Share the Hoard!

    Welcome to the Bead Soup Blog Party! The ninth edition, with a very special twist. I had to share my hoard! Eek!

To recap, here's the hoarded beads my partner Heather Canepa sent to me.

    Initially I was at a complete loss for ideas. The colors were too random to mix up into a single piece without something to tie them all together. 

    And there was nothing in my stash that fit the bill! 

    It was just a few days ago that the light bulb finally went off! 

"Plumage"

    First off I used the turquoise Howlite trapezoid beads in a pair of earrings. Rubbed with African bronze Gilder's Paste and sealed, to soften the brightness of the blue and add a bit of shimmer. It settled into the crackle pattern perfectly!

    Paired with Helen Backhouse's polymer clay blooms in rich peacock tones. Topped with blue luster glass beads, and faceted metallic Czech glass, and wrapped with rainbow fairy ribbon. Wisps of peacock feather frill below, the luscious luminescence dancing violet and gold in the light in dramatic fashion.

    Next I set my sights on that ceramic teal green flower focal. This was also treated with African bronze Gilder's paste and sealed to shimmer and soften.
    The bracelet design was inspired by a pair of earrings I recently completed. I carried the theme over into the bracelet.

                "When in Rome" 

    Ruby Zoisite nestled in a seashell, holds a hand scrolled antiqued brass hook on one side. A ribbed artisan ceramic bead by Robin Cove, an African bronze trade bead, a fire Agate, and a rustic lampwork glass "stone" hoop by Julia Hay complete the other.
    The back side drapes 4 strands of mixed beads and chain in a dramatic scallop.
    One strand of heavy antique brass chain, and three beaded strands. Ancient Roman glass discs, another artisan ceramic nugget by Robin Cove, Ruby Zoisite, African bronze, vintage trade beads, and striped Czech glass seed beads, all strung on knotted twine, hand waxed in a heavy grungy fashion to make it appear ancient.
    A Ruby Zoisite bead dangles off the end of the extension chain to adjust the fit.

    The earrings don't include any of the beads from my kit. I'm simply sharing them as the inspiration for the bracelet design.

    Then I focused on that purple composite stone. I'm not sure what it's made of. Heather didn't know either. Does anyone have any ideas? 

    I set out to wire wrap it into an unfolding lotus blossom. But I don't have much experience in that department and was totally winging it.

   

    My first attempt was a bit sloppy. I couldn't figure out what to do with all those loose ends!  

    After a bit of rethinking, I changed my approach.

    I formed 3 separate crowns of petals , to solder together onto a backing plate, and then fold the inner circle down to prong set the stone. 

    Now that's more my speed!  

    Now we're talking! 

    Unfortunately, when I was just about done, I dropped my setting and completely mangled it. 😕 No time to fix the damage I did today, so it's been put on the back burner til I can get to it to redo it again. 

    I also have those creamy glass pearls and apricot stones set aside for a lovely butterfly theme necklace. and I have an idea for a handwoven bag, utilizing that large brown bead as the closure, and the ivory glass and terracotta plastics on the fringe. So stay tuned for those. I'll post when I get time to make the rest of them. 

Now, head on over to my partner Heather's blog Desert Jewelry Designs next, to see what she made with that fabulous Raku Cabochon from Wondrous Strange and my signature hammered copper key I sent her.

    A special thank you to our gracious hostess Lori McDaniel Anderson for all her hard work in organizing this epic event! She deserves some pie!😉💗

    You'll find the list to all the participants' blog links here on her blog Pretty Things. 

    Thanks for stopping by! I'd love to hear what you think! 

    If you see anything you're interested in, they'll all be available at my show in the LBA Designers Galleria Showcase, starting this Tuesday evening at 4pm PT / 7pm ET! 

    Hope to see you all there!