Saturday, March 30, 2013

Bead Soup Block Party No. 7
The First Reveal!

"rubber ducky, you're the one..."

My partner for this round of soup is Amber Dawn of Inventive Soul.
Here's the Soup that I received from Amber...
To say I was challenged by her wonderfully fun and creative focal would be an understatement. I made several attempts to complete this necklace. It's amazing how something can look so good in my head, but in real life... not so much.

The focal is dynamic. Duckie didn't like the big bold beads I chose and had no trouble telling me. Duckie didn't like the black and pearl seed beads that I carefully threaded in strands to repeat the black and white "rising sun" pattern upon which he sits. No, no.

I finally got the go ahead when I chose to compliment the bubbles in his bath with a bubble chain pattern. It compliments, but doesn't compete. He was okay with that. I wire wrapped the little faceted glass beads that Amber sent with the soup which reflect back to the irridescent bath bubbles.


The beautiful magnetic faceted glass clasp gave my mind a bend. I knew I wanted to include it in this piece, but wasn't sure how I could make it work since they haved a wide bar that looks like it may have been meant for ribbon. In the end I wrapped cord around the bars and through the large "bubble" links and secured the ends with flattened crimps. The cord is hidden when the clasp is closed.


If you follow my work you know that I believe the back of a pendant should be just as interesting as the front. So, I punched one black and one irridescent-y blue disc from tin to insert into the opening at the back. I added a vintage japanese made miniature compass to the back... since I had so much trouble finding my way.

I have a few more pieces that are almost complete from this delicious soup. Check back to see what's cookin'!

In the mean time, be sure to visit the many participants in this
first round of the Bead Soup Blog Party!

Pam Farren ** You are here!
Amber Dawn Goldish ** Amber is my partner!

Lori Anderson ** Our fearless organizer!












Pam Farren ** You are here!






Images & Text © re-maker
All rights reserved.

60 comments:

Unknown said...

WOW you really have showcased your soup! I love that you see the back of the pendant as just as important!

brandi said...

~a wonderful piece made with such a unique focal...those darn duckies can put up quite a fuss sometimes!!!~

Unknown said...

it's crazy how perfect that design is until we try to execute it! I've really enjoyed finding your blog :D

anafiassa said...

Delightful! I have to agree with the Duckie--this turned out perfectly! :D

(And I really like what you did with the back of the pendant, too... very, very neat!)

Sea of Dreams said...

I know what you mean about having a great idea in your head, but when it comes time to make it come to life, it takes on a different life than what you had thought! Love your final creation!

darlene said...

way cool!

Ann said...

Really like the chain that you created to go with the focal. I can see how it would be hard to find the perfect compliment to not compete with that ducky. Great Job!

Pretty Things said...

I like how you embraced the challenge and were very creative in making it work! The sign of a true artist!

Thanks so much for playing!

Amber Dawn Inventive Soul said...

~*NICE! :) You did a great job matching the look of the bubbles, Pam! I loved reading the story behind the scenes- the making of...*~
Nice idea for the clasp too!
The compass adds a special touch!
Thank you again, Pam, for sending me very cool and interesting pieces to create with!

Wishing you a happy blog party!
Amber

Cris Peacock said...

Very nice! Love the necklace :)

Unknown said...

Oh, what a determined little duck. Twilight Sparkle has been very critical of my work, too. And now she is pouting horribily because we can't show a thing till next week. Sigh. Duck and ponies, oh my.

Anonymous said...

Lovely, bold and strong designs

Unknown said...

super cute !! and duckie looks very happy and comfortable. enjoyed your blog

Giorgia Rossini said...

I'm on the 3rd reveal, I'm partecipating for the 3rd time on BSBP
I love the designs! great job, I love reading the makin' of too
ciao dall' Italia

Chris Hansen said...

Pam - I *love* how you listened to your materials - that duck sounds like a bit of a diva, though, lol. The finished piece turned out terrific, and I appreciate the way you added detail to the back of the pendant as well - that's huge in my book! Congrats on such a great piece, and I can't wait to see what you come up with next!

Kepi said...

Very unique, great design.

Sandra Pendragon said...

I really like the understated but totally complimentary chain you choose for your duck. Love it!

Brittany Kuhlman, COC, CPC, CCC said...

I love your designs! The duckie is so adorable. ♥

Unknown said...

a rubber ducky never looked so good. Great jewelry!

I’m in the third reveal. Can’t wait.
kathy

Laura Bracken said...

I love your creativity! So inspiring.

PiPa said...

Unique pieces, can't wait to see what more is simmering!

Anonymous said...

Lovely.....

Angel Whisperer said...

Hi my X-partner :-)
I love this necklace and I agree that it is a good thing to have two beautiful sides on the pendant !!
I have a problem with that on my ceramic ;-)
I hope You have a calm and nice Easter
B

EB Bead and Metal Works, LLC said...

Love, love, love your piece! Love that you put something on the back of the pendant, great idea!

HundredColors: Art, Design and Photography by Sumi said...

You are so very creative! Beautiful pieces!

Maria Rosa Sharrow said...

Love them. That ducky focal is so cute. You did a lovely job!

Chelle said...

Wow I love your designs.. simply beautiful

WindDancerStudios said...

and find your way you did! Love how you allowed him to be the focal!

Perl - Eni said...

Amazing work !
Very nice jewelries!

Dry Gulch said...

Very creative, love it!

vovsblog said...

beautiful work well done!

Lori Bergmann said...

Love your creativity in working with this design and think making the back look just as great is a wonderful idea! *Ü*

Bonita Bead said...

I can not imagine what I would have done with the ducky pendant. You did such a great job. The necklace is terrific.

Cornerstoregoddess said...

What a dynamic piece you made! And I love that you enhanced the back of the focal. Glad you whipped the duck into submission!

la mar de bonita said...

Nice work - both necklaces are very elegant!

Nchantme said...

Cool! You think out of the box! Congratulations!

Unknown said...

i LOVE it!!!

Unknown said...

WOW-you had some funky, cool soup ingredients to work with. How neat that is for you! Very unique and very out of the box!

Alicia said...

LOL - a duckie with personality! I love it when elements have a strong mind and aren't afraid to speak it :)
Your piece is gorgeous - the design is elegant in its simplicity and the chain showcases perfectly the focal!

Just Beads said...

Cool necklace. I really like the matching bubble chain... And I love the story behind.

Anonymous said...

Duckie knows what he wants and I am sure he is more than happy of your final idea. I am, for what it's worth.

You used your soup in a very creative way. I like it! And the back of the pendant is simply wow!

Ambra

Gaia Copia said...

You did a fantastic job! I love that you included the symbology of your experience at the time into the compass on the back of the necklace. It really could be worn either way. I love it! The bubbles up the sides are a great touch too!
Emily

coffeeaddict said...

that is one fussy ducky ;-) the two of you created a magnificent necklace!

Unknown said...

What an amazing design ♥ love it!

Shaezocha said...

What a funky vibe....

Leanne said...

I really like how you stayed with the bubble theme - very creative!

Liz said...

I'm really glad to know I'm not the only one that talks to my beads ;-)

Great post. You did an amazing job with what I thought was a fun Soup.

Donna said...

Very interesting piece, I quite like it!

Bobbie said...

Ducky would have completely bamboozled me, but he gave you terrific advice, and the necklace is just perfect! Good for you - and the back treatment is great, too!

bailaora said...

very interesting soup, inventive design!!

Becky Pancake said...

Your necklace is very creative and unique.

Rachel said...

What a fun piece! I love it!

Susanm said...

Love what you did to both sides of the pendant - adds a whimsical touch to the necklace.

Unknown said...

I like all the "bubbles " in the necklace. Cool what you did to the back of the pendant.

Kimberly said...

That focal is a hoot, or should I say quack? What fun!

Unknown said...

Love the focal! You did a fantastic job with your soup!

Linda K. said...

Amazing job with your soup! The bubbles are brillliant!

Rose said...

Very thoughtful - I suspect you will get some interesting comments when you wear the 'duck'.

Unknown said...

I love how you make the back as interesting as the front on your pendant,great post.

CraftyHope said...

That bubble chain really is a perfect compliment to the duck! But, I'm especially smitten with the way you added the compass on the back. Such a neat design all around!!