Friday, April 26, 2013

Welcome to the FINAL Reveal of 2013 
Bead Soup Party!
Charlotte De La Tour Necklace BSBP by Laura Guenther
Sari silk-fibers, ribbon, pearls, pendant,
handmade copper component-"grow"
Be sure to see the bottom of this post for details of my give away!

I was glad to have a little extra time with the postponed date.
A big thank you to Shay for the wonderful soup she sent me!
Visit Shay's Blog HERE for her reveal. I am so excited to see what
she has been cooking with the soup I mailed her!
Oh and please visit my other partner Linda,  who is revealing what
she created as well.  I have been waiting, impatiently!
Click here. Oh I cant wait to see it!

Another huge thank you to the KIND Lori Anderson for her
amazing Bead Soup Parties!

Well, My reveal is all about flowers!
(Scroll down here  to go directly to pictures of my pieces,  : )

Floriography -The Language of Flowers




Last year I read the current fiction book entitled The Language of Flowers. It sparked my interest in the subject.  I did look around for information after finishing the book, but I didn't spend much time on it. With my curiosity tickled again by my green pendant with  purple flowers, (the must use focal!)I had to find out! 
The pendant is so pretty, by the way.
What do purple flowers mean, does it mean your a creative type like I have heard, when you where a purple shirt?  

Anyway, the history behind the language of flowers has some very old roots in Turkey, but generally it began as a literary tradition in Victorian England, France, and then America during varying times in the 1700-1800's.  By the 1800's, the " language of flowers" was a commonly used phrase in Europe.  Hand written lists were circulating in France. Besides the Language of Flowers Book, there were a group of small floral books which had roots in the almanac, an annual publication with a calendar,
think, " Farmers Almanac".

As of late, there is a common thought that there was a set of meanings for flowers that everyone knew. Although the inclination to associate flowers with sentiments is universal, there were many sets of meanings. Which begs me to question, how many women got the wrong message? 
There is also the thought that people used flowers for secret communications, and at first glance there is information that this was so.  But, my further research showed this was not the case.  However, the popularity of the Language of Flowers books and meanings were well loved,
and were used by poets, writers, artists and designers.
 And still today, the language of flowers is a popular topic.
 I found many floral shops, blog postings, and lists on the subject.
 The original books have been
reprinted and can be purchased on Amazon!

A special painting I received
on the day I was finalizing
this floriography post!
Purple Flowers and the Focal Pendant- (See below photos)
The pendant was made by Sharleen Newland 
who sells her beautiful ceramics on Etsy. 
 These flowers are generic, but here
 are some purple flower meanings.

Purple carnation-whimsical
Purple Lilac- first emotion of love
Purple Violet-Daydream

Some flowers on these lists that I viewed during my digging, have 2 sets of meanings. Negative and positive, which begs another question, how would one know which meaning the giver was sending in the sentiment?
 A black ribbon for a negative expression, perhaps?  Ah, kind of fun to imagine.
Shall we add a skull and cross bone charm to the Tussy Mussy? I know, silly thoughts.

Lavender- Devotion- ( Positive) Mistrust (Negative)

It is believed that the all of the Language of Flower books derived
from a book by Louis Cortambert, under the pen name of Madame Charlotte De LaTour.
This was a small book with what seems to be the first dictionary of
flower language.
Charlotte De Latour Necklace

Charlotte De Latour Necklace
Created By Laura Guenther
Partner-Shay Williams
BSBP 2013
Please visit Shaterra Clay Studio, on Etsy You will find wonderful ceramic beads, leather, and pendants.
I wasn't sure what I was going to create with my soup ingredients,until I visited Sharleen's shop.  Her photos and colors are what got me inspired.  I knew I was going to use the pearls, and the pendant, but I didn't know from there, what I would do.  I played with the ingredients for a long while, mixing and matching. It was actually quite fun to look at them in different ways, after being frustrated with myself! With each challenge I am doing, I am realizing I can enjoy the process of ... "How can I?" rather than fight it.

Detail-Copper Bail Component-Grow

I came up with the copper envelope tube component,
(bail thingy! ) because I wanted to tie in the copper chain with the rest of the design. I liked the copper because of its contrast and unexpectability.  Is that a word?
I wore the necklace yesterday for a bit, and it feels really nice on, it has a nice weight, and the
twisted strands hang well together, staying in place.

Bead Soup ingredients- freshwater pearls, blue ribbon cording, and focal pendant.

Floriography Key Chain

Red Daisy-beauty,unknown to possessor
Daisy (general)- innocence, faith, simplicity

For this key chain I added some very old African trade beads, copper, ribbon, and made the chain tassel.
I love these big lobster clasps on key chains and book marks.

Floriography Keychain- BSBP
Laura Guenther-Shay Williams
Bead Soup Ingredients- Large Lobster Clasp, Large copper toned bead, glass beads

Wildflower Dreams Book Mark (Give-Away)
Honey Suckle-Devoted affection
Buttercup-Riches
Thistle-Nobility
Wildflower Dreams Bookmark
BSBP 2013
Laura Guenther-Shay Williams




Bead Soup ingredients- Purple, clear, green glass beads, 
silver "Dreams 're made of love" connector.

If you would like to participate in my Give Away
please follow my blog,  leave a comment on this post, and your entered. 
Contact me if you need help to follow my blog! lkguen@comcast.net  
  
Sorry for the long post!  Thanks ahead of time for your visits and comments.  I love to hear from everyone, and I value each and every comment, even tho I can't reply to each one. 

I cant wait to see everyone's creations!
All the best! 
Laura



37 comments:

  1. Enjoyed the information about the flowers and what they mean.

    Love what you have done with pendant.

    Please enter me in the drawing.

    Carolyn
    Carolynscreations@live.com

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  2. I am following your blog. Have enjoyed the stories.

    Carolyn
    Carolynscreations@live.com

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  3. Beautiful necklace & I really like the bookmark. I love that you delved into the whole language of flower theme. Read the book last year and enjoyed it.

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  4. Wonderful as always!! Love your work and all the stories that go with them! Hugs

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  5. I really enjoyed having you as a partner and I do have to say that I am in awe of your creations. That necklace is drop dead gorgeous. Actually they are all just wonderful. I do have to admit to being worried that all I sent you for a clasp was the lobster claw but I see that I gave you a couple options. I just love the ornate lobster claws so I had to share.

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  6. So many Fun & Fabulous pieces, such a wonderful soup my friend. Well Done!

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  7. I liked that you made a key chain and a bookmark as well as your necklace. Different, unique!

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  8. Laura what lovely pieces. I do so appreciate having you as my partner. You did an awesome job with both of your soups. The necklace you made with this soup mix it truly beautiful. I love the way you incorporated the fibers and that copper envelope bail thingy (lol) is super clever. What a great job you do with all your work. I love that you bring in such history as well with all of your blogs. Hugs to you and your family.

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  9. I've always been hesitant to combine fibers and beads. You showed me it can be done beautifully! Lovely pieces!

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  10. great use of fabric AND SUPER COLOURS! congratulations!

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  11. Love your jewelry. I'm adding your green necklace to my third reveal favs list which I will post tomorrow.

    Please include me in your give away. Love your bookmark. I'm following you already.

    dancekam1 (at) yahoo (dot) com
    thanks,
    kathy

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  12. So pretty, Laura, great job! I follow your blog already, would like to be entered in the giveaway...and check out my bead soup creation as well!

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  13. Beautiful designs! I love that you went away from jewelry and included a key chain and bookmark design.

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  14. Laura, beautiful pieces! I'm a bookmark collector, so I'm definitely entering into your lovely contest! :)

    I love the necklace with the blue ribbon. That is just gorgeous! And all the flower meanings are so much fun.

    <3,
    Andrea

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  15. Very nice necklace! And I love the whimsical key chain. It's a great idea. I listened to the Language of Flowers on CD while working in my studio last year. (Great to listen to!) I like the extra thought you put into your post because of the book.

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  16. The green necklace is my fave! Beautiful peices, congrats!

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  17. They are all lovely. The bookmark is really cool!

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  18. I love all your pieces, the necklace is beautiful.
    I would love to have another bookmark :)
    thanks for the giveaway, I already followed you.

    ciao dall'Italia

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  19. I love every piece you made! I also see many interesting designs in your blog; I 'll be a follower :-)

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  20. lovely deigns, I'm a fan of textiles in jewellery and the colours of your pieces are great too.

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  21. What a lovely reveal - the green necklace is gorgeous.

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  22. Very nice soup. I love the green necklace, it's so beautiful.

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  23. Beautiful creations especially the necklace. I love the history of flowers that you shared. Nice to get a little something extra with bead soup. Please enter me in the giveaway. I already follow you.

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  24. So creative!!! I love all of them. But the necklace is gorgeous to be sure.

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  25. I love the bookmark, though every piece is beautiful. Too bad I mostly use my kindle!

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  26. What a beautiful flower focal - love the design. Good job. Here's my email for entry: sandramarieyoung @ hotmail.com

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  27. Beautiful work and love the variation by seeing bookmark and keychain. The flower connection is such a fun way to work, and you have really used some great ideas.

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  28. Oh soo beautiful, Laura! Love all of your creations: the wonderful green necklace with the wrapped ribbon and the georgeous copper bail, as well as that unique keychain and that x-tra lovely book mark :0) Your work is so inspiring!

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  29. Love the necklace, the "tube thingy" really brings it together!

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  30. Beautiful work, love the necklace. Really pretty designs!

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  31. You must have a lot of imagination... :-) I love the differencies in your work! It's all very ♥beautiful!

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  32. Creative designs!! I love your bail thingy - it really does bring your necklace together beautifully!!

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  33. Lovely, lovely pieces. So full of charm. Beautiful use of your bead soup,

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  34. Your design style is wonderful. Great job on the bail. Thanx so much for a chance to win this gorgeous green necklace. b.pancakebeads@gmail.com

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  35. Very creative! I just love the necklace. Great job with your soup.

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Thank you for your comments! I love to hear from you! Laura