Friday, September 16, 2011

Bead Soup Has Arrived!

And man...is it hot!
 
I have to be honest, this go 'round was a HUGE challenge.  The glorious beads sent my way by Miss Amy ended up frying my brain.  I have NEVER worked with seed beads before...they are tiny...so very, very tiny and I will be forever finding them hidden in cracks and crevices all over the house because when they drop, well, it's all over.  BUT, because Amy sent such a generous amount, I am happy to report I was able to create not only a necklace, but a pair of matching earrings.
So let's break this down:
Pros:  A bright and cheery assortment of beads.  Every time I glanced their way I couldn't help but smile.  So shiny, so sparkly.  And the colors all complimented each other perfectly, not to mention my pretty little fishy pendant (I refer to her as Gladus).  Also, everything was extremely lightweight so I didn't have to worry about piling it on, and oh, did I pile it on.
Cons:  I have always worked with neutral, earthy colors (hence my name).  When I opened my box from Amy, it was like beams of light filling the room. This is not really a con, but it stumped me quite a bit ;)  And have I mentioned the seed beads yet?!  Oh good god they are TINY!!!!  Amy....how do you work with these things and create such treasures?!  I bow down to your talent!
So without further adieu....
 
My double stranded necklace and earrings.

I even added a couple of my polymer clay beads.
 
Amy, thank you for your generosity and the challenge of thinking outside of my box.  I believe we can all fall into the same ol' same ol' routine and sometimes we need to be shaken up.  
Cheers to all!
 
 
 



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115 comments:

  1. Amy S.September 17, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    Alison - I think it's so pretty!!! I love what you did with my soup. And the beads you added compliment the piece perfectly! I can't thank you enough for the soup you sent me. It also was not in my typical color scheme - but I had so much fun with it, and I love the piece I ended up with!! (P.S. - I've had so many compliments, I will be on the look out in your store for more of your organics collection. Might even want to get you going for some custom orders!)

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  2. MaggieSeptember 17, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    What a fun tropical piece you created! You should step out of your comfort zone more often and add some color (says a color lover).

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  3. MarlaSeptember 17, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    So very pretty! It is so hard working outside our comfort zone but you did a fantastic job. Kudos! :-)

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  4. Tammy JonesSeptember 17, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    I love it! Those juicy colors are yummy. And I love Gladus!

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  5. la mar de bonitaSeptember 17, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    Oh, this necklace is great - it smells like summer, sun and happyness! I love it!
    Greetings, Michi

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  6. Recycled Cottage & GardenSeptember 17, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    You made a gorgeous necklace and I am jealous of Gladus. I use seed beads a lot but I know what you mean about dropping one...they are lost forever til the vacuum sucks them up.

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  7. ShymeSeptember 17, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    What a cheerful necklace and earrings! Lovely!

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  8. Norma's Bag BoutiqueSeptember 17, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    Beautiful, colorful and so happy! Great pieces. I also love the soup you sent and that wooden carved bead.

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  9. Shay StoneSeptember 17, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    You definitely did the seed beads justice. It would have been a challenge for me as well and no doubt I'd have had my best magnifying glasses on! Well done :)

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  10. AmandaSeptember 17, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    Awesome! I love these colors, you did an excellent job with your designs :) Thanks for sharing! XO, Amanda

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  11. Christine AltmillerSeptember 17, 2011 at 11:01 AM

    Ooooo! I love how bright and happy this one is---so much FUN!

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  12. JLYNNJEWELSSeptember 17, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    What a wonderful selection and I so love the Fish focal! What a creative and fun designs you created!

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  13. AliceSeptember 17, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    I absolutely love what you did with that beautiful fish. How pretty it all turned out and your beads added the right touch. Be careful now that you have touched the seed beads you may find yourself drawn to them time and time again- the are quite addictive!
    Alice's Beads and Baubles

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  14. Sweet Willow DesignsSeptember 17, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    The polymer clay beads were a wonderful complement.

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  15. ChristineSeptember 17, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    Ooh! I love the juicy, tropical colors! Excellent work!

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  16. Charis DesignsSeptember 17, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    Your creation is so fresh and tropical looking! Love the way you brought it all together- it's so very happy!

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  17. Courtney BreulSeptember 17, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    So bright and cheerful! Great job.

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  18. ChrissySeptember 17, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    Love the fish! Very fun piece, I can see that as a lanyard too! Excellent colors!

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  19. MariannaSeptember 17, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    gorgeous! great job! I have a hard time working with seed beads too but you did a fantastic job, really pretty!

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  20. T...September 17, 2011 at 12:30 PM

    oh what wonderful colours and love that funky fishy focal

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  21. Loris GlassworksSeptember 17, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    Wonderful! You have created a fun piece of wearable art. I like how you used the seed beads to complete your project. And yes, you will be finding them for months and the vacuum will sound like you are trying to clean a gravel road, but that's half the fun! Thank you for sharing your artistic process with us. Cheers!
    Lori

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  22. Pearl and PebbleSeptember 17, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    Beautiful colors and I love your polymer beads! What a fantastic pendant!! Great job!

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  23. Karin SlatonSeptember 17, 2011 at 1:28 PM

    This piece has such a vibrancy to it! It would set off a dark outfit perfectly! That silvery-gray adds a wonderful touch.

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  24. UnknownSeptember 17, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    Very good job with colorful bead soup! Makes happy! Have a nice day, yours Doris

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  25. SandraSeptember 17, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    Oh, wow, this soup would have sent me into utter despair. I love orange. I love green. But the two of them COMBINED?! And then with silver even, not gold. Eep. o_o I think I would just have taken a shovel and dug a nice big hole somewhere and pretended the BSBP never happened.

    Nice job thar bringing it all together, I'm seriously impressed.

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  26. I LOVE color!September 17, 2011 at 2:14 PM

    Your creation is just too lovely. Love your technic
    Be blessed to be a blessing

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  27. CharlieSeptember 17, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    What a unique focal you had to work with. Certainly gave you plenty of creative leaverage. Beautiful work!

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  28. ChristineSeptember 17, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    Love your colors! You did a great job with Gladus!

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  29. Lupe MeterSeptember 17, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    What a fun and colorful piece! I love the fish pendant and love that you incorporated some of your polymer clay beads! A beautiful necklace! Also love your polymer clay beads on your studio!

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  30. Serena TrentSeptember 17, 2011 at 4:27 PM

    pretty colors!

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  31. AndreaSeptember 17, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    Once you get the hang of seed beads you will enjoy them greatly. Those of us who are bead weavers and do bead embroidery find seed beads everywhere in the house including in our meals. Beautiful work!

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  32. Karyn September 17, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    What a fun, colourful piece. I love what you did with that fish. Well done!

    Karyn
    Australia

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  33. WendySeptember 17, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    That is a beautiful necklace! Love it! :)

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  34. Therese's TreasuresSeptember 17, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    Allison, I love your necklace and earrings they are so bright and beautiful and the design of the necklace compliments the fish pendant.
    Therese

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  35. KayzKreationzSeptember 17, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    Those pieces are so colorful and turned out so fun. I love that little fish, Gladus. And I agree with you on seed beads. I'm forever finding them when I work with them (which I don't do much.) I'm in awe of anyone that works with them all the time and does such wonderful, creative work.

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  36. JenniSeptember 17, 2011 at 6:52 PM

    This has such a Summery/tropical vibe. You did well with the seed beads...2 strands! impressive. The fish is a stunner and I love the earrings , too.
    Jenni

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  37. JenniSeptember 17, 2011 at 6:55 PM

    Love the Summery?Tropical palette. You did well with the seed beads..I am impressed. Love the focal...thanks for explaining you design process.
    jenni

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  38. LeeLu CreationsSeptember 17, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    I love this! It's so tropical and fun. This would be great with a sundress for summer.

    Anitra

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  39. Pam @ The Blue BetweenSeptember 17, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    the green and orange is so happy, and perfect for that fish!

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  40. CarrieSeptember 17, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    This looks like a exotic vacation necklace to me. Its so nicely done great job. Perhaps you need to take Gladus somewhere exotic and show her off proudly.

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  41. Here Bead DragonsSeptember 17, 2011 at 9:28 PM

    Those are just so pretty. I really like the colors. You did a great job with them

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  42. coffeeaddictSeptember 18, 2011 at 12:56 AM

    gorgeous stuff. I love the one blue bead in the necklace design for accent.

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  43. bwheatherSeptember 18, 2011 at 1:18 AM

    You did a great job. The colours are brilliant and so fresh. ;-)

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  44. hello gorgeousSeptember 18, 2011 at 1:34 AM

    oh these are definitely not neutral colours but you created something amazing with them! VERY zesty! ;o)

    hugs

    hello gorgeous xxx

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  45. Clayworks by Lisa BoucherSeptember 18, 2011 at 4:09 AM

    Well, you did a lovely job - just the right amount and spacing of the colorful beads that match the fish, and you came out with a very fun and elegant tropical piece!

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  46. m.e.September 18, 2011 at 4:21 AM

    Wonderful !!!
    anytime you wear that it will be like taking a tropical vacation!!!
    Your clay beads added the Perfect touch to pull the design together!They are beautiful!
    Great Soup !
    m.e. :)

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  47. Lori Bowring MichaudSeptember 18, 2011 at 5:52 AM

    Love it!

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  48. Claire MaunsellSeptember 18, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    Oh, oh, I hear you on the seed beads! I would be so stumped, which is why I think you did such a fantastic job. Love that you added your own polymer bead (but then, I'm biased where polymer is concerned)it really pulls the colours forward.
    Great, Alison!

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  49. Kym Hunter DesignsSeptember 18, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    I love what you created with your bead soup! Beautiful, tropical colors and I love the fish pendant. Great job!

    Have a wonderful week!

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  50. The Last Day OneSeptember 18, 2011 at 7:48 AM

    I think it's just wonderful and I love the bright, vibrant colors!

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  51. Spirited EarthSeptember 18, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    gotta love that fish focal..you handled the seed beads beautifully..

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  52. Marie CrampSeptember 18, 2011 at 8:42 AM

    I absolutely LOVE what you made!! So bright and colourful!! Great job!!

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  53. JoSeptember 18, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    Such a wonderfully fun necklace!

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  54. AquariartSeptember 18, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    What a fabulous and colorful end of summer piece. I can picture your necklace being worn at the beach on a tropical island. Love that fish!!

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  55. Lori BergmannSeptember 18, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    What a wonderful job, especially considering we share the same fear of tiny seed beads! LOL I love the bright, fresh colors too!

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  56. BobbieSeptember 18, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    What cheerful, fun pieces! And your polymer beads are a great touch.

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  57. Lori AndersonSeptember 18, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Oh how cheerful! I love bright colors -- but I know what a challenge this was with your normal color palette (and I love your beads, I've bought my fair share!). Seed beads are SO hard for me to use and I have SUCH respect for those that can bead weave or use a needle with them. You did a GREAT job jumping into the challenge.

    I hope you'll join me again -- the new badge and dates will be posted on my blog on the 19th!

    Love, Lori

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  58. UnknownSeptember 18, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    Ohh this is such a lovely pc youve nade!!
    Beautiful! I would love to wear this.

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  59. KateSeptember 18, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    Totally yummy looking! Great job thinking outside your box. Love the colors!

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  60. OhAllisonBeadingSeptember 18, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    Wow! What a FUN necklace! Love "Gladus"! Awesome job! Feel like we should be having a Luau with all those tropical colors! :)

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  61. Laura TwifordSeptember 18, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    Gladus is so cool! You did great for working with ingredients outside your comfort zone! Very fun and cheerful

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  62. LaurelSeptember 18, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    I SO get what you mean by tiny seed beads! I tend to "work large" myself. But your creations are lovely and colorful - great job!

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  63. UnknownSeptember 18, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    What you did with Amys soup was awesome!!

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  64. Palimpa LimSeptember 18, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    Wow! So colorful and juicy, just fun! Excellent job!

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  65. AnonymousSeptember 18, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    Fun Piece. I love the polymer beads you added. Good job working outside your comfort zone.
    Becca from www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com

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  66. ClickNCameraSeptember 18, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    What a gorgeous job you did...makes me want to run away to Kauai, my favorite island, and sit on the beach to watch their gorgeous sunsets!

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  67. Michael and Cherrie Fick September 18, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    The perfec tropical vacation necklace. Fun and festive. I can hear the music. Thanks for sharing. Cherrie

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  68. CorySeptember 18, 2011 at 3:54 PM

    OMG, what a wonderful fish on your lovely necklace, makes me want to go to Hawaii.

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  69. LorettaSeptember 18, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    What a fun and colorful design. Love the fish. You did a great job!

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  70. AnonymousSeptember 18, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    Those are so pretty and fun! Bravo for working with all those bright colors!!!

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  71. SkyeSeptember 18, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    Nice work :) You did a fabulous job!
    I work with seed beads all the time... my carpet and vacuum cleaner are very well acquainted with them ;) I've even managed to launch them across the room on occasion!

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  72. UnknownSeptember 18, 2011 at 5:50 PM

    You pulled it off beatifully!

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  73. BrynaSeptember 18, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    Simply breathtaking! I'm in awe....... pure awe.

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  74. HollySeptember 18, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    Alison! Despite it not being your usual color scheme, and those tiny seed beads....wow, does this look incredible! I absolutely love your necklace, and can totally imagine it on a cool beach night, gracing a jean skirt and white tee! Perfect!

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  75. ElizabethSeptember 18, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    What an amazing and fun set of jewelry!! Bravo!!! Love that fish focal!!

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  76. Snazzy Doodle DesignsSeptember 18, 2011 at 6:35 PM

    The necklace and earrings are so colorful! You are ready for the beach! You did a great job with the seed beads

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  77. Elysian StudiosSeptember 18, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    what a fun fish focal! I just love the colors you have chosen- beautiful work!

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  78. Jennifer JanglesSeptember 19, 2011 at 5:25 AM

    I love what you created with your beads.

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  79. BeadaholiqueSeptember 19, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    Great job! It is so funny- I think you're either a seed bead person, or you are completely baffled by them. Any time I am bead weaving around here I get the same comments, mostly, "Better you than me!" hahaha! I think you did a lovely job with the bright colors and teeny seed beads! -Andrea

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  80. GlassBeadArtSeptember 19, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    Wow! That is an amazingly beautiful necklace!

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  81. JennySeptember 19, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    That necklace is screaming to be worn with a turquoise tank top - while sipping an umbrella drink! I love the asymmetrical strands of seed beads with crystals and pearls sprinkled in. Lovely!

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  82. DaviniaSeptember 19, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    Fabulous piece and well done with using the seed beads.

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  83. TracySeptember 20, 2011 at 3:00 AM

    Beautiful, love the colours.

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  84. JuliSeptember 20, 2011 at 5:49 AM

    Very pretty!

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  85. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    very fun piece. I think you did a great job outside of your box.

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  86. diane hawkeySeptember 20, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    Fun & whimsical! Very nice job.

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  87. jelveh DesignsSeptember 20, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    i love all the colors and the fish is awesome...I know what you mean about the seed beads, I have much respect for anyone who works with them...the earring design is also coo...and your own clay beads are awesome...all in all I love the results of your soup...

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  88. My Life Under the BusSeptember 20, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    You did a great job! I agree with the seed beads I am always in awe of what people can make with them...I can barely SEE them lol .Happy hopping.

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  89. RebeccaSeptember 20, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    What an amazing colour scheme! Reminds me of the summer which has sadly left :-(

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  90. SueBeadsSeptember 20, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    Very nice, love your beads!

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  91. StaceySeptember 20, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    Such fun - great for summer no doubt!!!

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  92. ShirleySeptember 20, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    Oh you are crackin' me up on the seed beads! I'm so glad you got to work with them, watch out, they'll take over your life! Love the colors you chose for your pieces. So fun and happy!!

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  93. Myléne HillamSeptember 21, 2011 at 5:59 AM

    There's a real sense of whimsy in your necklace. I love the focal you had to work with... and you did such a great job of pulling all that colour together to create such a fun and tropical necklace.

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  94. Mary K. McGrawSeptember 21, 2011 at 3:28 PM

    Love the colors of your necklace and earrings. Makes me want to take a Caribbean vacation.

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  95. ReginaSeptember 21, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    You did what I do with seed beads, that is string them in a straight line, and your lines turned out just beautiful. What a colorful, fun nekclace. Love the focal! You did a great job with your bead soup challenge.

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  96. Sweet FreedomSeptember 21, 2011 at 6:58 PM

    Gladus is beautiful, and you did her proud! I love your fun, colorful necklace!

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  97. Clarity Of PurpleSageSeptember 22, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    Love the carribean feel of your piece- you did well keeping intone with the focal. love your Polymer- i am just getting into "zenning" out with Polymer and I must say there is nothing better!! I wish I had picked it up many years ago!
    Well Done!!

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  98. TesoriTrovatiSeptember 22, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    Challenges are always good in my book. They take you where you have never gone before and you always learn something! Enjoy the day!
    Erin

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  99. fireflymystSeptember 22, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    Still blog hopping:>)

    Awesome design!

    Love the colors and the fish pendant.

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  100. Firefly VisionsSeptember 22, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    The colors just pop and make me want to see more. I love the addition of the clay beads - the blue adds just the right amount of something extra to the necklace

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  101. ~IngridSeptember 22, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    Love love love this! And you stated that you weren't used to bright and cheery and it turned out amazing! LOVE IT!

    Ingrid ~ Wrapped In Silver

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  102. Kathy ~ Artful AccentsSeptember 22, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    Holy cow, I'm just realizing that I could have been sent seed beads too since my partner works a lot with them....whew, close one! I went through a phase where I bought lots of seeds, thinking I would make all these multi stranded beauties...nope, didn't happen.

    You truly rose to the challenge and created a beautiful piece of art. The colors are just grand. But I too like earth tones, so now I'm off to go visit your shop. :-)

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  103. Heidi PostSeptember 24, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    So fun & colorful!

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  104. SoulsFireDesignsSeptember 25, 2011 at 11:29 AM

    You may have been challenged, but you did a fantastic job! Gorgeous island vacation-worthy piece!!

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  105. Cheryl K RoeSeptember 25, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    I also use mostly earthy tones. But you did an outstanding job with the bright colors. The fish is to die for. Great Job

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  106. CraftyHopeSeptember 25, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    You may be more comfortable with earth tones, but you've done beautifully with the bright and vibrant as well. These two pieces are really something!

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  107. AnonymousSeptember 25, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    Gladus seems really at ease in that necklace. Your creation brings happiness!
    Ambra

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  108. NancySeptember 26, 2011 at 2:41 AM

    OH how FUN!! It just makes me smile to look at it. You did a fantastic job on the necklace and earrings.

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  109. Tara P.September 27, 2011 at 7:00 PM

    I'm terrified of seed beads, so I have a healthy appreciation of your terror! You did a great job, though - how tropical!

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  110. TerriSeptember 29, 2011 at 2:52 PM

    Gorgeous! Tropical and delicious! And what a way to conquer those pesky seed beads! You rocked it! Soup-er job!

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  111. ManekiSeptember 29, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    Lovely, sunny jewellery! Fab tropical feel. The colours are so juicy, you can't help but to smile when seeing the set. Great job -- not least considering it's a type of colour you don't normally work with!

    Ah, yes, seeds are tiny -- but tiny pieces of pure joy (if you think the beads you got are small you should see my antique 30/0! Grains of sand can be bigger than that.) They never cease ending up everywhere, though. And it's very addictive so be careful before thinking of trying some bead weaving with the little glass gems.

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  112. Chris HansenOctober 3, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    Alison - what a lovely, juicy, vibrant tropically delicious set you created! And kudos to you for not giving up on the seed beads - yes, they ARE tiny, but oh, so versatile. Keep on rockin' the color, Sweetie!

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  113. LissCOctober 9, 2011 at 10:36 PM

    Oh what a fun fun necklace! i love the bright colors :) Super cute. Great job!

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  114. Sandi VolpeOctober 13, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    I love what you did both the necklace and earrings, seed beads are a challenge for me too:)

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  115. Amy'sAugust 12, 2012 at 8:33 AM

    You made a fantastic necklace and earrings..The colours are just perfect for the little fishy guy.

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