7th Bead Soup Blog Party - Reveal

So it's that time again. The Bead Soup Blog Party 7, third reveal. My partner is Agi Kiss of Moon Safari Beads, from Hungary. Here's a reminder of what she sent me. She made all those awesome colorful polymer clay beads herself.

So my first piece is a necklace, using Agi's large silvery pendant, and the hook part of the clasp.

It's knotted with 8 strands of dark green waxed linen cording. I used some lovely rustic tumbled stone nuggets of Amazonite Blk Tourmaline, and some twisted silvery beads nearer to the back. A chunky chain around the neck to add some length, and the clasp sits somewhat to the side when hooked on to the chain.

Well, I have to admit I totally took this style of knotting with many cords from Erin Siegel, who had a beautiful necklace and bracelet published in the spring 2013 issue of Stringing Magazine. I absolutely completely fell in love the first time I saw it. And it was great making my necklace using this technique. At first I was a bit nervous if I would mess up a knot somewhere along the line, and therefor would have to waste all the linen cording because of that, but I very soon understood how to go about it all. It was not difficult, you just have to be thinking about what you are doing very conciously. All those cords create a beautiful effect, particularly suitable for necklaces in my opinion. 

Here's the link to Erin Siegel's own blog post, where you can see and read about her necklace and bracelet. (I had a smaller picture of them here before, but I noticed in my comments that quite a few people mistook it for one of my own designs. So I replaced it with this link instead. I am so sorry for causing that misunderstanding. It was not my intention at all.)

I don't often use large pendants like the one Agi sent me. So she had found a good thing to challenge me with there. :-) I am very happy with how this necklace turned out. Everything comes together in a nice bold, rustic and bohemic style. And I feel I have discovered and learned a few nice new things along the way. Thank you both, Agi and Erin!!!!

Agi also sent me a large blue rivoli bead. And even though I am a seed beader to some extent, I have never bezeled a cabochon or rivoli before. I never thought I would actually. Never felt the lust to be honest. But hey, now I kind of HAD to, didn't I. All that sparkle just begged for it.

My first attempt was not at all successful, the bezel became way too deep so to speak. But number two worked well, fitting just perfectly. And from there I just continued, figuring it out along the way. And it became a ring. I played with the color combos, trying to make something different and unusual. And this ring catches attention directly. I will wear it tomorrow at the party I am going to. :-)

The inside offers a little surprise, only visible when the ring is taken off. I like little details like that.

So once more a successful party experience for me. Thank you so very much Lori Anderson, for being the magnificent hostess you are!!!!!!!!

But oh, why didn't I make something with Agi's wonderful and colorful polymer clay beads? Well I did. And took it apart. Then I did again. And took it apart. Not happy with what I made. I felt my creations didn't do justice to Agi's beautiful work. But I am not giving up. One day, hopefully soon, you will see something where I have used them. 

Here's the link to our hostess Lori's blog, PrettyThings, where you will find the full list with all the links to all the other participants of the 3rd reveal of the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party.

But first I think you should check out what my partner, Agi Kiss of Moon Safari Beads, made with the beads I sent to her.

All my best,
Malin

Art Bead Scene Challenge for July - Necklace

Art Bead Scene's monthly challenge for July 2012. How could I not be inspired by this painting by Picasso? I just fell for it. Couldn't resist it. Two Acrobats with a Dog by Pablo Picasso, painted in 1905. I am a big fan of Picasso just in general. In this painting what stands out for me is firstly the checkered pattern on the clothes, and then just the general color scheme of blues and beiges with a few daubs of yellow. I also get this matte dryness feeling texture wise. Coming I guess from both the actual materials used, gouache on what looks like card/paper, but also from the painting's motif. It looks like they are standing in a sort of desert like landscape just outside a village in the Spanish countryside. Mid day. Dry dry air. Dry soil.

So, roaming around my stash I found this large rectangular button by Tracee Dock of Classic Elements. It's been there for a good while, being absolutely lovely and all, but I have just not known what I would do with it. So perfect for this project isn't it! Starting there I wanted to add a fabric or textile element to my piece, to mimic the checkered pattern on the boy's clothes. So I started playing around with some waxed cotton cord. Not yet knowing what kind of piece I would have in the end. A bracelet, or a necklace?

Yes, I could have different colors going through the holes of the button! And then YES! I could braid the cords so that the button would become a pendant hanging from the braids. What a revelation that was for me. I love how the braiding mimics the checkered pattern in the fabric. It worked out so well also, because I was using three colors of cord in the first place. Now I could just let them continue into the two braided sections.

I have never used braids in my own jewelry before. But I just love Erin Siegel's creations when she does it. I'm such a fan of her work in general! So thank you for the inspiration Erin! :-)

Because I only had that length of the yellow cord, but still wanted the necklace to be a bit longer I added some chain around the neck. A nice brass chain with some rhombic links in there too. A swirly brass hook from Vintaj makes the clasp.

I see this necklace being worn with white summery clothes in "airy" cotton. What I would wear in a Spanish hot and dry countryside landscape :-).

Check out the flickr page for Art Bead Scene to see some more jewelry pieces inspired by this painting. There will be more of them turning up until the end of the month.

All my best,

Malin

Bead Table Wednesday - 27th of August

Hey, I did pearl knotting on silk cord today! For the first time. I followed this great tutorial from BeadAholique. Used the tweezers I ordered last week, which apparently are necessary. And I followed the advice from Erin Siegel to choose a silk cord size the largest possible to go through the holes of the beads. Thank you again Erin! And I went for my son Conrad's suggestion for the color on the silk to go with the purple pearls. Soooooo yummie, don't you agree.

Ok, so it didn't turn out perfect. But I am pleased anyway. And I know what I will make out of the string I knotted. But I'm not gonna tell you, coz I might submit it to a magazine. :-)

Oh, and I just have to share this photo also, of all of the lads of the family sitting in a line opposite me at breakfast this morning. Gotta adore them, don't you.

Conrad and Mark are looking at our female cat Alice climbing the wooden structure by our veranda. Charlie is more concerned with what's on the table.

All my best! And see you soon!

Malin

Being featured is such an honor!

Thank you so much Erin and Lorelei for wanting to feature me on your blog A Jewelry Accord. I am truly honoured. And I am also excited like a little child. I wanna shout out to everyone: "See, see! They want to tell about me. ME!"

(Please go to their blog to read the article, this picture below is just a way for me to show off a bit :-))

Erin Siegel and Lorelei Eurto are the runners of the blog A Jewelry Accord. And if you didn't already know, they are quite well known in the jewelry world. Often seen in magazines and other public arenas. I personally get a lot of inspiration from both of them. They are currently working on a book which I believe will share name with the blog. The blog is a way to make it possible for people who are interested to stay updated on the work of the book, and also a way of promoting it of course. Erin and Lorelei are passionate about using fibers, cords and all sorts of textile elements in jewelry. And that's why they are writing the book. To explore the possibilities of these materials, to learn more, and to share their knowledge, new or old, with others who are equally excited (like my self for example). I believe this book will be a great source for inspiration and information.

The blog has recently expanded a bit, and they just started a series of designer portraits, where they will feature jewelry designers they find make interesting use of cord, leather and so on in their creations. So I am number two in this series. Last week you could read about Keirsten Giles, another favorite of mine.

Below is the collage they put together of some of my work.

So did I tell you that I am very honored?! And excited?! Well, I am. Thank you!

I wish you a all great weekend. And a great holiday if yours also start now, like it does for me and my family. I think I will keep making a lot of macrame for the nearest period. Simply because I am currently a bit hooked, and also I can sit basically anywhere doing it, I don't have to be inside in my studio on all these lovely summers days.

See ya!