Saturday, March 03, 2012

The 5th Annual Bead Soup Blog Party Hop

For those of you new to the blog and jewelry hopping world, today is the big reveal day for Lori Anderson's world reknowned Bead Soup Blog Party Hop. Across the internet globe, jewelry designers waited and waited to see if they were selected to be part of 200 people selected to be paired up for this unique excahnge. Once selected, partners put together a challenging collections of beads that must include a clasp and a focal bead for the other to design with. Now, it's the big reveal day, where everyone posts photos of their creations.

I must say I was paired with a doll of a partner! A jealousy worthy partner... A partner I bet some of you wished you had...


This isn't the first time doing the BSBP Hop for me or Barbara, so we talked early on about ways to make this exchange a bit more interested. We had grand plans of doing a cool video but I was really too swamped to make that happen. Instead we decided to add a new layer to the challenge. Usually the challengeing part of this exchange is working we the soup that's sent.  We're old hats at working with challenging beads though! So, we decided to set a challenge to start earlier... with the beads that would in fact be sent.

Are you wondering what I'm babbling on about?

Are you saying to yourself "Kerry, I have 199 other blogs to visit today, get on with it!"?

Hold your horses, I think you're gonna get a kick out of what we did!

Pinterest is all the rage these days in the world of social networking. (If you aren't on it already, find a friend who is and ask for an invite, because it is just about the best time sink around!) Barbara and I both have loads of virtual pinboards where we post everything from inspiring color finds to cool recipes we want to try. To make things fun, we picked our favorite image on Pinterest at the time this exchange started and challenged the other to make a set of beads inspired of the colors in that favorite photo.



Barbara's Favorite Image - SOURCE HERE
 


Kerry's Favorite Image - SOURCE HERE
 





Kerry's Beads Inspired by Barbara's Photo
  


What Barbara sent me!
  
See! I told you that you'd like this!!

And a big oops on my part for not remembering to take a photo of Barbara's beads before I started working with them, but you can totally check them out up close and personal below.

And now... without further ado... here is what I made with Barbara's fantastic collection of beads!

Barbara's beautiful focal bead balanced with a wire link from my new book, Rustic Wrappings!





sweet colorful earrings
   



wire link bracelet with BSBP clasp
  


I absolutely loved working this Barbara's beads and our collaberation doesn't stop here. We have something exciting to share. You'll find us together, sharing a booth, at BEAD FEST PHILLY!! It's going to be the highlight of my summer, I know it! And I can hardly weight. I'll be there signing books, selling kits, and bringing beads too. Barbara will be bringing her fabulous goodies too. You won't want to miss it!

On that exciting note, I want to say thanks again to Lori for hosting such a great annual event. Be sure to drop by her blog for the master list of all participants.  There are loads of great jewelry to be seen.

(Special Note - I'm actually typing this days before the actually event seeings as how I am boarding a cruise ship today to teach on The Bead Cruise! So, forgive me for not visiting blogs and commenting.)

73 comments:

Sharon Driscoll said...

I love the wiring that you did on the necklace. And the bracelet is great. I lerk around your blog quite a bit and have enjoyed all of the things you've nice. Nice work - nice Bead Soup

Cindy said...

Isn't it amazing how you and Barbara basically picked the same color combination - purple and orange? Great minds think alike. What a very cool twist...designing beads based on one another's favorite Pinterest image....now that's a first! Your wire bail for Barbara's pendant is beautiful!
Have fun on that bead cruise!

Lara Lutrick said...

What fun happy pieces you made. Love your Pintrest inspiration.

Heidi Post said...

Ooooh the colors! I want to eat everything you made! Seriously, I love Barbara's beads, and you made super fun pieces with them. Have fun at Bead Fest!

Pelima Jewellery Design said...

Beautiful. Everything is gorgeous. I want them all.

inaurem said...

You and your partner made excellent jewellery!
I'm in love in colours, mixing beads, focals and inspiring pictures! Everything is super!

Lorelei Eurto said...

Hi Kerry! (have fun on that bead cruise, can't wait to hear all about it when you get back- hope you share lots of pics with us!)
Your partner is fantastic, and I love how you embellished that focal for the first necklace!
your soup is so happy and bright! I always know you'll do something fabulous!

Anonymous said...

I like the wire work and the colors !

Courtney Breul said...

So bright and colorful. I love the necklace, the wire wrapping is wonderful. I love using the image from Pinterest. Fun!

Hope the cruise is wonderful

sandi m said...

Great twist on your bead ingredients. The results are beautiful.
Have a wonderful time on the cruise.
sandi

Lyn Foley said...

Fun way to choose your beads for the challenge.Like the pendant and your wrapping.

EWA gyöngyös világa! / EWA's World of Beads! said...

Are fantastic pieces !Congrats!

Cyndi J said...

Barbara sent you some gorgeous beads and you certainly did them justice. It's amazing how the photos you both chose had the same colors. How nice that you two will be booth partners at Bead Fest. It will be a colorful and fun booth for sure. Have a blast out there on the high seas.

Alice said...

First, congratulations on your new book. I've got a B&N giftcard burning a hole in my wallet, and I think this will be just the thing to use it on.

I LOVE your idea to use a pinterest photo for bead soup inspiration. It seems that you both had similar colors in the images you chose.

Your creations are beautiful, of course. That wire work is just the sweetest!

Charis Designs said...

Loving the Pinterest angle! These are beautiful-hoping the cruise is a blast!!

mairedodd said...

really wonderful work - with beautiful beads from barbara... how fun that you will be together in philly - going to make it a priority to get there!

Lori Anderson said...

Very pretty! I'm sorry you had to make it more interesting for you this time but it was a very clever idea. I love what you sent Barbara, too!

Unknown said...

All the colors of your soup! Oh MY! Your creations WOW!

Moobie Grace said...

Barbara's beads are so colorful...love 'em! I love the wired bail you made!!

Michelle W said...

Beautiful! I love the colors and how everything goes so well with each other!

Cindy Cima said...

Love the coiling on for the pendant bail - it looks like it was meant for that great focal! The bracelet and earrings are great too!

Ann said...

Really love the way you showed off that focal and the rest of your pieces are beautiful too. Great idea with the pinterest pics.

la mar de bonita said...

Wonderful idea to expand the soup party with inspiring pics! I love the set, you've made - so charming colours!

Libby Leuchtman said...

Very cool idea and I love the colors. Such a great soup mix.

Stories They Tell said...

The idea of both of you challenging each other to make beads according to the colors picked-- that is brilliant! For those of us who make beads, this is a great idea for next time. Lovely pieces that you made as well. Have fun on the cruise!

Shel said...

What a creative concept for coming up with your bead soup! I love not only the photos you both chose, but the designs you created w/your soup are all so pretty!!

Cheryl Brown said...

I would wear all your pieces. They are really great colors and the design really speaks to me

Shyme said...

Beautiful and fun pieces! Love the bracelet!

WindDancerStudios said...

Pinterest is perfect for mood boards isn't it?! Definitely gets the creativity kicked into high gear :) Happy colors, happy beads, happy pieces!

Have fun on that cruise!

Unknown said...

Oh wow! Your set is awesome! Such color! I like the photo inspiration also, you guys made a good team.

Unknown said...

I love your and Barbara's idea for finding color inspiration on Pinterest. Your soup was beautiful and your designs totally rocked.

Jo said...

Oh WOW! That focal is just amazing! Such beautiful colours, and I love how you've used it.

Sarah Sequins said...

I love how you made the challenge extra special! What a clever idea.

Beautiful beads, and beautiful pieces. You did some a great job!

I wish I could go to BeadFest. At least I have another item to add to my list of Reasons To Buy A Private Jet. I hope you two have a blast!

Helen Kemp said...

I love the way those Spring colors pop on your pieces. Very pretty.

Karyn B said...

Oh, those colors... Just heavenly! You guys make a great team. Love everything.

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

I have commented to Cindy Wimmer that she and you are my totally twisted wire queens (sorry for the pun). Your wire work is AMAZING as usual. Your creations (both yours AND Barbara's) are simply beautiful and most definetly works of art!

Anonymous said...

I loved reading your post! Fabulous designs! Suzette

Shai Williams said...

Great minds think alike. I loved how the colors in both pins are so alike but what was sent was so different.

I really like the necklace. I am going to have to get your book as I want to learn how to do that like.

Julie Anne Leggett said...

Oh my...those beads are like candy. How amazing. My fav is the bracelet. It is simple and really lets the beads shine.

Baking Beads in the Keys said...

Love the color palette and the bail you created. Bracelet really pops too. That was so clever and inspirationalto share pictures before swapping.

Unknown said...

Gorgeous! Love the focal with the wire wrap. Great combination.

crafty1 said...

Love the way you wired your focal bead. I also love how you two picked a subject to create your projects with..... what a neat idea.

crafty1 said...

Love the way you wired your focal bead. I also love how you two picked a subject to create your projects with..... what a neat idea.

Anonymous said...

Lovely collaborative inspiration ideas, lovely soup, and lovely designs! The bail for the focal is brilliant.
And oh so jealous of a bead cruise!! Hope you are having a blast!

Loris Glassworks said...

Fabulous idea to incorporate pintrest favorites into your designs. I love the colors you had to work with, so bright and playful. You did a great job using the beads you received. Cheers!
Lori D.

Anonymous said...

Lovely colours and wonderful creations!

Ambra

Lisa Chapman said...

I love the vibrant colors in Barbara's beads! Your bail really complements the focal. All of the pieces you made have such a happy feel. Have fun on the bead cruise!

Mary Harding said...

Love your Pinterest challenge to each other. So great and the jewelry is gorgeous. Love the necklace and the great focal.

Anonymous said...

It is neat how you and Barbara's favorite photos have the same color palette - great minds think alike! Love your wire bail. All of your pieces have a happy vibe - love them!

Mariposa said...

I love what you made with your beads!
Stunning! The wirework complements the beads so perfectly and is a real eyecatcher!

vonna said...

Hi Kerry! How cool is this Pinterest Challenge!! The video idea is awesome! Your work is always so bright and fun it sure does cheer up any day! :)

Silver Parrot said...

Everything looks great! Love the bright punch of lime green against the pink and purple clay components that Barb sent you.

Krafty Max Originals said...

Amazing colors and wirework! Amazing! ~KM

Jenn said...

Oooh, what a fun way to challenge each other further! And I love the color-licsious final result. Gorgeous!

pam ferrari said...

I love the bright colors you both picked. Love the necklace with the wire wrapping. pintrest is so fun!

Amy F said...

Those are fantastic - love what you made with them!

Rose said...

Oh. I love that necklace. I love it. I am quite certain I will be pre-ordering your book as soon as I can. So lovely.

Anonymous said...

Ok - rustic wrappings - on the list of must have's!!! :) Looks like a wonderful book! The wire piece you used with Barbara's bead is gorgeous!! And I absolutely love that bracelet - such big bright fun beads and linked bracelets are always my favorites! Beautiful work Kerry!

Charlie said...

The wire wrapped pendant is absolutely stunning! Beautiful work.

N Valentine Studio said...

WOW! Good lord I love the colors, like really love them! Have a great cruise, looking forward to pictures!

CraftyHope said...

I hope you're having fun on the cruise! Anyway, like I said on Barbara's blog I think the Pintrest idea was a really cool one. I didn't see the one you had picked on her post, but I find it really neat that you both picked similar color palettes even if they are completely different pictures.
Your creations are really wonderful. I especially like that necklace. It's that great combination of simple and intricate at the same time. Well done!! I wouldn't have expected anything less.

roomforchange said...

Really love the vibrant colours. Great wrapping too!

Joanne said...

Beautiful focal, Stunning wire work. I am in awe and inspired. Sensational :) x

Bead-Mused said...

I also love your inspiration and what you did. How great that you two are going to be partners at Bead Fest!

Lilyweeds at Augusta Kent Studio said...

love your work. the beads were so bright and fun. you did a great job with them. lovely!
~diana

Lupe Meter said...

Love the wire work! Beautiful creations and designs!

dreaminofbeads / SAS Jewelry Designs said...

I really love what you did with your soup! That focal is amazing and it works great with your wire coil. I want to go on a bead cruise!
Sonya

Jean A. Wells said...

I couldn't help but notice that both of you chose pictures that had the same color pallette. You two really are on the same wave length. Your piece is gorgeous, love the coiled link. Great job.

adlinah said...

What great eye-candy! Your bead soup creations are beautiful! I love the swirly wire link/bail you made for the necklace. I'm going to have to try that, if it's OK with you.

Kat BM said...

really lovely! and colorful, it's just a happy set of jewelry

Alicia said...

Oh, that's lovely - lovely colours, lovely combinations, lovely design! Whimsical dancing pieces beautiffuly done :)

LoriF said...

Absolutely love the colors, and what you've done with Barbara's amazing pieces. wow.

Cynthia said...

Love the colors and what you did with the wire. Very pretty!