Kalmbach Bead Soup Party

It's time for another reveal!  First of all,
a HUGE thank you to

 

Lori Anderson and Kalmbach Publishing

 

for getting the Kalmbach Bead Soup Party started! (Be sure to vote for your favorite necklace here.)

 

And another HUGE thank you to Thistle Beads for the amazing bead soup they sent me! 

  

 

The challenge was to take the bead soup we were sent and add to it from our personal stash to create a one-of-a-kind necklace. I have to admit, this soup stretched me outside my current design style.  I've been working with seed beads and beading patterns, so it was a lot of fun to get the wire out and go back to wire working.

 

I had never made a double strand necklace and decided that I would use these pieces to create my first! It took a while to get the look I wanted, and once again I ended up with a fairly symmetrical design. (I don't think I'll ever be able to make a truly asymmetrical piece without help.)

 

 

 I have been collecting antique brass and antique copper findings for a special project and this necklace fit the bill.
 

 
I love the varied colors of turquoise in all the beads...the antique brass wire set it all off beautifully!

It took several attempts to get the two strands the right length but it was worth the time.

 

The little antique copper beads and hammered links really gives the necklace a unique feel. 

 

 

I even had enough left-over soup to create this matching bracelet. 

 

 

It was so exciting to be chosen to be a part of this bead soup party!  And the next time we're traveling to Maine, I'm making sure we have an extra hour in the schedule to stop in Connecticut and visit Thistle Beads to thank them in person!