Wooohoooo Welcome to my bead soup post.
I would like to start by saying a HUGE thank you firstly to The Lovely Lori Anderson for all the hard work she has put into making the bead soup happen (Lori you are fantastic) and secondly to my amazing and wonderfully talented partner Natalie Monkivitch who sent me such beautiful treasures....
The focal and the clasp tho stunning were a real change for me because I don't normally use such big pieces, but hey I signed up for a challenge and thats what I got!
I completely fell in love with this focal/work of art (she has the most beautiful feathers on her bum and such sweet bows), and she sat beautifully on my desk for what seemed like ages whispering about pearls, black lace and seed beads....
Until I finally gave in to her request and attempted seed beading (hats off to all you seed beaders out there because it is hard work).
I added pearls to match the colors in her outfit and faceted labradorite because you know I need sparkle then finished her off with a bit of ribbon....
I decided to use the clasp in a bracelet but knew it would be quiet a challenge as normally I make my own clasps and they are normally alot smaller, a big bold clasp needed a big bold bracelet, and here is what I came up with....
I sawed the hoop off the clasp and used it at an angle which then made the pattern on it look like hearts, So I ran with that as a theme....
Throw in a couple of lamp work beads (by Laura Sparling) and lots of silver wire and a dash of liver of sulphur and there you have it my idea of a big bold bracelet.
I had a few pieces left so made these too....
I had a few pieces left so made these too....
As my regular readers may have guessed I like making earrings (even tho I rarely wear them)....
and I love chainmaille, I have a few of these large beads left so will have to make up some more charms (they feel so lovely in your hand) and I still have my "extras" left to play with so I'm a very happy bunny.
Click here to see what Nat made with what I sent her.
To see what the other fantastic people in the blog hop made head on over to the official bead soup page, go on you know you want to!
Have a great day
xxx
Hi Niky, That's amazing! Even though the focal is a piece of art I wouldn't know what to do with it. Your necklace is fantastic! Very bold and classy at the same time. I could see it with a strapless little black dress and high heels. Nice!!
ReplyDeleteI am trying to post my entry, but for some reson blogger doesn't let me!! Arggh!! so annoying!!
You did a great job, Niky! I love the bracelet, especially!
ReplyDeleteGreetings, Michi
WOW Niky, that is ALL just gorgeous. I can't believe how lovely that necklace is how beautiful the focal looks on such a fabulous design......BRAVO! Thanks for being my blog swap partner too, I loved everything you sent and everything you did with the soup I sent to you too!
ReplyDeleteNat X X
Very gorgeous. Beautiful. All.
ReplyDeleteMarina
Wow!You've been a busy girl. Lovely work~
ReplyDeleteNiky, you totally rocked that necklace. I would've been stumped on it, it's so beautiful in itself. I think you're a closet beadweaver, cause that necklace is awesome! Can't believe you never wear earrings! yours are always fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWatch out seed beading is addictive... & it goes so well with lampwork! Love what you did with everything!
ReplyDeleteThat focal is soooo amazing !!!
ReplyDeleteI love every piece you created .
Excellent job with the seed beads!
Great soup!
m.e. :)
they are all so cute, but i esp love that heart bracelet!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post Niky..... do you make dog collar bling ?
ReplyDelete:-) I just know a certain pup that would love this okay, I fib, I would love her to wear this :-) x x x
I especially love the bracelet.
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect necklace for such an unusual but spectacular focal. Feminine and shy, yet a little sassy! Love the bracelet too. You have done your soup beads justice.
ReplyDeleteOMG!!! This might be my favorite set of pieces so far. Gorgeous beadwork. boy, did you ever pull this one off!!!! Double Bravo.
ReplyDeleteTerri
I really like the bracelet...your wire work is stunning. And the earrings are just right!
ReplyDeleteWow, your pieces are just beautiful. You completely nailed that soup, caught the essence of the focal perfectly with the the necklace and love your wirework!
ReplyDeleteNiky that necklace is amazing - creating the lace effect with the seed beads was a brilliant idea and makes it both beautiful and just a little bit saucy...
ReplyDeleteFab work!
I love what you had to work with, that focal is great. Lovely job!
ReplyDeleteWow what a great job. You really set off the focal, just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful pieces. The focal is beautiful and you really set it off well. And I love the links in your bracelet. They really match the clasp dead-on. Nice job.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow, that necklace is amazing! The beadwork is perfect for the focal...and I absolutely love the purse charm!
ReplyDeleteWonderful! You have created several terrific pieces of wearable art. I like your use of color and texture and that lampwork focal bead is fabulous. Thank you for sharing your artistic process with us. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteLori
Very beautiful work! Nice job!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful collection ,Niky! That focal is indeed gorgeous and you have done a great job with it! I love the labradorite briolettes ( one of my favourite gems). And you even made a beautiful chainmaille charm for your handbag!
ReplyDeleteI can appreciate your hard work at seed beading. All the pieces you made are lovely. I particularly like how you incorporated the lamp work into the first piece.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great focal you received. She is one special lady and the pearls and seed beads work perfectly with her. What a beautiful necklace.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous and so elegant Niky! A great idea to turn the clasp on its side like that.
ReplyDeletethis is fabulous! i think your focal bead is the most fun one of the whole hop!!! the weaving is fantastic & the whole piece is just great. the earrings are sooo pretty!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh. Looking at the focal, I just knew that I wouldn't be able to do her justice but you sure did. What a gorgeous necklace and oh so wearable.
ReplyDeleteHi Niky, What a stunner!! gorgeous pieces! We’re all being pushed outside our comfort zones — with amazing results!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the hop,
Emanda
http://artemisiastudio.blogspot.com/2011/09/bead-soup-reveal.html
I think you picked the exact right style of beadwork to go with the theme of that amazing focal. Great job.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely wonderful - a yay for beadweaving! Looks gorgeous! I love beadweaving, and I love chainmaille, which to me is just weaving with rings instead of seed beads -
ReplyDeleteLove your stuff!
Those beads are amazing but my favorite is the bracelet! Beautiful soup.
ReplyDeleteShannon C
So glad you jumped into the seed bead pool! It's a lovely necklace, and all the other pieces are equally delicious. Great work!
ReplyDeleteLOVELY! I'm glad you pushed yourself! Excellent job.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll join me next time -- the blog badge and dates are up on my blog now.
Love, Lori
Love all of your pieces, I especially love the heart links in the bracelet. Beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteAll of the pieces are lovely! I really like the necklace, and the way you stretched yourself on it. And the bracelet is simple and elegant. Great work!
ReplyDeleteReally nice group of pieces. The bracelet with the hearts is really neat.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work! My favorite one is the bracelet because of those wireworked hearts!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous! Love the necklace, LOVE the bracelet, the earrings are sweet and the pull is fabulous! So much fun!
ReplyDeleteFabulous necklace Niky :) inspired design, so perfect for the little lady ! and the little bag pull is so cute :)
ReplyDeleteOhhh. Now that is special. I love the beading you've done. Stunning. Those beads are delectable. Xx
ReplyDeleteYour beadwork in the necklace is awesome, great job!
ReplyDeleteReally unique focal and I agree seed beading is hard. So I will admire and appreciate others handy work. Each piece is a feast for the eyes. I appreciate the subtle heart theme! Wow! Such talent.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work - I love the heart bracelet - just wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHow brave of you to take on the seed beading, but that pattern is exactly what the focal called for! And labradorite always makes everything better in my book :) Love the bracelet & earrings too.
ReplyDeleteWhoo Hoo is right beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteOh my! That necklace is out of this world amazing! The focal is a treasure and you served her up perfectly. The hearts bracelet is beautiful also.
ReplyDeleteOh my, you nailed it! Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWow, these are some intimidating beads. It's hard to work with beads so pretty.
ReplyDeleteI think you rocked it. Love the bag chain in particular. Very fresh.
WOW!!! that is such a beautiful focal bead!!!!! I love your Russian style beading as well, it fits the focal bead personality perfectly!
ReplyDeleteYou had such a neat focal to work with on that first necklace! All of your designs are beautiful and great job with the wire work on the bracelet! :)
ReplyDeleteI love what you made with that focal bead, your bead weaving really fits it well and creates a very interesting and beautiful necklace. All your work is lovely.
ReplyDeleteJulie & Andrea
Dang! That necklace is incredible and that focal? ROCKS! Lucky girl...I think the bracelet rocks and is a perfect example of how stunning "simplicty" can be. The earrings and the zipper pull are so cute.
ReplyDeleteyou made some very beautiful pieces!!! the necklace is very elegant! great work!
ReplyDeleteWOW AMAZING Work!!! I love the beadweaving-great job. The glass beads are gorgeous! Really pretty bracelet and earrings too! Gosh you really out did yourself here!
ReplyDeleteMy fave is the bracelet!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous soup designs, love the bracelet especially.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful focal, and a beautiful design to showcase it!
ReplyDeleteJust a warning - bead weaving gets easier with repetition. And them it becomes addictive.
The lampwork Natalie sent is so pretty,and you did a great job with it. Love the "heart" bracelet, too!
ReplyDeleteLovely jewellery! The lacy necklace in its classy colours really fit that fab focal perfectly. Great job!
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with what Karen said above: it gets easier -- and it gets addictive. I like bead weaving as I find it almost meditative (though at times also frustrating when you have to use that good ole frog stitch).
Great idea with the clasp - I never even saw the hearts in it before you mentioned! Excellent creations :D
ReplyDeleteGoodness gracious girl! All of your pieces are really lovely. However, that necklace. . .I don't know if I have enough good things to say about it. Are you serious that you don't normally work with seed beads? Because, you really made something outstanding with SEED BEADS! Really, really awesome!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful AND impressive with the seed beads! Great work!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing job for someone who doesn't work with seed beads...very impressive. I love the way you designed your bracelet...stunning result and your bag charm...sweet and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteJenni
Amazing bracelet! The heart connectors are wonderful! I think I will be back in your blog, all your pieces are so nice!
ReplyDeleteAmbra