Friday, March 24, 2017

Bead Soup Blog Hop Hoarders Edition

Bead Soup Blog Party 2017

I am happy to say I am part of the Bead Soup Blog Party of 2017 which is sponsored by Lori Anderson.  This is a special edition --a Bead Hoarders edition. Our instructions were to open our hearts to hope and beauty and true gift-giving. We were to send our partner something he or she will love and will brightening their day.  This is a blind trade.  No discussion of colors, styles, etc. An interesting twist is that you need to send a note that tells who made the bead (if you know), the material (glass, clay, etc) or type of gemstone, and why you hoarded it.



photo of Bobbie Rafferty
Bobbie Rafferty
We only had a few days to mail our bead or beads to our partner. My partner for this year's exchange is Bobbie Rafferty of Beadsong Jewelry. We have worked together before on as designers for ZnetShows Beads and our jewelry has been featured on their website and Creative Spark online magazines.


Goodies sent to BayMoonDesign
Goodies sent to BayMoonDesign by Bobbie

I was pretty excited to get my package in the mail.  Truth be told, I am always excited to get beads.  I love the lamp work focal that she sent me.  I plan to use it in a necklace.  The focal is perfect for a redo of a necklace that I made a long while ago that was lacking contrast of colors.  In this reveal, you will see the before and after.  I succeeded in brightening the necklace with adding red to it. The focal has a deep red which worked well in the design.  


Before necklace by BayMoonDesign
Before necklace by BayMoonDesign
The original freshwater pearl necklace contains elements that I loved, but the necklace just didn't do them justice.  I used stunning blister pearls,  freshwater pearls, and jasper.  There is a special green bead that is I made from high quality paper wrapped with gold and green threads. The focal pendant is pretty but added no additional colors.  The necklace was brown and olive green.  It needed another color to carry it to the next level.

olive green and red art necklace by BayMoonDesign
                                 One of a kind olive green and red art necklace by BayMoonDesign

The lampwork bead that Bobbie sent me was just what I needed to redo this necklace.  The lampwork has a deep red, olive green and navy blue in it.  I added a handmade green head pin, some brass bead cap to it.  I also added additional red glass beads to the necklace to brighten it.  I spaced the stunning blister pearls with small brown pearls. I kept the jasper and special handmade fiber and paper bead.  I included a pretty polymer clay red rose by Leah Curtis. I turned this art necklace into a one of a kind gift for Mother's Day, an anniversary or birthday.


Earthy navy blue necklace by BayMoonDesign
Earthy navy blue necklace by BayMoonDesign


The navy beads that Bobbie sent were just what I needed to finish my second necklace.  This earthy navy blue ceramic necklace is perfect for anyone who loves art jewelry.  The dagger necklace has a rustic appearance and reminds me of the many green, and orange colors found in nature especially in Spring.  I used navy blue Irish waxed linen thread to bring out the yellows and greens in the necklace.  This long boho necklace has a bronze clasp that I made for this necklace.


The ceramic leaf is by the well know ceramic artist Mary Harding.  I love the earthy and rustic looks of her work and I have several pieces in my shop that have her ceramics in them.

Thank you Bobbie for sending me just the right bead to transform a pretty necklace into a very special one.

A special thank you to Lori Anderson for organizing this!
Please stop by the blog hop to see what other folks created.  

50 comments:

  1. Hi Kathy, The second necklace speaks to me because blue is my color. Greta job on both of your designs.

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  2. You did a great job with your hop materials. The re-do of the first necklace is spectacular!

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  3. Love the strong reds in the first necklace!

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  5. Kathy, I saw how you used the lampwork bead, and I said, "oh, YES! That's exactly what that bead needed!!!!" What a wonderful, wonderful necklace you created to showcase all the beauty in that bead. I had seen that beauty but just couldn't make sing the way you have. And the second necklace is lovely, too - I'm glad those blue beads found a good home. Thanks for being such a fun partner!

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  6. Both necklaces are so pretty, but I really love the first one-your redo is perfect!

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  7. both necklaces are stunning, but the first one-absolutely my fav!

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    1. Nan-Thanks for visiting and leaving a compliment.

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  9. Very nice, I really like that you reworked a hoarded necklace with your partner's hoarded beads.

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  10. I really love your use of color in both pieces. What a great idea to redesign a previously made piece while using your soup. I like the use of red (that rose bead is very pretty) - it makes the whole piece sing. Your second necklace is lovely, too. Eye-popping colors that complement each other quite well. Great job!

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  11. Your paper bead is awesome! All of your pieces are fantastic, I really like your style.

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  12. Beautiful designs but I especially love your use of red in the first one and that red rose which is a stunning focal element.

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    1. Tracy- I agree that the rose is stunning. Leah Curtis makes beautiful beads.

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  13. Your color combinations are absolutely amazing, and I love all the different kinds of beads you put together in your designs. Wonderful!!!

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  14. Your jewelry is very fun and I enjoyed your peices!

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  15. Two amazing necklaces, especially the first one. The make-over is perfect.

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  16. I really love the necklace with the pop of red!!! The knotting in the blue one is really fun 😃

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  17. Fantastic rework. The original looks beautiful but the remake is stunning!

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  18. The red rose really cheers up the first green necklace and makes its bloom (Bad Pun intended..LOL)I also love the laid back, comfortable feel of the second necklace

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    1. Divya-I love that you describe the second necklace as laid back and comfortable! Great way to describe it.

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  19. Gorgeous work. I love the reworked necklace!

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  20. Oh my gosh, I love both of them! The re-do is really stunning with the red. And the peach and green work so well with that blue. Really fun to see.

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  21. I love it all!!! I love the diversity of style & mastery of all!

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  22. Both of these are really eye catching. I sometimes redo pieces and I was really interested in seeing your before and after so thanks for sharing.

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  23. Hi,
    Just beautiful! The pop of colour you added to the first necklace makes it perfect. And I like very much the brightness of the second, too.
    Alenka

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  24. Oh, that lampwork bead and pops of red totally transformed that lovely necklace into a showstopper. I love seeing the two of you paired up. Both of your necklaces are really fabulous. Great job!!

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  25. Great focals to work with and a beautiful design. Great job on your soup.

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  26. Stunning pieces. I especially like the red and green necklace.

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  27. Love the red beads and that red rose added to the first necklace! The color combo and daggers really compliment that lovely pendant in the second! Beautiful!

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  28. Funky and fun pieces. I really love the asymmetry.

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  29. I love how you redesigned and old necklace using your bead soup.
    Very nice

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