Sketchy Soup

Tonight, after a couple days of brainstorming- I got my first sketch out of my noggin for my BSBP design. 

Last year I attempted an embroidered piece for the first time, sewing directly onto the leather. That was a big mistake, and my fingers really took a beating! Because of the difficulty stitching the beads on, my original design was almost lost. I still love the result, but would like more control over placement this time around.

Here is the result from last year's Bead Soup Blog Party:

Egyptian Revival Bib Necklace

This year I bought some interfacing at the fabric shop and will be using that to stitch  the designs on to. I will then back the interfacing with a nice soft leather. I want to embed wire in between the layers for the ability to make loops stick out to connect the pieces. We will see how practical that idea will be!

I'm happy with this first draft and will be sharing peeks into my progress. The full reveal date will be on May 3rd! 

Note* Bead Embroiderers- feel free to send me tips in the comments!

Bead Soup Ingredients!

My ingredients are here and I am in love with the colors! The glass looks like a coral reef which pairs perfectly with the blue freshwater pearls.

I think with a mighty clasp like that I will need to go big with my design. I'm thinking fabric, leather, sewing, embriodery....

Thank you Eva Sherman for my delicious bead soup ingredients!!

A Little Soup and I'm on a Roll

The 8th Bead Soup Blog Party is well under

 way and it is just the kick start I need to get the creative broth flowing again. I've been in a studio deep freeze all winter due to heating issues, unable to cast. I just know one of these days it will warm up! (pretty please)

In the meantime, I've been keeping busy 
and warm with some needle felting,

painting,




and sightseeing in the lovely city of Buffalo!

I've been simmering with ideas all winter and now it's time for a bead feast!

If you haven't heard about the Bead Soup Blog 

Party, it's this little fete where 400 or so people
 from around the world swap beady goodness then blog about what they make with said goodness.
 The extraordinary part of this is that there is ONE woman who does the pairing (Sweet Sweet Lori Anderson). She pairs people by visiting every.single.blog.and chooses partners based on things like experience and medium and location.

This is my second time participating in the Bead Soup Blog Party. Last year Lori let some Facebookers into the kitchen and I was one of the lucky ones. My partner was Claire Hasemeier and it was a great experience meeting her and seeing her creations with the bead soup I sent her! It prompted my arrival into the blogosphere, and I am grateful for the opportunity to participate again.

This year I have been paired with an extraordinary artist, Eva Sherman, of Grand River BeadStudio in Lakewood, Ohio. She owns this teaching facility and Eva Sherman Designs. Here she is with some of her work:

Eva has just recently published a book entitled Organic Wire and Metal Jewelry with Beth L. Martin 
and will no doubt be attending book signings and jewelry making celebrations for a while!

I have a sweet spot for her former life as an architect,(it was my first choice in college) and admire her dedication to her art and travels.

Now she creates in wire and  metals and teaches her skills in classrooms around the country. In fact, she will be teaching a class this summer at Chautauqua Institution and I may need to sign up for that! (If you are interested, follow the link, download the catalog, and head to pg 32. Registration begins April 1st!)

Here is a sneak peek of the soup I sent Eva, I cannot wait 
to see how the collection will be transformed in her style.

I will be posting pictures of the beautiful soup I received and keep you updated on my design progress.

Happy Spring!