A Passion for Purple

« Sari Ribbon Party Blog Hop Participants…The Gang’s All Here!

A Passion for Purple

October 14, 2011 by Georgene Lockwood

B’Sue Boutique’s Brenda Sue Landsdowne’s Sari Ribbon Party Blog Hop has led me to this!

Check yesterday’s post for the list of participants and please, please visit their blogs so you can see all the different interpretations of these exquisite and colorful strips of recycled saris. If you’re not familiar, the sari is the traditional dress for women in India.

For me it was an opportunity to combine two techniques I love. One is a fiber and wire focal piece adapted from one I saw in the book A Charming Exchange made by Ruth Rae. You may remember I taught a class on this project last month.

The second is my love for making French beaded flowers. I figured there must be a way of combining the two. They just begged for each other!

My inspiration was a section of sari ribbon I bought from B’Sue Boutiques. I just loved the color way of deep blue, rich red, and purple, purple, purple. I also felt some lighter blues, turquoise and pink would work well.

The cobalt blue oblong beads are four vintage ones I had in my stash. All gone now! I added some Vintaj natural brass bead caps to put even more of a vintage spin on the piece. The multi-colored glass beads are Czech.

And that big pink berry bead is one of two I purchased in a package at Art Unraveled this year from Beth Quinn Designs. That’s my homage to Brenda’s favorite “Five and Dime” Style! The two faceted briolette beads are a nod to upcycling. They came from a broken earring!

I wore my sari flower necklace today and got several compliments. But now I keep tossing and turning at night dreaming of variations. (A vision in pink and white for a wedding?) Feedback encouraged!

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Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged A Charming Exchange, Art Unraveled, B'Sue Boutiques, beads, Beth Quinn Designs, blog hop, Brenda Sue Landsdowne, briolette, cobalt blue, Czech glass, Five and Dime Style, French beaded flowers, India, inspiration, jewellry, jewelry, purple, recycling, Ruth Rae, sari, traditional dress, upcycling, vintage, Vintaj Natural brass | 43 Comments

43 Responses

on October 14, 2011 at 4:07 am | Reply organicteabykate

So very beautiful! Really like the way the ribbon is wrapped with beads!
- on October 14, 2011 at 5:19 am | Reply Georgene Lockwood
  
  Thank you so much and for stopping by. Oh, and taking the time to comment! I’m trying to get around the hop and see all of your creations. What a talented group!
- on October 14, 2011 at 8:11 am | Reply Georgene Lockwood
  
  Thanks so much, Kate. And thanks for taking the time to drop by. I’ve heard so much about you !
on October 14, 2011 at 4:11 am | Reply Brenda Sue Lansdowne

AWESOME! Thank you so much for entering the hop and your sari is GREAT….but I’m ooohing and aaahhing over those beaded flowers! What a super job! If you have not joined B’sue Boutiques Creative Group yet, I hope you will, as it would be lovely if you would post your Sari Blog Hop photo in our Group Pool. Fun, fast, free and easy….this is your personal invite from B’sue! Check it out! http://www.flickr.com/groups/bsueboutiques/
- on October 14, 2011 at 5:20 am | Reply Georgene Lockwood
  
  Thanks, Brenda. I’m so glad I was able to participate this time. No more broken bones! And hopefully no more family crises (at least for a while). Thank you so much for hosting this and for offering such a wonderful material for us to work with. I’m glad I bought two packages!
on October 14, 2011 at 4:19 am | Reply Pam

Love those beaded flowers. So cool. I bet you get great compliments on this everywhere you go. Wow!
- on October 14, 2011 at 5:21 am | Reply Georgene Lockwood
  
  Thanks, Pam. I actually have lots more ideas for variations on this design using the flowers. One of my favorite things to do! Thanks so much for stopping by!
on October 14, 2011 at 4:39 am | Reply Lizscraps

I adore this –the flowers, the bead wrapped sari, the color..it says I am fun, a romantic and an original, fun
- on October 14, 2011 at 5:22 am | Reply Georgene Lockwood
  
  Thank you so much and thanks for taking the time to stop by and have a look. It was a really fun challenge!
on October 14, 2011 at 5:19 am | Reply Bobbi Wicks

This is a happy piece…………the colors and pattern makes you smile!
on October 14, 2011 at 6:22 am | Reply Susan Kennedy

Very nice! Great use of the ribbon – I’m getting so many ideas from people!
on October 14, 2011 at 6:37 am | Reply Kristina (aka Maneki)

Beautiful and colourful necklace! I really like how well the ribbon goes together with the french beaded flowers. It feels very creative, mixing the two.

Your idea of doing a version in white and pastels sounds great. A light ribbon would probably add a romantic softness to the design, fitting for the occasion. I can also see this type of design in earthtones with, say a bark brown ribbon with green beaded vines and cream coloured forest flowers.
on October 14, 2011 at 6:37 am | Reply janice

Such a beautiful design that’s full of color, texture and an abundance of details and all little things that make you smile – it’s a big WOW – ~J-Lynn
- on October 14, 2011 at 7:49 am | Reply Georgene Lockwood
  
  Thanks for all the comments! I’m working my way through your entries as well. What fun is this???
on October 14, 2011 at 6:44 am | Reply Jennifer

What an exquisite piece! I love the flowers, they seem so right with the silk! Love the whole thing, absolutely gorgeous!
on October 14, 2011 at 6:51 am | Reply Robin Taylor Delargy

Love the juicy, saturated color!
on October 14, 2011 at 7:46 am | Reply Vee

Love the colors and how the beads run through the sari ribbon…very romantic piece. ;o)
on October 14, 2011 at 7:53 am | Reply Sonya Stille

Very pretty piece. Love the beaded flower.and the thickness of the sari ribbon wrapped with the lovely beads. I am sure you will get many compliments on this necklace. I love the idea of the pink and white one.
on October 14, 2011 at 7:56 am | Reply Michelle Lee Hardy

what a lovely piece. The colors are beautiful and the beading mixed with the fiber is gorgeous!
on October 14, 2011 at 8:20 am | Reply Cynthia Wainscott

wow wonderful mixture of elements!, love it!
on October 14, 2011 at 11:13 am | Reply Beanzie-The Vintage Heart

Oh my that is just gorgeous! The colors are fab and the design is superb!
- on October 14, 2011 at 12:17 pm | Reply Georgene Lockwood
  
  I’m. Simply. Blushing. Here. Thanks for all the kind words, guys!
on October 14, 2011 at 11:46 am | Reply Cory

Love, love, love…fabric and beads, my favorite thing. Great selection of textures and a to die for palette.
on October 14, 2011 at 1:25 pm | Reply Deb Bee

I love the beaded flowers with the sari. This is such a pretty necklace.
on October 14, 2011 at 2:28 pm | Reply jean yates

I truly love what you made,. I find incrredibly imaginative, yet so wearble! Love the colors!
on October 14, 2011 at 2:42 pm | Reply Mary Shannon Hicks

Your colors are magnificent, and the whole necklace transports me to springtime and the lovely flowers. This is a great use of the ribbon, in an original and splendid design.
on October 14, 2011 at 3:24 pm | Reply pinkchapeau

I am so in love with this necklace. I love the bright happy colors, and the flowers are gorgeous!! I may have to try making those! Beautiful work, and I can see why you were recieiving compliments
on October 14, 2011 at 3:25 pm | Reply pinkchapeau

Did you ever put together a tutorial on making the flowers? I would love to learn how you do them!!
- on October 15, 2011 at 4:52 am | Reply Georgene Lockwood
  
  I’ve never done a tutorial, although I do teach French beaded flower making locally. I guess I’ll just have to do that, huh? This coming week I’ll be spending time on my blog promoting my new book but after that I will try my hand at doing a tutorial, probably as a series of blog posts. I’ll let y’all know (or you could just put my blog in your RSS feed ). I’m going to add all of your blogs to my feed this weekend!
on October 14, 2011 at 3:33 pm | Reply Mary Deis

Wow. The colors are so beautiful and bright! And I do love the beaded flowers.
on October 14, 2011 at 4:02 pm | Reply Patrice Pfeiffer

Wow! I love the beaded flowers and the Sari Ribbon! Beautiful!
on October 14, 2011 at 4:37 pm | Reply Catherine Jeltes

Wow–such stunning color in this design and such intricate detail. Bold and beautiful!
on October 15, 2011 at 2:06 am | Reply Davinia

I’m sorry to hear you had such troubles with the links, If it is a relief, I had to fix mine as well…
Anyway you made a stunning piece. The Sari Ribbon just looks perfect with the flowers!

If you have passed through my website http://www.daviniadesign.com to leave me a comment then I want to apologies, as leaving comments was impossible.
I have sorted things out now, and I really would appreciate it, if you stopped by to leave me your comment in this splendid Blog-Hop!
Davinia
- on October 15, 2011 at 5:46 pm | Reply Georgene Lockwood
  
  So it wasn’t just me! I’ll see if my comment went through and recheck your site. Thanks for the heads up!
on October 15, 2011 at 8:04 am | Reply Michelle Mach

Love those beautiful beaded flowers! They look great with the ribbon. I like that you used the ribbon as the color inspiration for the piece–great idea!
on October 15, 2011 at 12:53 pm | Reply Lori Anderson

Two of my favorite colors — and you’ve done two things I can’t do — work with fiber, and make seed bead beauties. VERY pretty.
- on October 15, 2011 at 5:44 pm | Reply Georgene Lockwood
  
  I am so honored that you came to visit. You are my blogging hero! Hey, I’ll teach you how to make beaded flowers if you want! I’m thinking of doing a tutorial (my first) in the next few weeks. It’s like so many beautiful things — not really hard, but they take patience and practice .
on October 15, 2011 at 5:27 pm | Reply Hilary Frye

The delicate and luxurious french beaded flowers compliment the silk sari ribbon very well! Great job!
- on October 15, 2011 at 5:46 pm | Reply Georgene Lockwood
  
  Thanks Hilary! I’m so pleased you stopped by. And I’m so glad I got to actually do the blog hop this time. The last time was just impossible with all that was going on. My leg is almost healed and although I still miss Mom a lot I am so relieved she is no longer suffering as she was during that period. Amazing what a little time can do .
on October 16, 2011 at 6:43 am | Reply Liz

Hi Gorgene-
I will start by saying WOW!! I love your design!! I am a seed bead “aprecianado” and love to work and incorporate them into my pieces just about all the time. I would love to see you make a tut! I have been thinking about teaching myself how to bead flowers, so i would very much love the tut. I have a passion for flowers and vintage in my work , which is why I think i love your piece, it really electicutes me-in a good way! I missed the hop due to family business, I hope you will be able to find the time to visit me @: http://www.clarityofpurplesage.blogspot.com
Thanks for sharing!
- on October 16, 2011 at 8:02 am | Reply Georgene Lockwood
  
  I already did and left a comment! Your bracelet is really fun and I loved that you crocheted the base. I also ruminated on how it might be to crochet the sari ribbon using a huge hook. I might try that! Thanks so much for stopping by and I will do the tutorial in a couple of weeks (other things I need to blog about first…like my new book!).
on October 18, 2011 at 5:55 am | Reply cherishdesigns

Hi Georgene!

Wow, I love your unique look of the beaded wire flowers and sari… vintagy elements and the joyful bright colors! Your work is beautiful! Kris
on October 31, 2011 at 5:24 pm | Reply Lennis Carrier

This is colorful and very striking. I like all the design elements. Good job.