Remember the bead soup that I received from my lovely Indonesian partner Lilik, as a part of the 8th BSBP organized by Lori Anderson, well here are the details My Bead soup jewelry and how I made them.
I have always experimented with techniques, color combos and materials and but the one color combo that I have never worked with in my 6 years of jewelry making is that of Orange/red with brown. It seems like a no brainer, but I am uncomfortable with those colors particularly if they are paired with white or blue. However, those were the major colors of my bead soup. As my priority, while signing up for this bead soup was to get me out of my comfort zone I didnt want to settle and make an easy all white or all brown pieces which no doubt would have looked classy. So I decided to take it up as a challenge and make something in Orange, brown and white as my primary piece without adding much from my stash.
BSBP rules state that I need to use a special clasp and focal provided in the soup in my design, together or in separate pieces. Choosing a clasp was easy as all three were adorable but I struggled a lot with the focal. I couldnt bring myself to use the human head, brown shells or the fish due to my beliefs. The Rama puppet was too thin, I was baffled by the big triangle and I had reserved the white shells for another special occasion. So I planned to go with the flower until Radhika of hobby crafts sent me a sketch for a necklace, where she had wire wrapped the pink stone and used it as a focal. Actually Radhika was sweet to send me not one but three ideas when I told her I was at a dead end with my soup. When people are constantly fighting over copyright or stealing each others’ designs, this was an extremely nice gesture. Radhika, you are a sweet heart!!
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| This is what I made -Sarongs & Sunflowers necklace |
Making of the Bead soup jewelry – my Design Drama
I picked a beach theme – a tropical, flowy, floral thing and planned to make a long necklace to be worn with Tank tops and sarongs (Indian Beach wear)
I chose copper as my base metal to go with the theme and wrapped the white stone instead and then looped together what my partner Lilik refers to as spicy ingredients in here reveal post – onyx and marble beads with thick coated copper wire. Result – a Sarongs and sunflowers necklace I wasn’t fond off 🙁 I kept adding and deleting elements, till I did a complete redo using the same elements. Here are both the variations, isn’t the second one more streamlined?
Sides – to complete the meal!!
While I was struggling with this self appointed challenge, I made a sweet pair of earrings for myself – something that is far out of my personal style, but I really like them now. – Dont they remind you of the cute sakura flowers?
In the next piece I wanted to do justice to Lilik’s beaded clasp so I made a simple chain necklace using the beaded clasp, some wooden beads from my stash and wire. I added some matt gold glitter washi tape to the cylindrical bead to give it some sparkle and texture. The concept of using wire to connect the clasp parts is from Pearl’s tutorial on her blog thebeadinggem but I have done it very differently by employing S/Z twists commonly used in threads. I think it looks like an ‘pointed arrow’ so I call it “Whats the point?” necklace 😛
Finally A rudraksha Ring – made possible by the reveal postponement. I have always wanted to wear a real rudraksh but its expensive and here generally its the guys who wear rudraksh beads at the neck and I didnt really want that. So I took this opportunity to make a simple and smart (looking) rudraksh ring for me. However, Its not very comfortable as the indentations prick (its supposed to do that but I have ‘princess and the pea’ skin) so I am not sure if I’ll wear it a lot.
That is the end of my bead soup journey for now. I still supplies left and I am planning to use them in my subsequent works. Staying true to my original decision I havent used much from my own stash excepting chain, wire and a couple of beads. These designs might not have been my best work till date, but guess what, I am so comfortable working with oranges and reds that my latest collection Pixie dust has lots of them
So what do you think of these pieces? Cartloads of thanks to Lori for organsing such a huge event even when she is not keeping well. Wishing you good health Lori 🙂
Hope you find it interesting
Cheers
86 responses to “Bead soup jewelry – 8th BSBP”
I really enjoyed reading about the process and I must say so much struggle payed off, since your pieces are seriously gorgeous and so perfectly balanced. Congratulations!
Wow the pieces are really beautiful ,and it has been fun reading the post too !
Thanks – thats so nice to hear
haa – will show them tomorrow
Looking forward to it , and of course all excited about the new workshop with you tommorrow 🙂
Gorgeous pieces Divya..!! i love both the styles of 1st necklace and very intelligently you used beads in soup for all the pieces..i know you will come out with superb designs.. marvelous idea of using bead clasp for the necklace (whats the point..? necklace) love it 🙂 earrings are cute and finally making Rudraksha ring is a great idea and is cute too.. 🙂 Thanks for the sweet words ..waiting for the pixie dust collection 😀
Gorgeous pieces Divya. Pink is not my colour at all but those earrings are just beautiful! Well done 🙂
Divya–your pieces are so elegant and also so organic–beautifully composed and chic! What a pleasure to see your presentation! xox jean!
I actually love both necklace designs. If you don't mind a personal question – what are your beliefs, that you can't use certain items in your necklace?
The second design of the sarong necklace definitely looks better and simpler but still has all those small unique details from the first one. But I do love what you did with the beaded clasp. Great showcase!
Marvelous, each and every one of your creations ! Though I like both versions of your Sarong and Sunflowers necklaces, I must admit that the last version is one that I would tend to wear often. It would look lovely with casual beach wear or even jeans and a tank top.
It happened because of you Radhika, I was so stuck and you gave me lots of ideas 🙂
hi, no I dont mind, I prefer not to use objects that are remainders of living things (objects that signify dead beings) like a human head, doll face, dried fish and other sea creatures.
Your pieces are beautiful, love the design and the story behind each piece… well sone.
Ahhhh…
Finally I have internet to visit you, my partner *wink*
I love the way you change the beaded toogle and clasp into pendant. I love your sunflower necklace on design 2, it looks more natural and will be dangle with perfectly beautiful.
Well done partner!!!
really mixed-media creations- you are multitalented!!!
Beautiful and I love the pops of colors .
beautiful 🙂
Davya I agree that the second version of your necklace is much better. It is balanced better and lets the lovely stone be a focus not just a component. "What's the Point" is a very clever and creative use of that beautiful clasp. It is my favorite. Your ring is gorgeous. Kudos to you for overcoming not liking to work with orange. That is part of what the BSBP is about. You did a great job with your soup.
I just love the second incarnation of your first necklace! It does look like it would be so easy to dress up or down.
All of your designs are beautiful. If I hadn't seen the second version of your first necklace I never would have known those beads could be used in a design even better than the first.
love the range of techniques, colour combinations and surprising designs!
Your pieces are beautiful, but I specially like the first necklace. I totally agree with the final design, it's much more balanced and elegant!
Alenka
Wow, I really love the sunflowers and sarongs set. The colours are so harmonious and the design is great.
love the colors and love the flowers! the pink earrings are very nice too!
I think that you did a really great job using wire with the beaded clasps. They belong together perfectly!
I love what you created – and I must say I like the first design a little bit better 🙂 But both are something I'd wear. I hear you on the doll / head items – I can't use them either (no beliefs, just they creep me out 🙂 ). All your designs are lovely!
The sunflower necklace is amazing, great colours and creative detailing
That second (redesign) necklace design is great! You really knocked it out of the park. I love how you used the triangle clasp/toggle as a focal – it showcases it great. and that ring is very cool. Haven't ever seen that stone(?) before. I think being out of your comfort zone agrees with you!
You did amazingly well with a colour palette you're uncomfortable with. Love the sarongs and sunflowers necklace, and the ring is so pretty!
I enjoyed reading about your process and the story behind each piece. My favorite are the earrings. I can see why you'll be keeping them for yourself. I had to laugh at your 'princess and the pea' remark as I have that same issue. 🙂
hah you did give me quite a challenge 😉
The focal of the ring is Rudraksha – its a seed but is considered holy for the Shaivite hindus. Its usually the men who wear them
Beautiful set! The sunflowers and sarong necklace is beautiful and cheerful colors. Pure summer!
Sunflower necklace is lovely, summery indeed!
What a beautiful variety in designs and materials, what's the point is my favourite piece 🙂
Way to work out of your comfort zone! You did a beautiful job with your "spicy ingredients"! I love the sunflowers and sarongs necklace 🙂
haa..its my favourite piece too
Everything is lovely, I'd be hanging on to the earrings for myself as well.
my favourite's the sunflowers n sarong necklace. the colours are gorgeous and the combination turned out fantastic. no one would've guess you had trouble working with those colours.
Love the gigantic clasp in the front – what a beautiful piece and wonderful to use it as the focal. I'm sure it was a challenge to use, but you rose to the challenge!
Linda A.
http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
http://cherryOnTopDesign.co
It was so interesting to read about your design process and to see the first and second designs for the orange, yellow and white necklace. I'm so glad you reworked it because it is a stunning piece! The earrings and second necklace came out nicely too. Great job!
Your pieces are a breath of fresh air! I know how hard it is to step out of a color comfort zone – and you did it wonderfully. The white really lightens up the orange and brown, and adds an air of cheerfulness to the piece. All of them are just gorgeous. 🙂
Wow! Fab job out of your comfort zone! The first one – the Sarong and Sunflower Necklace is just precious! I love it!
the clasp by itself was so beautiful that I didnt want to take the attention away from it by using other findings or beads
I had a hard time incorporating white into it, am glad that it works
yes, a good design is a balanced design and without it, looks hastily put together
Great composition on the first pieces but I have to tell you, I love that piece What's the Point? The use of the wooden beads and wire to showcase the focal is perfect.
I really like all of what you made, so getting out of your comfort zone suits you! My favorite is the last necklace and the ring. I love how the wooden beads (washi tape – so clever!) and the beaded clasp look together! I also have "princess and the pea" skin (what a good way to express it) so I know what you mean about not wearing some things a lot, but they are still fun to make.
Absolutely lovely! Your hard work really paid off, everything is lovely! 🙂
Lovely design Divya all of them!! especially "What the point" necklace it really made a point 😀
Love the "re-do" of your focal necklace! Using the clasp and the Beading Gem's tutorial ( love her blog) to make a focal out of the beautiful beaded clasp is so unique and striking. Lovely work! Christie
These are all completely stunning! You are such a variety of looks and styles and it's all wonderful!!!! I'm so glad you joined the party!
Good work! You have really taken a challenge, thought a lot, worked hard and reached a beautiful result.
Lovely designs! I especially love how you showed the 2 versions of the sunflowers and sarong necklace… Your second version is wonderful! The what's the point necklace is so fun, the earrings are so pretty and delicate, and the ring is beautiful!
Thanks for your lovely comments, I was redoing it so many times that I wanted to show atleast one before and after
yes, When I saw the clasp I thought that it would be perfect as a pendant and pearl's tutorial came in handy
Thanks, I was really lucky that I found coordinating wooden beads with a splash of blue just like the clasp
Everything is beautiful, but those little pink earrings are simply adorable!
I love your designs. And your "out of the box"necklace turned out soooooo beautiful! Well, all the pieces are beautiful. Great job.
Design #2 for your first necklace is fab. It is less fussy and more elegant. You met the challenge well!
You did great with your soup, even if the inspiration let itself so much expected! I really love the first necklace, indeed the second design is much more balanced, it's Really great for the summer!
The earrings are delicious and the ring: I love the silver-copper pairing! Great Job!
I love the way you used the beaded clasp, it's very interesting and has a witty look now!
Very interesting pieces ! The first one is so bright and summery – I can't use orange to save my life, but wow, you rocked it ! The earrings are so elegant and could go well with so many outfits ! And the last two are so creative ! You have such a distinct style <3
I love you pieces. I like version 2 of the sunflower necklace and think the earrings are just adorable! I really like how you wirewrapped the pendant clasp. It really makes the piece pop!
I love them all, especially your beadweaving, but for me it is the ring that just took the show!! 🙂 ~KM
The revisions you made to the first necklace paid off. It's fantastic! You did a terrific job with your soup! Really Soup-er!
Beautiful and interesting pieces – you're right, Design 2 is more streamlined!
Very beautiful design and great post! I like the way you turned the clasp into pendant.
Awesome soup!! But I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the ring…..I could sooooo see myself wearing it! Excellent Job!
veradesigns.blogspot.com
Oh I do love that last necklace, the seed bead triangle is so perfect and the way you layered it so cute, really great pieces.
Divya, yours are gorgeous designs. I totally love the What's The Point Necklace.
Ana
thanks, the beaded clasp is my partner, lilik's work.
I love all your pieces, Divya, and your process was fascinating 🙂 As favourite, I have to pick the ring as I am intrigued by the unorthodox use of the rudraksha seed, it is beautiful also 🙂
thanks – I love mixing metals but am sure many would hate putting copper and silver together along with a natural element – It was an experiment but I liked it in the end
Loved reading about your soup! And what lovely pieces you made 🙂
Divya – thanks for coming by my blog. I enjoyed reading about how you designed these pieces. And particularly liked what you did with the triangle clasp. Difficult to work with as it's so pretty in its own right. Rose
I'm so glad you took that challenge upon yourself and all of your pieces turned out lovely. I especially like your sunflower piece!
All of these designs are beautiful and interesting. Nice choice of bright vibrant colors. And those pink earrings are so pretty.
Wow these pieces are a bit different what a lot of thought you have put into your designs, its nice to see a ring too, all are lovely.
Jackie
ya they are quite different from my usual style, so it was a challenge
Love love love the What's the Point necklace! Amazing colors, shapes, and material combinations! Wow!
Lovely work! I really admire your use of colour and texture.
That is quite a challenging group of ingredients to work with, Miss Divya! I can see why you were a bit stumped. But as is always the case when you are presented with a challenge, you rise to it and rise above it! I Think that wire wrapping the large focal was a good choice. You balanced that stark white well with the other smaller white beads. That beaded triangle clasp is really remarkable and you did a great job of making it stand out and get the attention it deserves. Thank you for sharing your talents with the world! Enjoy the day. Erin
Thanks for that great comment , its so nice to hear from you – I absolutely love ur work 🙂
Thanks for the feedback, it really means a lot to me – I really struggled for balance with that necklace and I am happy that I was finally able to achieve it
Now you can say you have played with most color ways! Beautifully done! Trying a new color combo was good for you!