You may have already heard of Bead Soup Blog Party but in case you haven't it was created by Lori McDaniel Anderson. The first Bead Soup Blog Party was in December 2010, and it's been held twice a year since then.
So, first you sign up, then Lori does the monumental task of assigning you a partner. Nearly 500 particpants from approximately 38 countries signed up for the 8th Bead Soup Blog Party. Next you create a bead soup for the person you've been partnered with and send it to them. They in turn send you theirs and you each create with the soup you've been sent. When you are done you reveal what you have created with your soup. Today is my reveal!
I was lucky to have an international partner, Marjolein Trewavas, from Amersham, Buckinghamshire, England. She is a textile designer who creatively up-cycles treasures she finds at auctions, second hand stores, thrift shops and anywhere else they may show up. In her words she creates an "eclectic mix of colourful sometimes vintage bazaar style pieces that are sometimes slightly kitsch, sometimes romantic and shabby chic but always visually stimulating and fun to wear or to have in your house."
After exchanging a few emails to get to know each other a bit more I went about trying to put together what I hoped would be a the perfect bead soup for Marjolein.
It was so exciting when the parcel arrived from Marjolein and just as exciting unpacking it. I was overwhelmed by her generosity; there were so many materials that I had never worked with before.
She suceeded in pushing me outside my comfort zone which is a good thing. So it was time to get to work and see what I could come up with. It was a challenge. I tried many different designs and was happy with none of them until I decided I was going to cook up an 'everything but the kitchen sink soup' which just means everything goes into the soup pot. I put all the beads in a bowl and randomly picked a bead to wire wrap. I then added lengths of brass chain both bright and antiqued in between each successive bead I picked. There was no rhyme or reason to my process. I trusted it would all work out. And work out it did! I was so pleased with the result. It's unlike anything I've made before and I loved the mix of colours. I couldn't use all the beads for the necklace, what's left is reserved for another piece. One of the Bead Soup rules is you must use the pendant piece and the clasp. Obviously I broke that rule with this design but I couldn't bring myself to make any changes. So I tried for another piece and I was almost happy with the result but not quite enough to reveal it just yet. That will have to wait for my next post.
Now for the big reveal. The necklace measures 275 cm which is approximately 108 inches. There are a few options for the number of strands it can be.
Please visit Marjolein's blog, Room for Change, to see what she has created with the bead soup I've sent her. Thank you Marjolein for your incredible bead soup! It was a pleasure to get to know you through our emails and I hope we stay in touch. I promise to keep designing with beads left in the bowl and to share those reveals with you.
Next take a trip around the world following the links on Lori's site, Pretty Things, to the other blogs also revealing their Bead Soup. It's going to be quite the party! Take the time to leave a comment if see something you really like.
Thank you to Lori McDaniel Anderson for all the hard work she has put into this. She inspires me with not only all the work hours it takes to pull and keep this all together but the fact that she did it while dealing with a serious illness. I know that there were also many on her team who stepped up to the plate to help when it was needed. Thank you to them as well.
Looking forward to the next Bead Soup Blog Party!
You made a fantastic necklace!! I am glad I have stretched you comfortzone!! Thanks for being my partner, you gave me some fantasic things to work with!
Posted by: Marjolein | May 10, 2014 at 01:23 AM
Stunning. I love the options for playing with the length.
Posted by: Al | May 10, 2014 at 11:55 AM
Lovely necklace...
Posted by: Jenny | May 10, 2014 at 01:59 PM
Great design! I love how it all turned out.
Posted by: Shai Williams | May 10, 2014 at 04:12 PM
Very versatile! Nice work!
Posted by: Jael | May 10, 2014 at 06:59 PM
Lovely colors and versatile layers!
Posted by: Heidi | May 10, 2014 at 10:31 PM
So many beautiful beads and you did a great job making a beautiful necklace!
Posted by: Kumi Fisher | May 10, 2014 at 11:59 PM
What a lovely result. It looks like a necklace you'll never get tired of.
Posted by: Cate van Alphen | May 11, 2014 at 03:33 AM
That is a beautiful necklace. I received some of her fiber beads as a gift a couple of years ago and I loved them. I still have a few of them and because they are so precious to me, I keep hoarding them. Your design is inspiring me to get them out and use them. Great job! (Even if you did break the rules - there is a bit of an anarchist in me too.)
Posted by: Jean A. Wells | May 11, 2014 at 08:16 AM
Brendalee, sometimes one MUST break the rules (or at least bend them a little)... in this case totally warranted, as your necklace is perfect as is and truly a piece for any occasion :) Can't wait to see what else you are preparing!
Posted by: Monique U. (A Half-Baked Notion) | May 11, 2014 at 05:21 PM
Excellent idea....I love how it can be worn several ways...very inventive! Great job! Thanks for joining and posting!
Posted by: Veralynne | May 11, 2014 at 05:26 PM
The necklace is lovely,,, I love how you put all the different beads into one necklace...it makes the necklace flow...
Waiting for your next pieces which include the focal and clasp...
Posted by: Diah Anggreni | May 12, 2014 at 09:24 AM
What a great idea, and it paid off well, the necklace is lovley and very versatile.
Posted by: Kepi Rasmussen | May 13, 2014 at 06:39 AM
Oh that is one lovely necklace! I love the idea of putting all the soup together in one long necklace. And the way you have made it means you can choose to display different beads each time you wear it. A necklace of infinite combinations. Beautiful!
Posted by: Penny | May 13, 2014 at 04:19 PM
Lovely necklace, and so versatile!
Posted by: Karen Mitchell | May 13, 2014 at 08:12 PM
Such a brilliant idea - I love your necklace and its versatility! Great job!
Posted by: Alicia | May 14, 2014 at 08:48 AM
Love love that necklace, great piece from your soup!
Posted by: Marti C. | May 14, 2014 at 06:44 PM
Gorgeous design - you made beautiful use of your soup. I love the versatile options!
Posted by: Susan Kelly | May 16, 2014 at 10:50 AM
Adorable layered necklace!
Posted by: Margareta | May 17, 2014 at 01:26 PM
I love how you did this because it can be worn with everything and in different ways. Great job.
Posted by: Marianne Baxter | May 18, 2014 at 05:03 PM
I am happy you decided to just follow the beads, the result is marvelous, I love the so many ways you can wear your necklace, you can even wear it as a belt, it's so beautiful in anyway!
Posted by: Andra Marasteanu | May 18, 2014 at 06:10 PM
I like that you made this piece so long and versatile - it's got so many great colors and textures that it can be worn with nearly anything. So beautiful! =)
Linda A.
http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
http://cherryOnTopDesign.co
Posted by: Linda A. | May 21, 2014 at 11:19 AM
I love pieces that are so functional and versatile. You nailed it with this one.
Posted by: Janice | May 22, 2014 at 10:12 AM
Nice versatile necklace. The beads and the chain look so pretty together. You did a great job with your soup!
Posted by: Barbara Fernald | May 23, 2014 at 08:23 PM
Wow, this necklace is fantastic! I love the multistand design and the different options to wear it.
Posted by: Silke | May 25, 2014 at 04:42 AM