Bead Soup Reveal!

It's time for the reveal!! Pam Hurst sent me a fantastic assortment of beads... all very, very different from what I normally use and at first I had a lot of ideas of what I wanted to make, but one, by one I decided against them and to say I was stumped would be an understatement. Silver is not an easy metal for me! And all the beads together had such a nice classic look that I'm not used to. Pam really couldn't have done a better job choosing what to send me!!

Finally, after many retries, I settled on an idea I had thrown out at the very beginning and tried for a western style using the pendant and clasp.
When I think of silver, my first thought is of horses, and my second is of turquoise. Pam included some lovely faceted smokey topaz, so I went with orange instead of turquoise. I do love orange. :-)

I added some braided micro suede around the pendant—I wanted to frame it and really show it off. It's oh-so dainty and pretty and I didn't want the large pony beads to overpower the design. From there I strung silver beads, wooden beads, the smokey topaz, black onyx, and two faceted carnelians.

The little ponies are my newest style of pony beads. I sculpted them in ivory polymer clay and decorated them with an orange inlay.

And finally I ended the necklace with the sterling toggle and some red aventurine chips.


After successfully finishing the pony necklace, I still had quite a few beads left and the creative juices were really flowing, so I happily dove into another necklace design...
This time I went in a totally different direction, a little closer to my comfort zone using antique brass, but to keep with the idea of trying new things, I chose to go asymmetrical... I think this is only the second time I've tried it.


I used the labradorite and jasper from Pam and added in some frosted glass and agates.

The abalone butterflies came from my Great Grandma's bead stash years ago and have been sitting in my bead box waiting for something special so they could come out of hiding. They are just perfect with the labradorites! I embellished them each with brass bead caps and a Swarovski crystal bicone from Pam.

And for the closure, I used seed beads and a frosted agate capped with brass.



And so, I used a little of everything (except the coral, but I have plans for that coming up very soon) and really did step out of my comfort zone and I discovered that stepping out once in a while really can be so enjoyable!

Thank you all for stopping by! Thank you Pam for the most fabulous soup! And thank you most of all to awesome Lori for pulling this all together!! It has been so much fun!

And just to say thanks once more, I'm running a special in my shop starting today and continuing through March 17th 20th.



And now, I'm off to start hopping!




Hostess, Lori Anderson

Special Book Sneak Peeks, Cindy Wimmer


1.  Adlinah Kamsir (Singapore) and Hajer Waheed (Kingdom of Bahrain)

2. Adrienn Lukacs (Hungary) and Agata Grygiel (Poland)

3.  Agi Kiss (Hungary) and Carolien Muller-Genger (the Netherlands)

4.  Agnes Asztalos (Hungary) and B.R. Kuhlman



7.  Alicia Marinache (Canada) and Dita Basu







15.  Bonnie Coursolle (Canada) and Fay Wolfenden (Canada)

16.  Carmel McGinley (Australia) and Tracy Stillman (Australia)







21.  Cheryl Brown (Canada) and Diana Ptaszynski

22.  Christina Stofmeel (the Netherlands) and Eva Kovacs (Hungary)


24.  Cilla Watkins (Canada) and Elaine Robitaille (Canada)

25.  Sabrina Straub (Switzerland) and Kathy Combs









32.  Dee Elgie (UK) and Joanne Lockwood (UK)

33.  Dian Hierschel (Germany) and Eniko Fabian (Austria)




37.  Doris Stumpf (Germany) and Eszter Czibulyas (Hungary)


39.  Elke Leonhardt-Rath (Germany) and Marjolein Trewavas (UK)




41.  Erika Nooteboom (the Netherlands) and Giorgia Rossini (Italy)


43.  Evelyn Duberry (Canada) and Gaea Cannaday


45.  Ginger Bishop (military, Okinawa) and Martina Nagele (Germany)



48.  Helene Goldberg (Australia) and Karen Vincent





54.  Joanna Matuszczyk (Poland) and Julianna Kis (Hungary)

55.  Joanne Tinley (UK) and Michaela Pabeschitz (Austria)









65.  Kristina Johansson (Sweden) and Penny Neville (Canada)

66.  Krisztina Erlaki-Toth (Hungary) and Nicole Keller (Germany)












76.  Lori Finney (Canada) and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp (Canada)


78.  Marta Kaczerowska (Poland) and Milla Starchik (Canada)




83.  Michelle Jensen and Sandra Young (Canada)








92.  Rosa Maria Cuevas (Mexico) and Tejae Floyde

93.  Sabine Dittrich (Germany) and Sally Russick


95.  Shanti Johnson and Tracy Mok (Canada)


97.  Sonya Stille and Traci Zeller (Canada)

98.  Stefanie Teufel (Germany) and Tania Hagen (New Zealand)



Share this post

72 comments:

  1. I love the ponies. Both the necklaces are exquisite and unique :-) Loved them both!

    PS: Would be great if you could turn off word verification

    ReplyDelete
  2. Don't which necklace I like better. Both are wonderful, you have done a fantastic job.

    ReplyDelete
  3. You have such an eye for design!! Your work amazes me. The little horses in that first necklace really add to the whole soup, and I love the delicate butterfly necklace in pink and gray (a favorite color palette btw)
    nice work!! Happy Hopping today!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the second necklace, more my style :)
    I'm a partecipant from Italy, I'm trying to visit all of you.
    this was really a great experience!
    ciao ciao

    ReplyDelete
  5. Rebekah,
    They are just wonderful! It amazes me how different we can each be with the same beads! The butterfly on the second necklace was just a sign of how this was meant to be. I use a butterfly as part of my logo for a very special reason I will share later. Have fun on the blog party, just love the pieces!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Both pieces are amazing. The first reminds me of a merry-go-round. I love the clever way you used the silver pendant by braiding suede. The orange lightens the piece and the chips seem to mirror the feeling of the braiding on the pendant side of the necklace.

    The butterfly piece is also so clever! I love the repetition of the two butterflies. These shell pieces really set off the iridescence of the labradorites. Bravo!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love the way you braided around the silver pendant and embelished the butterflies. Both pieces are beautiful and unique. I love them :) x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great pieces. Love the ponies piece and the braided focal that you did.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow. Love that pony round up necklace. The design is exceptional.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Rebekah!
    lovely work and those ponies make that necklace so happy!
    and the other one with butterflies is so nice in colors and all and Your nice ways of using bead-caps is creative and beautiful !

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oooooo! I love both pieces. They are really wonderful and balanced designs. And the pony beads are soooo adorable! :) New fan for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  12. How sweet are those new little ponies? I adore them. :-) And I really like what you did with that focal in the first necklace. Two beautiful necklaces Rebekah!

    ReplyDelete
  13. You and me both when it comes to working with silver! I love your style, and that you used it to make your soup more familiar...I can spot your work a mile away :) ...I adore the ponies!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Two wonderful and detailed necklaces!
    Look at the pretty ponies! I love the beads you sent your partner too!
    Cilla ( #24 on Lori's list)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I LOVE the bead soup you received and how you turned it into your unique creations. That Western Pony necklace...I think that's so adorable and fun! And your second attempt at asymmetry was a smashing success! Bravo! Can't wait to see what else you make!

    ReplyDelete
  16. What amazing necklaces you made!!!! the braided micro suede to strung the silver focal is GREAT! Love your idea so much... and cute little ponies xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love the horses! Great necklaces!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow! Those horses are amazing and you showcased them beautifully within the necklace and focal! Both pieces are truly works of art!

    ReplyDelete
  19. A clever design on that first necklace. And I love how the orange bead really pop. The second piece is so lovely with the spring colors. Such a romantic piece.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Very beautiful pieces! It's hard to choose a favorite, but I have a soft spot for butterflies <3

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love the beautiful butterfly design necklace...so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  22. All so pretty. The butterfly necklace is my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  23. 2 very different looks one earthy and one sweet and feminine. I really like the components in both. The fact that you've incorporated beads from your grandmother makes your design even more special.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Both the pieces are so neat - I'm actually not sure which I'd "go for" given a choice! I love that you tucked some clay in there with all the fabulous soup you got!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Very pretty designs! Love the butterflies and how you wire wrapped them! :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Well done!! The Butterflys so sweet and....happy...and shabby...

    ReplyDelete
  27. I looove the butterflies, they are gorgeous. Great work.

    ReplyDelete
  28. That first necklace is just too cute! The ponies all lined up like that remind me of a carousel. Love the idea!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Beautiful pieces! I love that second necklace, it has a lovely romantic feel to it!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I am amazed by your polymer clay ponies. I would love to master this technique. Your butterfly necklace is fabulous. I really like all of the wonderful beading techniques you incorporated and the colors.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Love the ponies, just the perfect touch of whimsy :) The colors with the butterfly are just so sweet! I have such a hard time with asymmetrical I think next time I decide to try I'll keep your design in mind and maybe it will help keep me from shifting everything back to the center :D

    ReplyDelete
  32. Both your necklaces are beautiful. Your pony beads are amazing. I love the color pallets.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'm really impressed! I love the pendant she sent you that you used in the Western necklace -- would love to know where she got that! And the second necklace is very me. I think you did a fantastic job!


    I hope you'll join me again in the summer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lori, I made the pendant that I sent her : )

      Delete
    2. Thanks Pam and Lori! I realized as soon as Lori asked about the pendant I hadn't mentioned YOU made it!! (I was writing this post at 2:00 am Saturday morning, so my brain wasn't at it's best. ;-) I sent Lori an email and updated the photo at the top of the post so everyone could see. I just love the pendant Pam, especially since you made it for me, and will treasure it always. :-)

      Delete
  34. What a fun necklace with the horse beads!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Love both, Partial to orange too! Not a big horse person, But I really Like those!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Oh wow - two very different styles and both awesome! I love horses too - so obviously I fell in love with the pony necklace... then I fell in love again, with the butterflies: such a romantic and delicate breath. Gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I really like everything (those pony beads are dead cute!) but I LOVE the butterfly necklace! Asymmetry really suits you :-) I actually visited your blog yesterday (it was one of my 'must go to immediately rather than in order' blogs!) but I got so excited by your sale that I forgot to comment!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Both pieces are inspired and gorgeous, but I love that second one best. The colors are lovely, the design is sweet, and the butterflies are a fantastic addition. I love the way you've wrapped them into the necklace. I'm not sure I would have thought of that!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Both pieces are beautiful. I enjoyed your post on the process that went into their creation. Those abalone butterflies are gorgeous and it does look as if they were just waiting for your to be sent the soup to go with them. Great job.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Rebekah, I too have a serious thing for orange, and I love what you did to show off the silver - nice design work across the board!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Yay, Rebekah! You rocked this soup! LOVE it all! That second necklace is my favorite though,, I adore asymmetrical and the colors are just so sweet and spring-y. Though I have to admit, I love what you did with the suede and focal in the first piece too! YAY!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Both of your necklaces turned out so fabulously! I really love those tiny horses. Your sculpting is top notch! Both designs are so unique and lovely, I'm having a hard time picking a favorite between them -- and that's saying something because I have a serious addiction to labradorite. Great work!

    ReplyDelete
  43. I think you've a soft spot for animals, or not? Me too ;0))) I like those little ponys, you've made. A great idea to do a western necklace with them!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Wow - I love that PMC pendant she made for you, and you made it into an awesome necklace! Your second necklace is drop dead gorgeous...you have nailed the asymetrical look perfectly and I love how you added the butterflies to the mix!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Wow...beautiful creations!! Nice job! The ponies are my favorite! I agree with Patti, love how you added the butterflies to the design!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Beautiful job! Everyone is hopping, I feel like I should join next.
    Also I wanted to stop by to tell you that in case you are looking for my blog, i changed it's name, and now none of the links to it work. So here is the new address:
    http://crimsonfrogdesigns.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  47. I love what you designed! Your ponies are wonderful and I must have some. I'll check out your shop next. The second necklace is stunning and I love that you included something from your grandmother. You have mastered the asymmetrical balance that is so hard to achieve. I look forward to following you in the future.
    Cheers!
    Lori D.

    ReplyDelete
  48. I love the color blend on the butterfly necklace.. it's very delicate and pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Oh my that is super cute, it made me smile. I love what you did with your soup.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Very nice! Love the butterfly necklace with its lovely colour palette and asymmetrical design. And I really like the way you suspended that silver focal bead. Fab job!

    ReplyDelete
  51. (I forgot to add that really liked how you separated that soup into two so very different colour combos. Neat!)

    ReplyDelete
  52. Your pieces rock! :) I love the orange in the first necklace, great choice. And your pony beads - love them. Great ingredients lead to great soup and that is what you have created, several times over.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Omigosh, both those necklaces are absolutely beautiful! I love your "pony beads" LOL....without reading further, I looked all through the picture to find "pony beads"...and then I realized. :-) Love the color in the antique brass one as well! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Rebekah! Gorgeousness! I love the pony beads (and the play on words I might add). Beautiful pieces and beautiful clay work (as always!)!

    ReplyDelete
  55. That second necklace is the one that really speaks to me. I love those butterfly beads.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Your pieces are great and I love the ponies.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Like that you went with the western theme - it's where my brain went to seeing that soup. Love the orange!!! Your sculpting is very good!!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Love all your designs and your little pony are so gorgeous. Great bead soup!

    ReplyDelete
  59. The design for the first necklace is so clever. The ponies are amazing. The 2nd necklace is so gorgeous! I would love to wear it.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Wow - gorgeous designs! I love those little pony beads! Wonderful Bead Soup creations!

    ReplyDelete
  61. I really love how you implemented that lentil bead! Your pony beads are just too darn cute. I am going to buy some soon! I love how it all turned out. Great job :)

    ReplyDelete
  62. Wow they are both different and gorgeous - those ponies are amazing and the butterfly necklace is ingenious!!! Fantastic job on both!

    ReplyDelete
  63. I can't believe it's taken me so long to get over here. My bead soup hopping has been VERY sporadic and randomized. Your first necklace is lovely and I totally get the western feel that you were going for, but that second necklace wins my heart. I don't even really like pink, but it's just SO PRETTY!! You did a fabulous job with your soup and I'm so glad it worked out for you in the end!

    ReplyDelete
  64. I guess better late than never, I loved your necklaces and the pony beads are so yummy...

    ReplyDelete
  65. they are both fantastic and very different. great job with the asymmetry! and, for spring, i love the laboradorite with the agates--the butterfly might just be my favorite part! nicely done!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Your work is beautiful..rustic cowgirl..not sure what it is but I know I like it!!! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  67. Rebekah, I just love both of your creations. The addition of the pony beads in your first necklace are such a great touch. And the second necklace is just so pretty...from the beautiful wired butterfly to the very clever clasp design.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Your creations are lovely. I really like how you used your clasp and the necklace with the butterfly is my favorite.
    Sonya

    ReplyDelete
  69. Oh the western design is so very inventive. Love the little horses ;) Love the butterfly necklace! The colors are so soft and pretty :)

    xo Genea

    ReplyDelete
  70. Gorgeous work! Just stumbled here accidentally and love it. :-)

    ReplyDelete