Saturday, August 25, 2012

Bead Soup Blog Party Celtic Spring

 I haven't sat down with a pair of jewelry pliers in my hand in a very long time. One reason I decided to participate in this Bead Soup Blog Party was because I needed some motivation to get me to sit down with some pretty beads and make jewelry! And the lovely lampwork beads from Lara Lutrick were a great inspiration, along with the other goodies she sent to me.
 I was inspired by the spring-like colors to create something that reminded me of my garden. I used flower-shaped beads and ones that resembled snail shells, to go along with the flower and leaf design in the glass beads Lara sent me. I knew I wanted to feature the clasp, a Bali silver heart shaped toggle, and make the viking knit wire front and center.
 The pretty blue ribbon was used to give some softness behind the neck, the toggle is attached to it and tied to one side of the necklace. I like to wear necklaces with lots of color, and Lara's beads gave me tons of options to pull from. I like to keep things simple, so I used wire wrapped connections to make a single strand of color at the center.
 The celtic knot in the focal bead reminds me of the pattern of a wrought iron garden gate! All in keeping with the spring garden design idea.
 I started working with sterling heavy-gauge wire on the focal bead first. The wire is some sterling that I brought back from my trip to Ireland - I wanted to use it for something really special. From the center, I started working out, using Lara's beads and some from my stash, until I had a long enough strand to attach with large wire-work loops to the ends of the viking knit. That way, both the glass focal and the sterling wirework could be front and center in the necklace!
With the knotted ribbon off center in the front and the toggle showing - why hide it behind my neck, it should show up where it can be seen - I like the fact that it can easily be shortened if I wanted it to be choker length, by adjusting the ribbon tie. And very dainty and feminine it is, too. I also like that the focal bead is free to rotate, as both sides are very pretty and unique.

It will be great to wear with a dress, or with jeans and a t-shirt ... Or a lace camisole!

So there you have my necklace from the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Check out Lori Anderson's blog if you want to hop over to the many other participants, from the 1st, 2nd or this 3rd reveal. Click the link to see all of the participants of this 6th Bead Soup Blog Party Fiesta!

And many thanks to Lara - it was fun, and you are very talented!Be sure to drop by her blog and tell her how much you liked her beautiful lampwork beads ... If you want to see what she created with the pewter I sent her, take a look!

42 comments:

Lois Moon said...

This is so pretty. I love the texture the Viking knit lends all while staying light and airy!

Lara Lutrick said...

Looks great Lynn. Looks like ou had fun, glad you liked you soup.

EWA gyöngyös világa! / EWA's World of Beads! said...

A very beautiful and delicate piece,entirely with!Congrats!

roomforchange said...

Looking at the picture of your faabulous necklace is all the motivation you need!! Gorgeous!!

KayzKreationz said...

That turned out very pretty. I think you got your inspiration back. Lovely necklace.

Lori Anderson said...

TOTALLY my colors! I love the Viking Knit element, too -- that's something I've never done although I have the tools for it.

I hope you'll join me again in Jan/Feb!!!!

Karen Williams said...

Very pretty! I love the openness of your Viking knit. It's much more delicate looking than I normally think of Viking knit and adds a beautiful, lacy elegance.

Shai Williams said...

What a pretty and feminine necklace. I just love how you showcased the focal.

Lupe Meter said...

Very pretty design...love the viking knit with this Celtic design!! Nice job!

Unknown said...

very pretty necklace. Love the lacy affect.

Sweet Freedom said...

Stunning necklace - love the colors and textures!

Unknown said...

Lynn, I love how you featured the focal, your necklace is very pretty and the colors are gorgeous!

Terri said...

Great photos of the necklace.. we get a good feel for it and how it looks on... a great design..cool colors and the viking knit adds bit of substance with out being too heavy.

AllesPerle said...

That necklace rocks!

Ann said...

Very pretty, I love your thoughts on the theme. The viking knit silver really sets everything off beautifully.

Unknown said...

Very beautiful.soft and feminine.Well done.Love and hugs Tanya

LLYYNN - Lynn Davis said...

Thanks, friends, I'm happy you commented and gave your thoughts about how I used Lara's beads. I've been wearing the necklace, and I got lots of compliments! And my daughter's birthday is today, she admired it too, so I may give it to her for her special day.

Thank you, Lara, for the lovely beads. And thanks, Lori Anderson, for hosting such a great event!

Giorgia Rossini said...

I love this color combo!
ciao dall'Italia

Andra Marasteanu said...

Amazing necklace!!!!

bailaora said...

fantastic necklace! congratulations!

Kumi Fisher said...

Beautiful necklace!

Becky Pancake said...

Great design. I love the colors that you chose. It looks so light & airy.

Joanne said...

So very pretty. Well done :)

Riki Schumacher said...

Great job Lynn!! Love what you created. xox Riki

Sandra said...

such a pretty combination of colors and textures!

LLYYNN - Lynn Davis said...

Thanks very much, all! A note - the viking knit piece was part of the packet that Lara sent me ... although I do know how, and do make viking knit, the piece in the necklace was made by Lara - spectacular, huh? and very unique for the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Sandi Volpe said...

Beautifully designed, enjoyed your shop talk post below too!!!

Linda Younkman said...

Beautiful job. Love the viking knit you made.

Jean A. Wells said...

Beautiful necklace. Love the viking knit. Great job!

CraftyHope said...

What a great necklace. I love that it has so much meaning and symbolism for you. It sounds like it helped pull it all together. Nicely done!!

aneri_masi said...

I am glad you decided to join this hop and pick up those pliers again! What a wonderful creation and awesome job explaining how you did it! I hope you continue to make more beautiful work!

aneri_masi said...

And I love that viking knit chain...i think I am going to have get me some of that!

Lori Bergmann said...

I love what you created with Lara's soup mix! I really like how you mixed the different textures like the Viking knit and glass together too! *Ü*

Alice said...

Beautiful! And I love that you created from a theme.

CreARTelier - Jacqueline Keller said...

i think you found your motivation back! you made a wonderful necklace, great job!!
greets
jacqueline

bwheather said...

I'm in love with that focal bead. You highlighted it perfectly here. ;-)

Kepi said...

Very very nice!

Elizabeth Beads said...

It looks so pretty on you, nice job!

Janeen said...

I love the necklace. Those colors are so fun together.

baymoondesign said...

You choose a wonderful theme to work with and carried it off. Your necklace is lovely.

Christine said...

Lovely necklace - very wearable with anything!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful necklace, love that you can change the length. You had a great soup.