Friday, March 2, 2012

5th Bead Soup Blog Party

Wohoo!!!  Today is reveal day!!  Can't wait to see all of the eye candy today!  I was paired with Kristina Johansson, Maneki.  Kristina sent me a wonderful soup, but I have to say that this was my 3rd time participating in the Bead Soup Party and probably my most challenging.  Kristina sent me a silk rod, which was so lovely it had rich royal blue and burgundies.  It was lovely but I absolutely did not know what to do with it and since Kristina had sent me something so lovely, I knew that I had to do it justice, and I didn't want to leave it out of the design that I was going to make.  I contacted Kristina and asked if she had any examples of using the silk rod.  She so generously sent me an email with a bunch of links sharing what others had done, one of the ideas was something I had cooking up in my head, but I wanted to try and gain ideas from others but try and do something that was unique to me.  Deryn Mentock did two lovely necklaces with silk rods, and they inspired me so, and I have been struggling for weeks try to do something similar but, I couldn't come up with a unique enough idea without it looking like I was copying Deryn. 

Other things that hit me this week was a tragic passing of a friend and I almost thought that I wasn't going to complete my piece, my mind has been in the clouds this week and grief over took me yesterday.  I almost contacted Lori and was going to explain the situation, but I decided that in order to honor my wonderful friend I need to get back to work and I need to make this piece for her to help me heal.  So I am naming my piece in honor of my friend and her wonderful spirit.

RELEASE HER SOUL




I took apart the silk rod and cut it in half then wrapped it around the antique gold key, I then wrapped it with copper wire and added some of the seed beads in the blue/green color.  I love these seed beads they are somewhat iridescent, with gold foil on the inside.  I then wire wrapped a butterfly and flower that Kristina had sent to me, they are wrapped messy to signify that life can sometimes be messy.  I added a ceramic bead from Spirited Earth, some Czech glass beads, blue tiger eye and apple jasper, peacock fresh water pearls wire wrapped and added to copper chain.  The key says memory on it which I thought was appropriate.  I realize that I have combined antique gold and antique copper, but I really wanted to use the key so I just ran with it.

Kristina thank you so much for the wonderful soup you sent me, I loved the color palette and was truly challenged.   Thank you Lori for all your hard work and dedication to all of us in the beading world.  Your tireless work in trying to make everyone happy is very much appreciated.  I hope that you have just as much fun hopping as the rest of us.

You will find the list of all the participates at the end of this post.  Please stop by if you can and leave a comment, I know that everyone puts a great deal of time and energy into their soup!!

Thanks everyone for stopping by!!

Take care,
Penny




63 comments:

  1. Penny, This is so beautiful and profound. I know it has been a rough week for you. You really poured your heart into this necklace and it shows. Gorgeous all around~the key looks like it is unlocking the memory of happier days. And your colors are very soothing and earthy. The title and the necklace are a tribute of love to your friend. I hope making this has helped you a little.

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  2. The first necklace with the key...its so cute!

    PS: Would be awesome if you would turn off the word verification

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  3. You did a great job of creating your piece, and I love the name you chose for it. You are dealing with an awful emotional issue...I hope it isn't too hard on you...

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  4. Oh, Penny! Your design is absolutely lovely. I am so sorry for your loss of your friend -- and as a mom of young kids myself, perhaps even more heartsick for that little girl. But your idea to make this piece in memory of your friend is truly beautiful. I love how it came together. I hope it was a little step in the healing process. Best of wishes to you.

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  5. lovely! I love it
    I'm another partecipant from Italy, I'm trying to visit all of you.
    this was really a great experience!
    ciao ciao

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  6. Pretty colors! Love the focal, with the wire and beads wrapped around it. Love all the different facets of this necklace, great job!

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  7. What a fab idea to ase the key as pert of the clasp! It works really well. Gorgeous peices. I love the colour :) x

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  8. Wow, Penny, such a lovely idea - a 'double sided' necklace! I love the wrapped key, I am very fond of designs with found, unusual objects (and a bit terrified to try, so I 'drool' over others' designs :)) Very, very nice!

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  9. Love the first necklace and what you did with the key!

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  10. I am glad that you were able to participate. I think that naming your piece in honor of your friend and her wonderful spirit is a great way to show how much she meant to you. I am sure she is smiling from above.

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  11. I think you totally did the silk rod justice and made a lovely piece. The mixed media parts and pieces came together so prettily.

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  12. Hi there, Penny! I'm finally ready to start blog hopping and seeing your necklace was a great way to begin this "travel".

    The necklace is beautiful! I really like what you did with the silk rod. You created something fab for a very challenging soup -- an at a time when having to deal with tough news.

    I'm so sorry for your loss. I was sadened to hear about you friend, passing away in such an awfully tragic and sudden way. Making this necklace in her honour was a lovely idea. And perhaps slightly therapeutical too? It doesn't make it all magically better, but creating jewellery -- and other works of art and craft -- can truely be a way to work through sorrow and express feelings that can't be put into words, but still need to come out.

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  13. I'm soory to hear about your friend. It is a great piece that you were able to make in her memory!

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  14. There is nothing wrong with mixing your metals! And before I even finished reading - I saw the way you wrapped the key and said, "oh yeah - I see the Deryn inspiration right there." But you made it your own -- and besides, I don't think I've ever seen her use copper. You've created a gorgeous piece, and it's lovely that you've made it in your friend's memory. I'm sorry for your loss, but this beautiful creation came from it, and will be a sweet reminder of your friend whenever you wear it.

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  15. Penny, big hugs to you. The significance of these are beautiful.

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  16. Good on you for finishing what you started! I'm sorry for your loss. You have a lovely set you can wear and you'll always think of your friend when you do. It's a lovely meaningful piece. You picked up the challenge and ran with it. I hope you wear it with happiness always.

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  17. What you did with the silk rod is pretty awesome. I know you were fretting about it but you totally rocked it. In fact, the whole piece is stunning. It's a perfect tribute to your friend and wonderful way to immortalize her memory. My sympathies on your loss and my congratulations on a successful piece.

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  18. Beautiful! I love the wrapped key and mixed metals!

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  19. Both necklaces are really fun and unique! Great color combinations. I also like the variety of elements and textures.

    So sorry to hear about the loss of her friend. I think she would be proud of the beautiful designs you created. What a sweet reminder of her.

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  20. Sorry to hear the story behind the interesting piece. Well done.

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  21. What a lovely tribute to your friend! Just beautiful. Great job with the silk rod. Love the combo of color, texture and metals.

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  22. Beautiful, I think this is making me like blue more!!

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  23. Nothing sweeter than a tribute to a beloved friend! I adore your key necklace...God bless!

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  24. Thank you telling your story.
    The piece came out beautifully.

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  25. I am so sorry about your friend, but you really honored her memory. Gorgeous necklace.

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  26. I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. Thank you for sharing your story. It must have been hard to go through with it but I think the necklace turned it to be an amazing piece. What a wonderful way to honor your friend's memory.

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  27. Very pretty necklace, a lovely tribute for your friend!

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  28. I really like how you've used the antique-style key in your design. It honours your friend's memory in the most beautiful way. Thank you for sharing your story.

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  29. Love how you wrapped the lampwork beads and the key with the silk wrapped around it. Sorry for the loss of your friend...that is very hard.

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  30. You did a wonderful job honoring your friends memory with this beautiful necklace!! I think she would be very proud!

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  31. What a touching bead soup. The piece came out wonderful and great use of the cord. Soft hugs to you.

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  32. You did a lovely job -- how wonderful to find a key with "memory" stamped on it. A lovely tribute -- and I'm thinking of you.

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  33. Love your wire wrapped key. Nice soup

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  34. What a wonderful tribute to your friend, sweetie. I especially love how the necklace can be worn front or back and your creatvity in using the rod, which I am not familiar with either.

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  35. What a wonderful way to honor your friend! I hope it has helped to lift your spirits up - hugs

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  36. What an incredible tribute to your friend.

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  37. I had tears in my eyes as I read your post. I'm glad you used creativity to express your grief and honor your friend. Your beautiful work will be a treasure to remember her by.

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  38. What a gorgeous piece! This necklace is a wonderful way to honor your friend. I love the name you chose for the piece--very touching.

    I'm so sorry for the tragic loss of your friend. I pray for peace and healing for you and your friend's family.

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  39. so sorry to hear of your loss--i truly hope that you found peace while making this beautiful piece to honor her, and enjoyed the memories that came to you as you worked!

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  40. I am so very sorry to read of your loss....senseless....your work is beautiful and i hope you sind some peace.

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  41. Beautiful necklace! I love the way you incorporated the silk onto the key. I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. May god send you some comfort.

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  42. I love the necklace love the silk ribbon and the way you strung the beads with the copper wire that is really cool. Have a nice day!

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  43. I love the necklace with the wire wrapped key - very nice!

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  44. Ooo what a lovely necklace! I love how you wrapped the key with fibers, wire and beads!

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  45. Penny, I am so sorry about the tragic loss of your friend. You must be devestated. But, you are right about honoring the memory of your friend by going on with your life and the things you love to do. The message on the key was no accident and your execution of your design is so special. It is a beautiful homage. Great job.

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  46. Oh I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, you design is beautiful and a lovely reminder of all you shared.
    Lori D.

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  47. Penny,

    I am so sorry for your loss and can not imagine how you must feel losing a dear friend so tragically.

    I hope finisheing your soup was a good distraction, the necklace is beautiful.

    Cyber hugs.

    Sandi

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  48. What a unique necklace. So different the way you added the focal key.

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  49. Wonderful tribute to your friend...

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  50. Your necklace is gorgeous and a beautiful memory of your friend. So very sorry for your loss.

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  51. Oh Penny, I am so very sorry for your loss, the necklace is such a perfect creation to honor it. ((HUGS))

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  52. Sorry of the tragedy and loss of a friend. You created an honorable piece and how ironic the key's message...Peace

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  53. This necklace is a true work of art that honors your friend beautifully! Penny, I am so sorry to hear that you had such a tragic loss. Your in my thoughts and prayers!

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  54. Penny beautiful creations. So sorry about your friend.

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  55. I like how you decorated the key!

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  56. I'm very sorry for your loss, it's always hard to lose someone you love. It's great that you made the piece to honor her and the name is so poignant. It's a beautiful necklace and a touching story, thanks for sharing.

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  57. Beautiful. Love the key transformation. I am sure your friend will appreciate that she was your inspiration.

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  58. I love what you did with the key! What an awesome idea. I think you created a beautiful necklace! great job :)

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  59. What a beautiful piece and a wonderful way to remember your friend. I am sure it will become a treasured piece for you not only for its beauty but because of your friendship.

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  60. I am so sorry about your friend. I read your previous post too. You made a beautiful necklace in her memory.

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  61. Penny, I can understand how difficult it must have been to continue on and complete your necklace at this time. I am so sorry to hear about your friend.... what happened was a horrible tragedy and beyond words. I'm thinking of you, and like many here, sending you a cyber hug.
    Your necklace is beautiful and will always hold a special place for you as a tribute to your friend. I love how you incorporated different elements and details - it has a wonderful flow to it and is sure to receive many compliments!

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  62. What a beautiful necklace, your friend would be so pleased.
    Sonya

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