Saturday, March 30, 2013

My Reveal for Lori Anderson's 7th Bead Soup Blog Hop


Special Packages sent to me from Jayne Capps for Bead Soup Blog Hop
  I was very excited about the packages that my partner Jayne Capps sent me for the Bead Soup Blog Hop 7.  When I opened the envelope,  I found a personal note from her and 3 cute little envelopes.  Inside each envelope she carefully wrapped different ingredients for the "soup".  She sent 2 focals, a clasp with hints of turquoise, turquoise beads, citrine, and African trade beads.  I couldn't wait to create with this mix, but I have to say it was a real challenge.

The necklace went through numerous redesigns.  I intended to use the African trade beads, turquoise, and beautiful citrine and ended up using none.  The reason being that the Irish waxed linen that I was determined to use wouldn't fit through them.  I even downsized from 6 ply thread that I originally  to 4 ply natural Irish waxed linen thread that I ended up using.  Since I only had to use 1 of the 2 focals  and the clasp, I could abandon those gorgeous beads and add them to my bead stash.

Love this cute monkey with a banana!

I then had to decide which focal to use.  I love both so I used both since they look like they belong together.  I also thought that these focals had the potential for a tribal look that is so popular this year.  I got that Irish waxed thread back out and tried and tried until I came up with a design that I was happy with.  I think that the Irish waxed linen is a perfect fit for those focals.  It gives them an earthy look.  I think you will agree that the monkey eating banana makes a unique and fun focal.
Monkey Necklace by BayMoonDesign Available on Etsy

Next,  I went through my bead stash looking for the perfect colors, textures, and hole size.  I love copper and I think that the copper brings out the colors in the focal and thread.  It also ties in with the copper in the clasp.  The wooden beads and shell chips in my bead stash also meet my color, texture, and hole size criteria.  If you look, you will see that I had to change the way I beaded with the thread from starting with 2 strands at the focal and through the wooden beads to 1 thread beginning with the first copper bead to the clasp. I had to figure out how to do this and where.

Has Popular Tribal Look


This was really a challenge but I am happy I stuck with it and thrilled with my monkey necklace.
Alligator in the Everglades, Florida
I visited the Everglades a few times while working on this necklace and I have to say that even though I didn't see any monkeys there, I could imagine them along with the alligators which were plentiful.  Seeing those alligators was a thrill and a bit scary.

Birdie Giveaway
  I won these 3 darling bird beads by Blueberribeads.  I have decided to share 2 of them.  I gave 1 to my BSBH partner Jayne.  Please stop by her blog to see what she did with it.  I am giving it away to a lucky person who wins a random drawing for it.  Anyone who comments on my blog can earn 1 entry.   Following my blog earns another entry.  A third entry can be made by liking my Etsy store.  Of course, I kept 1 for myself.

Like my store at: http//www.baymoondesign.etsy.com
or 
Like my Baymoondesign  facebook page.
The winner will be announced May 1, 2013 on my blog.

Another bonus for my readers!  I am offering a 10% discount in my Etsy store between now and April 7.  Just use the code FFAWEAW when you check out.  Happy Spring!


Please stop by the other participants' blogs on this hop.  Thank you Lori Anderson for organizing this!  A complete list of participants is available on Lori's website.

54 comments:

  1. I love the design you've made.It definitly has a tribal look. I find it's ingenious using 1 strand and 2 strands at the same necklace. Well thought.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kathy you did a great job w/ the monkey! I always wonder HOW everyone else gets their cord through the beads, I run into the same problem. Thanks again,Kathy, I really love my little spring bracelet! :D

    ReplyDelete
  3. The necklace is wonderful! I love the subtle colors and the texture - it would look great for casual wear but the artistry makes it great for dress-up too. I can imagine it on a dramatic black dress. Thanks for the inspiration and the giveaway opportunity.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a great necklace! I love the organic design of it, and those cream colored beads are fantastic! of course I like the little monkey too :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. WOW! I just love the way the different sizes and colors all work together. AMAZING!! ~KM http://kraftymax.blogspot.com/2013/03/7th-bead-soup-blog-party-reveal-33113.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love you necklace and color scheme!

    ReplyDelete
  7. love how natural and organic it turned out

    ReplyDelete
  8. Absolutely gorgeous pieces! AMAZING!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love the necklace - great work!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lovely colors, I love the tribal look of this necklace!

    ReplyDelete
  11. The beads you used set off the monkey beautifully. And I love the monkey pendant. Lovely lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  12. The beads you used set off the monkey beautifully. And I love the monkey pendant. Lovely lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wonderful job on the necklace! I love the color palate - very unusual.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm on the 3rd reveal, I'm partecipating for the 3rd time on BSBP, I'm visiting all blogs...
    beautiful necklace, great work! it is so funny :)
    and thanks for the giveaway, I hope to be lucky
    ciao dall'Italia

    ReplyDelete
  15. It's so original, and the way tou put the beads together is perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Definitely a tribal feel going on with that little guy on there :) Love the knotting!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your necklace is very light and pretty - perfect for Summer! The monkey's just adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great monkey necklace! What fun. Love the colors you choose to accent this great focal.
    I’m in the third reveal. Can’t wait.
    kathy

    ReplyDelete
  19. You did a wonderful job. I would have been totally stumped by that monkey. Even though he is super cute. You pulled off a well executed, lovely, nature inspired piece. Kudos!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love love love your work...

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love monkeys and also using ivory colors. Total tribal and beach look to this great piece. Fun Soup!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Love the ivory colours and copper mix, topped of with the fab monkey focal.x

    ReplyDelete
  23. Interesting necklace-love it!
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  24. what a cool necklace. i love it!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great necklace.....loving the tribal feel and the copper is perfect with the ivory colour beads.I'm in the 3rd reveal and am so inspired by everyone's creations this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Such a great idea and design! I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I like the tribal look to your necklace, very creative and beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  28. great for summer. I love how you used the wax linen and the whole feel of your design.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Your necklace complimented the focal beautifully. Great work!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Very nice work, great design. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Love the fun, tribal design! The focal is charming and great colour palette.
    How sweet to do the giveaway, too. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Great necklace, would be so fun to wear...and I love the little birds.

    ReplyDelete
  33. What a cool necklace and it looks great paired with the white blouse.

    ReplyDelete
  34. What a great necklace for so many looks!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Very nice design...I really like the monochromatic effect. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Very nice! Very natural..what a great focal!

    ReplyDelete
  37. How great that you found a way to use both of those wonderful focals - and that you included a little yellow to reference the banana the little monkey has in his hands!

    ReplyDelete
  38. It's beautiful, my dear! Like the nature colors - so you can wear it with almost every clothing!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Refreshing to see mostly white jewelry! Pretty focals and great use of soup! Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  40. AWESOME use of focals! And it's a striking necklace! Very well done!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Great design that highlights the focals. It looks like a necklace you could wear with almost anything.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I love the necklace design - and I want that birdie :) I'm following your blog and like you on Etsy.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Just getting around to hopping--love your use of light colors.

    And that bird wants to build a nest at my house! I've liked your shop already.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Your necklace turned out quite nice. It seems perfect for a day at the beach. :)

    ReplyDelete