10 February 2010

Simmer your creativity...Bead Soup!

If a pot is cooking, the friendship will stay warm.
~ Arab proverb

"Rêver du Printemps" Soup


Ingredients (from gourmand Emma at FredBean's Nook):
1 aquaterra focal bead
4 smoky gray glass rounds
4 incredible beaded bead tubes
1 cream glass flower bead
8 sterling silver daisy spacers 1 sweet sterling silver toggle
1 delightfully sweet Anne-Julie Aubrey illustration from Emma's business card

Add to these staples from my pantry:
1 orange enameled filigree bead from Barbara Lewis
assorted creamy white river jasper beads
5 repurposed flower links
lots of brushed silver plated curb chain
1 bezel setting

Stir, simmer, string, wrap, cook under UV lamp for 15 minutes and enjoy!
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Have you ever started cooking something with no clear idea of what it will be?

You start with a bit of this and add a pinch of that, stopping to taste and sample along the way, until the dish morphs into a completely different thing than you though, but yummy just the same?

That is the way that I cook...and bead. I don't always have a plan in mind. I prefer to let my ingredients chart the course. Sometimes you end up throwing it out and sometimes you end up licking the pot.


But when you start with fresh, quality ingredients, the end result is always a success.

These beaded beads from my partner Emma
Thomas of FredBean's Nook were so delicious from the moment I opened the cute little box...I just wanted to eat them up raw! But I knew that I had to "cook" up something great with them so I stopped fondling them and trying to decipher how they were made. Sometimes a little magic is a good thing. I have no idea how she does that but they are the best pop of color and texture ever! I have no patience for seed beads so I really appreciate the time and patience it must have taken to make them. You should definitely go check out her jewelry at her Etsy site. She uses these little beaded tubes in some really cool designs. My favorite is the Vibrant Forest pendant.


The little Moo card that accompanied my goodies was so enchanting. That is the piece that changed the whole dish for me! I was playing around with my Gel du Soleil resin on Sunday and her card was sitting there beside my soup ingredients as my muse, and it was the perfect match to the colors. I took a chance and decided to make that the focal of my Bead Soup. I have since found out that the artist that created this image is Anne-Julie Aubry from France. Her hauntingly whimsical designs are adorable. Anne-Julie was described on her website as being "a distant dreamer" which is where the name came from..."rêver du printemps" means "dreaming of spring," which to those of us pounded by snow can attest that it seems like it is a distant dream.


I used the aquaterra focal bead with the soothing green color and balanced that with a hot orange Moroccan enamel bead I bought from Barbara Lewis at Painting with Fire.

I made that the clasp with the toggle bar and two of Emma's beaded beads. The toggle ring was repurposed as a charm holder under the pendant as a way to draw the eye down to the focal with the sweet little cream flower and use it in an unexpected way.

I decided to make this necklace really long with the chain in the back. The sweet little flowers are an upcycle from an old piece of jewelry in my ever-growing stash.

Thanks so much to Lori Anderson for this wonderful opportunity to play with all of you! I am ever so grateful that you stopped by to taste what was cooking in my pot!
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And if you are excited about challenges, I invite you to join me in my monthly Inspired by... challenge. For February, we are Inspired by...The Solar System . If you are interested in participating, the deadline to enter has been extended until February 28th. You can read all about it here.
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And if you would just like to be entered into a drawing, I am giving away a bracelet I made inspired by William Morris vintage wallpaper called "Aberdeen Ferns." You can enter by answering the question on this post here.
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Check It Out::Bead Soup Participants!

1. Lori, Pretty Things Blog
2. Mallory, For the Love of Beads
3. Terri, Blooming Ideas
4. Cindy, Sweet Bead Studio
5. Lorelei, Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
6. Kerry, Kab's Creative Concepts
7. Erin, Treasures Found you are here!
8. Jeannette, Jeannette Blix Wire and Metal Jewelry
9. Adrienne, Adrienne Designs
10. Nan, Spirit Rattles
11. Laurel, Rue's Daftique
12. Nancy, Beading From the Heart
13. Mary, MK's Creative Musings
14. Cassie, The Glass Beadle
15. Dot, Winchell Clayworks
16. Sharon, Sharon's Jewelry Garden
17. Lisa, Lo and Behold
18. Norma, Bead Dreams and Moonlit Fantaseas
19. Judith, Judith B.
20. Debbie, Prairie Emporium
21. Maria, Garden Path Beads
22. Susan, Kaplan Creations Jewelry and Glass Design
23. Melissa, Melissa Meman: Art, Love, Life
24. Marianna, Pretty Shiny Things
25. Lisa, Joolz by Lisa
26. Cristi, 2 If By Sea
27. Sandra, Marbella Jewelry Design
28. Maria, Greene Earth Originals
29. Barbara, Jewelry of Distinction
30. Leslie, Bei Mondi
31. Loretta, Designs by Loretta
32. Linda, Bella Bead Jewelry
33. Kathie, The Bead Cult
34. Patty, Plays With Fire
35. Nicki, Nicki's Reef
36. Anne Marie, Heart's Desire
37. Mary, Mary Harding Jewelry
38. Jayne, Mama's Got to Doodle
39. Emanda, Artemesia's Studio
40. Whitney, Whitney Lassini
41. Marcie, La Bella Joya
42. Suzann, Beadphoria
43. Jen, Jen Judd Rocks
44. Julie, Credit River Art Glass
45. Janiece, J Birds Garden
46. Kate, Organic Odysseys
47. Laurie, The Mermaid Tale
48. Michelle, My Crazy Crafty Adventure
49. Sue, Sue Beads
50. Janeen, Wild Vanilla Designs
51. Nancy, The Rabbit Muse
52. Kristie, Artisan Clay
53. Regina, Regina's Writings
54. Tari, Pearl and Pebble
55. Lyn, Lyn Foley
56. Beth, Sunshine Daydreamz
57. Cathryn, Chile Cats
58. Emma, Fred Bean's Nook
59. Connie, Cetta Cheese Chatter
60. Juli, Jul's Beads
61. Julie, RockerJewlz
62. Libby, LibbyLeu and Glass Too
63. Melanie, Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
64. Katie, My Life and My Beads
65. Zuleykha, Zuleykha's Polymer Clay
66. Rekella, Me But a Little More in Depth
67. Ricki, What's New at Ricki Voges Design
68. Lisa, Lucid Moon Studio
69. Jo, Daisychain Jewellery
70. Lynette, Rock Hill Designs
71. Lynne, Island Girl's Insights
72. Chas, One Woman's Haven
73. Ruthie, Rose Works Jewelry
74. Elizabeth, Turquoise Sky
75. Maire, Maire Dodd
76. Janet, Singing Woods
77. Eileen, Dorset Hill Beads
78. Julie, Miss Kitten's Jewels
79. Joann, Jo's Jewels
80. Patti, PJ Clark Designs
81. Mel, Kookie Designs
82. Erin, Every Heart Crafts
83. Dale, Flights of Fancy
84. Dee, Runako Designs

Enjoy the day!

70 comments:

stregata said...

Great work, Erin! Love how you thought outside the box. This is a gorgeous piece!

Cindy said...

Erin, I can only imagine how excited Emma will be when she sees your incredible creation. Oh my goodness this is beautiful!!! I love your one-of-a-kind focal, and how you were struck by inspiration from her MOO card. I also love the colors and the great length!!! Bravo!

Adrienne Jewelry Designs said...

Amazing! This is my kind of soup...I could hardly wait to see what you'd create with the supplies you received. It's just lovely! I am now officially ready for Spring :)

Mari said...

Wow!!!! your idea are FANTASTIC!!!!Beautiful!!! GORGEOUS!!! my type of jewelry!!!

Esther said...

what a beautiful necklace!!

Kate said...

Well Erin it's stunning as I would expect nothing less from you. When I saw your soup I knew you would cook up something gourmet with them with no problem. Having that Moo card that matched so perfectly and framing it for your focal was a stroke of genius! Congratulations on a wonderful design!

Have a great time at the party!

Kate #46

Erin Siegel said...

This is awesome, Erin! You are so creative. I love that you made her card into a custom pendant! Brilliant!

Lorelei Eurto said...

WOW! Love how you made the pendant yourself! SUPER, this color palette is my favorite so far!

rosebud101 said...

Erin, that is an amazing work of art! Your design brought the beads to life!

Cindy Gimbrone said...

You're a true bead chef, Erin! You've mixed the ingredients to come up with a beadlovers delight! I'm very drawn to the pendant you make from the Moo card - what beautiful artwork!

Thanks for sharing!
Cindy

Barbara Lewis said...

Beautiful, Erin. So feminine and glamorous and your photography of the piece is over the top!

Judy said...

Oh Erin....wow, wow, wow! Such an eclectic piece with great elements! Beautifully done!

Kerry said...

Erin... I love love love this. it turned out gorgeous. OH, and my sister was partying with us and called me to say she loves the paper mache bust you photographed it on and wants to know where to get one!!

Thanks for the cup of soup.

Heather Powers said...

yum-o my dear friend. I can't believe you took the moo card and made a pendant, it makes the whole design sing! This is just incredible, but what else would I expect from one of my favorite designers.

Anonymous said...

Erin, what an amazing piece you created with Emma's ingredients. I love the darling bezel...

Fredbean's Nook said...

Oh Erin, your creation brought tears to my eyes. Such a wonderful piece with such attention to detail. Your use of my business card has inspired me to start thinking outside the box... I love it. I have so much enjoyed getting to know you and so hope our friendship continues :0) Please stay in touch.

Mary K. McGraw said...

I love how you took her little Moo card and made it the focal point. Lovely necklace.

lisa oram said...

The business card??? That is so original - I'm blown away. Lovely necklace all around. Congrats to you!

Marcie Abney Carroll said...

Oh my gosh!! Who would've thought to use the business card as part of the necklace...um, you, that's who! (Now you have defnitely made me determined to try my hand at resin.) Thank you for the inspiration Ms. Erin and congrats on a job well done!

Julie said...

Erin.... your piece is truly fantastic. I'm completely blown away. The fact that Emma's business card became the focal piece... pure brilliance!!

& your post, too...so creative. What a pleasure it was stopping by. I'll definitely be stopping back to see the rest of your work!!

OMG...I've just gotten started on my Soup tour...I can already tell I'm going to be blown away left & right.

Thanks Erin!

~ Julie

JBird's Garden said...

You certainly have an eye for delicious! I love how this piece is brought together. Wonderful!

Jenners said...

Well I don't know about beads or anything but I know that when I freestyle cook, things don't always taste yummy.

Cathryn said...

I am totally blown away! So much creativity and so much fun! This piece is truly inspiring and one of those "boxing out of the think" pieces! Totally WOW!

Artisan Clay said...

Beautiful Erin!!! You have such a beautiful way with words. AND BEADS! --Kristie

Unknown said...

this is a beautiful necklace, I really love the pop of orange & the resined card just makes me want to try resin even more!

Maria said...

I LOVE this necklace!
Stunning!
Maria

You are welcome to stop by for a cup of "Spring" soup on my blog.
www.mariagrimes.blogspot.com

mairedodd said...

stunning erin - you really are a talented woman... i looove your resin pendant!

Lisa said...

What a statement piece! I love it and your descriptions.

Pearl and Pebble said...

This is soooo beautiful! I love the pendant - you did such an amazing job:) What a treasure - and so inspiring!!!!

Kella said...

Your soup tasted sooooo!gooooood! That moo card was enchanting and it was ever so clever to turn it into your focal.

Thanks for the inspiration.

Pretty Things said...

What a creative post and a lovely piece! I would die for that! MMMMM, yummy, pass the soup!


Thanks for being a part of the party -- we'll do it again soon!

Terri said...

Wow this is sooo good...you make good soup...actually outstanding jewelry...I love this party!

Patti said...

Absolutely awesome...genuinely genius...crazy cool!!

Loretta said...

This is an absolutely brilliant design. I love your pendant and the story that goes with it.

Round Rabbit said...

LOVE it! So creative and unique. Rock on!

Rickie said...

Beautiful necklace you designed with your 'soup'--love it!

Laurel said...

Really wonderful, and I love the MOO card focal! Sweet!

moonlitfantaseas said...

all I can say is wow! your work is enchanting, and I really love how you used the card as your focal its beautiful....I have been on my computer all morning visiting all the blogs and I have to say each one I see I just love there is so much talent out here, and I have to admit I am a bit jealous of it all......my work seems a bit shoddy by compasison....I need to learn some of this mixed media stuff most of you have incorperated into your designs

Silver Parrot said...

Beautiful job - as always! I love that you found a way to include the card into the design! Another reason for me to quit dilly-dallying on my resin projects!

Anonymous said...

just lovely! wonderful idea to use the moo card!

Mermaid Glass said...

Fabulous! I love how you incorporated the card, too. It was so beautiful and now it gets to be a centerpiece!

Spirited Earth said...

i love Moo..love this

Live, Love, Laugh, Write! said...

I love how you used the card! Isn't it fun how we never know how something we do (like including a card) might inspire others?

Nicki said...

Oh Erin, this is fantastic. You blew me away. I love the layout of Emma's blog, it's so enchanting. And the fact that you can carry it with you now, is amazing. What a great idea. Really really special.

Jo Ann Gallagher said...

Lovely piece!! I love the uniqueness of the focal. Very beautiful job!

Unknown said...

What a lovely necklace. Fabulous colors and textures.

Jen Judd said...

Erin - I LOVE this piece! It is so you with the mix of components and style. Plus, whipping up that dreamy focal was such a fantastic idea! I want to go make pendants and looooong necklaces now!! Jen

Rosanne said...

Oh la la! I love it. Erin you are so talented.

Libby Leuchtman said...

Oh I loved this bead soup. I had seen the components and really was excited to see what you came up with. It turned out beautiful!

Riki Schumacher said...

Beautiful necklace Erin. Love the way you designed it. What a fabulous list of talented ladies for the Bead Soup. Have a ball.

Dee said...

Erin, I knew you'd have something delicious waiting over here for me to see..ABSOLUTELY stunning and original. Only you would have thought of turning a moo card into a pendant!! I want that necklace!! I know I've seen the monthly challenge thing somewhere you posted...maybe here, think I'll take you up on that...need all the inspiration and challenges I can get lately..I'll be back!

Unknown said...

Erin you are Always so creative!! What you created is so original! I heart it!!

Leslie @ Bei Mondi said...

This one is gorgeous! And look at the length on that. It's a masterpiece!

EmandaJ said...

Oo, love the piece -- you are so talented. Sometimes you just have listen to the beads!

Hasn't this been fun?!?

Emanda
www.ArtemisiaStudio.blogspot.com

Mary Harding said...

What an amazing piece you made. I love the Moo card pendant and how you discovered you could make it. And the length. And the photo on your very elegant model. This has been a real treat.

Cathryn said...

That is such an eclectic mix that is very enchanting! I love the length because it gives the viewer a chance to see all the special beads! You did a terrific job on this!

Lynette said...

Intriguing, Inspiring and Incredible! Love how you incorporated her card in the pendant, makes me want to play with some resin soon.

Unknown said...

How incredible! I am awed that you used her card... Cheers :)

Patty said...

Erin, you have beautifully captured the warmth in that Arab proverb with your soup. I love it!

Connie said...

wow! that is stunning! i love the focal you created ......

SueBeads said...

I think all I can say is, WOW! Amazing! I love those beaded beads, and what you did with the little picture!

Michelle Mach said...

Lovely! Such an eclectic mix of materials. This is the kind of piece that will not only get compliments, but that everyone will want to touch! And I love that mannequin!

Barbara Lewis said...

Erin, thank you for calling the Moroccan Lantern bead to my attention ... I don't know how I could have missed it. But your piece is beyond beautiful!

Sharon said...

What a brilliant stroke of genius, Miss Erin! The result is just beautiful! Did you make that dress form or purchase it? Either way, it is lovely and I would love to have one!

Regina said...

Mmm Mmm Good!
your necklace and your creativity takes my breath away! My first visit to your blog, love it! so much to read...so little time, but I will be back!

Juli Cannon said...

This is the ugliest thing I have ever seen.

Can I have it????

:P

Lyn Foley said...

Love what you did with your soup ingredients. Especially enchanted by your use of the card to make a focal. So creative.

Jo said...

What a fantastic idea to use the moo card as well! I love your necklace.

Anonymous said...

Wow!! Gorgeous piece. I love all the little (and big) details you added it. I like your creating mentality of a bit of this and a dash of that. It's one of the things I love about jewelry creation!

Lucid Moon Studio said...

You are so clever and creative! I think the pendant makes the whole piece. This necklace is totally my style, and I love the color combination! I will have to check out Emma's beaded beads, they are very cool. Great job with your Bead Soup!!

Lisa

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