Friday, September 16, 2011

Bead Soup Reveal!!!!

Click here for the entire Soup list, located on the awesome Lori Anderson't blog.  Please visit as many blogs as possible.  You won't be disappointed.

I am so excited! Seriously, I cannot express how much I enjoy participating in the Blog Soup. I create things.  I play with shiny objects.  I meet new people.  For someone whose all-time favorite thing to do is to sit at home, curl up on the couch and read, "knowing" all these beautiful, caring, creative people is almost unfathomable.  My life is awesome.

My partner this round is Marian Hertzog of M's Place.  She creates beautiful polymer clay beads. Check out her Etsy store! She sent me a beautiful collection.

{deep breath}
This is what I created.



September kicks off an extremely busy time of year for me at work, and it really doesn't let up til February.  My life is nonstop.  I only mention that because when I first looked at all the goodies in my box from Marian, I was mentally designing no less than 5 pieces. When I was finally able to sit down and create, I realized *everything* had to go into one piece, not because I didn't have to time to do all the various pieces, but because I wanted it all NOW.


What Marian sent me are some of my favorite colors. Blues, purples, and black; metals in silver, brass, and copper.   Perfect.  I added brass and silver chain, blue pearls, a few of my handmade glass beads, and even a   ceramic bead from my first partner, Nan Emmett. I used the clasp Marian sent me in the main body of the necklace, so I used some brass wire my second partner, Diane Cook, sent me for the clasp.  :)


After I wear it next week (you know, quality control), I will be donating the necklace to Homes for our Troops. They build specialty adapted homes for our troops, and recently built one locally. My dad's birthday is in October, so this time of year always make me think of him, and miss him just a little bit more.  He was a Viet Nam vet.  Marian's son is currently serving our country in the Navy.  I kept my first Bead Soup necklace because it was my first one.  I kept my second one because it represents my grandmother.  I was recently approached by Homes for Our Troops for a donation, so it just seemed like this is where this necklace needed to go.

73 comments:

Jenni said...

I love your wild and busy necklace..it all just seems to go! and go well at that! How nice that you included elements from previous partners, too.
I love the fact you are donating this piece, you are a very generous person.
jenni

Mags said...

Yes, it is wild and generous, such a great work of art!

Clayworks by Lisa Boucher said...

What a beautiful finished piece Melissa! Someone will enjoy wearing that fun and fashionable work of art. Very nice of you to donate your creation to such a wonderful cause.

Myléne Hillam said...

Wow... wow.... wow!!!
Love that you placed the brass plane right in the front. It's such a great contrast in the piece!

la mar de bonita said...

Great work - wild at heart! So much fun to see all the details!
Greetings, Michi

BluMoon said...

Wow, that necklace is full to overflowing love it!
Jackie

Marian Hertzog said...

Melissa it is beautiful! I love it! My husband is a disabled Vietnam Vet as well so your donation really touches my heart....thank you. Thanks again for what you sent me... the auto post did not work so I came back home and posted it just now.

Cindy Gimbrone said...

Wow! What a delicate color made into a lovely piece!

Cory said...

Love it...what a beautiful piece.

rockcreekcreations said...

At first I thought, "All in one piece!" But it really works!! Wonderful work!!

Unknown said...

So rich and textural....beautiful!!

Shirley said...

Those are just gorgeous colors, and they all play together so well! Love your generosity in donating it to a worthy cause!

Palimpa Lim said...

Beautiful necklace! I ecpecially love the fact that you worked in elements from previous bead soup partners. That makes it very meaningful and totally bead soup ;)

one-eared pig said...

Thank you so much! I can't wait to start ogling everyone else's goodies!

Judy said...

I would love to see the necklace on you, I bet it will be amazing!...those trinkets are so sweet! Such a great cause you are donating your piece to.

Pretty Things said...

I 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.

First, it's gorgeous -- and I hope you know that. Second, I think you have a HUGE heart for your donation. I'm proud of you as a former troop.

I hope you’ll participate again!

Love, Lori

Regina said...

What a great piece of art! The plane charm, fitting especially since you are donating it for our troops. Lovely!

Karen Williams said...

Wow! The people at Homes for Our Troops are going to be blown away.

Kathleen Lange Klik said...

Fantastic necklace! I love the multi-strand design you created-so fun. Very thoughtful to donate it.

Stacey said...

I love all the details that you included in your necklace. Great colors!! What an awesome thing to donate to!

Sweet Willow Designs said...

Great color and wonderful movement in your necklace. Thanks for supporting the troops. I know when my son was with the Marines and in Iraq the home support meant so much to him. Your donation will be very well received and a great tribute to your dad.

Laura Twiford said...

Great soup and thoughtful donation! Love the finished piece!

EmandaJ said...

Gorgeous piece and very lovely that you will be donating it to a special charity close to your heart. We’re all being pushed outside our comfort zones — with amazing results!

Enjoy the hop,
Emanda
http://artemisiastudio.blogspot.com/2011/09/bead-soup-reveal.html

VS said...

OMGoodness...your soup is DELICIOUS my Friend!!! I adore your design, it's truly stunning! Well done, another AMAZING cup of BEAD SOUP from a very talented designer!!! ;)

Sweet Freedom said...

What an amazing necklace!

Beadbug said...

I love it, so busy and colorful. Right up my alley.

Silver Parrot said...

There's a lot going on here, but you managed to put it together perfectly! I love it and I think it's great that you're donating it, too!

KayzKreationz said...

I absolutely adore your necklace. It is just wild, free, beautiful. It's great that you could include a few pieces from your earlier partners, too. Kind of ties it all together. Love it.

Christals Creations said...

The necklace is fab. I have some of those aeroplane charms i've been wondering how to use them. I think the donation is a great idea. I have donated a bit of my sales to Help for Heroes this year. Hubby is a forces member so it's close to my heart as it is yours. X

one-eared pig said...

Thank you all so much for your knd words! I'm having so much with this!

ThreeRedBeads said...

I love multi strands and what you created is absolutely beautiful!

CrochetbyErin said...

WOW! love it

GlassBeadArt said...

Breathtkingly beautiful! I hope it will raise lots of money for the cause!

Sally Anderson said...

Wow! That some soup you received. I love those colors and the mixed metals. What you did with it all is really beautiful and kudos for the donation!

SoulsFireDesigns said...

Work of art. It is a work of art. And I love that you will be donating it! My daddy was in the Navy for 21 years :) What a great cause! Thank you for sharing!

Elizabeth said...

What a glorious piece and a fabulous purpose and destination for it!! Bravo on all counts!!!!!!!!!!!

Maggie said...

Love the necklace. It's funny what our eyes are drawn to, for me it was the little plane, just so charming. How sweet of you to make this a donation to such a good cause, glad you are going to wear it once first.

coffeeaddict said...

Wow, I'm amazed that you were able to put it all in one design and it came out looking awesome not awkward. Great job and I love the way you write :-)

Anonymous said...

How generous you are!

Loris Glassworks said...

Wonderful! You have created a terrific piece of wearable art. I like your use of color and texture. Thank you for sharing your artistic process along the way. Cheers!
Lori

Wendy said...

Pretty necklace and I love the colors!

JuLee said...

Someone will be so lucky to get this fabulous piece of wearable art. Beautiful.

CraftyHope said...

What a wild and crazy necklace!! It's really a lot of fun. Nicely done!

Terri said...

This is just bead-a-licious!!! A feast for the eyes. Somebody had fun with their soup. Beautiful.

Beadaholique said...

I was instantly drawn to the placement of the brass plane - it seems to signify "adventure", "wild", "flight" - perfect to go with your design. Very pretty!

Kudos for the donation too - that's great!

Anonymous said...

Nice bead soup. Love the texture!

elisabeth said...

I'm not a big necklace type, but I LOVE this necklace. You had me with the brass airplane :-) Thank you for donating to such a wonderful organization!

Jennifer Cameron said...

This is a beautiful piece to donate. I hope it goes for BIG $$$$$

Serena Trent said...

I love the colors, wonderful piece you have created.

T... said...

oh my what a great creation. love everything thats going on and that little plane is just awesome

I LOVE color! said...

I am so sorry I am so late hopping your way. My computer dug it's heels in and said Not gon'a go thaat fast.:^)
Your designs are nothing short of amazing.
Be blessed to be a blessing

Lola said...

Beautiful necklace!

JenniferJangles said...

I love how you put all of those beads in one necklace. I think it turned out great!

Shel said...

Wow - this rocks!! It's so beautiful - I love blue, so I'm partial to this one! Great that you're donating it - how wonderful is that!! Love the airplane,...just love it

vonna said...

Melissa I am so excited to see that you used all your soup in your pot! I love the necklace, it is just so full fun! Beautiful finished piece Melissa, wish I could see it in person. Good luck with the donation part.. Vonna <3

Starry Dreams Jewellery Designs said...

Stunning! Love the plane!

Christine Altmiller said...

ooops...i commented on the list instead of the actual reveal! take 2: this is beautiful! i love all the layers-they look fantastic!

Mary K. McGraw said...

What a fun necklace. When you get a good soup it all works together. Love that you are donating the necklace to Homes for Our Troops fundraiser. What a great cause.

Carol Tannahill said...

What a gorgeous necklace! Donating it is going to be a wrench but it's such a good cause. Bravo!

one-eared pig said...

Thank you all so much!

CharmN Jewelry said...

Charms make a piece very interesting...there are also some favorite charms of every individual...like the hanging leaves myself.Silver Charm Bracelet

Tracy said...

A great finished piece, you certainly made good use of your soup.

beautifullybrokenme said...

Such a beautiful necklace in quiet, soothing colors. I love the design, the mixed metals, all of it - fabulous!

Kathy ~ Artful Accents said...

I love this post! And I love the richness of your piece! And I love that you included beads/wire from your other bead soups...note to self: save some of this Bead Soup's beads to incorporate into next!

Barbara Lewis said...

I love these. So Boho Chic!

Carol B said...

That is a beautiful necklace! You are so sweet to donate it to help our military vets.

Amy S. said...

I love this necklace you made - it is so full of whimsy and the colors are great!!! Your post made me smile!

Bobbie said...

Wow it looks like someone opened up the mermaid's treasure box - what a riot of color and texture! And hooray for you for finding such a generous next life for it.

Anonymous said...

The necklace is beautiful. How generous of you to donate to such a great cause.

Maneki said...

Very pretty necklace! I like how busy (in a good way) it feel with all the different strands with different beads and charms. Great job!

horimarika said...

Well... This necklace is so great! Love the colours, beads in it. But, anyway I like your work so much! I will follow you!!!! Take care! Kisses from Hungary

Anonymous said...

A very elaborate necklace but well done and in wonderful colours!

Ambra

Ann said...

Wow, that necklace really makes a statement. You definitely have it all there:)