August 11th Reveal: My Handcrafted Jewelry for Bead Soup Blog Party 6

The Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye, Scotland

 'As you think thoughts that feel good to you, you'll be in harmony with who you really are.' -Abraham-Hicks

"Fairy Pools"

Like the beautiful "Fairy Pools" in Scotland, the handcrafted ceramic focal Margareta Saari of Mags-koruja sent me from Finland is blue and lavender, with a gentle pattern of waves. There is a sense of motion and tranquility. Finland artist Othel Lehto made the amazing focal, and I wanted very much to give justice to its beauty. Creating jewelry for this focal was the most challenging of all the soup: I wanted the jewelry to be unusual, serene. Creating "Fairy Pools" jewelry was an artistic journey: it took me several days, and I didn't have an image of the completed design. Instead, I knew I wanted  an asymmetrical design with juxtaposed texture: soft textile weave and metal weave, and I followed my heart. 

I began with silk hand knotting and chainmaille, and by the time my necklace using the ceramic focal was created, I was so inspired by the beautiful, new beads Margareta had sent me, I had created 9 pieces of jewelry for our reveal!! And had time provided me one more day, I would have made a decathlon out of it and posted ten, lol ;)

I'm still creating thanks to Margareta's generosity: on my bead table is the adorable lamp work bumblebee by Finland artist Jane Myrsky (perfect for and destined to become Beads of Courage jewelry) and the 'extras' Margareta sent, including ornate black beads just calling out to become Spanish style jewelry with rojo leather and salsa music playing softly in the background....

Here are my 9 jewelry pieces. First, "Fairy Pools" --

"Fairy Pools" silk hand-knotted gemstone beads, swarovski & Czech crystal, and Finnish handcrafted ceramic beads.

I began with silk and created the layering necklace first. Handcrafted Finnish rectangle ceramic beads with blue & lavender crackle quartz coins, lapis lazuli, faceted fluorite, and amethyst all hand knotted together on 2 meters of navy silk cord. I added a clasp secured with French wire so the necklace can be worn as a lariat or layered however one might wish.

Czech glass rings are woven into the byzantine chain

As I hand knotted the silk and beads, I also worked on chain maille for the focal. Inspired by the Czech iris donuts I had layered on suede cord for the focal, I began creating hand made purple, gunmetal, and dark blue Artistic wire jump rings to weave with the iris blue Czech glass rings. Meditative and detailed, chainmaille is a technique that can't be rushed; the simple byzantine chain took several afternoons to complete.

 The aystemetric necklace came to life! I like the way the balance -- ying/yang played out! Suede with iris glass rings and cobalt blue Panda beads; iris glass rings in byzantine with vintage lucite beads.

 I like the colorplay on the colorway! :)

I also love how the colorway goes well with Shelly Graham Turner's adorable owl and flower I just received :)

 The hand knotted silk necklace and the focal necklace chains all together. It's a very cool, yet classic design.

 The handcrafted Finnish ceramic focal included the cut out leaf charm, which I tied into suede to create a toggle bar. I used macrame for the clasp, learning I need a lot more practice at macrame, but I loved having a reason to purchase "Bohemian Inspired Jewelry" by Siegel and Eurto.

Ceramic, leather, and Czech glass byzantine earrings

 The earrings built themselves! Margareta's soup ingredients included pretty leather Margareta had braided a little, perfect for transforming the pretty ceramic beads into earrings!

 ***

"Synchronicity"

There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle. -- Albert Einstein

"Synchronicity"

In early July, Margareta gifted an ornate sterling silver clasp for my bead soup -- the infinity symbol -- along with a lovely marquis silver charm with the word  and figure eight symbol. The clasp became very empowering and special. When Margareta and I sent second soups, she included another charm with the word "joy" -- a way of being and seeing the world that my family holds dear. The synchronicity is affirming as we exchange bead soups between Finland and the U.S. as comfortably and easily as having coffee and sharing with a friend next door.

I created the lovely charm bracelet in honor of infinity, joy, and most of all, my eldest daughter. I'm convinced she's been happily beading with me. One particularly busy beading day, bead table piled high with projects, findings, organizers, tools and beads, I simply felt appreciation for the possibility that she could indeed be beading! With contentment I created flowers, enjoying the feel of beadwork and the focus of Right Angle Weave. Suddenly a flash got my attention, and there in the center of my bead table was a sparkling Hello Kitty charm, Chrissy's favorite! (She once incited an uproar of controversy in her women's studies class sticking up for "Hello Kitty Smart & Pretty" as a powerful feminist symbol. After that, Kitty and Chrissy were BFFs).

It was a charm that didn't belong to my findings or materials over flowing upon my table. It seemed to simply have appeared, in perfect timing, with love. It gave me thrill bumps. I was on to something ...

Christina  Nov 29, 1983 - July 15, 2012

My clasp jewelry is a bracelet for my beloved Chrissy, smart & pretty :) along with the beautiful faceted squares of quartz crystal from Margareta, and a special lampwork set by Star Girl Joolz & Lampwork Glass Beads by Marianna, "Meadow," from my youngest daughter.

***
"Fair Trade"

Top of the Table Mountain, Africa

"I am deliberate and I am afraid of nothing' -- Audre Lorde

"Fair Trade"

Margareta also showered me with awesome African beads and glass! The fair trade beads are rich and organic, with generous tube shapes and larger sizes. As I considered creating big & bold jewelry, I immediately knew I wanted to create a necklace for my spouse. I was so pleased the ceramic beads I just received from Marti's Buttons and Beads (made with dog combs and dog brushes for the texture -- how I love that!)  looked amazing with the African clay beads! 

Black agate tube bead, ceramic beads from Marti C on Etsy, African glass and beads.

I love the texture of the ceramic and recycled glass (the bicones are opaque glass too ) and appreciate the detailing and design of the beads together! I really like this necklace! Thank you, Marti &Margareta :)

***

"Garnet"

"Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change." -- Dr. Wayne Dyer

"Garnet"

This necklace came together so easily; the garnet drops, lavender pearls, amber-lavender AB crystal rocks and rondelles, and small fine quality garnet rounds effortlessly embraced the natural geode pendant. It was if it were a magic rock. Likewise, the copper chain fit and draped perfectly next to the strung gemstone beads as if it had always been meant to be a part of the garnet necklace.

 I love the warm copper shades next to the beautiful lavender pearls Margareta shared. The beautiful, fine finish of the freshwater pearls is as rich as the sparkling crystals. 

And the special treasure of the entire necklace: the handcrafted lampwork spiral bead! The gorgeous lilac glass bead by Finland artist Sara Welander is lovely and regal centered in a row of perfect round garnets while the geode is topped with garnet drops.

The healing properties of the necklace -- the gemstones and the copper -- are strong. According to Shimmerlings, "copper is such a wonderful physical conductor of electricity and heat, it is also considered the conductor of the spiritualist's belief system ... copper has the ability to conduct spiritual energy back and forth between individuals, crystals, auras, the mind and the spirit world. It is also believed that copper has the power to amplify thoughts when sending and receiving psychic communications."

Czech leaves from my amazing bead soup mix are hugged by amber and plum crystals.

 My favorite metal to wear, the necklace feels relaxing and healing to wear.  It's warm yet light and makes a gentle rustling. My heart sings!!

 
***

"Tropical Paradise" 

Dolphins enjoy the Florida sunshine ("Share a Little Sunshine" weekly photos)

 'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.' - Margaret Mead

"Tropical Paradise"

Margareta completely surprised me with a second gift package! She sent along more beads for our rosary exchange (August 26) and this turquoise and pyrite cabochon. I had a goal of using all the bead soup, and I wanted to honor and use something from her second surprise package as well: the lovely focal! The green and blue mosaic beauty of this focal is just like nature in Orlando: whether sky or ocean, trees or flowers, dolphins or manatees, the lushness of Mother Nature and sunshine abounds here in 'The City Beautiful'  and 'the Sunshine State'!

I added Tina Holden's beautiful polymer flowers, MOP cubes, mosaic turquoise, teal quartz, pyrite, and indicolite Swarovski bicones. The simple strung necklace is lovely!

Going green with jewelry feels great. Orlando is one of the healthiest cities in America, with fresh ocean air that breezes across the peninsula. The turquoise with pyrite focal reminds me of home, of our tropical fairy forest.

 Thank you for everything, Margareta !! :)


***

"Astarte"

"Astarte"

 'The more Source-like you become, the more intergalacticaly you are interacting." -- Abraham-Hicks 

Meeting Margareta Saari and other jewelry artists of Finland has been a wonderful experience. The beauty of Finland is reflected in Margareta and in her jewelry. I'm honored to be Margareta's BSBP6 partner and friend. 

I feel connected with the world in a broader way now, and although I've wished for as long as I could remember to some day see the aurora borealis, Northern Lights, receiving mail with stamps of the aurora borealis has been incredible! Sharing my love of jewelry arts with Finland is incredible!:) Now more than I ever do I appreciate the magical display of the Northern night sky and those who are blanketed by that magic.

In honor of the aurora borealis and the gorgeous silk ribbon in my bead soup, I created a simple yet colorful and iridescent necklace with Panda beads and fairy crosses: 

***

I'm proud to say I used everything in the Finnish soup Margareta sent me! I enjoyed the challenge of creating with beads chosen for me and gifted to me. I was honored to learn about and even meet the many gifted jewelry and bead artists of Finland. The Bead Soup Blog Hop Party has been a big experience: a great way to share, focus and grow. I appreciate Lori Anderson's graceful hosting, and all the amazing community creativity that makes the Bead Soup Blog Hop Parties rock on!

Big Hugs, TJ 

This is a blog hop! :)  
To visit  my partner's jewelry reveal: Margareta Saari of Mags-koruja click here

For BSBP6 previous posts, bead soup pictures, and lists of all participants for each BSBP reveal, visit my special blog addition TJ in BSBP6

For a beautiful website of the all of the participants' jewelry, store links, blogs, and websites visit Fusion Muse's BSBP6 clearinghouse and click on the reveal you'd like to explore, or browse the home page for rules on Lori Anderson's BSBParties and how to participate.

 
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.