It’s finally reveal day for the Bead Soup Blog Party: Bead Hoarders Edition!
When I received my bead soup from Denise Milward a few weeks ago, I was sure I would use the big striped agate focal first, and struggle with the yellow agate pendant. But then I saw a Design Seeds palette that gave me the perfect colour inspiration for the yellow pendant and I ended up struggling with the striped pendant instead!
Just to remind you, here’s the soup Denise sent me:
Here’s the palette that inspired me — that yellow is just about a perfect match for the pendant isn’t it?
I knew I had some amethyst in my stash of gemstones, and I was delighted to find a strand of faceted oval stones. As I was going through a box of mixed beads, I also came across a bag of vintage Czech glass rounds in that very same deep amber yellow (I believe Lennis Carrier gave them to me in a swap a couple of years ago). I knotted them on lavender waxed linen to make a very simple but striking necklace.
So once I got that necklace out of the way, it was time to tackle the big striped agate pendant. I fiddled around for quite a while, trying different combinations of beads, including the honey-coloured matte agate rounds and the tiny carnelian beads that Denise had sent along with the pendants. I added some ceramic rounds made by Natalie McKenna and some wooden beads that I’ve had for ages. Then I found some big agate beads that my sister had brought me back from Vietnam or Laos that provided the weight the necklace needed to balance the size of the pendant. But it still needed something, the colours were too similar. And then I remembered the turquoise turtles, and added a couple — and suddenly it all fell into place!
I made a pair of asymmetric earrings with a couple more of the turtles and two more of the painted wooden rounds. I think they’re pretty cute, don’t you?
And here are all three pieces together!
I still have quite a few bits and bobs from Denise’s soup. I think the embellishment Denise made from daggers and rounds would look great stitched onto a cuff bracelet, but the leather cuffs I have are not wide enough. Perhaps it would work on a denim cuff if I can get some darker denim. Stay tuned for that!
Thank you so much for the beautiful bead soup Denise, I’ve had loads of fun with it, and I’m pretty pleased with the pieces I made from it. I’m looking forward to seeing what you made with the soup I sent you. (Denise is posting on Pinterest right here.)
Somewhere around 160 beaders and jewellery designers have joined in this round of the Bead Soup Blog Party, and none of it would have happened without Lori Anderson. I’ll be spending much of my spare time in the next week visiting all of the BSBP blogs and I hope you have time to look at a few too. Here’s a list of all of the blogs — and the odd Pinterest board too!
Lori Anderson :: Hostess
Melissa Trudinger :: You are here!
Denise Milward :: My partner
beadrecipes 
Love the pieces you made with your soup.
Such beautiful designs as always. I think the second is my fave though, I can’t go past those adorable turquoise turtles.
That palette was great inspiration for your first beautiful necklace. It’s such a great color combination! The addition of the turtles was genius in the second necklace. I love a pop of color. The soup you got was wonderful, and I love how the second pendant goes with those chunky beads your sister got you.
Clever to use the palette as inspiration! Gorgeous pieces. I love the asymmetrical turtle earrings!
beautiful
Yes the palate idea was brilliant. Beautiful statement necklaces!
I’m breathless – LOVE what you did with those really stunning pieces. Gorgeous colors, combos, and finished pieces.
I really love the crocus-themed piece – I’d never have thought to team colours in that way, but the end result is so beautiful!
Those turtles are great! Your necklaces are so well-made!
Hi Melissa, yellow is my most difficult color also but you really made it pop with your lovely design. The turtles were the perfect addition to the second necklace. Great job.
Oh, those little turtle beads are delightful ! Very nice uses of complementaties all over the board 🙂
so much soup to create with! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the color palette you chose! especially that lavender and orange!
Those are gorgeous. I love the turtles you added to the second necklace. They add such a fun touch.
I love what you did with those turtles; I really wouldn’t have known what to do with those and you made them such a fun and important part of your design. Orange is not a color I work with often, but clearly you have no issues. These are lovely and inspiring.
Gorgeous pieces my favorite is the second necklace I love the earthy tones and the pop of color from the turquoise turtles.
Therese
Wonderful soup mix and love that turtle necklace.
All creations are so feminine, delicate and elegant! My fav is the first necklace! Good job!
i like it!!!
So pretty and fun – you always do such great things with color 🙂 Beautiful!
Beautiful use of the natural stones, lovely palette of colors, love love love!!!
Very nice work! I love the color palette you choose – so totally springy!
Love everything you made – especially the way you used the cute turtles!
I don’t know why (maybe because I got hooked on lampwork) but gemstones stump me, although I have a ton (probably literally!). I’m particular enamored of the second pendant you used, but I love how you pulled together all the colors and the consideration of the weighting of the necklace.
Thank you so much for being a friend and a party goer!
These are really well done and Beautiful!!! I absolutely love jasper and agates. The colors you used and the structure of your necklaces really brought out the focals!!! Well Done! Be Blessed!
I’m also a big fan of design seeds and it didn’t let you down on that first one – very special. I really love what you did with that second pendant and adding the turquoise turtles where you did is genious!
You were blessed with a very generous and colorful bead soup! I said “ooh!” out loud when I saw your first necklace. Great colors – very, very cheerful and well-matched to the focal stone. I always enjoy your designs, and I was impressed with everything you made. Really lovely, Melissa.
Wow, wow, wow. Such an amazing job with your color combinations!
Amazing job!
Wow I love the color combo on the purple and amber it is my fave! Great job
Oh what lovely gems and beautiful designs! The turtles are delightful additions.
Oh those turtles! The perfect spice for your soup. I like the earrings – simple, yet cute.
I like how you used the color palette, great idea! Your pieces are beautiful!
Super job! I love the amethyst and yellow.I often see the stone turtles but could not imagine them as earrings. love them.
Wonderful necklaces I especially like the amethyst and glass one it fits the focal really well, but both are lovely!
When you posted the palette, I was eager to see what it would inspire – and the necklace is lovely! Ok, all the pieces are lovely, but that yellow/purple combo is something special!
The turtles definitely give that necklace that push to take it over the top! It definitely makes a statement. The first necklace is gorgeous and this is from someone who can’t stand yellow.
You really nailed that palette. I love the way you put those colors together.
Gorgeous! The palette inspiration really did the trick. I LOVE that necklace! Beautiful work all around!
Love your pieces, Melissa!
Wow, what a beautiful collection of beads to work with! Love your designs – beautiful!!
I love the purple and yellow necklace. Purple is a favorite of mine. The focal is gorgeous and the colors you used really showcase it.
Love the purple and orange necklace, so bold and pretty!
Love your color choices. Very pretty pieces!
Your bead soup cooked to perfection!
Love the agate necklace with the honu! The blue pops.
Janeen Burlingame
I love the necklace with the little turtle on it. It looks like it is trying to climb up even higher! Terrific job!
Your necklaces are really beautiful! I love the whimsy and inspiration that I can see in them!
Great job…love the first one, then I am partial to purple…but the one with the turtles are cute too…If I had to make a decision….I couldn’t!
I love your color choices, especially with the agate pendant. You really brought out the purple tones and made it even more beautiful!
Beautiful pieces, all of them!
Alenka
Beautiful! I love your pieces.
I like that pendant and earrings with the turtles.