Bead Soup Reveal!
Well, it is time to reveal our treasures from the Bead Soup Party! My bead swap partner is Janeen and her blog is Wild Vanilla Designs. You can visit all of the entries by clicking here
Here are the beads that Janeen sent to me for the swap. 
From her description, it seems like she was originally thinking about make a bracelet from these gorgeous beads, until she decided to send them to me for the swap. The focal bead is from Loot! where you can find many unique pieces of recycled glass jewelry. Great site and worth checking out. I love bracelets, so the first thing I thought about was making a bracelet, and even went about starting a three-strand design. However, while tinkering with these beads, I suddenly thought about crocheting the beads into a necklace using fine gauge wire.
I have done several pieces with bead crochet, but have never used wire, so this was a new experience. I just love the colors she sent me, and she had no way to know that these colors match my eyes! So much the better! I had several types of small gauge wire, and ended up using 28 ga silver wire from Michael’s. I also had some 30 and 32 ga wire, but was afraid of breaking it while crocheting the larger beads into the design. I purposely made it loose and asymmetrical. The result is an eye-catching necklace that I immediately had to wear to work so I could see if anyone noticed it. Needless to say–there were lots of great comments and inquiries as to how I actually crocheted the beads into the design.
If you haven’t done any bead crochet, the trickiest thing is that you have to first string all the beads onto the (or cord–whatever you are using). It is difficult to add beads later since you really have to end the strand you are working on and start a new one (just like when you run out of yarn while crocheting or knitting). However, Janeen had sent a good amount of beads, so I strung them rather randomly onto the wire. I first did a crocheted chain, including one bead for every 2 or three stitches. Then, when I thought it was long enough, I turned around and did another chain through the first chain stitches—still including a bead every 2-3 stitches. Somehow the number of beads worked out great, and I was very happy with the results. I also crocheted the silver clasp onto the ends of the necklace so it is fully incorporated.
I love this necklace and have worn it three times last week! The wire can be stretched out or squished together, depending on the look that you want. Thanks to Janeen for these wonderful beads! Now I’m going to see what everyone else has made—many thanks to Lori for organizing this event.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
I’m impressed with your bead crocheting skills—I don’t know how you do it, but it’s lovely!
February 9th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
I love it!!! It’s so awesome to see all the components together. You did an amazing job. It’s a great piece!
February 9th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
[…] hosted by the lovely and talented Lori. My partner was Susan, and make sure you check out the fantastic design she made with the beads I sent her. Make sure you grab a large cup of coffee and visit the more than 80 […]
February 10th, 2010 at 12:32 am
Susan, it came out great! I have been a crocheter since I was 18 and have yet to try it with wire but I think I will put it on my to-try list this year! Thanks for the inspiration!
Kate - OrganicOdysseys #46
February 10th, 2010 at 3:14 am
I love it and the focal is so much bigger than it looks in the first picture. Thanks for sharing how to create crochet pieces, I’ll be giving it a go soon. Will you be posting a picture to the flickr group? if you do would you mind adding a picture of the clasp.
Oh and another question on the technique, when crocheting the clasp do you start with one end of the clasp at the begining of the strand of beads and then end with the other?
Its a fabulous piece I’m not surprised others weree impressed I sure am.
February 10th, 2010 at 3:47 am
Love the color palette! I am always enamored with the wire crochet technique! You really made these beads shine! Nice job!
February 10th, 2010 at 4:40 am
I’m big into bead crochet, but I’ve never done it with wire. I am so inspired to try right now. Your necklace is gorgeous - I absolutely love how it turned out!
February 10th, 2010 at 4:57 am
the bead crochet adds a nice texture to the necklace, great job!
February 10th, 2010 at 6:13 am
This is the next thing I want to try–bead crochet! I love this–it looks light and airy, yet the beads keep it grounded. I’d wear this! Great job!
February 10th, 2010 at 7:10 am
Thank you for all your nice comments! Kella, the clasp was added at the end. I had just left extra wire because I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it. I just added pictures to Flickr.
February 10th, 2010 at 7:26 am
I love how light and airy the wire crochet makes this necklace. It really sets off the beads from the soup.
February 10th, 2010 at 7:50 am
I love what you did with the beads. Have never tried bead crocheting…it works well in your design!
February 10th, 2010 at 8:05 am
So pretty! Very delicate…
Love It!
Maria
You are welcome to stop by for a cup of “Spring” soup on my blog.
www.mariagrimes.blogspot.com
February 10th, 2010 at 8:52 am
Love that crocheted wire. Turned out beautiful!
Thanks for the cup of soup!
February 10th, 2010 at 8:59 am
Love the detail as well as the color combination. Really nice work!
February 10th, 2010 at 9:16 am
What a fun way to incorporate the beads. Love the design.
February 10th, 2010 at 9:55 am
Fantastic! Brilliantly done. I love it!
February 10th, 2010 at 10:30 am
How COOL! I’ve never done bead crochet, but I love the look of it, and you did such a wonderful job. Reminds me of mermaids for some reason.
Thanks for being a part of the party — we’ll do it again soon!
February 10th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
I have always wanted to do wire crochet! Congrats! This is beautiful!
February 10th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Haven’t tried bead crochet yet… so many things to do and so little time to do them! Great job!
February 10th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
i love wire crochet..lovely
February 10th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
What an incredible piece of art! The color combination is great! Well done!
February 10th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
I loved your colours when you showed these on flickr. the crochet is really great. I like the shot on the snow too:)
February 10th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
Love the light airy feeling of this necklace! And the beads look like wonderful treasures that you found on a beach. So pretty!
February 10th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Love the necklace, so pretty and so delicate, it makes every bead stand out!
February 10th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
The bead crochet adds a nice texture, what a great idea.
February 10th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Wonderful, lacy looking necklace!
February 10th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Ohhhh what a lovely lovely Creation so spun sugar looking! I love what you did wow!
February 10th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
Love the crochet style used on this piece. And wow, that focal is stunning.
February 10th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
What a beautiful necklace, Susan! Very creative.
February 11th, 2010 at 6:49 am
It came out great! I think this could be worn with just about anything! Cheers
February 11th, 2010 at 7:35 am
what a lovely finished piece..you did a great job incorporating the crocheting into the design. The colors you had to work with are to die for!! Nice job!
February 11th, 2010 at 11:54 am
I love this and how you tried something new for the party. I have never done bead crochet, but it looks like I want to try it
February 11th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Wonderful necklace! I love the mix of beads and the texture of the crocheted wire! Beautiful job, you would never know this was your first attempt at the wire crochet!
February 11th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Wire crochet–how unexpected! I love it! I can’t believe you only wore it three times so far. You showed unbelievable restraint.
February 11th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
What a great idea! This is a fantastic design. Plus, I love the shopping link…recycled glass is a fave of mine!
February 11th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
What a great idea to crochet with wire~ your necklace is uniquely beautiful!!
February 11th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Thanks for sharing a new technique!
I think that focal is really great.
Thanks for the heaping serving of bead soup. If you haven’t already, do come by and taste some of mine!
Enjoy the day! Erin
February 12th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Love how you crocheted with wire, very cool.
February 13th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
What a beautiful necklace…will be so perfect to wear this spring and summer!
February 18th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
oh, I have never tried crochet with beads! Very brave! Thanks for sharing!
February 19th, 2010 at 7:05 am
I love it! I’m hoping to try crocheting with beads soon