First, a little background...I am always of two minds and trying to balance the desires of the opposites. On the one hand, I am in a technical field - think airplanes, runways, computers and "decision management" - all have rigid technical standards that must be adhered to. I love this work - have task, do task, complete task - especially because the people I've gotten to work with along the way have made it so worth it. But I'm also the person saying, "Do we have to do it that way just because we always have done it that way?" Another example: two of the things I packed for a year long trip to Iraq were my beads and tools - yes - I made jewelry in Iraq.
On the other end of the spectrum is the jewelry maker - have always loved jewelry, have always enjoyed crafting in various forms - and the two came together a couple years ago to become a sometimes obsessive hobby. Colors, shapes, lengths, techniques - you can mix them up in a million different ways, follow your muse and never have to crack open a regulation or guide book. But the influence of the technical side of me often results in symmetrical, not-very-daring pieces. So with the awesome soup ingredients from Megan, I set out to purposely bead outside the box a little bit.
First I started with the turquoise focal - definitely a favorite stone - how could Megan have guessed? And I definitely wanted to use the large shiny silver beads. But using two on each side would be a bit boring. Hmmmmm. Megan also sent some really interesting wooden beads, but I wanted something redder to bring out the cool veining in the stone. Aha! In my stash were some dark red wooden prayer beads. I also came across some Bali-style silver 1-to-3 hole beads that I have had for a while but hadn't found the right project for yet. I thought using them to make three strands on one side of the necklace balanced the large beads on the other side. I finished it off with some large silver lined clear seed beads and the great clasp Megan sent - a leaf seemed like a fitting finish to the wooden beads.
So what to do with the nifty wooden beads? I have a bowl filled with side-drilled white stick pearls left over from an earring project (needed 4, got 100s because the price was right--sound familiar any one?). I also had some interesting amber colored crackled glass beads, so mixed that in with small amber seed beads. As I was stringing them I turned the necklace 90 degrees and decided I liked having the wooden beads on one side rather than centered. Digging around for a clasp I found a recently purchased silver leaf toggle - again - seemed like a fitting finish.
Well, now I was on a roll, so used Megan's two awesome red porcelain beads with an "orphan" Bali focal I had, and mixed the remainder of my soup (silver and black beads) with some light jade square beads to make a bracelet.
These are very beautiful, The first screams sophistication, the 2nd is a very fresh open design, the 3rd is daring with its red and the last piece is cooling and calming. You rock!!
ReplyDeleteThis is certainly outside the box and exciting. Love the turquoise piece with the three strands and four beads on either side. My next favorite is the pearls/wood beads necklace, but then all of them are just beautiful. great work, Elisabeth, so happy you can now bead back in the USA. I thank you for your service.
ReplyDeleteVery stylish!
ReplyDeleteI truly do like the turquoise necklace. The combination of colors it outstanding. Great job!
ReplyDeletelove that turquoise focal..great job.
ReplyDeleteThese turned out beautifully! I love the turquoise focal, and it's playing so well with the prayer beads. Great asymmetrical design I really like the amber, wood and pearl too! Enjoy:)
ReplyDeleteYour necklace with the turquoise has a different angle..wonderful! Youve made some lovlies here! Beading in Iraq wow. Did you find things there in the country you could use and make? Very intresting!
ReplyDeleteNot only is that turquoise necklace highly poshed--but your other pieces knock me over by their simplicity and sophistication! I love the assymetrical design and I love how you used the orphan bead! Great job!
ReplyDeleteI love them all!! And I think the first one is stunning with the multi-strands. The jade bracelet brings out the silver so well. Wonderful job!!
ReplyDeleteLove that first necklace. Asymetrical is lovely. Nice Soup.
ReplyDeleteI love them all, but that NECKLACE! WOW! How exotic-looking! I love it!
ReplyDeleteThat necklace is so striking!
ReplyDeleteYou did your soup proud!
As someone whose brain also tends to always want everything symmetrical and perfectly matched, I know what a challenge it can be to step outside that comfort zone. Congratulations! You did a great job. The first necklace, in particular, is so striking!
ReplyDeletewow! you made some beautiful things, I really love the necklace, but everything was just wonderful!
ReplyDeleteElisabeth, your pieces are gorgeous. It was fun reading more about your background and getting to know you better. Looking forward to meeting once again in September!
ReplyDeleteAnyone who makes jewelry in Iraq is a die-hard beadaholic and I love it. You did an awesome job with all of the pieces.
ReplyDeleteWow - 4 designs - awesome job. Your designs are lovely.
ReplyDeleteHi Elisabeth, what a beautiful job you did with Megan's bead soup!
ReplyDeleteLove the asymmetrical look!
ReplyDeleteThe soup is good! Your necklace design is genius.
ReplyDeleteAlso, thanks for your service. We all appreciate you.
They are all wonderful - great work!
ReplyDeleteYummy!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I really love the one with the two red beads and the Bali bead -- very simple, but striking.
ReplyDeleteVery earthly tones...very serene. smiles, Virginie
ReplyDeleteWow, they are wonderful! AWESOME! Thanks also for commenting on my blog. I finally got the other neck piece posted if you haven't had a chance to look.
ReplyDeleteNice! I love the creative way you added multiple strands to the first necklace!
ReplyDeleteThese are lovely. That right-brained/left-brained self can really come up with fabulous results.
ReplyDeleteEmanda
I really love your main piece. I'd love to see it hanging. Is the turquoise in the center or off-set. I think my favorite (maybe second favorite) is the last bracelet. I love that soft green and the design is great. You were obviously inspired!
ReplyDeleteVery nice pieces! The turquoise/red necklace came out especially well -- awesome color combo, and I love the asymmetrical design (which I never have to courage to do!). I'd wear that piece for sure!
ReplyDeleteVery well done. My fav is the 1st necklace...how can you not love red & turquoise?
ReplyDeleteBead Happy!
Michelle
Wow. I don't know how I missed you soup reveal! I thought I had seen everyone's that was posted on that day. I'm so sorry. You did a fantastic job and so many pieces! I can't say which I like best, they are all beautiful, elegant, easy to wear and interesting! You sure were a beading dynamo with this Soup!
ReplyDeleteAwesome work. I love the variety of pieces that you came up with!
ReplyDelete