Thursday, June 30, 2011

Cup of Bead Soup with Clayworks (and a lesson via Zack)

What is a "Cup of Bead Soup"?

Well, I wanted to continue the exciting challenge of the Bead Soup Blog Party, but this time for myself, challenging my skills by working with one artist a month.  I receive a package of beads each month, sight unseen, and then I create with them.  I blog here about the creations for a month, explaining techniques, thought processes, and obstacles I meet along the way.  It's also a great way to introduce you to new and exciting beads!


 July's Cup of Bead Soup is sponsored by Clayworks by Lisa Boucher.  I'm excited about working with Lisa's hand-painted clay beads and pendants because when I saw them, I thought about using a stringing form I rarely use -- fiber.  I'm not sure I'll be successful at translating my ideas into reality.


So let's take a look at what Lisa picked out!



I love this pendant with two Atlantic auger shells.  The hues of purple and blue/green are right up my alley.  Zack and I have spent some time searching for shells, beach glass, and shark teeth, and this pendant reminds me of that.



Another sea-themed pendant and more of her pretty beads.  I love these colors!  How about those swirls for the ocean waves?


This is really cool -- not only an awesome pendant, but one of Lisa's handmade ceramic toggles!  I already know the design I want to work with on this one, but still need to figure out if I can execute it.


My challenge with this month's Cup of Bead Soup is going to be transferring what's in my mind to my hands.  I have this problem with drawing as well, and recently Zack and I had a serious discussion about it.  Zack and I share the same perfectionism gene, and while it can be a good thing if controlled and understood, it can be devastating when you're little and each day seems to be your whole world.

It's important when creating, whether it's jewelry design, altered art, knitting, or what have you, to allow yourself to fail.  Some of the most exciting, interesting things have been brought into the world by what at first looks like a mistake.  This link talks about a LOT of cool things -- Post-It Notes, the Slinky, and potato chips weren't made intentionally.   And I just ordered this book to help Zack understand that mistakes aren't the end of the world.


Please visit Clayworks at the following sites:




Happy Creating!


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Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off.  She's also a contributor to Art Bead Scene.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

4 comments:

  1. Great beads - and I really love the starfish pendant. I'm looking forward to seeing what you create with these gems.

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  2. Oh my, those colors and pieces are incrdible. Can't wait to see your creations!

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  3. Very pretty, very blue. I love blue, can hardly wait to see what you do with them.

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  4. I am in love with those beads. I don't create a lot of sea themed things which is strange when you consider that my favorite place to be is by an ocean.

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