Bead Soup Swap – My Package Arrived!
January 18, 2010Lori Anderson’s virtual Bead Soup Party has attracted over 80 participants, and we’re having fun getting to know each other. My partner is Mary Harding. We share a common interest in seed bead work, and we are also both bead-makers. But we also recognized immediately that we have very different styles.
Mary makes ceramic beads with subtle, earthy glazes in various shapes, often imprinted with objects from nature like leaves, flower buds, grasses, and trees. I would call Mary’s style organic, and she also called it rustic. She has also worked in fused glass, but it seems not what she is most currently interested in.
My style I would describe as modern, sparse, geometric. . . .Mary and I decided to send each other packages that would offer challenge by taking each of us out of our usual MOs. Here’s what I got:
A beautiful heart pendant, a coordinating handmade clasp, and six round ceramic beads in two colors (upper left corner) – all handmade by Mary. Light blue/aqua-ish faceted gemstone and tumbled Tourmaline chips from Artbeads.
First thing I noticed is that the beads I sent Mary are in the same color family – that should be fun!
Next, I went to my own stash, and pulled out things I have that would go with this palette. As you can see, I love bluish- purply shades and I have lots of choices: some amethyst rounds, some glass roundels, and three different sets of lampworked beads. The single round one on the left is one that I made, the others are all ones that I’ve bought over the years. In fact, you will see later, that some of these exact same beads are in the bead soup I sent to Mary. But more on that after she gets the package.
Here’s another shot of the accent beads Mary sent me with some beads of my own.
So, I can tell that my way into this project is through color, and I’m working in a color family that I really like. The question for me now is: how much can I transform these materials into a piece of jewelry that approximates my aesthetic and how much can/should I bend myself to match the integrity of the materials themselves. Hmmm. . . .Any thoughts my fellow Swappers?
What a lovely stash you recieved, I can see that
Kella | January 18, 2010What a lovely stash you recieved, I can see that you will be producing something truly beautiful from collaborating your beads and Mary’s. I can’t wait till the 10th of February for the big reveal.
Thank you for such a lovely post about the Bead
mary harding | January 19, 2010Thank you for such a lovely post about the Bead Soup goodies I sent you. I see you share my love for color. I can’t wait for my package to arrive from you. I know it will be a delight.
that's a great question and one i have been asking
nan emmett | January 19, 2010that’s a great question and one i have been asking myself..my own vision is perhaps more rustic than my bead swap partners..so..what will she send me? and what will she think of her surprise packet..
i imagine i will work her bead packet into something that echos my aesthetics, using each others choices will most likely be the big challenge..
Wow...you are on your way to making something yummy.
Terri G. | January 19, 2010Wow…you are on your way to making something yummy.
What a fun mix of beads, and I know the
Loretta | January 19, 2010What a fun mix of beads, and I know the beads will speak to you as you assemble them into the perfect design. I have purchased ceramic beads from Mary and loved the finished pieces that I gave as gifts. Can’t wait to see what your finished piece becomes.
I'm approaching it from the angle that although someone else
Marcie | January 19, 2010I’m approaching it from the angle that although someone else chose the beads, I have to do something that I’m proud of and obviously, if it’s not in my asthetic I’m not going to be pleased with it. My entry has been a challenge also. I LOVE the beads that my partner gave me, but it has definitely stretched my creativity to come up with a way to use them in a design that looks good. Good luck and don’t worry about the design, just let it come from your own creativity, that’s what we want to see!
I think it would look really nice in a dark
Nicki | January 19, 2010I think it would look really nice in a dark color, with the brighter beads as accents. That would make the pretty pendant stand out more. I am curious to see what you will make.
What a beautiful grouping of beads Mary sent you!!!
Cindy | January 19, 2010What a beautiful grouping of beads Mary sent you!!! And I especially love her focal…she is so talented. You’re a lucky one to receive these goodies. And I can see you are well on your way with all of the extra beads you have already pulled out in this color scheme! I think there’s no way around your own style because you’ll probably gravitate towards what you love and feel comfortable with. Looking forward to seeing the end design!
I was very fortunate in that my partner sent me
Laurel | January 19, 2010I was very fortunate in that my partner sent me a group that pleased my aesthetic immediately. And since I make focals, I was able to add an additional focal to the focal she sent! (Focal, focal, focal!) No more, or I’ll give it all away! But I think that once you begin to add things from your own stash, and matching and placing the elements, it can’t help but end up with your own sensibilities. Have fun!
Beautiful beads, all! I think your muse will guide
Sharon | January 19, 2010Beautiful beads, all! I think your muse will guide you in choosing just the right accent beads to make it truly yours. Happy beading!
What a beautiful selection of beads and components! I
Adrienne Campbell | January 19, 2010What a beautiful selection of beads and components! I can certainly understand your dilemna. I think the point of this “swap party” is to let the pieces lead you to make something you’ll enjoy having in your collection. The package I sent was a little more sparse simply because I wanted to give my partner in design a spark to warm her muse without leading her down “MY” path. I fully expect to use my own components to compliment those I receive and let my muse run free! Some of the packages that have been sent out are so generous…almost a “kit”. I hope my partner isn’t disappointed!
Lisa, I think that you should do what you would
mary harding | January 22, 2010Lisa, I think that you should do what you would like to do with the beads I sent. I don’t believe that they have any inherent nature that you have to honor. They are adaptable and resilient. They will become you when you work with them just as they become me when I make pieces with them. Isn’t that the beauty of beads? Universal.