BSBP - "Show off!"

These earrings are probably my favorites. The colours and textures are so beautiful and the dangle perfectly. The "dangling" quality of earrings is an important feature earrings must have for me! The should not only be long... the should move and play!

My favorites from all the pieces I made for the  8th "Bead Soup Blog Party" (BSBP) I participated! Thank you so much Lori for hosting and organizing and especially for getting (at least me) us challenged and inspired! :) To have a look at all the participants (and of course go over to their blogs!) have a look at Loris Blog here. Make sure you visit at least.... a lot!

My partner was Nathalie (I wrote more about her and her blog here) and we both send each other soups that... had surprisingly a very fitting colour story! You could have joined both soups in one with no problems! Please go over to her and have a look what she made with the beads I send her! (oh yes, I am soooo curious, can't wait! :))

My first bracelet was something quite colourful. I looked through my wire and linen cord and loved the combination of the green beads with the bright orange. Simple macrame knots as well as my first handmade wire hook... the tiny glass beads are old, well over 25 years, from czech. I also send Nathalie some of them (even if you can't see it, there is something special for me if I work beads that have a story and were given to me) hence I liked the idea of incorporating some in my own design.

The closure hook I made for Heather Powers "Jewelery Mojo Challenge" realizing too late that if I used this for the BSBP I would not be able to show it in time. Still, I really love all my hooks I made. Used them also in the two necklaces I made.

If you already know my blog, a little bit of me and my work... you will probably not be surprised that I had to alter some of the bits of my soup. This was the fate the clasp had to endure for the bracelet...

Verdigris.... embossing poweder. Yes. Embossing powder... under a layer of resin. Looks like water to me and fitting for all the blue and green, for the shells and the mood of my soup!

Regardless how beautiful the focal is, I have to admit I struggled a lot... The pendant is already so bright and colourful and big, it is too easy to go over the top with it. I tried a lot until I just went to a very simple solution that speaks perfectly to me. I used purple silk, copper wire (that I also treat with liver of sulphur for a nice patina) and two bronze rings. 

I am surprised how perfect it is for me. But maybe because of the texture of the fibre, the added wire, the strong colours, it is still really complex with all the details ;)

I also made this clasp and I believe this won't be the last time I secured and wrapped silk this way. It has a tribal feeling to me and could work in so many different ways!

It is really a simple wrapping but it gives the pendant a beautiful move while still being really, really sturdy! Also it allows to switch the sides of the pendant. Both sides are beautiful and totally different from the pattern.

 Oh, and I also played with the other cute little charms too! The shell has also embossing powder and a resin coat while the dolphin and sand dollar were treated with vintaj patina (Yes, finally... I got myself some ^^). Also I sanded them, used a little bit liver of sulphur and sanded them again. I love all the different looks, the watery like resin, the shades of blue and green... but I especially love the dolphin. He just really looks like some old vintage charm, worn from time and use because someone always had him close :)

This necklace also is surprisingly bold in colour for me... But somehow it still feels "me". Cotton embroidery thread in purple over hard and thick wire, bright blue glass beads, dangling faccette beads (with bead cap over bead cap) and colourful bronze wire...

I should have tried for picture how it looks "dangling" (yes, my word of the day!)... maybe later. Already in the middle of the night here while I write this blog entry. 

I have even more... earrings (always my favorite to create) but the sun didn't stay long enough to make more pictures. So... I will show you more over the next days :)

Now I will be gone looking at all the other blogs and creations. Thank you Lori for letting me being part :)