Giveaways Continue!

I enjoy participating in giveaways both as a giver and receiver.  Recently, I won a $15 gift certificate to the Etsy store No Name Cafe.  The owner Kim enjoys making fun and lovely bookmarks, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and more.  

Envelope Arrives with Colorful Korean Stamps

The whole process of winning was really exciting. I got to pick an item from Kim's beautiful shop which is located in Korea. The postman delivered this envelope which was plastered in colorful Korean stamps to my mailbox in little Lewes, Delaware.  When I torn into that envelope, I was stunned to see the careful and unique wrapping my item came in.  It was wrapped in Korean tissue paper and twine.  I have no idea what the lettering says.  If anyone can interpret it, please send leave me a comment.

I hope I'm not displaying this upside down!

Have you ever noticed that my etsy shop was a number of items that have owls as a motif.  I have cards as well as earrings with owls.  I am also the owner of a number of owls that have yet to be made into a piece of jewelry. 

Bay Moon Design Owl Earrings

Bay Moon Design Owl Always Love You Card

Of all of the items that I could pick, can you imagine what an owl loving librarian would select?

Of course it would be a very cute owl bookmark.

Owl Bookmark by Kim

Christmas is the season for giving and I am giving away a gift certificate.  You may have the same fun that I just had by being a winner of a giveaway.  Bay Moon Design is participating in the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway sponsored by To Sew With Love.  Don't forget to read about that huge giveaway. At To Sew With Love, Leannie is not giving only one but 4 prize packages! You can win a $15 gift certificate that can be redeemed at my online store!  To win all you have to do is visit my store and leave a comment on this blog about your favorite item there and leave your email address so that I can contact you if you win the gift.  Only one entry per person!  Last week I had 14 leave me a comment.  I hope have more entries this week.  Below this blog is a complete list of others participating in this giveaway.  You may want to try your luck in all of the shops.
Good Luck and happy holidays!

Bay Moon Design's 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway

Snowmen Earrings by Bay Moon Design

Christmas is the season for giving and I am giving away a gift certificate.  Bay Moon Design is participating in the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway sponsored by To Sew With Love.  You can win a $15 gift certificate that can be redeemed at my online store!  To win all you have to do is visit my store and leave a comment on this blog about your favorite item there and leave your email address so that I can contact you if you win the gift.  Only one entry per person!  Below this blog is a complete list of others participating in this giveaway.  You may want to try your luck in all of the shops.
Good Luck and happy holidays!

To Sew With Love, 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway  or the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway bloggers participants are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prizes. In most cases, shipping of prizes is the responsibility of the the sponsors who will be sending prizes to you directly. Your prize should arrive within 1 month.

BayMoonDesign: Holiday Season 2011 in Lewes, DE Begins

BayMoonDesign: Holiday Season 2011 in Lewes, DE Begins: Snowflake Necklace by BayMoonDesign In my mind, this weekend marks the beginning of the Holiday Season in Lewes, Delaware. The town is d...

Holiday Season 2011 in Lewes, DE Begins

Snowflake Necklace by BayMoonDesign

In my mind, this weekend marks the beginning of the Holiday Season in Lewes, Delaware.  The town is decorated; events are planned.  The Lewes Yacht Club has a wonderful luncheon and craft show on Saturday Dec. 3. I will be there with my jewelry along with many fine artisans from the community. The Children's Beach House is also open and has lots of artisan crafts for sale also.  Many lovely homes will be open as part of the Lewes  Historical Society Christmas House Tour. 

Dining Room of Maull House on Pilottown Road

The Col. David Hall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution would like to share its historic house with visitors this Saturday, December 3, 2011.  This house is believed to have been built by Samuel Paynter, a carpenter who purchased this property in 1737. Following its completion, the house and surrounding land was sold in 1741 to Luke Shields, a prominent bay and river pilot. The property was purchased by Thomas S. Maull in 1836. The house was expanded with the addition of the present rear wing circa 1890, and it remained in the possession of the Maull family until 1957. It was obtained by the Colonel David Hall Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, in 1962. The Maull House was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.  Visitors to the house will be greated by DAR members in colonial costume and refreshment will be available.The interior of the house will be decorated as in would for the holidays in the 1700's.  

CHHS JROTC Helps Prepare Maull House

The house is a labor of love and a community effort.  Many volunteer hours go into the maintenance of this house.  DAR members work hard grant writing and fund raising, Community members also pitch in.    The mayor of Lewes Jim Ford has helped with his expert advice  in the restoration and maintenance of the house.  Some JROTC students from Cape Henlopen High School  helped to clean up the yard.  Twenty three bags of leafs were removed in preparataion for this weekend's Christmas House Tour of Lewes.  The house is located at  542 Pilottown Road, Lewes Delaware.

Historic 1933 Photo of the Maull House, Library of Congress Collection

These are just a few of the events going on in Lewes on Saturday. The day ends with fine parade featuring floats by local organizations, bands, fire trucks, etc.  This is life in a small town at its finest!    

Shop Etsy and Support Artisans on Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Vintage Book Page Wreath by Lily White's Party of Middletown, Delaware

This year there is lot of competition for your dollars during the holiday season.  Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the biggest shopping  period of the year.  There are a few things I would like you to think about before you venture out with your hard earned money.  One remember to shop local.  For me local is Lewes and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.  Think of all your local businesses that you can support by buying items and services that your friends and family really need like hair cuts, car washes, a locally produced meal etc.  Most of us have way too much stuff and can make better use of a gift certificate for a local service.   Wouldn't it be nice to help your local community by keeping the dollars local and keeping local folks employed?

Silk Ribbon by Marsha Neal Studio

I was a vendor at a fashion show last weekend and the MC was the owner of a local hair salon. He made a pitch for shopping locally and not online.  Most of the other venders there were from local stores so that was really great for them.  For me, I was left thinking what about me!  I am a local crafter who does a few shows a year and has an online store not a bricks and mortar store.  Some of my best friends are online crafters in the same situation.  Lots of us use Etsy as our vehicle for selling our unique artisan wears.  I love to purchase from Etsy artisans.  The depth and range of products is as large as the number of people on Earth.  If I want to shop local on Etsy,  I can.  I am a member of the Delaware Etsy Street Team and some of my fellow artisans are amazing.  The team is made up of artists, crafters, vintage sellers, craft suppliers, and much more located in the State of Delaware and close by areas.  Whenever I purchase supplies for my online shop, I think locally.  Recently, I needed some silk ribbon to finish a necklace so I thought of my team captain Marsha Neal.  Her studio is located in Newark, Delaware.  I went online and purchased gorgeous ribbons from her and finished my necklace.  This beautiful sapphire blue green necklace has a large dichronic glass focal with a flower that is etched on it by artisan Nikki Blanchard.

Dichronic Glass Focal

If I want something custom made, you can find someone on Etsy.  I found an artisan who makes me polymer clay beads.  I used his coffee beans in these edgy java earrings.

Coffee Lover's Earrings by Bay Moon Design

 

Crocheted Necklace by Bay Moon Design

Also, keep in mind purchasing from your local museums.  Most museums sell artisan work.  If you live in the Rehoboth, Delaware area or are visiting there, the Rehoboth Art League has paintings, photographs, cards, hand knitted items, jewelry for sale there. It is in a beautiful wooded setting and can make a great day trip.  I usually have a few pieces of my crocheted necklaces there.   The proceeds help the museum and the artisans like Damon Pla.  We are both members of Delaware by Hand an organization of Delaware artisans.  If you know me, you know swimming is important to me so naturally I would be drawn to his acrylic of this swimmer. 

Acrylic by Damon Pla 

Many Etsy shops will be having special sales over this time period.  My shop offers  10% off with the coupon code BMDBFCM at checkout.  The Delaware Etsy Team has great deals going on this weekend.  Remember shop local and shop artisans!

Paris and haute couture at Del Tech fashion show Nov. 19 - - CapeGazette.com - Covering Delaware's Cape Region - Inland Bays, Atlantic Ocean, Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Milton, Dewey Beach, USA

Eiffel Tower, Paris in the evening

Please stop by and visit my booth at this event! I will have my children's line of jewelry,  crocheted jewelry, artisan earrings, and whimsical cards there.  Start you holiday shopping early!

Paris and haute couture at Del Tech fashion show Nov. 19 - - CapeGazette.com - Covering Delaware's Cape Region - Inland Bays, Atlantic Ocean, Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Milton, Dewey Beach, USA

Amour Earrings by Bay Moon Design

Delaware Etsy Street Team: November First Friday Art Walk on Etsy

Delaware Etsy Street Team: November First Friday Art Walk on Etsy: Welcome to the November 2011 Post for the participating Delaware Etsy Street Team Members to promote their shops for the AWE Team's First F...

Inspired by the Nature's Historic October Storm

Storm Brings Driftwood

Saturday we had a historic storm in the northeast.  Many areas had an early snowfall and lots of people lost power.  In balmy Lewes, Delaware, we were spared cold temperatures and snow.  We did have lots of rain, wind, and flooding. With the this storm unusually high and low tides came and went.  Today, the sun shines and the beaches have lots of driftwood.  Driftwood is the inspiration for  this crocheted necklace.

Driftwood Inspired Necklace by Bay Moon Design

I love to make crocheted necklaces.  I've been crocheting for decades now and I find it very calming.  This beautiful necklace is 19 inches (25.4 mm) in length and crocheted with copper artistic wire. The amber chips are crocheted on artistic wire and held together by a copper clasp. The focal is made from a piece of wood that has a tiny hole in the center. I was able to use this hole to add some amber chips to this unique focal.

Craft Fair Tips

Last week I was a vendor at the Baywood Craft and Collectables Fair.  It was my first chance to try of my new cart.  My husband was kind enough to purchase this cart through Amazon.com and some clear plastic bins from Walmart to to help me with setting up at craft fairs.  The other essential item is the bungee cord which can be picked up at a hardware store.   It was definitely a huge help and I recommend purchasing one.

The beauty of selling jewelry and handmade cars is that they are small and fit into a few bins.

 I have a very small car so it is a good think that my jewelry and cards take up very little room.  The metal cart folds up when empty and fits into my trunk with one bin and the shelf.  The other bin goes on the front seat beside me. 

I discovered that my table was long and narrow.

 It is always nice when the sponsor of the event supplies the table.  I do have a light weight table that folds and fits into the back seat area of my car if I have to supply my own.  This sponsor supplied the table cloth.  This is the first time that I encountered that!  I have a beige table cloth that I usually use and I brought it with me to cover my layers that I build.

I build layers to create height.

 I have a shelf and some old stereo speaker stands that I bring with me and then cover with a table cloth.  It is important to build height in your display so that it is visually more interesting and your items are closer for the shoppers to see. Being green I try to use items from my household like some trays.  When of my most interesting displays is the blue tray that I cover with white rice and white beans.  I usually put my children's jewelry there and the beans and rice make an interesting display and a mini playground for kids.  Every year  add some necklace stands to my collection and look through my seasonal home decorations for items that I can use.  I found a black Halloween tree that I hung some earrings from.  For the Christmas fairs, I have a gold tree that I use.  Marshals is a great place to look for these kinds of displays.

Ready for Shoppers!

Beautiful Weekend for a Craft Fair

Baywood Gulf and Country Club

Baywood Country Club was the scene for an annual craft fair that I was a vendor at on October 15, 2011.  The weather and scenery were spectacular.  Baywood is Sussex County's version of Longwood Gardens .   It has beautiful vegetation everywhere--both outside and inside.  It  is a public golf course and restaurant. 

 The autumn decorations as I entered the clubhouse were beautiful.  What a lovely stage for a craft fair.   I met some some new crafters and discovered that some of my fellow swimmers from the Sussex Family YMCA in Rehoboth Beach are talented artisans who were also vendors there.  The fair was organized by Soni another regular swimmer.  It was well attended and it will be held next year in November.  So mark your calendars!

Bay Moon Design Table at Craft Fair

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Recently, I went to the Ocean City Bead show in Ocean City, Maryland.  I spotted these pretty breast cancer awareness beads.  I purchased enough to make multiple sets of earrings and necklaces.  Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, I thought this weekend would be the perfect time to do something with these pretty beads. I am also getting ready for a local arts, crafts, and collectables show at Baywood Clubhouse on Rt. 24 in Long Neck, Delaware,  which is a beautiful location any time of the year.  The event will be October 15, 2011 and it begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 1:30  p.m.  You can enjoy a lunch there while you get a head start on holiday shopping and help with some fundraisers.   There will be :
-50/50 Drawing benefitting Long Neck Elementary Center

-Draw for Dinner for 2 at Baywood Green Restaurant ($150 value) Benefitting Sussex County Habitat for Humanity
-Draw for 2 Rounds of Golf at Baywood Greens ($240 value) Benefitting Sierra Hall, a local 9 year old recovering from major heart surgery and infection

I want to help. $1.00 from the sale of these sets or single pairs of the earrings. I  will donate to the Susan G Komen Foundation for furthering Breast Cancer research and treatment for the sale of these awareness items.  It could happen to any of us. I made this pretty set with the hope of helping more victims become survivors. A symbol of strength, support and honor, stand up for women and fight for a cure with a breast cancer awareness pendant and earrings.  Proudly wear the ribbon.

My Inspiration for this Unique Raven Necklace

Raven Necklace by Bay Moon Design

Inside The Tower of London

A  Raven with a Legend

Focal Features a Raven made by Humblebeads

This is a long 25 inch (63.5 cm) raven necklace that captures the spirit of the legend behind the ravens in the Tower of London.  I created it  with the use of a detailed raven focal by bead artist Humblebeads and a variety of gorgeous freshwater pearls, unique beads, and sterling silver. I want to capture the beauty in nature with the use of elements from nature like a variety of freshwater pearls, black wood beads, and silver. Nature motifs include the black raven and silver leaf clasp. There are a variety of shapes and textures used in this stunning necklace. The beautiful keishi pearls combined with the black lacquered beads help add an interesting texture.

This edgy necklace has great color combinations. I used large black lacquered pearls, long, thin, black wood beads. The silver used has black embellishments, and the oxidized sterling chain has a hint of black. Some purples are used in the focal and necklace to add a pop of color. There are bright white pearls and white pearls with hints of silver. Every bead used in this necklace was selected for a specific feature.

 I thought  this necklace would make an interesting Halloween necklace because I always think of  Edgar Allen Poe's horror stories and his famous poem "The Raven" around this time of the year. I have to admit that I began my quest to make a raven necklace back in the spring when I saw the  ravens in The Tower of London and I heard the legend behind them.

Legend says that the kingdom and the Tower will fall if the six resident ravens ever leave the fortress.

It was Charles II  who first insisted that the ravens of the Tower should be protected.  This was against the wishes of his astronomer, John Flamsteed, who complained that the ravens impeded the business of his observatory in the White Tower. 

When I spotted the raven bead made by one of my favorite bead artists I new it was time to finally make my raven necklace. 

Inspired by the Sea and Irene

Inspired by the Sea and Irene

After preparing my home for hurricane Irene, I used my time to create this necklace.  With all of our focus on Irene and my goal of making a weekly contribution Humblebeads'  new challenge,  my thoughts turned toward the sea.   The greens and browns that I seleced remind me of a stormy, churned up sea--just as I picture Irene as she heads up the east coast. The necklace contains elements of the sea such as a variety of pearls, a star fish and shell. There is a special green bead that is I made from paper wrapped with gold and green threads. One again I am thankful to my cousin Sandy for her Sewing by the Sea retreat for the class on making beads from fabric and paper. 


 I love to use pearls because they are classic and are from nature.   I usually include pearls in my creations.  I have had these gorgeous green blister pearls stashed away for almost a year.  I finally decided I had a design worthy of them.   Jasper is another favorite of mine. It is a nurturing stone.  We can all use some extra comfort as we wait to see the impact of Irene.   I combined these green jasper with antique brass filigree.  The colors compliment one another.  I love all of the different textures that this variety of beads, metal, paper and thread create  in this necklace. 

The focal is made up of one of Heather's beads--the polymer clay star fish.  I have had that bead stashed away for a few years waiting for the right necklace.  I combined it with some new filigree and an antique shell charm that was waiting for the right occasion . 

Good luck to all on the east coast.  I am hoping we will be spared major damage and loss of electric.  One piece of luck at my house is that our cupola already blew off and smashed apart on our driveway during our last major storm.  Procrastination pays.  We haven't replaced it yet.  No worries there!

Inspired by a Zen Garden

Zen garden by Bay Moon Design

Humblebead's Inspired by Nature theme for this week is Zen Garden.  To me the main purpose of a zen garden is to establish a place to clear your mind.  It is a place to create peace of mind.  Meditation is a way to create this peace.  In yoga class, we use the om breathing technique to help focus our mind.
It is said that when OM is spoken loud, brings human voice closest to universal vibration.  When rating my zen garden necklace I decided to use the om symbol as the centerpiece.  I hung an owl, some red and blue flowers, a lady bug, snail, and leaves on a silver branch anchored by a zen charm to create my garden.  I decided to use pearls in this necklace because pearls are associated with honesty, innocence and integrity, concentration, focus, meditation, serenity, tranquility and wisdom. I combined large red lacquered pearls with navy blue freshwater pearls.  Blue is peaceful color.  Red suggests power. I included a special denim bead that my cousin Sandy taught me how to make at Sewing by the Sea, a sewing retreat in Ocean City, Maryland.   I connected everything with silver chain and links to create my zen garden.

Inspired by Dragonflies

Dragonfly Brooch by Bay Moon Design

Dreamcatcher Designs a fellow artisan wrote an interesting blog about going from big to small.  She made an interesting statement that she  " always thought that when trying to learn something new you should work from big to small".  She used an example of  first prereaders in Kindergarten.  The one or two words on each page were quite large compared to the first grade readers and then chapter books and novels. The print got smaller and smaller as readers progressed in ability.

Dreamcatcher  Designs found success with big to large in the reading formats, so it seemed natural  for her to apply this idea to learning to make jewelry. I totally agree with that concept.   I was working on my first dragonfly made from sterling silver this week for Humblebeads Inspired by Nature Contest.   I decided that in order to make my first dragonfly from sterling silver it would have to be large.  I won't be able to make a small charm to dangle for a necklace.   I decided to make a brooch.  I then had to give a lot of thought to what exactly what features made a dragonfly.  I agree BIG is Easier for me for the first time also.

Inspired by Tiger Lillies

Inspired by Tiger Lilies

Humblebead's Inspired by Nature theme for this week is tiger lilies.  I had lots of them in my garden this summer.  They are one of my favorite flowers because they actually grow in my garden with little or no help. For this contest, I thought about what really makes the tiger lily stand out.  It has to be the bright orange color contrasted with yellows, browns, and greens.

These dangling sterling silver earrings capture the oranges, yellows, and browns of the tiger lily. I used a total of one dozen crystals in these earrings. 2 different color orange and yellow crystals were combined with brown crystals. Each of the dozen Swarovski crystals are meticulously handwrapped with sterling wire. You can see the fairy tale sparkle that all of these Swarovski crystals create. The large yellow faceted bead is wrapped in non tarnish sterling artistic wire. I created the long earwires with 22 gauge silver.  Since I made each of the components, these earrings took some time to create, but I think it was worthwhile.  They are very pretty just like the tiger lily.

Humblebeads Blog: Big Huge Giveaway - that's the BHG!

Humblebeads Blog: Big Huge Giveaway - that's the BHG!

Mother Nature's Honey Bee

Bay Moon Design's Bee

Last week I mentioned that I am participating in Heather Power's Inspired by Nature contest.  This weeks contest is centers on bees.  My backyard was abuzz with inspiration this week.  I observed some bees out there and decided that color and shape make a bee body.  I knew I didn't have any bee beads.  I decided to build my own bee from my bead stash using those key ingredients of color and shape.  I found this picture on the Internet and used it to help me build my beads for earrings. What do you think?
Power's is giving away some of her amazing, art beads this week. Wait until you see what I create for next week's contest. It will be a personal challenge for me.

Inspired by Trees

I found a contest sponsored by one of my favorite artisans Heather Powers (Humblebeads).  You will find a number of her beads used as focals in my necklaces.  The pink sea urchin on the right side of this blog is one of her beads.  She has a beading book coming out on September 13th.  This book is all about inspiration from nature.   So from now until the book release she is having a weekly challenge. 
She gives one week to complete a piece of jewelry inspired by the weekly theme.  Anything goes, it can include Humblebeads or not, art beads or whatever you have in your stash.  It's up to you and however the inspiration strikes you for that week.  To enter add your photo to the Inspired By Nature Jewelry Challenge Flickr group.  Every Monday she draws one random winner from the week's entries and features them here on her blog.

Inspired by Trees in the Forest

Since my work is inspired my nature I decided this would be a perfect fit for me.  Plus, I have the chance to win some of Heather's beads and win I did!   I won with this necklace with earthy tree-inspired tones using stones, pearls, crystals and brass spacers.  I won Branch Lentil Beads in copper and a few matching disk beads!  I am so excited.  I am looking forward to entering all of her contests.  I have been learning a lot from them.  It is really interesting to see how others interpret the themes.  I can't wait to find out what this weeks will be.

I saw lots of trees on Saturday.  My husband and I took a trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.  It was 100+degrees here on the East Coast.  I was amazed by the drop in temperature as we climbed the mountains.  There was a good 20 degree difference.  While we were there I took a number of photos to use for inspiration.   Since we don't have hills in Sussex County it was really exciting just seeing these mountains.  Besides the temperature difference it was amazing that these mountains and wilderness are just over an hour outside the Washington metropolitan area.  I am thankful that this wilderness is a protected national park.  My tax dollars are well spent for this.

Blue Ridge Mountains

Vintage Wedding

Lilly's Pearl Earrings with a Hint of Pink

 I love coin pearls.  I think they are among nature's prettiest of pearls.  Whenever I find some coin pearls that are a beautiful color, I add them to my bead collection.  I also collect any other gorgeous pearls that I find.  Lately, I have been cruising the Internet looking for great beads and I have found a couple of giveaways.  My latest giveaway that I entered is inspired by a vintage wedding and sponsored by Lilly's Lace.  The website itself is visually gorgeous.  
This giveaway has some really interesting vintage items.  Two lucky people will get part of Lilly's stash which is made up of at least 2 yards of a wedding dress skirt, sleeves and pieces of a bodice all tea stained. There are several pieces of lace, vintage jewelry, bride and groom cupcake toppers A bridal bingo card, mother of pearl buttons of all sizes and a gumball machine bible. I would love to see that bingo card. I am wondering the categories are.  I have a cousin Sandy who is a mixed media artist and between her and me, we would put  these goodies to good use.


With that giveaway in mind, I remembered these gorgeous pale pink coin earrings that I squirreled away.  I located some tiny teardrop shaped pearls that are the same color and decided to launch a custom wedding collection in my etsy shop.  These earrings took sometime to create but I am happy with them.  I am naming this earring after my inspiration.

4th of July Beetles

The Lady bug from my Childrens' Line of Jewelry

I don't like bugs.  Have you noticed the amount of flies that are around this summer.  You would think that with 5 cats in my house over the 4th of July weekend that I wouldn't have flies in my house.  Wrong!  

There are a couple of bugs that I do like.  One is the lady bug.  The lady bug was adopted as the official state bug of Delaware in 1974.  Do you know that the lady bug is also called lady beetle, ladybird, or ladyfly.  The lady bugs help gardeners and farmers by eating tiny insect pests that damage plants. A ladybug can consume up to 60 aphids per day, but will also eat a variety of other insects and larvae and also pollen and nectar.  The lady bug is included in my children's line of jewelry.  It is a popular necklace because the bug is so cute and popular with kids.

Firefly

Do you remember how much fun collecting Fireflies was in the summertime when you were a kid? There was always something magical about the way they lit up.  The 4th of July usually marks the middle of their season.  I remember I would collect them in a peanut butter jar with a lid of punched out holes for air, trying to catch as many as I could for a more spectacular light show. After a few hours of gazing through the lit jar, I would set them free.  I thought everyone might enjoy a trip down memory lane and perhaps learn a little about Fireflies—and guess what? They’re not flies at all—they’re beetles!

Saturday, Sunfish and Squash

Red Coral and Pearls

I love to make crocheted necklaces and I love pearls.   I have had some marigold yellow pearls for well over  a year and I have never been able to figure out what to do with them.  Since bold and bright colors are popular this summer, I thought that this would be the time to do something with these pearls.  Saturday I finally got the inspiration to combine them with red coral and brown artistic to create this necklace.  The inspiration came on the water!

Mid Atlantic Regional Sunfish Race

Saturday,  my husband and I watched the Mid Atlantic Regional Sunfish Race which was held off  Lewes Beach Delaware.  We positioned our boat in front of a bouy and waited for the boats to make the turn. The wind was good and  5 races were held.  Most of the sails were white so I was drawn to this yellow and red sail.  I thought that the colors would really jump out.  I made the decision then that this was the time to combine my marigold yellow pearls with the gorgeous red coral beads that I had just purchased.

My Bead Stash

My decision to mix these two bold colors was reinforced with my dinner.  We had yellow squash. As I stared at the squash, I thought of those pearls once again.  I took this as a sign to make this necklace now.  I believe that there is a kind of a zen to making jewelry as with most artistic endeavors.  Finally  my ingredients for a necklace and the inspiration for it came together.  A new way to serve squash in our house was discovered.  The fresh out of the garden squashed was sliced in half lengthwise .  The squash was grilled with teriyaki sauce brushed on the open center.  This was a winning combination of flavors.  I recommend this recipe for an easy and quick side dish that is perfect for this time of year when gardens are filled with squash.  

Squash Recipe