beads by breul

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Woo Hoo! It's Soup Time

Can you believe it?
Soup time already! :)

The amazing Lori Anderson of Pretty Things fame
has organized the lot of us again.
200 of us to be exact. And I was lucky enough to
get into this draw.

I was paired with Dana Hickey.
Her work is amazing. The details, the wire work, stunning.

She sent me this amazing coppery goodness.


I love that her blog is called MagpieApproved!
This stash is so sparkly and shiney, perfect for a magpie! :)


Look at the detail here. The wire wrapping, the beads. 
How does she do it? Amazing! 
She must have really good eyes and incredible
patience. 

Now, this particular bead soup was a real challenge for me.
But that is part of why I do this. I like being pushed outside of 
my box, my comfort zone. It is good for me. :)

I love copper, it's one of my new favorite metals.
But for some reason, I just couldn't make anything work.
I got out beads, bought beads, moved beads around my table
(something I am really, really good at).
Strung, unstrung, wrapped, unwrapped.
You get the picture. But at some point, something
just clicked and I  knew exactly what I had to do.
And I did it! :)

I really wanted to do her work justice. 
She took the time to create for me and I wanted to honor that.


Ok, ok. Enough words.
Here it is.



I ended up with chain, glorious chain.

The stunning clasp.

I wire wrapped some red beads, antique lace colored pearls 
and the garnets that Dana sent me into
the various chains.


If you will forgive, I think I ROCKED IT!

Thank you Dana, for your delicious soup ingredients.
And thank you Lori for organizing all of us!


Now, I hope you aren't full because there is so much
more soup to partake of. Whether it is a sip, a cup or an 
entire bowl!

Just look at all the different flavors of soup we get to taste!
Grab your spoon and napkin
(or cup of tea) and enjoy.


Hostess, Lori Anderson


Special Book Sneak Peeks, Cindy Wimmer
1.  Adlinah Kamsir (Singapore) and Hajer Waheed (Kingdom of Bahrain)
2. Adrienn Lukacs (Hungary) and Agata Grygiel (Poland)
3.  Agi Kiss (Hungary) and Carolien Muller-Genger (the Netherlands)
4.  Agnes Asztalos (Hungary) and B.R. Kuhlman
7.  Alicia Marinache (Canada) and Dita Basu
15.  Bonnie Coursolle (Canada) and Fay Wolfenden (Canada)
16.  Carmel McGinley (Australia) and Tracy Stillman (Australia)


21.  Cheryl Brown (Canada) and Diana Ptaszynski
22.  Christina Stofmeel (the Netherlands) and Eva Kovacs (Hungary)
24.  Cilla Watkins (Canada) and Elaine Robitaille (Canada)
25.  Sabrina Straub (Switzerland) and Kathy Combs
28.  Courtney Breul and Dana Hickey  You are here!


32.  Dee Elgie (UK) and Joanne Lockwood (UK)
33.  Dian Hierschel (Germany) and Eniko Fabian (Austria)
37.  Doris Stumpf (Germany) and Eszter Czibulyas (Hungary)
39.  Elke Leonhardt-Rath (Germany) and Marjolein Trewavas (UK)


41.  Erika Nooteboom (the Netherlands) and Giorgia Rossini (Italy)
43.  Evelyn Duberry (Canada) and Gaea Cannaday
45.  Ginger Bishop (military, Okinawa) and Martina Nagele (Germany)
48.  Helene Goldberg (Australia) and Karen Vincent
54.  Joanna Matuszczyk (Poland) and Julianna Kis (Hungary)
55.  Joanne Tinley (UK) and Michaela Pabeschitz (Austria)
65.  Kristina Johansson (Sweden) and Penny Neville (Canada)
66.  Krisztina Erlaki-Toth (Hungary) and Nicole Keller (Germany)


76.  Lori Finney (Canada) and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp (Canada)
78.  Marta Kaczerowska (Poland) and Milla Starchik (Canada)
83.  Michelle Jensen and Sandra Young (Canada)
92.  Rosa Maria Cuevas (Mexico) and Tejae Floyde
93.  Sabine Dittrich (Germany) and Sally Russick
95.  Shanti Johnson and Tracy Mok (Canada)
97.  Sonya Stille and Traci Zeller (Canada)
98.  Stefanie Teufel (Germany) and Tania Hagen (New Zealand)

68 comments:

Carmel said...

I think it rocks too.

Niky Sayers said...

Wow it's really beautiful, it all works so well together and I love the little pearls.
Niky x

kristibasket said...

What a very beautiful piece! This soup would have beeen a challenge for me and you pulled it off wonderfully!! :)

Giorgia Rossini said...

that was a great soup and you make something beautiful :)
I'm a partecipant from Italy, I'm trying to visit all of you.
this was really a great experience!
ciao ciao

Cilla said...

You did rock it! It is beautiful!

WindDancerStudios said...

oh it is Gorgeous!!! I love all that beaded chain!! You definitely rocked it! :D

Pearl and Pebble said...

No need to ask for forgiveness-you surely did rock it! This is fabulous!!

Cindy Cima said...

Great focal and toggle! You created a wonderful necklace with them - great job!

Shel said...

Courtney - this is gorgeous!! You 'cooked' up a great creation - that's for sure!!

elisabeth said...

Great piece Courtney! I love copper and red together and you made them look just super wow!

Joanne said...

Chain glorious chain! You did indeed, Rock It. Fabulous :) x

Libby Leuchtman said...

Wow that is really cool. I love the clasp and its so unique. You did a great job!

Lori Anderson said...

I think you did an amazing job! I don't often use copper, either, so my copper pieces were challenging as well. I am so glad you had fun!

I hope you join me again in the summer!

Anonymous said...

Well, I think you rocked it, too! Absolutely gorgeous!!! :)

Cheryl Brown said...

the copper was really rich and I loved the multiple chains.

Cindy said...

You sure did rock it, Courtney! I have to say this is one of my favorite pieces in the blog hop..it is stunning. The focal was to die for, and I love how you added the multiple strands. I would wear this one proudly in a heartbeat. ;-)

Alice said...

Oh yes, you rocked it! And all that trial and error was worth it! It reminds me of a jewel encrusted piece that would have been worn by royalty. Gorgeous!

Regina said...

Yes you did! It rocks! Beautiful!

Wendy said...

Oh this is beautiful! I love that their is a feminine elegance to it! Great job! :)

Laura said...

Absolutely gorgous
You sure complemented the beautiful focal and clasp
Well done

Lola said...

You TOTALLY rocked it Courtney! That is one GORGEOUS necklace! I don't wear necklaces ... ever ... but I would definitely make an exception for that one. Love it!

Ann said...

I agree you Rocked It:) Beautiful necklace, with gorgeous color combinations.

Unknown said...

Gorgeous! Copper is my new favorite thing to work with too.

Alicia said...

Yup, it sure rocks! It is simple, elegant, delicate, bold, inspiring and just beautiful. Love the design, the colour mix - everything.

ChristinaMarieH said...

Courtney, your necklace is STUNNING! It has a nice renaissance flair to it!

Kari Carrigan said...

In answer to your question, yes it rocks! It is a stunning piece, I love the red and copper together. You did a fantastic job!

Jenni said...

Very beautiful..love the whole look. The multiple chains work so well with the look, very cohesive story. Yes, you rock!
jenni

Kari Carrigan said...

A stunning piece, you totally rocked it! :) I love the warmth of the copper with the red, you did an incredible job!

Shai Williams said...

You're right! You did rock it!

Unknown said...

It's perfect. Your necklace compliments the focal and clasp beautifully.

Jo said...

Yes you rocked it! Such a beautiful necklace.

Anonymous said...

I agree - you rocked it! I love red and copper together. That clasp and focal are amazing.

roomforchange said...

Out of your comfort zone with copper??? Not you!!!! Amazing result!!!

Mary said...

Oh you Rocked it!!! This is a yummy piece.

Julie Anne Leggett said...

You rocked it alright. I am not sure what I would have done with that amazing focal. You totally nailed it.

Cynthia said...

Absolutely love it! I love to work with copper. You did a great job, just gorgeous!

Cornerstoregoddess said...

You definitely rocked it. It shows off the focal seamlessly.

beautifullybrokenme said...

Oh Courtney, you DID rock this design! What a beautiful necklace - it would look fantastic with my wardrobe (hint hint!- lol!). Fantastic job! :)

SwallowtailJewellery said...

I think you definately did 'rock it'! Beautiful design :)

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

That focal is to die for...so is the clasp! You totally added to the artwork going on here! That piece is GORGEOUS!!!

Anonymous said...

It does rock! What a pretty necklace you've ended up with!

N Valentine Studio said...

Wow! WOW! I love what you did with it, that clasp is gorgeous. You DID nail it!

Loris Glassworks said...

I love how you used your soup ingredients. I would be happy to wear this stunning piece. Cheers!
Lori D.

Noemi said...

I totally agree! You rocked it!
What a beautiful piece. It is kind of gothic looking but so wearable.
I am loving it! Really!

Rebekah said...

Yes, you really did rock it!!! I love how the mix of beads in the chain really shows off the pendant. Fabulous, fabulous job!

JeannieK said...

It does rock, and this is so you. Bravo!

jelveh Designs said...

wow this is a lovely necklace, I know so many people including my mom and a girlfriend of mine who would just love me if I ever made them something this gorgeous...very nice job with the chains too...

Silver Parrot said...

You received some gorgeous components to work with and you really showed them off well!

Stacey said...

You are right - how does she do that!!???!!! Gorgeous! And you did rock it!

Third Eye Gypsy said...

You totally ROCKED IT! What beautiful soup and your design?! Wonderful!! The perfect soup with the perfect design!

Kathy Lindemer said...

You definitely rocked it. It is gorgeous. I think using all the chain is perfect. It adds simplicity to a focal that just calls to be the standout. Well done!

Mary Harding said...

What a great focal and clasp and how wonderfully you designed around it. Love it. I would wear it proudly.

Maneki said...

Fab necklace! Your design really made the lovely handmade components justice. I agree, you rocked it!

Lisa Michele Creations said...

I have to agree with you that it "Rocks!" ;)

vonna said...

You done Rocked It! It a fabulous piece! --

vonna said...

I had to come back and tell you the garnet with the copper is stunning! ;)

adlinah said...

Your necklace is absolutely beautiful! I really really like the combination of copper and red - it gives such a warm, rish feel to the piece.

Sarah Sequins said...

Yes, you DID rock it! The necklace is beautiful and goes perfectly with that gorgeous wire focal. <3

Mariposa said...

Wow, this necklace really rocks!

Sandi Volpe said...

Courtney you did rock it, love the chains with the pendant and clasp!!!

Baking Beads in the Keys said...

Wow! Gorgeous components and an equally gorgeous design.

CraftyHope said...

Oh, Oh yes you ROCKED this. It's amazing how you were able to get the chain almost reflect the beautiful pendant and toggle. Eerie almost. In any case, it worked out perfectly. All that doing, undoing, and re-doing produced a fabulous necklace!

Bobbie said...

What a great job you did! Your work absolutely honors the care your partner put into it. Girl, you did rock it, and you should be proud!

Jean A. Wells said...

Absolutely! You Rocked it for sure. It's gorgeous. The multi-chain strands with the bead links--well its perfect. You did her great honor my friend! I bet she is so proud.

Michelle said...

Love it! I love copper and you totally rocked it!

My Life Under the Bus said...

Wow you did rock it all that copper deliciousness - This is stunning!!! *Lucky Girl* : )

Jean said...

Love what you have done!!

LoriF said...

I think you rocked it too! Absolutely stunning....and yes, I'm still hopping LOL!