

Great work!

Jo said...

Beautiful pieces and colours. The first necklace is definitely my favourite!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! Look at all that stuff! Your creativity is amazing! Great work! I love it all. And your photos are TDF!

Lucid Moon Studio said...

Wow, you made so a many pieces with your Bead Soup! I admire your ambition! It's hard to decide which I like best, they all have their own unique qualities. I would definitely wear any of them. I am enjoying all the Bead Soup creations, even if I am a little late :) Great job!!

Lisa

roseworksjewelry said...

Lots of fun :) I ended up making a couple pieces too!

Kristin said...

Shaun White snowboarding!