Soup for Finland: A Look at Colorways for Bead Soup Party 6

This summer, I'm participating in Bead Soup Blog Party 6 and exchanging beads with Margareta Saari of Mags - koruja, an amazing and gifted Finland artist. The Bead Soup Blog Parties are hosted by the energetic and talented Lori Anderson, who is managing this summer's 400 participants! Artists are paired up to exchange bead soups, and after creating jewelry using at least a focal and a clasp from the soup, everyone's  jewelry creations are revealed during a blog hop party. This summer's huge Bead Soup Blog Party 6 will have three reveal dates: July 28, August 11, and August 25.  Margareta and I are in the August 11th reveal. The Bead Soup Blog Party is a lot of fun, and a great way to work outside one's comfort zone and grow as an artist. You can read more about the event at Beading Daily, "Over 399 Ways to Be Inspired to Make Great Jewelry: Bead Soup Blog Party 2012" by Tammy Jones.


For now, here is a look at the colorways I created for the party and sent to Margareta in Jyväskylä, Finland.

Bead Soup First Course:

Bead Soup Second Course:

Desert:

And, here is a peek at the soup Margareta has created for me. The gentle shades of lavender, blue, and purple -- and the cool patterns and textures -- are intriguing. I love the soft, muted colorway!

 Stay tuned as Margareta and I reveal the soups we exchanged, and as the parties begin, check out the inspiring jewelry designs that will be revealed as 400 jewelry artists share their best beads and finest designs.






Toltec Jewels is an author by day and jewelry artist by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Fransisco MOMA in a permanent collection of mixed media art and is published internationally in popular magazines, literary quarterlies, and university publications. A gemstone collector and jewelry lover, her store offers gemstone beads and she is happiest when creating handcrafted jewelry with her entire family. She has won a number of awards for both her literary and jewelry art.

 She is also the creator of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and emerging jewelry artisans taking inspiration from each other, Jewel School, and jewelry art culture by featuring jewelry designers and bead artists and supporting entrepreneurship for independent artisans. Join her at Jewel School Friends on Facebook for tutorials, community events, challenges, and fundraisers.

Heliotrope Rivoli and Copper Necklace

Namaste, TJ 


 Toltec Jewels is an author by day and jewelry artist by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Fransisco MOMA in a permanent collection of mixed media art and is published internationally in popular magazines, literary quarterlies, and university publications. A gemstone collector and jewelry lover, her store offers gemstone beads and she is happiest when creating handcrafted jewelry with her entire family.

She has won a number of awards for both her literary and jewelry art. She is also the creator of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and emerging jewelry artisans taking inspiration from each other, Jewel School, and jewelry art culture by featuring jewelry designers and bead artists and supporting entrepreneurship for independent artisans. Join her at Jewel School Friends on Facebook for tutorials, community events, challenges, and fundraisers.

Gents Jewelry: Zodiac Coin, Bone skull, and Blue Bell

            Gents Jewelry: Zodiac Coin, Bone skull, and Blue Bell




Namaste, TJ 


 Toltec Jewels is an author by day and jewelry artist by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Fransisco MOMA in a permanent collection of mixed media art and is published internationally in popular magazines, literary quarterlies, and university publications. A gemstone collector and jewelry lover, her store offers gemstone beads and she is happiest when creating handcrafted jewelry with her entire family.

She has won a number of awards for both her literary and jewelry art. She is also the creator of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and emerging jewelry artisans taking inspiration from each other, Jewel School, and jewelry art culture by featuring jewelry designers and bead artists and supporting entrepreneurship for independent artisans. Join her at Jewel School Friends on Facebook for tutorials, community events, challenges, and fundraisers.

Half-Persian 3-1 Chain Maille Bezels

 Examples of the Half-Persian 3-1 Bezel for focals. In the example below of the Autumn Jasper focal, I've turned the HP 3-1 copper chain inside out. I love how the effect is dimensional and dramatic. I included this focal in one of  Tina Holden of Beadcomber's  Pantone Bead Soups.

 The HP 3-1 brass chain bezel for the red jasper focal below is done in the traditional style, set cupping the gem. This is an excellent bezel for even the largest cabs or focal beads, because the bezel size is customized to fit the gem. Both bezels have much design possibility.

Namaste, TJ 


 Toltec Jewels is an author by day and jewelry artist by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Fransisco MOMA in a permanent collection of mixed media art and is published internationally in popular magazines, literary quarterlies, and university publications. A gemstone collector and jewelry lover, her store offers gemstone beads and she is happiest when creating handcrafted jewelry with her entire family.

She has won a number of awards for both her literary and jewelry art. She is also the creator of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and emerging jewelry artisans taking inspiration from each other, Jewel School, and jewelry art culture by featuring jewelry designers and bead artists and supporting entrepreneurship for independent artisans. Join her at Jewel School Friends on Facebook for tutorials, community events, challenges, and fundraisers.

Beads of Courage Color Change Butterfly Necklace

Viking Knit Necklace with Swarovski Crystal Balls, Cantaloupe Bicones, Czech Glass, Crystal Ab Bicones, Silver & Gold Beads.

THE COLOR CHANGE

The Swarovski bicones change color! The Swarovski color-change crystals are called canteloupe. I purchased mine from Fire Mountain Beads & Gems.  The crystals change from a grey color  (sunlight) to a pink/peach (indoor light) to a green in Compact Fluorescent light (energy saving light bulbs).

Big Hugs, TJ 


 Toltec Jewels is an author by day and jewelry artist by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Fransisco MOMA in a permanent collection of mixed media art and is published internationally in popular magazines, literary quarterlies, and university publications. A gemstone collector and jewelry lover, her store offers gemstone beads and she is happiest when creating handcrafted jewelry with her entire family.

She has won a number of awards for both her literary and jewelry art. She is also the creator of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and emerging jewelry artisans taking inspiration from each other, Jewel School, and jewelry art culture by featuring jewelry designers and bead artists and supporting entrepreneurship for independent artisans. Join her at Jewel School Friends on Facebook for tutorials, community events, challenges, and fundraisers.