Excited by Silk Ribbons

Down by the River Silk Ribbons by Marsha Neal Studio

Inspiration for the creation of "Down by the River" Silk Ribbons by Kathy Lindemer of Bay Moon Design

 I entered Marsha Neal's Silk Color challenge and as a result Marsha used a color palette that I created to make some 2 mm silk ribbons that she sells in her studio's online store as well as her etsy shop.  I am excited  to see and feel the silks that I selected in person.  The postman delivered them today.

Just seeing the silk ribbons reminded me of my recent trip to the southwest.   While there I took an amazing train ride from Durango to Silverton, Colorado. This trip followed a beautiful green river through the mountains. My design using Marsha's new colors was inspired by this train ride.    I look forward to creating some jewelry with these gorgeous silks.

I ordered two palettes of "Down by the River" silks--one for me and one as a giveaway.  Anyone who comments on my blogs  can earn 1 entry to a drawing.  Following by blog earns another entry. A third entry can be made by posting a comment with a link to a social media sight like twitter, facebook etc. in a comment on my blog.

A winner will be announced September 30. I am keeping the contest open until then to give all the blogger who are in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party a chance to enter when they read my blog about my beads and design.  I will be blogging on August 25 about what I created with beads that are sent to me from the UK by my partner Hannah Annear.  Hannah will be blogging about what I sent to her in Cornwall.  I will give her one hint.  The package does include one of Marsha Neal's beautiful silks, however, it isn't from the "Down by the River" palette.

The ribbon that Hannah will get comes from a gorgeous palette of blues and purples that I bought from Marsha last year when I was looking for some silks to pair with some diachronic glass pendants.

Blue Diachronic Focal Necklace by Bay Moon Design

This sapphire blue diachronic focal is suspended from about 18 inches of royal blue and turquoise silk ribbons.    I meticulously wrapped the ends of both of the silk ribbons with non tarnish silver wire before attaching the silver clasp.

Blue Diachronic Foral Necklace by Bay Moon Designn

This is a gorgeous focal that I purchased years back and finally got around to making it into a necklace.  It was created by artisan Nikki Blanchard one of my favorite designers. When I first saw it, I knew that all it need was something substantial but simple to suspended the stunning focal.   I finally located a gorgeous hand dyed silk by Marsha Neal which was the perfect blue color.   I combined it with black leather cord.   The focal is suspended from about 18 inches of the silk and leather. The leather was added due to the weight of the focal.  I meticulously wrapped the ends of the silk and leather before attaching the clasp which has a complimentary floral motif.

What do you think I will do with the silk ribbons from "Down by the River"?  I am thinking that they will provide me with the opportunity to put some of my sea glass collection into a necklace.

Marsha Neal Studio Blog: Summertime Braided Bracelet Palettes

Marsha Neal Studio Blog: Summertime Braided Bracelet Palettes: I remember always carrying a tin of embroidery thread with me in the summer time as a kid. My favorite colors were any of the rich rainb...

Down by the River Is a Winner!

Marsha Neal Studio Silk Color Palette, Twelve Round 2 Finalists Palettes

I entered Marsha Neal's Silk Color challenge, and I am thrilled to say that the silks that I selected came in third place. I picked 9 colors that were inspired by a recent trip to the southwest. While there I took an amazing train ride from Durango, Colorado to Silverton, Colorado. This trip followed a beautiful green river through the mountains. My design using Marsha's new colors is called "Down by the River" and is inspired by this train ride.  It is the third palette from the left in the photo above.   I want to thank all who voted especially those who voted for me.  I look forward to creating some jewelry with these gorgeous silks. 

 The 12 palette image above from Left to Right:

Palettes in order of 8 top voted for:

Natalie Alexander: Baby Yawns

Lee Koopman: Elven Woods 

Kathy Lindemer: Down By The River 

Andrea Ross: Rain In The Garden 

Erin Prais-Hintz: Garden Party I Do 

Mary Harding: First Spears Of Spring 

Lisa Cone: California Native 

Jessica Stoops: Beach Cottage 

Jennifer Justman: Pandora's Box

Lisa Martin: Prettiness

Catherine Pruitt: Into The Night

Kim Roberts: Island Hues

BONUS DRAWING #4: FIRST WEEK OF SHOPPING!

During the first week these new palettes are for sale (as soon as they are updated or June 26 through July 1, 2012) anyone that purchases a palette from Round 1 or Round 2 finalists gets an entry for a $50 Gift Certificate to her  Etsy shop.

1 bundle = 1 entry.

2 bundles = 2 entries.

3 bundles = 3 entries.

And so on...

What does Marsha have planned for her participants?

1. Purchase silk knot bundles for projects, giveaways, promotions, etc.

2. Create and photograph projects using these silk palettes (round 1 and 2 all apply).

3. Blog or share those photographs about the projects and your inspirations.

4. I will be hosting some design challenges/ blog hops around things you make with these silks so you can show off your stuff!Those of you who love silk ribbons and who doesn't you might want to join the fun.

What do you think I will create?  I am thinking that I may want to use some of the sea glass that I have been hoarding since my Christmas trip to Isa Mujeres, Mexico where I picked up lots just outside of our house. 

Taking a Break From Wedding Planning, Down by the River

"Down by the River" Palette created by Bay Moon Design

Marsha Neal is having a contest that allows you to pick 10 colors of silks from her new color palette and create a mosaic with a real cool tool called Mosaic Maker.  I picked 10 colors that were inspired by a recent trip to the southwest. While there I took an amazing train ride from Durango, Colorado to Silverton, Colorado. This trip followed a beautiful green river through the mountains. My design using Marsha's new colors is called "Down by the River" and is inspired by this train ride.

I encourage you to try Mosaic Maker out and participate in Marsha's contest.