Saturday, April 13, 2013

7th Annual Bead Soup Block Party


7th Annual Bead Soup Block Party
2nd Reveal

This is my very first Bead Soup Challenge.  

 My partner for my Bead Soup Challenge is Julie Bowen of Autochthonous Evolved.  She is and educator, a talented Lampwork Artist and a very talented jewelry artist. If you click her name you can see what I sent her and what she made.

Our styles are quite different.  I am earthy and organic and her style appears to me to be more bright, colorful and somewhat whimsical.  Thus the fun begins.  

Here is what she sent me and what I added.


She sent me some lovely handmade lampwork by her in button clasp shape, long bead, headpins and rondelles, Chalk Turquoise, Charoite, dragon fly charm and pewter clasp.

I added a sueded leather jacket to recycle into the piece, pewter spacers, links from Joannes new Urban Warrior line, some of my own lampwork ( although not made by me ), peanut beads, seed beads, 4 ply waxed linen,  faux beach glass, copper spacers, resin chips from a recycled necklace,  matt Black Onyx rondelles, copper chain and clasp.  I also added some metal that I etched and antiqued.

In my design I had a hiccup the silver pewter clasps toggle she sent me broke....but I felt I kept in the rules framework as I used the button as a clasp in one of the pieces.

I made 2 pieces of jewelry for the challenge.



It is funny how the most challenging bead.....the long lampwork produced the bracelet I liked the best.  I have been on a bit of a bracelet binge lately.



I have been playing with this new shape of bracelet.  It is very sexy on.  
So lets talk about bracelet number 1  first.



This was my first time I have ever etched metal.  I was thrilled with the shape of the etching and how it played with the petals of the flowers, stems and the black lines on the lampwork rondelles.
The copper really helped  tone down the shinny black of the lampwork.  Black is typically not a color I work very often in.   Adding matte Black Onyx lent to some taming of the shinny black.


This bracelet above is actually the 2nd design I did with that long lampwork bead.  I had to put aside the whole project for a couple of weeks.  When I pulled it out again.  I completely ripped it up and started from scratch.



 I struggle with bright and shinny colors so I decided to recycle into this bracelet to help get the creative flow going.  This was actually the first design I made with the beads.  Recycling is one of the things I do when I am in a creative slump.  When I started jewelry design I had  little inventory & money to invest.  I had to  get creative with what I had,  this brings me back to the source of where it all began for me.
I am in love with the utilitarian almost military feel this bracelets has.  I cut the trim off of a sueded leather jacket and used them as spacer bars.

The asymmetry of the metal spacer bars gave the bracelet some interesting dimension.




I am really pleased with how both of my bracelets turned out.  I didn't get to use all the beads she sent me but I feel I definitely accomplished my goals of adding my aesthetic to this challenge and designing some jewelry with some innovative creativity.

You can find more of Kristin Oppold designs at YaY! Jewelry on Etsy.
You can also follow her latest creations on Facebook.

I think it is a pretty amazing event that Lori Anderson has put together, pairing jewelry artists around the world.


To see the lovely pairings of many artists around the world please follow the links below.


Agata Grygiel
Ali McCarthy
Alice Craddick
Amy Severino
Ana Krepel
Andra Weber
Andrea Glick
Andrea Trank
Anitra Gordy Boyers



Annette Rivers
Anu Tuppurainen
April Grinaway
Audrey Bélanger
B.R.Kuhlman
Barbara Bechtel
Barbara Mason
Becky Pancake
Beti Horvath
Billi RS Rothove



Bobbie Rafferty
Brandi Burdick
Candida Castleberry
Carol Dillman
Carolyn Gebert
Carolyn Lawson
Caron Reid
Catherine King
Cathy Jakicic



Chandra Merod
Charlene Jacka
Cheri Reed
Cherrie Fick
Cherrie Warzocha
Cheryl Brown
Cheryl Dunham
Cheryl Foiles
Cheryl Gangle



Chris Eisenberg
Chris White
Christina Miles
Christine Hansen
Christine Murrow
Christine Stonefield
Cindy Ritchie
Clare Etheridge
Cory Tompkins



Cris Peacock
Cynthia Abner
Debbie Rasmussen
Debi Levine
Deborah Brooks
Deborah Read
Debra Behrends
Dorota Żerańska
Elaine Robitaille



Elsie Deliz-Fonseca
Emma Todd
Erin Guest
Evelyn Shelby
Evie and Beth McCord
Francy Inman
Ginger Bishop
Gloria Allen
Hajer Waheed



Hope Smitherman
Ilenia Ruzza
Ilona Hegedűs
Ine Vande Cappelle
Jackie Ryan
Janine Lucas
Jean Peter
Jean Wells
Jeanne Steck



Jelveh Jaferian Johnson
Jennifer Cabic
Jennifer Reno
Jennifer VanBenschoten
Jenny Davies-Reazor
Jenny Kyrlach
Jenny Robledo
Jessica Brower
Jill MacKay



JJ Jacobs
Jo-Ann Woolverton
Joanne Tinley
Johanna Rhodes Nash
Judy Robinson
Juli Cannon
Julia Gerlach
Julie Bowen
Julie Panusis



K Hutchinson
Karen Martinez
Karen Vincent
Karen Williams
Karin Slaton
Karyn Bonfiglio
Kat Douglas
Kate Dufour
Kate Mulligan



Kate Richbourg
Kathleen Gallant
Kathleen Lange Klik
Katie Nielsen-Nunez
Kay Bolton
Kayla Potega
Kelli Jacobson
Kelly Patterson
Kelly Ramstack



Kiersten Kern
Kim Sparks
Klaudete Koon
Klaudia Tóth
Krista French
Kristin Oppold
Kym Hunter
Lana Kinney
Laura Guenther



Lauren Fenty
Leah Curtis
Lennis Carrier
Linda Murphy
Lisa Johnson
Lori Anderson
Lupe Meter
Lynn Jobber
Mandi Effron



Marcia Dunne
Margareta Saari
Megan Milliken
Marie Covert
Mary Ellen Parker
Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens
Megan Milliken
Melissa Meman
Melissa Mesara



Michaela Pabeschitz
Michelle Tucker
Mimi Gardner
Mischelle Fanucchi
Monica Phillips
Mowse Doyle
Nancy Boylan
Nancy Dale
Pat Haight



Patina Queen
Patty Miller
Pia Kaven
Rebecca Anderson
Rose Johnson
Roxanne Blanc
Sarah Goode
Sarah Singer
Sarah Strover



Shalini Austin
Sherri Stokey
Sherry Baun
Sheryl Stephens
Silvia Sernicola
Solange Collin
Stacie Florer
Stacy Alderson
Stephanie Haussler



Stephanie LaRosa
Sue Burleigh
Susan Bowie
Susan Kelly
Susan of Libellula Jewelry
Susan Sheehan
Suzanne Fragiacomo
Tammi Sloan
Tammie Everly



Tania Hagen
Tania Spivey
Tanya Goodwin
Tanya Wiles
Tari Kahrs
Terry Carter
Theresa Buchle
Tiffany Smith
Tina Holden



Tracey Nanstad
Tracie Dean
Tracy Bell
Tracy Kruse
Veralynne Malone
Veronica Campos-Hallstrom





86 comments:

  1. SO awesome, Kristin! I LOVE what you did with them. Completely unique and stylish. I do like how my beads forced you a little out of your comfort zone because I think they took you to an amazing place. So well done!

    My blog will be coming later today!

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    1. Cant wait to see it!!! So glad you like what I did.

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  2. I already love your bracelets and these are no exception! SO clever to use leather pieces as spacers!

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  3. These are seriously cool bracelets! Nicely done.

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  4. Both are so unusual and totally stunning!

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  5. Uhm, WOW. Love the two bracelets and thanks for sharing the process of how you created them. Stunning pieces!!!

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  6. Those bracelets are awesome! No other word for it.

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  7. What a great inspiration for us lampworkers! A beautiful soup, Kristin. I favourite the second bracelet - it has a very unique charme, I never saw a piece like that so far!

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  8. I think the first bracelet is my favorite. I love what you did and that wrapping....wow...I can only dream of that...lol!

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  9. Love your bracelets - very unique!

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  10. What beautiful bracelets. I would have known they were yours anywhere....your style is so unique and so personal to you. Love them. Etching is something I simply have got to try and soon. Oh yes, I have all the stuff.....but again, that's what I'm good at -- getting the stuff. Actually doing it is another thing. Great job!

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    1. HAHAHAHA Jean you an me are 2 peas in a pod. I dont have everything. It really is very easy and I wish I would of tried it earlier. I would say this though do a bunch of things at once as it is quite the chore getting it all out and set up. This was my first attempt.

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    2. One thing I forgot to say is that I would of etched it a little longer than I did. I think I did about 50 minutes. I think I would of done an hour or a little more.

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  11. Very creative use of your soup, the blue trapezoidal bracelet is stricking

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  12. I love both of the bracelet. You really rocked them.

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  13. Oh yes! I love your sexy bracelets, very unique!

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  14. Although I love both bracelets, the one with the bead focal is also my favorite!

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  15. The first bracelet has stolen my heart. Nice, big pieces like these are right down in my alley :)

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  16. so so inventive braacelets!!!!im impressed!

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  17. I really enjoy and admire your style! Just started etching myself and am having a blast with it. These bracelets are great :)

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    1. Thanks so much. I predict that I will be doing some more etching in the future!

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  18. Wow, I love how you infused your earthy organic vibe into these bright beads. The cuffs are fantastic and I'm loving the metal components knotted with the blue cord in the second piece. Awesome soup!

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    1. Blushes from your nice comments on the internet!

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  19. Incredible and striking designs. Love the geometry in these and the urban flavour, very cool

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  20. LOVE LOVE LOVE the bracelets! Chunky, well thought out mixed media pieces always bring me joy (hello etching, just perfect ;) Great work!!! xo

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  21. These are very creative and beautiful bracelets. Excelent work!

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  22. Beautiful bracelets, I love the first one.

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  23. Love these bracelets! Very unusual designs!! Bravo.
    kathy

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  24. Nicely done!! Your bracelets are beautiful!! Love the etched metal pieces on the one bracelet. I am just new to etching on metal...so much fun! What an awesome way to display the focal bead!

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  25. Oh, I forgot to thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment...thanks!

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  26. Oh yes, misson accomplished for sure! I can't say I could choose one over the other, they are both so fresh and unique. I think the etching - those lines - so perfect for the lampwork. the suede sideways on like that oooooh I like it! Love how industrial it feels

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  27. Wow! Bracelet #1 - yay for sure! Beautiful work!

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  28. I love them...just LOVE them. I can't get over how creative some people can be☺
    I love what you did with the long lampwork bead! Who'd a thunk?
    It has to be my fav, but the other one is a little bit of genius with the suede!

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    1. It was quite overwhelming at first but the vision came through....OMG you have to go see what my partner Julie Bowen made. I love her Diva Punk Rocker Girl Necklace. I am so impressed.

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  29. I love your bracelets, Kristin! (Of course, I always love your stuff, so that shouldn't be much of a surprise!)

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  30. Those are incredibly interesting bracelets.

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  31. love what you did with your soup...wow...

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  32. You are one amazing designer. I would never think of that. You have taken the work cuff to new places. I truly think I will be saying I knew you when in the near future. Your sense of style and ideas are out there I must say but that is what could make you famous. I can see your designs in high fashion magazines. What is your next challenge??

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    1. Cherrie you are so kind!!!! I don't have another challenge scheduled...sometimes it is hard to do those, get some jewelry off for publication and keep your shop fresh. The balancing act that is my life and many others. I wish I had more time to educate myself as I feel I am just scratching the surface. I still haven't done any cold connections yet!!!!! My next plan.

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  33. Hey Kristin! You made some serious design leaps with these beads! You really made them express you, without losing their individuality. Great work! Don't know if you got to bee my BSBP7 partner Jennifer Reno's work using one of your Jasper pendants. Go look! http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/2013/04/time-for-bead-soup.html#comment-form

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    1. ooooo I have to go look!!!!!!! I am about 1/2 way through the hop...my arm gives me issue when I am on the computer to much....I will go check!!!!

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  34. The long bead is Perfect in that design !
    I may "borrow " that idea :)
    Your etching turned out wonderfully
    I adore both bracelets!!!!

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    1. I think I felt like that shape kind of put me in a box. I started a necklace with it but looked at and said. You know this isn't spectacular. I had to ask myself, do I want to just make something or make something spectacular. I put the whole project away for many weeks. I have been playing with this shape of bracelet for a month and knew I wanted to etch to and then it just came together. I will never look at that shape of bead the same again. In fact I have been out looking for more to remake this bracelet with different etching etc....it is very exciting to put a new spin on something that has been around for a decade.

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  35. Unique, creative and very beautiful designs. I love all of them.

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  36. ~urban eclectic with a bit of spring...beautiful are these pieces you have created...much love light and blessings~

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  37. Your designs are soo unique.. I would soo wear these.. Awesome work.

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  38. Between Julie's soup and your add-ins, you came up with a great mix of materials that give such life and texture to your designs. Love the spontaneity - my, but you have wonderful creative instincts. Bravo!

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    1. Thanks so much!!!!!! Julie was an awesome Bead Soup Partner. She is very generous.

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  39. beautiful bracelet, I especially love the 1st, but they are both stunning!
    I'm on the 3rd reveal, partecipating for the 3rd time... what fun BSBP!
    ciao dall'Italia

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  40. What unusual bracelets I like the lampwork bead it has worked really well in the first on!
    Jackie

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  41. I LOVE these bracelets!!!! So cool.

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  42. I love the way you were able to stay true to your style. The sign of a good designer! Great job - very cool pieces.

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  43. These are definitely some of the most unique pieces I've seen! I never would have considered using either the long lampworked bead or the metal, ladder-like spacers in bracelets, but you totally made them work! Truly original designs, and so beautifully photographed, too.

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  44. Wow the copper etched bracelet is to die for! It's so your style and you did a great job incorporating the soup! Always admire your creations Kristin! You are one talented artist!

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  45. Love your bacelets! My fav is the 1st one!

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  46. You say that you struggle with bright colors, but your designs with this palette are great. That first one especially catches my attention. I like the combination of your tastes with your partners. It's kinda where my tastes meet.

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  47. Love the design of both bracelets!

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  48. Great work! I love the bracelets! I never thought about recycling like that!

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  49. I am in love with those bracelets!

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  50. Those have to be some of the most unique bracelets I have ever seen and I can't decide just which one I like better. Love them both!

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  51. Very cool! Modern and artsy! I love how your imagination works :-)

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  52. Total awesomeness girl - total awesomeness!! I love both designs,..it would be hard to choose a favorite but the first one would look really cool with what I'm wearing to my jewelry arts meeting tomorrow night! :-)

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  53. Your stream of creativity runs strong and deep! Great work. :)

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  54. Both of your bracelets are very unique. Good job using your soup.

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  55. Your designs are stunning! I love the etched pieces with the focal lampwork bead. Beautiful bead soup!!

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  56. beautiful bracelets. You were very creative. I love them.

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  57. Big, bold, beautiful bracelets! I love the geometric strength of the second one in particular.

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  58. Your designs are really wonderful. I really love the second one with those really spacer bars and the blue suede...such a fantastic idea!

    I also want to say how sorry I am about your mother. I'm sitting here bawling..what a sweet and wonderful post to her...so nice to see all the photos you included. Kind of a tough read for me..I lost my mother & aunt to cancer and have been watching my new son-in-law fighting lymphoma for a year and a half now. Horrible disease.

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    1. Aw thanks Patricia so nice to know that one isn't alone in their grief. Also thank you for your nice compliments!!!!!!!!

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  59. The blue one looks so futuristic =) I love your design.

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  60. Great work, love your way of designing the bold beautiful bracelets, very unique. And the use of these colors... ♥gorgeous!

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  61. Love both bracelets. They are very unique. The first bracelet is a great inspiration for me as a lampworker. Thanks!

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