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Thursday, March 1, 2012

Bead Soup with Cat Pruitt ... and Lori Anderson, of course!

Well, the excitement has reached a crescendo on facebook and in the blogosphere. I'm so glad that Lori does the Bead Soup Party Swaps.  I usually sign up wondering where I'll put this into my schedule, but come away from it feeling truly happy and refreshed.  Thank you, Lori!

And, a big thank you to my partner, Cat Pruitt, who gave me such wonderful things to work with!  Here's what Cat sent ...




I love the palette of the different elements sent by Cat.  I mean, she sent EVERYTHING~  I knew I wanted to set her focal off so I used the wonderful little beads that look like Amber.  I wish I could say for certain what they are.  I hand-knotted them so you'll find a little knot in between each bead.  I love to hand knot pearls and other beads.  It's so relaxing.  I know, some of you find it as interesting as watching grass grow.  But that's what makes the world go 'round. 



I've really got this Boho-Gypsy vibe going on with all of the chain that Cat sent.  I think I'm going to add a little more to fill in the space above the focal a little better.  I'll repost the photo with the additional chain and get your opinion.



Because I used all the chain in the front of the necklace, I was forced (LOL!) to use fabric for the back!  Look at the handmade toggle!  I love it!  



Here's Cat's spectacular etched copper pendant.  This is quite large ... maybe 1.5".  She did a really nice job capturing all of the detail.  I'm afraid mine never look as good as this. :-) 


I'm so thrilled with this piece that I'll be wearing it soon.  It "looks like me!" 


Please visit the rest of the participants to see their "something special!"

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)

52 comments:

adlinah said...

What a fab necklace! You totally did justice to that awesome focal.

Stories They Tell said...

Barbara, fabulous job with those gorgeous components! Love the 'boho', love the chains, love the color!

Cyndi J said...

Wow! You've got the boho-gypsy look down pat. It's just a gorgeous necklace and the colors are so rich and luscious. Well done to you and Cat!
Cyndi

mairedodd said...

really love the layered look you created... beautiful piece...

Deryn Mentock said...

Fabulous, Barbara! Those hot colors are gorgeous.

Michelle W said...

Beautiful necklace! The colors are spectecular! The design is great, everything was put together well!

Alice said...

A stunning piece! You certainly nailed the gypsy style here. I'll bet it looks wonderful on the neck. The focal is amazing, as are all the components.

Lori Anderson said...

I absolutely LOVE it! You rocked that chain, and I would love to improve my bead knotting skills -- knotting makes things (especially special beads) so secure.

Thank you so much for participating! I hope you join me again this summer!

Ann said...

Love the colors and the fullness you've achieved. Quite a statement.

Cheryl Brown said...

These pieces make me want to run out for Butter Chicken. They are spicy indeed.

la mar de bonita said...

Hot like fire - I love your design! And it does'nt matter, that the chain gets lost for the back - the used fabric fits great to your work! Extraordinary & wonderful!

Maneki said...

Lovely necklace! I like the multiple strands/chains and how you suspended that fab pendant.

Cindy said...

Well this is certainly gorgeous, Barbara!! I love the multi-strand look and you created an incredible "boho" style design here. The etched focal is really stunning...and I bet this will look fabulous when worn!

Sabrina said...

So amazing, I like your style and I am sure the women who can wear this necklace will feel full of power:)
Lovely greetings
Sabrina

Sharon Driscoll said...

Way to go Barb Lewis. It's a necklace full of great energy. It had my favorite colors in it so I knew I'd be drawn to it. :-)

Unknown said...

WOW WOW and WOW again Barbara! You amaze me!

Jo said...

What an amazing focal! You have used it beautifully.

Kathy Combs said...

Barb, this is stunning. The amber and orange contrast beautifully. Not used to seeing pieces from you without enamel, but you obviously do good work in all mediums. Very nice!

Kay said...

Gorgeous, Barb! Totally AWESOME!

Cindy Cima said...

Amazing focal and you did an amazing job with it!

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

I have never accomplished knotting yet...must try it now! She sent you a fabulous soup (oh...that toggle!!! LOVE IT!) and you did a fabulous job of putting it all together!

Diane said...

I know what you mean, I always look for the time to fit it in...get a bit stressed, but at the end totally enjoy the adrenaline rush! It is thrilling to see what actually comes out of what is sent to each & every one of us.
Wow, that IS quite the focal, and love the added ribbon =)

Cathie Carroll said...

Very Gypsy Princess!
It looks like me too- great bead soup.

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful piece from beautiful soup! I always have trouble getting the chain to lay where I want and stay there if it continues around the neck -- so this solution with the fabric looks perfect! Plus it has to be quite comfortable. :)

Karyn B said...

Love all the layers and texture, and the way you put it all together. Instead of being lost in all the boho-goodness, you captured the feeling and spirit of the focal perfectly. Lovely!

Lisa Chapman said...

I love the gypsy style you captured in the piece! So spicy! Can't wait to see it with more chain.

Lisa Michele Creations said...

Beautiful necklace! I really like it..stunning!

jelveh Designs said...

Barbara, I love this necklace, it's lovely...

roomforchange said...

Yes your necklace really has a BohoGypsy vibe. Fantastic!!

Rose said...

That is a bold and beautiful necklace! I LOVE the color pallet you got to work with!

Stacey said...

I absolutely love the rich "Indian Summer" colors of this piece!! Adore the multiple strands down from the beautiful ribbon!! Just gorgeous!

beautifullybrokenme said...

As always, you blow me away with your creativity and design style. I love the soup ingredients you received from Cat (that etched copper is to die for!), and the necklace you created is truly a masterpiece - beautiful! :)

Bits of Learning said...

WOW, Barbara!! I don't know what to say, other then this is an absolute STUNNING work of art!!

CreatingCures said...

Wow this necklace needs to be worn while watching a beautiful sunset (to match it!) perhaps while enjoying a frozen margarita to cool you down! Love it.

By the way, I've nominated Lori for the Force of Good Awards, please stop by my blog at creatingcures.blogspot.com and read a short post.

Be Well ~~T

Heidi Post said...

Wow, what a fabulous bold necklace! Those Czech sunburst beads are to die for! I love knotting beads too - it's not boring to me :)

Bead-Mused said...

What great colors! I love what you did!

Kathleen Lange Klik said...

Gorgeous necklace, what a show piece! Has an middle eastern feel to it. I like how you descended the etched pendant with chain, very unique!

Lyn Foley said...

Very nice job - and nice photographs as well. Love your website.

Lilyweeds at Augusta Kent Studio said...

i love how bright and colorful your piece is. Loved it. Also marked your site to revisit after I get through the blog hop because your own work is amazing.
~diana

dreaminofbeads / SAS Jewelry Designs said...

I love this necklace, normally oranges are not my color but I just love it in this necklace, I would so wear this piece!
Sonya

Courtney Breul said...

So vibrant and full of life! I love this. Great ingredients lead to great soups!

Michelle said...

So pretty. I love the boho feel. And that focal really is beautiful.

Anonymous said...

What an amazing focal - you used it beautifully. Love the boho vibe.

Third Eye Gypsy said...

Oh WOW! Is this a design offering to the sun herself? If it is how pleased she would be! Some people made statues of the gods, I would say your necklace is that in jewelry form! I love the pendant your received from Cat and LOVE the design with the silks, sun burst looking glass beads, and copper! Oh my, just exquisite!

CraftyHope said...

It's a really lovely piece. Nice job with the challenge. I'm glad you were able to find some time for it!

Jean A. Wells said...

Oh, your necklace is fabulous. That pendant and the glass beads the color of a sunset. The ribbon. It all just comes together in such a cohesive way. Love the clasp too. It is beautiful. Great job.

Sharyl said...

I'm very late getting around to everyone, but giving it a try this week! I love the items you were sent and love what you did with them! They were so creative and colorful and you really went with that and added a style to match! I'm glad you mentioned the moon/sun pendant was brass, I was thinking it was ceramic at first glance. Very cool either way, and great color to it! I'm so impressed by both of you!

Kat BM said...

very bohemian chic!

Alicia said...

You have created such a vibrant necklace - fabulous!

LoriF said...

Gorgeous components and gorgeous results...but where's the enamel?? *g* Would have loved/would love to see some of your enamel added to it.

Jenn said...

Barbara - I loved how you highlighted the copper pendant! What a gorgeous piece.

BooBeads said...

STILL making rounds here!

I love what you did with the soup I've sent- adding the ribbon was a lovely touch to soften those bold colors!