Saturday, May 10, 2014

Welcome to Lori Anderson's Annual Bead Soup Blog Party

Welcome to the Bead Soup Blog Hop. 

My main piece (using the Melanie Brooks focal) from Shannon turned out great.  I made the breast plate with "Home Tweet Home" to pull it all together in a flourish of silver to go with the clasp Shannon made and added my own lampwork beads to compliment the colors and theme.  It was a great challenge and, as always, fun.



This montage might be easier, than having to go back in posts, to see my original soup and what I did for earrings.  I'll leave the browsing for some time when you have a leisure moment.  And considering the largesse of this hop that might be a while.  These are my components from Shannon LeVart German (Miss Fickle Media).  She was my partner for this hop.  In all there ended up being only a small amount of my soup I didn't use.  Even as I took the theme I created for myself - Home Sweet Home - because of the house shaped ceramic focal, I found a dozen ways to accomplish this challenge within that theme. 

 
You can see from the drawings I was working on several ways to use some of the components for earrings.  Shannon gave me the greatest ear wires I've ever worked with and although I make ear wires I have to say I wouldn't hesitate to buy more.  I used them for the alternative earrings because I knew they wouldn't go easily on these hunky sized ceramics (that's what's cool about ceramics - they can be large and weigh nearly nothing!). 
 
Since the theme (for me) was re-invented to "Home Tweet Home" (see a previous blog post on Creativity) I decided these earrings might benefit from staying with the same theme.  For the longest I couldn't figure out how to do that and then in a late night lack of sleeping escapade it came to me as I was drawing. There is a saying in Latin - Alis Volat Propriis  which translated is: She Flies With Her Own Wings.  It was perfect.  I stamped the sayings on silver. One saying for each ear. 
 
This ceramic is thick so I made ear wires especially for the earrings by soldering an earring sized wire to a large silver ring.  I threaded the ring through the hole in the ceramic, closed it, and bent the ear wire.  I like the length - they're definitely statement earrings but needed the pearls to break up their length just a bit.  It never hurts to add something smaller to a large piece, or vice versa.  It breaks up the space and gives the eyes a bit of a pause.
 
 
That left some extra pieces - like those great ear wires, two nice chunks of squared and hammered PMC and more pearls.  I love working with tin and had some roman glass from last years foray to Bead and Button that I knew was close in color but funky enough to go with the tin.  These earrings are another good example of size without weight.  Two pieces of tin topped with the PMC square (to use as a reflector for the glass), the roman glass, a piece of Bali, Shannon's head pin to thread it together.  I decided to go fancy on the top and rolled the tin several times over a matching piece of silver I bent and hammered into submission and hung them from those ear wires Shannon sent.  Didn't I say they were great?
 
 
Both of these earrings are listed on Etsy at Right Turn ArtWerks - proceeds will go into the bank fund for Daisy's Hip replacement.  I kept the price reasonable despite the fact they are full of silver.  So if you are interested my Etsy is listed to the column to the right.  (Sorry, they are sold!)
 
I know this list of participants is substantial - take your time and try to visit us as you can.  I'd be delighted to have more friends so if you have time - please join my list of followers.  I love blogging and passing on as much artsy info and tips as I can.   Enjoy the hopping...Sharon
 
Here is the permalink to the list of participants for the blog hop -
 
 
 
The End  :-)
Happy 8th Bead Soup Blog Hop

Well, not quite the end...
I'm going to take Shannon's lead on this and add a sweet giveaway to my post.  These pieces are the orphans I didn't use in the creation of these pieces.  If you leave a comment you will be automatically entered.  Don't forget about Daisy either...and a personal thank you to Lori Anderson for both pushing through her illness to get this years hop going for us and for her generous support of Daisy's cause.  Yes, in all her pain and agony she was thinking of others and I was one of them.  Bless you Ms. Anderson and may your trials soon be behind you. 


And I could be persuaded to add a bird to this mix if you asked :-).
Drawing will be on May 15th.

Best Wishes - Sharon
 
 



44 comments:

Anonymous said...

That first necklace is so stylish, great design and I love both stes of earrings. I'm a big fan of statement pieces.

Unknown said...

Oh, Sharon...
The necklace is magnificent, what you added with the sterling breast plate, beautiful glass bird and the wire-wrapped nest is wonderful. I am so happy to finally see that raku piece by Melanie in a piece of wearable art!

I really felt the meaning involved in the ceramic and stamped metal earrings; "She flies with her own wings." A perfect reminder to be true to our unique selves. And what a great idea to create special ear wires for the thicker ceramic components.

And you have to tell me more about the "tin"? I re-read the post a few times, but I couldn't figure out how they looked like they do?

I LOVED everything you created, you are such a talented lady in many medias and it was honor to be partnered with you. Thank you.

Jean A. Wells said...

Sharon, you did it again! Everything you made is gorgeous and so well thought out. And, I love both pairs of those earrings. You may consider them sold - TO ME!

Such a worthy cause, and I would encourage everyone who reads this comment to get involved in getting Daisy the surgery she so desperately needs. As a mother of big dogs, I can tell you that hip problems can be not only painful to a dog that is affected by them, but also debilitating and life threatening.

So please, everyone, after you enjoy Sharon's gorgeous art and appreciate her talent, please take a moment to contribute to Daisy's hip fund.

Back to your jewelry. The earrings with the latin saying really spoke to me. "She flies with her own wings." That can apply to a young girl or a woman of my age. And having one side in Latin - well, that just completes the pair - being an attorney Latin has been a big part of my 25 year career - even though I don't know what most of it means. I will wear these with pride and will probably make people sick of hearing their "story."

Thank you Sharon for sharing your beautiful talents with us.

Anvil Artifacts said...

Bravo! Fabulous what you've done with your soup and your blog is a great read as well.

EB Bead and Metal Works, LLC said...

Wow - love the necklace you created! Simple but oh so sweet! Your earrings are perfect especially the pair with the saying - I think those are great!

YeeLen Spirit Designs said...

Very beautiful design. All your pieces are such unique and magnificent.

Kym Hunter Designs said...

Sharon, I love the necklace that you made! And the earrings, too! Everything turned out wonderfully

roomforchange said...

Home tweet home is soo lovely and the earrings are gorgeous!!

Ann Schroeder said...

Love your necklace and earrings. Great house focal and love how you put it all together. That last pair of earrings with the tin are super wonderful!

Shai Williams said...

Talk about some gorgeous and unique designs! I especially love the second pair of earrings.

PiPa said...

All so beautiful here, clever, funny and meaningful. In love with the earrings!

Lori Bowring Michaud said...

Love the addition of the metal to the mix! Great pieces, love the second pair of earrings!

Third Eye Gypsy said...

What fantastic designs! I really love the bird and house design! Love your lampwork beads :) xo Genea

vovsblog said...

Such lovely work well done!

WindDancerStudios said...

Love the necklace! Wonderful job!

Natalie @ NorthShore Days said...

Awesome work. I love the necklace so much!

Becky Pancake said...

Sharon you are very creative indeed.I cannot stamp worth a darn so others that can impress me. Your designs are beautiful. She who flys with her own wings is a great sentiment and true to the nature of this hop. Thanx for the chance to win your leftover beads. How generous of you.

Kepi said...

Beautiful design's I love your theme and you expressed it will beautiful works of art.

Kelly said...

As a bird lover, I really like the necklace. As a jewelry admirer, I really like all of what you made. The stamped Latin phrase is awesome, and the second pair of earrings have perhaps the most brightly colored pearls I've ever seen. How you matched them with all of the other components is stunning. Good on you.

adlinah said...

Your creations are awesome! Love the necklace and the earrings with the Latin quote is fantastically cool.

la mar de bonita said...

Oh Sharon, your cooking conjures a smile on my face! What a lovely necklace, home tweet home ..... soooo cute! Also love the both earring pairs, you've made. Your soup is soooo charming!

Tammy Adams said...

Fabulous designs. That necklace is spectacular.

Klassy Joolz said...

Love your clever earrings and sweet bird/house necklace. I hope your Daisy Dog gets the help she needs...love the puppies!

Hurry and make some more beads and I'll be back to your Etsy Shop...

Kumi Fisher said...

Love the theme and ceramic earrings with stamped metal are gorgeous!

Cris Peacock said...

What a wonderful and beautiful design you have for your necklace!! You are one talented lady :)

Andrea said...

Pure delight! That's what your pieces bring me. I love it all. Whimsy and delight. Great job!

Anonymous said...

Love the metal stamped components you made. You are very talented! Kudos on a well served soup!
-Suzann Sladcik Wilson

Susanm said...

The necklace is fabulous - a true statement piece. The earrings are so cute - they were already sold by the time I dropped by, but I have 2 "Daisy" necklaces - they were both supposed to be gifts, but may need to keep one for myself (lol)

Monique (A Half-Baked Notion) said...

Your posts are always so full of thoughtful reflections about your process, Sharon; that means as much to me as your inspirational and innovative designs! I hope there is lots of positive attention for Daisy's fundraiser, as well. And OF COURSE your pieces are amazing, girl!

anafiassa said...

These pieces are all absolutely beautiful... You are incredibly, incredibly talented! Wishing you, and Daisy, all the very best!

Genny said...

So talented. I love your pieces and I'm in awe of your design sketches. I need to start designing this way.

fairiesmarket said...

Each piece is so beautiful. The pearls and metal work really well together. Pretty and inspiring.

aneri_masi said...

Wow, look at all those sketches...that is something I can never do, so always bow to folks who can! The necklace is so much fun! But my fav are the earrings with the latin words. I am trying to fly with my own wings right now...so that hit just the right note! and love the beads in it that look like windows :)

Mags said...

That's a great necklace, I loved to see your drawings and details!
I also like those earrings with quotes!

Jo-Ann said...

Your little bird is adorable. Love its little house.

bailaora said...

I'm so impressed!! necklace super composed, earrings-gorgeous!

Just Beads said...

What a gorgeous necklace! I love how you putted the different pieces togehter. This necklace tells a story! I really love it. beside this I also love the first earrings, they are so beautiful.

Divya N said...

Home Tweet Home is a fab theme. I really like how you have played with wire to make perfect earwire solutions to match your beads

CraftyHope said...

You've got so much fun and beauty rolled together into one in each of your pieces. I especially love the necklace. It's sentiment is cute and the necklace is full of interest and awesome.

Unknown said...

You did a sweet job with your bead soup! And I love your blog !!!

Anonymous said...

Home Tweet Home.........that is so cute and love that piece!

bairozan said...

Reading your post was fascinating - you not only showed us the process but also the philosophy behind each piece! The necklace is my definite favorite - the focal is a statement piece! And I'm impressed that you like to add value to each piece you use to make jewelry!

Anonymous said...

your pieces are sooooooo adorable. that second set of earrings are wicked cute....and that necklace.....LOVEEEEEE!

Janice said...

Such fun and whimsical pieces. Creative and well put together. I love it all!