Before I do the big reveal, lets first review what I got and what I sent.
Here is what I sent to my partner, My So Called Junky Life:
And here is what I recieved from her to work with:
To be honest, when I got this I had no idea what I was gonna do with a handful of pearls! I never work with pearls, so it took some thinking. I was also unsure of the metal focal and charm, as the focal was not made to be a focal and had no obvious way to attach it to a necklace, no bail!
I ended up making two pieces. The focal combined with some chunky chain and and became a draping necklace that I think is very reminicent of some of the pieces I saw on my partner's site.
This may look simple, but it took me forever and 3 different chains to figure out. At one point I had the charm dangling from the end of the focal, at another I had the beadwoven piece that became the necklace below. I even considered making dangly bits of more pearls to hang from the chain. After several days of staring at it, making a change, then staring some more, I finally decided to leave it in the form you see. (note: I did use some paint on the focal to give more of an antique'd look. I tried LOS, but it wouldn't take the patina, so paint it was!)
Did I metnion I don't ever use pearls? To overcome this, I decided to surround one of the pearls with something I do use - seed beads! I did use a stitch I normally avoid - brick stitch. It is strung on some simple beading chain and uses the clasp I was sent. I had considered making more of these for a sort of bouquet effect, but decided again on a simple approach. I am saving the charm and the rest of the pearls and hope to use them in a future project, or projects even!
You can see all the BSBP projects by visiting the Offical Site or by clicking on the links below!
The Hostess, Lori Anderson and her partner, Manuela Wutschke
1. Aimee Wheaton and Barbara York
2. Alice Craddick and Sandra Richardson
3. Alison Sachs and Amy Severino
4. Allison Scott and Cynthia Abner
5. Amanda Cargill Austin and Charlene Sevier
6. Amanda Davie and Patsy Evins
7. Amber Dawn and Kim Ballor
8. Ambra Gostoli and Christine Hansen
9. Amy Freelandand Christine Altmiller
10. Ana Krepel-Novak and Eleanor Snare
11. Andrea Morici and Hope Smitherman
12. Andrea Trank and Jayne Capps
13. Andrea Turini and Charlene Jacka
14. Angela May and Emanda Johnson
15. Anitra Gordy and Elizabeth Owens Dwy
16. Ann Rishell and Debbie Price
17. Ann Sherwood and Lynne Bowland
18. Anna Lear and Barbe Saint John
19. Anna Sabina and Erin Siegel
19. Nan Emmett and Erin Siegel
20. Astrid Boyce and Birgitta Lejonklou
21. B.R. Kuhlman and Deanna Chase
22. Barbara Bechtel and Bryna Lumb
23. Barbara Blaszczyk and DaviniaDesign
24. Barbara Judy and Holly Westfall
25. Barbara Lewis and Cathie Carroll
26. Barrie Edwards and Lyn Foley
27. Becky Fairclough and Jana Tarhala
28. Bella Borgouise and Gillian Lehman
29. Beth and Evie McCord and Erin Prais-Hintz
30. Beth Bricker and Heather Pyle
31. Beth Emery and Cassie Donlen
32. Bobbie Rafferty and Cindy Cima Edwards
33. Candice McGinnis and Sally Anderson
34. Carol Bradley and Cece Cormier
35. Cathy Khoury and Molly Alexander
36. Carol Tannahill and Hilary Frye
37. Carrie Tahquechi and Cris Peacock
38. Cat Pruitt and Cindy Gimbrone
39. Charlene Gary and Doris Stumpf
40. Charlotte Pevny and Kate Gardenghi
41. Cherrie Fickand Cathie Carroll
41. Claire Maunsell and Cherrie Fick
42. Cheryl Roe and Jenny Vidberg
43. Chris White and Norma Turvey
44. Christa Murphyand Kathy Alderfer
45. Christie Murrow and Dana James
46. Christina Miles and Collette Collins
47. Christine Brandel and Elizabeth Woodford
48. Christine Damm and Cynthia Deis
49. Christine Hendrickson and Debbie Goering
50. Christine Stonefield and Dee Wingrove-Smith
51. Cilla Watkins and Johanna Rhodes
52. Cindy Wimmer and Riki Schumacher
53. CJ Baushka and Cory Celaya
54. Courtney Breul and Joanna Matuszczyk
55. Cristi Clothier and Kathleen Robinson Young
56. Cryss Thain and Serena Trent
57. Cynthia Tucker and Kitty Durmaj
58. Dana Johnson Jones and Eva Sherman
59. Davinia Algeri and Janet McDonald
60. Deci Worland and Lara Lutrick
61. Diana Ptaszynski and Kristy Abner
62. Diane Cook and Kerry Bogert
63. Diane Hawkey and Jen Judd Velasquez
64. Dorcas Midkiff and Jill Harris
65. Doris Radlicki and Heather Goldsmith
66. Dot Lewallen and Gaea Cannaday
67. Elisabeth Auld and Jennifer Justman
68. Erin Fickert-Rowland and Geanina Grigore
69. Erin Grant and Julie Jones
70. Eszter Czibulyas and Helena Fritz
71. Fiona Christie and Michelle Heim
72. Gail Zwang and Genea Crivello-Knable
73. Geneva Collins and Jana Haag
74. Gretchen Nation and Heidi Post
75. Heather DeSimone and Karin Slaton
76. Heather Marley and Terry Carter
77. Ingrid McCue and Jennifer Pride
78. Jackie Ryan and Nicole Keller
79. Janna Harttgen and Joanne Tinley
80. Jean Yates and Lori Anderson
81. Jelveh Jaferian and Jenny Davies-Reazor
82. Jenni Connolly and Jennifer Heynen
83. Jennifer Cameron and Kristi Bowman
84. Jennifer Geldard and Lisa Liddy
85. Jennifer VanBenschoten and Kim Hora
86. Jess Italia Lincoln and Lori Greenberg
87. Jill MacKay and Lori Bergmann
88. JJ Jacobs and Karen Tremblay
89. Joyce Becker and Kathy Welsh
90. Judy Glende and Karen Sinkowski
91. Judy Riley and Kelly Morgan
92. JuLee Wolfe and Julie Bean
93. Julianna Cannon and Julianna Kis
94. Julie Nordine and Lesley Watt
95. K. Hutchinson and Shea Zukowski
96. Karen Firnberg and Karyn Bonfiglio
97. Karen Williams and Kimberly Roberts
98. Karen Zanco and Polly Barker
99. Kari Carrigan and Laura Twiford
100. Karin von Hoeren and Laura Blanck
101. Kate Richbourg and Lorelei Eurto
102. Kathleen Lange Klik and Maria Clark
103. Kathy Engstrom and Keri Lee Sereika
104. Kay Thomerson and Loretta Carstensen
105. Kelley Fogle and Laurel Bielec
106. Kelly Ramstack and Sally Anderson
107. Kim Stevens and Tiffany Long
108. Kristi Harrison and Mandy Williamson
109. Kristi Kyle and Lana Kinney
110. Kristina Johansson and Sue Hodgkinson
111. Kym Hunter and Laura Sanger
112. Laura Zeiner and Susan Kennedy
113. Laurel Stevenand Mary McGraw
114. Laurie Hanna and Lisa Boucher
115. Lesley Weir and Liz DeLuca
116. Linda Djokic and Tracey Weiser
117. Linda Inhelder and Pam Brisse
118. Linda Landig and Lori Dorrington
119. Linda Murphy and Lisa Hamilton
119. Line Labrecque and Marianne Baxter
120. Lisa Lodge and Monica Johnson
121. Lois Moon and Melissa Muir
122. Lola Surwillo and Therese Frank
123. Lori Bowring Michaud and Marci Brooks
124. Lupe Meter and Norma Agron
125. Maggie Towne and Marge Beebe
126. Malin de Koning and Susie Hibdon
127. Mallory Hoffman and Shirley Moore
128. Marcie Abney and Patty Miller
129. Marcy Lamberson and Melissa Clarke
130. Margot Potter and Suzann Sladcik Wilson
131. Maria Grimes and Wendy Blum
132. Maria Horvath and Melinda Orr
133. Maria Rosa Sharrow and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp
134. Marian Hertzog and Melissa Mesara
135. Marianna Boylan and Sandi Lee James
136. Marina Dobrynina and Michaela Pabeschitz
137. Marsha Neal and Miri Agassi
138. Mary Ellen Parker and Melissa Meman
139. Mary Elliott and Tamara Soper
140. Mary Hicks and Laurel Steven
141. Melissa Pynn and Michelle Buettner
142. Michelle Hardy and Niki Meiners
143. Michelle Mach and Moira McEvoy
144. Missy Rappaportand Mags Sarri
145. Molly Alexander and Poranna
146. Mylene Hillam and Nicole Rennell
147. Nadezhda Parfyonova and Stacey Curry
148. Nan Emmett and Nancy Peterson
149. Nancy Boylan and Natalie McKenna
150. Natalie Monkivitch and Niky Sayers
151. Natasha Lutes and Pam Ferrari
152. Noemi Baena and Penny Ilagan
153. Pamela Petry and Rebecca Sirevaag
154. Pat Haightand MaryShannon Hicks
155. Patty Gasparino and Vonna Maslanka
156. Penny Neville and Sandi Volpe
157. Pepita Bos and Wendy Chamberlain
158. Raida Disbrow and Rebecca Watkins
159. Rebecca Anderson and Sabrina Staub
160. Regina Santerre and Rose Binoya
161. Rhea Freitag and Tari Kahrs
162. Rochelle Brisson and Teri Baskett
163. Sally Russick and Tracy Bell
164. Sandra McGriff and Shay Williams
165. Sandra Wolberg and Sara Hardin
166. Sarah Elder and Salla Small
167. Saskia Kaffenberger and Sharon Gardner
168. Sharon Palac and Shannon Chomanczuk
169. Shay Stone and Suzette Bentley
170. Shiraz Biggie and Tammy Powley
171. Staci Smith and Tracy Stillman
172. Stacie Stamper and Tracy Martin
173. Stefanie Teufel and Vicky Taylor
174. Stephanie Dixon and Stephanie LaRosa
175. Stephanie Haussler and Valerie Norton
176. Suzanne Tate and Terri Wlaschin
177. Sweet Freedom Designs and Tammy Jones
178. Tania Spivey and Tari Sasser
179. Tara Plote and Terry Matuszyk
180. Terri Gauthier and Deana Hager
181. Theresa Fosdick and Tracey Nanstad
I think you found a great solution for your soup. Beautiful work!
ReplyDeletebeautiful pieces!
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful pieces. I love.
ReplyDeleteMarina
Hi Salla, I love what you created with your soup mix, pretty and smiple makes for elegance.
ReplyDeleteTherese
Great job! Love what you did with the pearl.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to use one of the pearls as the centre of a beautiful flower.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of using a pearl as a center for a beadwoven piece. I think it's a perfect example of what this Bead Soup Party is all about--taking some new element and making it work for you!
ReplyDeleteI really like the first necklace, too. I know how hard it is to find just the right chain!
Very creative!
ReplyDeleteI love both pieces that you used with your soup. Very simple - but sometimes simple it the way to go!!!
ReplyDeleteThe bead work that you did on the second necklace is stunning! Thanks for being my partner.
What a pretty way of framing that pearl. You did turn around what it could have been a very old fashion type of necklace, huh?
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! Way to make it work for you :)
ReplyDeleteLovely!!! Simply beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI am SO sorry for being late — today our internet provider decided to crash. My stress level is through the roof, to say the least! They’re still working on it, but it’s like dial-up.
ReplyDeleteI think you overcame your fear of glitz and pearls quite well!
I hope you’ll participate again!
Love, Lori
Beautiful, The first one is my favorite. Cool design!
ReplyDeletethe beadweaving around the pearl is just perfect! i love the whole look and feel of it!
ReplyDeleteI really love what you did in both pieces. The beading you did around that pearl is stunning. I love using pearls I always seem to wirewrap them in an untidy way and link them.
ReplyDeleteHop hop,
Theresa
Aw, pretty! I love the shape of your top necklace and the wee brick stitched flower is lovely. Pearls are good! You've made them work!
ReplyDeleteLove what you made with your soup! Each is so different and beautiful in it's own way. Great job!
ReplyDeleteVery nice pieces! And great job with beads and supplies you not normally work with.
ReplyDeletesimple and elegant - very nice!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty!!! Great imagination with your bead soup.
ReplyDeleteVery nice! I see where you were quite challenged by the soup!
ReplyDeleteAnd as a, well, seed bead slut, I love your pearl flower! Nice!
I love what you created around your focal. Deceptively simple and really beautiful!
ReplyDeleteVery nice, love the simplicity.
ReplyDeleteSimple is sometimes the best way to go at something! I, too, am a simple gal!
ReplyDeleteEspecially lovin' that first necklace!
ReplyDeleteAnitra
Two beautiful, yet totally different necklaces.
ReplyDeleteI never would've thought of using a single pearl as a focal! Nice work:) and that top one is just stunning :)
ReplyDeleteVery elegant pieces, especially the second one with the pearl is something I'd see in an expensive designer store! =o And the first one really brings out the beauty of the focal by contrasting it with the heavy chain.
ReplyDeleteLovely pieces, so delicate and romantic.
ReplyDeleteLovely. I particularly like the chain one.
ReplyDeleteLove what you came up with and bravo to you for overcoming all those challenges!!!
ReplyDeleteTerri
I love what you did with the pearl. So creative! It's simple yet it's really elegant.
ReplyDeleteJulie & Andrea
Very nice. Simple yet elegant. I think you did great with your pieces.
ReplyDeleteYou don't use pearls but you set that single pearl in your work in a great way. I like both your necklace and I think I think the first one is very elegant.
ReplyDeleteAmbra
stunning in its simplicity. I would have love to see in detail how you finally attached the focal.
ReplyDeleteI love the rhinestone pieces you received, very much the stuff I drool over. You did an excellent job of showcasing that focal piece and making it the star!
ReplyDeleteI REALLY like the draped necklace, and the sead bead focal you created with the pearl is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhile both very simple pieces, they are altogether lovely.
ReplyDeleteLove them both! Nice job, Salla.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry I am so late , but my computer dug in it's heels and said I'm nota-gonna go that fast:^)
ReplyDeleteYour designs are nothing short of amazing.
Be blessed to be a blessong
For being taken way out of your comfort zone, you did a lovely, lovely job! And the simplest designs can be the trickiest, because EVERYTHING shows and there's no faking it.
ReplyDeleteYour pieces are so elegant!
ReplyDeleteI really like that you kept it simple. A good solution to the non-bail focal problem. As for the pearls, I would have embedded them in polymer clay LOL (actually I HAVE embedded pearls in Polymer - it is a great emblishment.)
ReplyDeleteLove your pearl/seed bead focal, it's stunning.
ReplyDeleteGreat solution to your soup - I love the beaded focal! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Salla, I can see how this would have been a huge challenge for you -- but you rose to it and created two beautiful 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
Good job of using something outside of your comfort zone, but "weaving" (pun intended) it into your style!
ReplyDeletePretty pretty designs!!! I can see myself wearing that pearl necklace!!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it interesting to see where the challenges lie?
ReplyDeleteI can never get too far away from my seed beads, so understand your challenge!
What a cleaver way to show off a simple pearl. Less is really more.
ReplyDeletenice and simple. the focals then stand out on their own. Great job
ReplyDeleteBoth pieces are fantastic! I like the heaviness combined with an elegant brooch in the first necklace . The seed bead work on the second necklace is stunning, really beautiful!
ReplyDeletea lot of times I take items and they sit on my bench for weeks just waiting for me to figure out what they want to be made into. You did a great job with that focal. I love how "Simple" it is, even though I know it wasn't simple to get there. You also did a great job with the pearl. I rarely use them either and it is hard for me to get them used sometimes. You did a great job!
ReplyDeleteMelissa
http://design.kcjewelbox.com
OMG! OMG! OMG! I love love love love love the 2nd one! That simple circle surrounding the pearl is amazing. Fabulous job!
ReplyDeleteI love what you did with your soup mix. the first one is beautiful. I love that it is simple, for the wearer is lends to wearing a more elaborate outfit. I see it one the neck of some princess.
ReplyDeleteOh, both necklaces turned out lovely, but I really love how you stitched around that single pearl. I do hope you do more of those. Clever and pretty!
ReplyDeleteThe chain with the focal is very elegant.
ReplyDeletejenni
Love what you made with your soup!!
ReplyDelete