Thank you for stopping by the sweet bead studio corner of the great big Bead Soup Blog Party. The blog party is hosted by my friend Lori Anderson, and this is my 3rd time participating in this international event. Lori has created a blog hop (and it’s much more than a blog hop) that so many of us look forward to; it is quite the event of the jewelry community. Thank you Lori, and a great big {hug} going out to you!!
Oh boy was I lucky. My bead soup partner was Riki Schumacher of Riki Jewelry. It happens that I’ve been an online friend of Riki’s for some time, not to mention I absolutely love her style. Riki is such an inspirational instructor – she recently launched a new site for the jewelry community, and plans to share information, techniques, and tutorials! You can also take classes with her in-person (if you’re lucky to live close enough), or take one of her mini online courses – she is very generous with information.
Riki sent me a fabulous array of vintage treasures. The color scheme is incredibly rich – with a mix of bronze and pearly tones. Just look at the focal she created for me! Riki soldered rhinestones to a pendant that she forged and antiqued. Another focal was created from a vintage watch – she shared this technique in a previous issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry. Pearls, an assortment of vintage charms, and luscious silk ribbon were also included in her bead soup mix.
I was immediately drawn to the tiny, old photographs. Who were these people and what kind of lives did they lead? My mind began to wander to different scenarios – from a hundred years ago. Riki sent these pictures to the right person. I take in old photographs and give them their due respect – one day I’ll share my antique photo album collection. Now back to my soup mix – another favorite piece is the gold link (and it’s a mystery as to how it was used, it does not open like a locket). What’s so special about this piece is the script monogram – “LEW”. I created a story in my mind, of how the man in the photograph gave this to the woman with the rosy cheeks as a special token of his endearment. Maybe it was an engagement gift. I know this monogrammed piece must have been special to someone, somewhere, many years ago. It is now in my possession and I do cherish it already.
It’s plain to see that I received a bead soup mix that is completely the type of beads and components I would have selected for myself. If you’re asking, “where’s the challenge then?”, there were still challenges. I did encounter challenges as I connected the components of this cuff-like bracelet. I annealed three of the metal connectors and filigree and shaped them on my bracelet mandrel so they’d have a nice curve. I got creative with cold connections. An antique rhinestone pin is wire wrapped to a Bethlehem Steel tag. The monogrammed focal is attached to the old, ornate stamping with sari ribbon. Fray Check is my friend when it comes to sari ribbon. I added vintage rhinestone and mother of pearl buttons to the beautiful mix of beads that I received from Riki.
I debated with whether or not to embellish the soldered rhinestone focal that Riki hand-forged. It was so beautiful on its own. Should I punch a hole and hang a dangle from the bottom? While looking through my vintage buttons, I came across an old “W” button I had been saving. Oh how perfect. Not only was this one of the initials in the monogrammed focal, but it is the initial of my last name (and if it looks like an M to you, that covers my maiden name too!). The “W” button was a perfect match!
I had a clever little idea for the necklace. I added seed bead and brass chain to a old rhinestone necklace, and did not attach it to the main necklace. I created the look of a double-strand necklace, but with the option of wearing one without the other.
I have a surprise for you….a little thank you for making it this far in my lengthy bead soup post (because there are over 300 other blogs you’ll want to visit!). I’ll be giving away this sweet pair of earrings to one visitor. I’ll draw a name next Tuesday, Sept. 2oth.
Enjoy the rest of the Bead Soup Blog Party & thank you for stopping by! 🙂 You’ll find the complete list of participants when you click on the link below.
-Cindy
Cindy!!!!!!!! WOW WOW WOW!
I just love your bead soup creations.. You and Riki were perfect partners.
Simply Stunning…
I am suffering from inspiration overload! ???
Gorgeous pieces all of them! I’m having such fun hopping this round of the bead soup event.
Wow, I am totally in love with your design. it is simply amazing. I have a vintage necklace with the same kind of rhinestones as the piece in your necklace that has been on a french bust on my desk for 3 years. I would of never even considered this type of design with it. I will never look at that necklace the same again. I follow your designs in all of the publications. Thanks for sharing. Cherrie
One more thing,
your photography is absolutely stunning.
WOW! This is beautiful, it’s as if all of those components and beads were hand picked especially for you!
That is gorgeous. That was a match made in heaven with what Riki sent you. I just love what you did with it – the W button in the middle of the wonderful rhinestone piece is great.
Just amazing as I knew it would be! How creative to create a cuff with all those incredible elements! I know lots of engineering went into that piece. The necklace is perfect and the bezel was just calling out for that button. I love the earrings and those bead caps are perfect!
Riki had your number! Great bead soup that suited you to a T! Lovely creations! See you at Bliss!
Ohmigosh, Cindy, what a STUNNING necklace! It’s so lush and full of texture! I especially like what you did with the focal, and how you made the seed bead necklace a removable addition. Lovely!
Wow – Riki knew exactly what to send! I just love how you added all the elements and created pieces that look like they have belonged together forever! The addition of the “W” button really makes that pendant! It is always so inspiring to see your creations and read the stories that go along with them! See you Friday!! P.S. – I want those earrings 🙂
Wow, so eclectically Victorian! What a terrific piece!
Wow!!!! What an amazingly fun and artistic collections of goodies that you received!! You talent is am amazing – your pieces are truly works of art!
yeah, ummmm, that bracelet is amazing. yep, amazing.
So beautiful!
Love the vintage feel of your pieces – the earrings would look fabuolus on me (lol).
Beautiful, beautiful work Cindy! Can’t wait to see you this weekend!
Incredible soup, Cindy — I’m blown away by the artists who are able to work with vintage components and make them look completely new and fresh and original. And I LOVE the elements of a story you wove into the piece — so many ways to spark the imagination that way. Very satisfying soup, my dear!
How amazing is your talent! Such gorgeousness can only be created by an angel, right? 🙂
Cindy, you’ve done it again. Created a masterpiece – well, three masterpieces, really. An inspiring, artful job. Even though my style is so different than yours, I always take away ideas whenever I see your work.
Any plans for the photographs?
Oh golly, those earrings are so adorable! How thoughtful of you to do a giveaway. Very nice creations and so perfectly presented.
Your soup is divine! The pieces you made with it are absolutely gorgeous! There is definitely a regal quality to them!
Cindy, as always, your pieces represent a serious WOW factor! The bracelet is just AMAZING and so ornate with all of those gorgeous pieces! I’m glad I made it in time to enter for the earrings! so cute!
Oh, I love those vintage pieces. You did such a great job putting it all together, wiring the pieces in and making it feel like it’s decades old or more. I love the little button you found for the forged focal and the extra strand for the necklace. And the earrings are so cute. Glad I made it by in time.
Oh, Cindy, what fabulous soup! Lovely, lovely, and more lovely!
OH. MY. GOODNESS. Cindy, you had everyone here at Beadaholique drooling! This is definitely one of the best soups we’ve seen 🙂 Bravo!!!
Cindy, as always I am amazed and awed at your talent. Your pieces are simply breathtaking! I love love love the double necklace with the “w” button, and the cuff is perfectly put together. Just beautiful! 🙂
I love your creations!! they have such a romantically feminine look!! Look forward to following your blog !!
You and your partner were so perfectly paired, and your necklace and earrings are lovely!
wow I really like your bead soup! especially the bracelet! its just yummy!
I love all you have cooked up with your soup. Nice job with the design.
i am in awe of what you created with your soup, it is so lovely. Both pieces sing elegance and grace!!!
amazing what you have created!!! simply amazing:)
This is just a gorgeous assortment of materials. What a great pairing you and Riki make! I love what she does with a little solder and some old baubles. I bought one of her boxes for my best friend Heather last year. The story that you wove through this is priceless. And I am so bummed that I am only now starting the hop! I missed out on a gorgeous pair of earrings! But Miss Erin of Elysian Studios is a beautiful soul who deserves it!
Enjoy the day!
Erin
Cindy, this is a magnificent set. I love how you’ve given components with an old story, a new story for a new generation to ponder over.
all your work is just stunning!! i love your style!
these are so beautiful—so much going on and such a great old feel. like going through grandma’s jewelry box. magical. those earrings are just so sweet!
Oh. My. Oh, my. The story of your creative thought process made these pieces even more wonderful, but they are all spectacularly romantic. Delicious soup!
Great job with your soup! Very beautiful.
What a rich array of components you worked with and turned into gorgeous jewelry. I love the necklace that looks like one but is two. And the spark the W button gave to the pendant. Wonderful creations Cindy.
Cindy! Your talent is astonishing! Gorgeous doesn’t even come close to a real description of these pieces, so much warmth and style and originality!! The “W” button was a fortunate find, too! The perfect finishing touch. All awesome!
I am absolutely smitten with what you created here. First, the soup you received was just amazing. But you really transformed those ingredients into something special. Beautifully done, Cindy. . .I would have expected nothing less!
What gorgeous pieces! You and Riki definitely seem to be kindred spirits 🙂 You both do such amazing and wonderful things with vintage finds! Love love! That bracelet is my favorite, just gorgeous!
Love it! All of it!!! I really love vintage worked bits and it doesn’t get better than this!
Love the soup you received and love what you made. The necklace is a great combination of the old and the new.
Wow, I am speechless, taken aback by the beauty you have created. Only you could have done justice to these gorgeous beads. Just Lovely!
Vintage with a cool twist. Love your work! Wow!!! Soup-er job!
Your pieces are all stunning! I love vintage, but I sometimes lack the inspiration to refocus their existence! Someday I will try again!
Hi Cindy, sorry i’m so late visiting..i have been taking care of family…omg u have outdone yourself this creations is amazing you are just so creative to take such complex components and turn them into a show stopper…i just love it!!
take care ttfn Lana 🙂
Your pieces are truly amazing. I love what you did with both of them.
I missed your give away, but it was worth stopping by. Fabulous, unique bracelet and necklace. Love your work.