Bead Soup Blog Party time!

Thank you for stopping by the sweet bead studio corner of the great big Bead Soup Blog Party.  The blog party is hosted by my friend  Lori Anderson, and this is my 3rd time participating in this international event.  Lori has created a blog hop (and it’s much more than a blog hop) that so many of us look forward to; it is quite the event of the jewelry community.  Thank you Lori, and a great big {hug} going out to you!!

Oh boy was I lucky.  My bead soup partner was Riki Schumacher of Riki Jewelry.  It happens that I’ve been an online friend of Riki’s for some time, not to mention I absolutely love her style.   Riki is such an inspirational instructor – she recently launched a new site for the jewelry community, and plans to share information, techniques, and tutorials!  You can also take classes with her in-person (if you’re lucky to live close enough), or take one of her mini online courses – she is very generous with information.

Riki sent me a fabulous array of vintage treasures.  The color scheme is incredibly rich – with a mix of bronze and pearly tones.  Just look at the focal she created for me!  Riki soldered rhinestones to a pendant that she forged and antiqued.  Another focal was created from a vintage watch – she shared this technique in a previous issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.  Pearls, an assortment of vintage charms, and luscious silk ribbon were also included in her bead soup mix.

I was immediately drawn to the tiny, old photographs.  Who were these people and what kind of lives did they lead?  My mind began to wander to different scenarios – from a hundred years ago.  Riki sent these pictures to the right person. I take in old photographs and give them their due respect  – one day I’ll share my antique photo album collection.  Now back to my soup mix – another favorite piece is the gold link (and it’s a mystery as to how it was used, it does not open like  a locket).  What’s so special about this piece is the script monogram – “LEW”.  I created a story in my  mind, of how the man in the photograph gave this to the woman with the rosy cheeks as a special token of his endearment.  Maybe it was an engagement gift.  I know this monogrammed piece must have been special to someone, somewhere, many years ago.  It is now in my possession and I do cherish it already.

It’s plain to see that I received a bead soup mix that is completely the type of beads and components I would have selected for myself.  If you’re asking, “where’s the challenge then?”, there were still challenges.  I did encounter challenges as I connected the components of this cuff-like bracelet.  I annealed three of the metal connectors and filigree and shaped them on my bracelet mandrel so they’d have a nice curve.  I got creative with cold connections.  An antique rhinestone pin is wire wrapped to a Bethlehem Steel tag.  The monogrammed focal is attached to the old, ornate stamping with sari ribbon.  Fray Check is my friend when it comes to sari ribbon.   I added vintage rhinestone and mother of pearl buttons to the beautiful mix of beads that I received from Riki.

I debated with whether or not to embellish the soldered rhinestone focal that Riki hand-forged. It was so beautiful on its own.  Should I punch a hole and hang a dangle from the bottom?    While looking through my vintage buttons, I came across an old “W” button I had been saving.  Oh how perfect. Not only was this one of the initials in the monogrammed focal, but it is the initial of my last name (and if it looks like an M to you, that covers my maiden name too!).  The “W” button was a perfect match!

I had a clever little idea for the necklace.  I added seed bead and brass chain to a old rhinestone necklace, and did not attach it to the main necklace.  I created the look of a double-strand necklace, but with the option of wearing one without the other.

I have a surprise for you….a little thank you for making it this far in my lengthy bead soup post (because there are over 300 other blogs you’ll want to visit!).  I’ll be giving away this sweet pair of earrings to one visitor.  I’ll draw a name next Tuesday, Sept. 2oth.

Enjoy the rest of the Bead Soup Blog Party & thank you for stopping by! 🙂  You’ll find the complete list of participants when you click on the link below.

-Cindy

The 4th Bead Soup Blog Party list of participants