Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal: Monet Inspired Jewelry Set


"Songs are like tattoos, you know I've been to sea before.
Crown and anchor me, or let me sail away.
Hey Blue, here is a song for you,
Ink on a pin,
Underneath the skin,
An empty space to fill in."


My Canon lens is broke-ded, so, alas, the pictures are not as lush as I would like, but here is the main dish, a cool and subtle soup comprised of soft shades of blue, aqua, lavender and some unexpected pops of sweet pink. Fits in perfectly in my dusty periwinkle studio. Yes, that's the color of my studio, not hot pink or bright orange or neon green or any of the colors one might expect. I don't like to be predictable. My partner Liz of Elizabeth Beads made some of these luscious art glass beads and also sent pretty Czech glass and freshwater pearls along with a stunning clasp. I added some metal accents from TierraCast, exposed purple beading wire, kyanite, SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS and the King Stag pendant from Green Girl Studios. It all felt so lush and springlike, seemed apropos. He's been waiting quite some time to find a home!

I had extra beads, so I used some Tim Holtz and TierraCast findings to make alternate earrings, pulling out different colors from the main pieces, depending on your mood or the outfit you wear that day.  I like options, how about you?

These are simple techniques, my signature exposed woven wire techniques I've been creating for many years, all designed to showcase the materials without detracting from them or competing with them or the wearer. Some beads need little more than a pretty frame and hopefully I have provided one.

 Waterlilies Claude Monet 1906
When I finished, it occurred to me that this combination of colors and elements was quite reminiscent of Monet's Water Lilies.



"Hey blue, here is a shell for you,
Inside you'll hear a sigh,
 A foggy lullaby.
There is your song from me."

An homage to Liz's lovely use of lyrics from many of her favorite musicians, I return with a favorite of my own from one of my favorite muses, Joni Mitchell.

And that's all she wrote.

Come now, let's see what the other talented people have brewed! Follow the links below to the participants and hostess Lori Anderson!


Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads 
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming
Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones
Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'
Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage
Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads
Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations
Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog
Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash
Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution
Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents
Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory
Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen 

Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
 Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle,  Jasper Gems
Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space
Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog
Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure
Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Eileen Snyder, Dorset Hill Beads
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda
Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels
Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation,  Art Food Lodging

Hannah Annear, Squintessential
Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier
Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?
Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs

Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels
Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home

Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time
Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show

Klaudette Koon, Only Road
Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities

Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures
Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN

Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops
Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio

Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival
Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Milla Hope,  LB Creative Arts and Crafts
Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts
Natalie McKenna, grubbi

Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color
Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner
Penny Neville, Copper Penny
Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry

Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog
Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog
Sally Anderson, Wild Sally Road
Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Goode, Pookledo

Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire
Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila

Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs
Solange Collin,  Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stephanie Dixon, The Dixon Chick
Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs
Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created
Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design

Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs

37 comments:

Linda Younkman said...

Lovely pieces. They definitely look Monet inspired!

vonna said...

Such a lovely set of soup. The contrast of color pops the focal bead perfectly!

Elizabeth Beads said...

Margot -- I love love love what you made with my beads! Did you notice we each made 3 pieces, necklace bracelet, earrings?! It was a privilege to have you as my BSBP partner, to discover your blog and to watch you on Craft Wars. Thanks for the inspiration, my fellow Joni Mitchell aficionado. "Lots of laughs, lots of laughs."

Margot Potter said...

Thank you all for your kind compliments. Yes, lovely soup indeed!

Best
Margot

Margot Potter said...

Elizabeth, yes! I did notice! Love what you did with my soup, it was an honor to work with your beautiful beads. So glad we met!

Best
Margot

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

Fantastic jewels!Congrats!

roomforchange said...

Love what you made from your soup. Gorgeous earrings!

Lori Anderson said...

LOVE the colors! You really made some awesome things here and the inspiration is apt. Thanks so much for participating and I hope you come again in Jan/Feb!

Lupe Meter said...

Wow, what a gorgeous bead soup! You did an awesome job...your creations are beautiful...definitely Monet inspired, love those blues!

Karen Williams said...

What fun!

I especially like your photographs of your earrings - beautifully done and beautifully photographed!

Shai Williams said...

Oh my. This set is much softer than your other pieces I have seen. I just love it!

Sweet Freedom said...

You've created some beautiful pieces with your soup!

Unknown said...

nice. pretty work.

AllesPerle said...

So sweet! Lovely pieces.

AllesPerle said...

So sweet, very good design!

Ann said...

The palette on your Monet inspired set is gorgeous. The additional earrings that you came up with are very cute. Wonderful work:)

Unknown said...

Money was an amazing painter and your work is just as amazing.love and hugs Tanya

Giorgia Rossini said...

I love all your pieces, those colors are beautiful!
I follow you!!
ciao dall'Italia

Andra Marasteanu said...

Love, love, love!!! such a delicate touch and still so popping out!! I love the way you mixed up your beads in colours in your designs!!

bailaora said...

great necklace, stunning colours! congratulations!

Kumi Fisher said...

Lovely work!

Joanne said...

Great inspiration. I love the fresh feel. Beautiful work :)

Becky Pancake said...

Mesmerizing!! I could look at your lovely creations for a very long time. The colors are so soft & gentle. I also make more than one pair of earrings for a necklace sometimes. It's good to know that I am not the only one.

Terri said...

Margot...dare I say that you have made Monet proud..beautiful pieces!!!
You did a really soup-r job!

Sandi Volpe said...

Beautiful Monet set!!

CraftyHope said...

It's no surprise to me that you've made some pretty pieces. While your Monet set is lovely, there's something about that last pair of earrings (the green pair) that really make me smile! :D

Jean A. Wells said...

What a beautiful set. Love it. It is quite obvious what your inspiration was. Great job!

KayzKreationz said...

What a wonderful piece. I love the softness of it. Very feminine.

Lori Bergmann said...

I love what you made with your soup mix, Margot! I'm a big fan of Monet too—and he definitely lent you his Muse for some great designs! *Ü*

CreARTelier - Jacqueline Keller said...

great job you did with your soup! i love the colors and the name you gave is just perfect!
greets
jacqueline

Kepi said...

Love your designs, very beautiful!

baymoondesign said...

You have a lovely blog and your pieces are beautiful!

tappingflamingo said...

love the colors! and love your creations!

Janeen said...

I love your inspiration!! You complete set is lovely and very cohesive. Love the earrings too.

Anonymous said...

Really really pretty set, very Monet! Love the necklace, especially love those pretty lampwork earrings!

Christine said...

Lovely pieces! I love your Monet-inspired set!!

Anonymous said...

I like monet too :) I'm actually organising a mass bead soup where all the crafters get the same set of beads :) i think it ll be really cool too see what 10s or even 100s of people make with the same beads! planning to send out the beads 2 aug with designs revealed end aug. Would be cool if u d like to take part (details on https://hapinesswherever.wordpress.com/bead-soup/) :)