Remember the Purpose of Memorial Day Weekend and Enjoy Your Family Outing

 I was touched by a news report that I saw about a group of high school students that placed American flags on the gravestones of all of the veterans in their town who served in wars.  These students were members of the Bowling Green High School JROTC who walked  through the veterans’ section at Fairview Cemetery, Bowling Green, North Carolina,  remembering all  those who served.  One of the students said, "It’s a very, very important thing to do,”  “All of these soldiers served our country. It’s the least we can do.”

This reminded me of the Saturday morning I got up at the crack of dawn to go to the Delaware State Meeting of the Daughter's of the American Revolution which was held in Dover about an hour from where I live in Lewes. When I walked into the building there were 3 high school students and a Sergent from Cape Henlopen High School JROTC in Lewes, Delaware.  I had seen them at our Fall meeting also.  I was struck by the fact that they all got out of bed early and gave up several hours of their Saturday to present the colors at our meeting. 

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Friday before leaving school I asked a few of the students what they were doing over the Memorial Day weekend and they told me they were playing in the Cape Henlopen High School band at various Memorial Day events.  That reminded me of the times that my own children did the same and I was  proud of them for doing that.  Often we bad mouth this younger generation and I am guilty of that too, but it is times like this that I am reminded of the good that they do.
 Memorial Day Weekend is important to artisans in Delaware because we hold our Annual Delaware by Hand Member's Day show in Lewes, Delaware on this weekend.   The weather was great and the crowds came out.  You can't ask for anything better.  There were potters, painters, metal workers, jewelry makers, etc.  It was nice to see some young folks there like Leah Van Rees.  She is an artists that I watch grow up in Lewes.   Wes Stack was there with his pottery.  Before devoting his time to pottery, he was an administrator in the Cape Henlopen School District and my daughter's principal.  I was there with my jewelry. Once again my children's line of necklaces was a strong seller.   I watched the crowd which was made up of people I knew and people that were clearly visiting Lewes for Memorial Day weekend.  I thought of how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful small town by the ocean and know so many of these talented and giving people--both young and old. 

Cats and Zen

Cats Were Popular in Ancient Egypt

In making jewelry, I have found that there is a zen to the process.  First there is the inspiration.  My inspiration for a necklace that I made this month came from my recent trip to Great Britain.  Most folks who know me are well aware of the fact that I love cats. At present,  I have 3 Siamese cats.  When I was in the British Museum in London, I came across the gorgeous cat.  She reminded me of the  one of  kind, custom cat focal bead that I have had for several years. I had been meaning to make it into a necklace, but never got around to it.  When I got home from the trip and was going through my photos, I discovered the cat once again and I realized that now was the time to make it.  I had finally collected all of the special pieces that were need to make this whimsical necklace.

 There are several whimsical details incorporated into this necklace like a fish charm that dangles from the cat and a fish clasp. Sterling silver chain and gray freshwater pearls add to the rich look of the necklace. I love to use freshwater pearls in my jewelry.   I added crystals and some tiny sterling silver beads for some sparkle.

Whimsical Cat Necklace by Bay Moon Design

I had the cat focal piece and fish charm for several years. They were purchased before the price of silver sky rocketed.  Next , I found these beautiful gray freshwater pearls. This year I located the fish clasp from another Etsy shop in Canada. When I finally decided I had all of the ingredients that I needed for my cat necklace, I purchased the sterling silver chain from my favorite bead store Sparkles in Newark, Delaware. There is definitely a zen to jewelry making.  It wasn't until I had all the raw ingredients and the inspiration that I created this one of a kind necklace for a cat lover.

Please be sure to stop by and visit my shop Bay Moon Designfor my profile, contact information and policies. BayMoonDesign is located at http://www.baymoondesign.etsy.com .

"All you need in life is a friend with chocolate. I'm that Friend."

When walking down the street in Edinburgh, Scotland during my recent vacation, I had to stop at Bibi’s Bakery, on Edinburgh’s Hanover St. This is the bakeries second branch, building upon the Bibi’s brand success in St Andrews. There’s no sit-in area in the very pink and very attractively decorated shop, so it’s takeaway only.  All cakes are made in the shop and you can see the kitchen staff hard at work through a window on Rose St. The shop window is an attention grabber for a couple of reasons.  One who wouldn't stop to admire these lucious sweets.  The sign "Keep Calm and Carry On" caught my attention.  Perhaps you aren't familiar with it.  It was a poster produced by the British government in 1939 during the beginning of the Second World War.  It was intended to raise the morale of the British public in the event of invasion. It was little known and never used. The poster was rediscovered in 2000 and has been re-issued by a number of private sector companies, and used as the decorative theme for a range of other products. I became familiar with it through Etsy shops.  I have noticed this saying on lots of fellow crafters' products so I looked up what it referred to.  I noticed that the British were crazy about the saying.

Chocolate Lover's Card and Earrings

 "All you need in life is a friend with chocolate.  I'm that Friend."

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love chocolate.  I have been wanting to make a card and some earrings for chocolate lover's like myself.  I finally pulled it all together today.  I made the "Milk Chocolate" earrings last weekend and all week I have been trying to decide how to incorporate them into a card.  Of course, I purchased a Stampin' Up set of stamps devoted to chocolate a few months ago.  I've been anxious to use them.  This morning I finally decided that the card that I had been thinking about in brown and beige need some color.  I decided to add a powder blue paper and ribbon to give it some pop.  I also included the saying:

 "All you need in life is a friend with chocolate.  I'm that Friend."

The Yellow Brick Road in Dublin

The Yellow Brick Road Bead Shop

What would a trip to Great Britain be without a trip to a bead store there?  While in Dublin, Ireland, I couldn't resist a visit to The Yellow Brick Road, a bead shop established in 1997.   They are Ireland's leading supplier of hand-made jewellery materials.  For those who don't know jewellery is the British spelling for jewelry.  I include that spelling in my Esty tags hoping to attract international buyers.  Since the value of the dollar is so low, I am hoping that some folks with euros and pounds sterling will want to purchase my jewelry that is priced in dollars.
I used my pounds sterling to purchase some metal beads for earrings.

The Sweetest Thing Chocolate Cafe

Right down the street on Bachelor's Walk, I found a chocolate cafe--The Sweetest Thing.  You know me.  I had to stop in it for there with my 2 favorite men and try their signature drink of "Hot Chocolate". It was layered with liquid Belgium hot chocolate, Cadburys hot chocolate, fresh whipped cream, mini-marshmallows, a sprinkling of crumbled chocolate and a Flake served on the side. The very best hot chocolate that I ever had.   It also came with a complimentary piece of chocolate.  This was a perfect drink on a chilly, damp, overcast Dublin day.  Needless to say, with the combination of a bead shop and a chocolate shop on Bachelor's  Walk.  I had a great morning in Dublin.

Fashion Report from Great Britain

I just returned from Great Britain.  I was lucky enough to be in London the weekend before the royal wedding of William and Kate.  I also flew back to the US from London the day after the wedding along with a TV crew and an AP reporter that I spotted.  The US stewardess's all wore hats that they had created for the London street parties.  The hats had wonderful netting and feathers.  Personally, I am glad we have abandoned those types of hats in the US.

 I will pass on some of my fashion observations.  The Italian tourists seem to be the very best dressers; followed by the French.   Everyone including the men wear scarves.   I managed to buy 2 scarves for my collection which my husband claims to exceed 100.  I really don't think 100 scarves is excessive and I am pretty sure I don't have that many.  The women all wear skinny jeans except for me.  I wore my bell bottoms that I snagged on eBay. 

Beaded Cuff By PJLacass

As far as jewelry goes.  I love the wide beaded cuff bracelets that the Europeans are all wearing.  One of my Etsy Treasury Team Members PJLacasse creates lovely ones.  The sight of all of these cuff bracelets has inspired me to start working a few that I have have designed in my mind.  I hope that I can find time to actually make a few crocheted cuffs prior to by next craft fair in Lewes, Delaware, which is fast approaching.  Memorial Day Weekend  is almost here  Summer is not far off!



When I was riding on the Tube in London, I had to control my lust for a gorgeous beaded cuff bracelet that I spotted on a young woman.  Not only was it a beautiful cuff bracelet, but it had a watch in the center.  I loved it!  I found it interesting that many young European women still wear watches.  I haven't given my watches up yet even though my son reminds me that there is no need for watches.  Cell phone have replaced the need for watches.