Friday, November 2, 2012

Kalmbach Bead Soup Party

Lori Anderson, author of Bead Soup: 32 Projects Show What Happens When 26 Beaders Swap Their Stash, told us that Kalmbach Publishing was providing an opportunity for jewelry artists to sign up and possibly be chosen to receive a bead soup from a retail bead store, and make a necklace from that soup in honor of Lori's book being published. They are also offering prizes! Thank you Lori, Kalmbach Publishing, and Beads Galore in Tempe, Arizona ----who sent me a wonderful Bead Soup!  Although I am required to use the focal and the clasp, I could use any or all of the rest of the bead soup, and/or any items from my own stash for the necklace.



This is what I received as my Soup. There was a gorgeous hematite heart focal, a clasp,  a heart charm, small heart spacers, hematite bead melons, gray cat-eye beads, and .....buttons!!! Okay!! Even though I have a spectacular button collection, I had never used buttons to make a necklace. I let my soup simmer for awhile as ideas began to descend on my creative muse. So I gathered a few materials....

I had some gray and black patterned sari silk, as well as solid black and turquoise. Some chain and leather cord, and ...


It was coming together! I just needed a few magnesite turquoise-colored beads, and few other hematite beads from my stash and I came up with..


After braiding the chain and silk, the buttons were attached with 1.5 mm turquoise leather cord. The focal, clasp, and dangles were then added.


Thank you again Kalmbach Publishing, Lori Anderson, and Beads Galore in Tempe Arizona! The soup was a thoughtful challenge as I added my own seasonings, and loved tasting the final product. This necklace is so comfortable and easy to wear. I think Jasper liked it too!


10 comments:

  1. This is GORGEOUS! I love it. Great Job going the non-traditional route!

    http://MirandAck.com

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  2. Beautiful jewelry for Kalmbach. I like the buttons :)

    Also, wanted to let you know that I have you in the "Window Shop Holiday Hop" upcoming this Sunday. See you then!

    Rita

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    1. Thank you, Rita!. I think you are one of the sweetest human beings I know...Loved the hop!

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  3. LOVE the buttons -- HUGE button fan. And your kitty looks like mine (if yours weighed twice as much, LOL!)

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    1. Alas, Lori, Jasper's characteristics are more from his Asian cousins, I don't think he will get that much bigger...though he might grow a little yet. Thank you for stopping by!

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  4. ALways love buttons... I really like the splash of color - turquoise was the perfect choice - it pops! This is a great design and you did a great job with it!

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    1. Thank you, Jami! Now, to work on my photography skills...Thank you so much for popping in!

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  5. Replies
    1. Thank you, April. Jasper and I are very special friends...He is very skittish, but he has attached himself to me and everything I do. He even retrieves the stray bead and brings it to me while I am working, then sits right on top of my work area so he can investigate my activities!

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Thank you for your comments!