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Saturday, May 10, 2014

Bead Soup Reveal Day

It is finally here-"Reveal Day"-can't wait to show you what I made...

My "SOUP" partner is Loretta Carstensen of designsbyloretta.blogspot.com.  Loretta lives in South Ogden, Utah.   She is retired and along with making jewelry loves to travel with her husband.

This is the "bead soup" I received. 

Thanks, Loretta for a beautiful "soup"!
The large red beads are glass African trade beads 
and the small ones are red jasper. I don't know what the focal bead is. 
Please let me know if you do.

In the beginning I didn't think this would be such a hard challenge but the more I looked at it the harder it became. I wanted to complement the focal and not overpower or take away from it. After much thought and deliberation, I finally decided the focal needed some wire wrapping...but that was only part of the necklace.  Again, I had to set it aside and ponder how to add just the right chain to set it off.  This is the design I came up with.




The toggle clasp was bright brass that I patinated to match the bronze wire links.

I also made a pair of earrings using the red jasper beads.

The African trade beads will remain in my stash for a while waiting patiently for an idea to "pop" into my head...so until later be sure to check out Loretta's blog along with all the other participants in the Blog Hop.

I'm off to blog hop and see what you made...

Thanks again, Lori for a fun Bead Soup Blog Hop!

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74 comments:

  1. LorettaMay 10, 2014 at 9:00 AM

    You did a beautiful job with the soup. I love it. Thank you for sending me such challenging soup. I really had fun playing with it.

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  2. AWJewelryMay 10, 2014 at 10:05 AM

    great job, love that focal and the way you used it

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  3. UnknownMay 10, 2014 at 10:50 AM

    Love how you used your focal and patinated the clasp.
    The large soldered links on the earrings are wonderful.

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  4. LizMay 10, 2014 at 11:12 AM

    I'm not sure what that focal is, but I know you used it very well. It definitely has a romantic feel and the clasp is integrated perfectly! I'm a new follower. Well done :-)
    Liz at Bead Contagion

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    Replies
    1. Linda SadlerMay 10, 2014 at 9:19 PM

      So happy that you liked what I made and that you are following my blog.

      Delete
  5. Tammy AdamsMay 10, 2014 at 11:45 AM

    Lovely wire work. Very well done. Especially like the decision to patina the clasp to make it blend better with the rest of the necklace.

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  6. UnknownMay 10, 2014 at 1:23 PM

    Wirework is one of my passions too. You did an outstanding job on your necklace. Bravo!

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  7. Jo-AnnMay 10, 2014 at 3:19 PM

    Your wirewrapping truly enhances the focal! Love it!

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  8. Beti HorvathMay 10, 2014 at 3:24 PM

    Yow! I have one of those stones, and i don't know what it is either! Your design is very well executed, and I love the wire work, especially playing the large focal against the airy rings.

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    Replies
    1. Linda SadlerMay 10, 2014 at 9:24 PM

      Thanks Beti. I would love to see how you used your stone.

      Delete
  9. ElizabethMay 10, 2014 at 5:40 PM

    Beautiful wire wrap and necklace !! I love how you toned down the harshness with the patina!! Brilliant!!

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  10. Kari AsburyMay 10, 2014 at 8:17 PM

    Beautiful! I love the wire work and they way you kept the design simple so the focal would remain center stage.

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  11. RoseMay 10, 2014 at 10:29 PM

    Very, very pretty Linda. I think you are absolutely right to keep the focal the main feature and not overwhelm it with unnecessary detail.
    Rose

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  12. MagsMay 11, 2014 at 3:41 AM

    The necklace is very much to my taste with its' simplicity, charming!

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  13. Nelly MayMay 11, 2014 at 8:22 AM

    Oh Linda - your necklace is sublime! You've done a beautiful job of showcasing that stunning focal and the earrings match perfectly. Wonderful!

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  14. ChrisMay 11, 2014 at 12:06 PM

    Wow! I love the focal and what you did with it. Very nice!

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  15. vovsblogMay 11, 2014 at 3:47 PM

    Such lovely work well done!

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  16. AnonymousMay 11, 2014 at 3:59 PM

    I love the wirework you did. You managed to enhance the beautiful focal bead. I wonder what it is. I have some jade with similar veining. Beautiful pieces!

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  17. jevebo-artMay 11, 2014 at 4:00 PM

    Oh, wow. I am thrilled with your jewelry creations. The necklace is a dream and the earrings are the perfect complement to it. so beautiful!

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  18. Third Eye GypsyMay 11, 2014 at 4:42 PM

    I love your loopy and swirly design! Negative space adds such interest to designs :) xo Genea

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  19. Adaptable Kay May 11, 2014 at 5:02 PM

    I'm in love with that gorgeous necklace you created! I love how the focal IS the focal and everything works to compliment it-it really is a stunning piece and I'm a big fan of your wire work!

    All in all both beautiful pieces :)

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  20. Deborah ApodacaMay 11, 2014 at 10:22 PM

    I LOVE the necklace. Love the wrap and how you kept the solder joints natural. Beautiful work!!!!

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  21. WindDancerStudiosMay 11, 2014 at 10:40 PM

    Love that focal, it can be difficult to not overpower sometimes, you did well! Echoing the lines of your wrap in your links was a very nice touch.

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  22. The ATELIER HandmadeMay 12, 2014 at 9:53 AM

    Really pretty, you really made a necklace that complements the focal. Well done

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  23. roomforchangeMay 12, 2014 at 12:04 PM

    The red jasper is gorgeous!! I like how you wrapped the focal. Fantastic!!

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    Replies
    1. Linda SadlerMay 13, 2014 at 8:52 AM

      Happy you liked my necklace-red is one of my favorite colors

      Delete
  24. Kumi FisherMay 12, 2014 at 1:52 PM

    The custom made chain is just the right touch for this necklace! What a nice design to show off the beautiful focal!

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  25. UnknownMay 12, 2014 at 9:02 PM

    Linda, I love what you made with your soup. The chain is wonderful. I also fell in love with the soup you sent your partner. Im not looking for left overs but hey, It really was nice. :)

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  26. The Polka Dot ClosetMay 13, 2014 at 2:47 PM

    Oh, I am sooo impressed. Jewelry is one craft I have not tried...I am just sure I would not have the patience for it. This necklace and earrings are gorgeous! What a talent!

    Carol

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    Replies
    1. Linda SadlerMay 13, 2014 at 8:47 PM

      Thank you. With the talent I see in all your posts, I'm sure you can do anything!

      Delete
  27. bailaoraMay 13, 2014 at 4:23 PM

    inspiring designs,super work with wire! congratulations!

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  28. My Life Under the BusMay 14, 2014 at 10:12 AM

    I have a thing for circles myself - LOVE this! Thanks for stopping by and for the lovely comme

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  29. AnonymousMay 15, 2014 at 6:51 PM

    Great chain and Wireworking. Very attractive

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  30. AliciaMay 15, 2014 at 10:07 PM

    Lovely hand-made chain - I love how it ads character to the whole piece. Beautiful set!

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  31. anafiassaMay 16, 2014 at 1:31 PM

    Simply and utterly beautiful! You did a fantastic job showcasing/balancing your focal... and I simply love the colors! I am very impressed... wonderful work!

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  32. Linda SadlerMay 16, 2014 at 7:43 PM

    Thank you for such nice comments-

    ReplyDelete
  33. SarahMay 17, 2014 at 2:30 AM

    Oh, wow! I love your wirework; the copper works beautifully with the beads.

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  34. Just BeadsMay 17, 2014 at 6:32 AM

    Wow, I love your designs especially the wire work. Great!

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  35. Monique (A Half-Baked Notion)May 17, 2014 at 12:57 PM

    Elegant AND understated, Linda :) That amazing focal demanded to be the center of attention, and your beautiful design is just the ticket.

    Those trade beads would make wonderful feature beads in bracelets with lots of orphan lampwork or ceramic thrown in the mix. Can't wait to see what you create with them!

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  36. Karen MitchellMay 17, 2014 at 8:46 PM

    Love love love the wirework in the necklace! The chain perfectly compliments the focal. Great work.

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  37. BevMay 22, 2014 at 12:11 AM

    What great wire work to highlight your focal. Love the colors and how metals compliment them. Love the earrings too!

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  38. AnonymousMay 23, 2014 at 8:40 PM

    that chain was perfect for that focal. It's so pretty on its own, you were wise not to overpower it. Nice wire work to draw attention, but again,just enough to show it off. Beautiful

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  39. Ann SchroederMay 24, 2014 at 7:09 PM

    I love your soup results. I aspire to wire work like this.

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  40. PepitaMay 25, 2014 at 11:55 AM

    Love, love, love your pieces and love your wire-work!!!
    Alenka

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  41. Linda A.May 25, 2014 at 8:36 PM

    I REALLY loved your simple wirework on the focal piece. It gave me an inspiration for a piece I've been struggling with for many moons - THANK YOU! =)

    Linda A.
    http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
    http://cherryOnTopDesign.co

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    Replies
    1. Linda SadlerMay 30, 2014 at 9:04 PM

      So happy you were inspired. I think we draw from each other!

      Delete
  42. CraftyHopeMay 25, 2014 at 10:16 PM

    You did a really wonderful job accenting the focal without overpowering it. Your simple but stunning wirework was perfection.

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  43. la mar de bonitaMay 26, 2014 at 4:04 AM

    Hmhm - very romantic Linda! Love your cooking!

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  44. AnonymousJune 2, 2014 at 5:03 PM

    WOW.....that focal was amazing and the way you highlighted it with the wirework.....just awesome.....those few red dangles were just enough. Sometimes less is more and you hit it on the head. Great job

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  45. UnknownJune 4, 2014 at 7:27 AM

    Very ♥elegant and feminine♥ necklace... 'Simple' meant in a very very positive way (-: I love your work!

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  46. KepiJune 4, 2014 at 3:51 PM

    Beautiful necklace and earrings, the wire working is exceptional and really showcases the soup!

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  47. PiPaJune 6, 2014 at 4:21 PM

    Your wirework is exceptional, not only in quality but also how you balanced different shapes and materials. Gorgeous

    ReplyDelete
  48. Linda SadlerJune 12, 2014 at 5:25 PM

    Thank you-I appreciate your comments

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  49. bairozanJune 27, 2014 at 8:06 AM

    I love the chain, the bail, the whirled links, the small red beads hanging discreetly from the big round links, the wirework in general - amazing! And the subtlety of the earrings is just right for this necklace!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Linda SadlerJuly 7, 2014 at 6:44 PM

    Thanks, Terri-

    ReplyDelete

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