Goals for the New Year

Image from GraphicSock.com

Like many of you, I am reflecting on what my business goals for 2015 are.  The Art Bead Scene Nov. Challenge is responsible for my moving a little faster forward on one of my goals.  I have been wanting to make my own jewelry components for awhile.  I won a free month of publicity of on the Art Bead Scene website for the month of December for my bead entry in their November contest.

Website button created by Tari Sasser

Tari Sasser created the above button for the Art Bead Scene Blog and it has been on their website for the entire month of December.  Just having the button on their website brought a few folks to my BayMoonDesign store almost everyday in December.  I know this because I check my statistics daily.  This did 2 things for me.  It pushed me into my adding a new section on my BayMoonDesign store for handmade components.  I also had to add some components like the seahorse pendant below to the section.  This free publicity pushed me into doing this. Thank you Art Bead Scene for the push and publicity!

Seahorse Component available on BayMoonDesign

Now that I have this section actually set up in my BayMoonDesign store, I plan to expand the number of handmade components in this section until I get 100 items in 2015.  I plan to sell my handmade clasps, earwires,  as well as embossed metal with patina and sealant applied. When I have about 100 items, I will consider applying to a group of artisans for space on their website. I am looking to have a second shop that is not hosted by the same folks I am using for my jewelry.  If anyone has some suggestion, I would love to hear them.

Other Goals for 2015-
Continue to be a designer for groups such as Znetshow and Blu Mudd.
Continue to blog and post on social websites.
Increase my blog followers.  If you aren't a follower, please free consider helping me out with this goal!
Sponsor another blog hop.  Last year I sponsored a Patina Blog Hop and a Bead Peeps Blog Hop.  I may do another patina blog hop or sponsor a blog hop devoted to designs using Irish Waxed Linen Thread.  If anyone is interested in partnering with me on either of these, please let me know.

Handmade cards available for purchase at BayMoonDesign

I would love to hear what you think of my business goals!

We're All Ears-December Challenge

Brown Pearls Earrings by BayMoonDesign

The December "We're All Earrings Challenge" is an art installation with movement.  It is perfect for inspiration for earrings because by their very nature, earrings are little kinetic sculptures. They move and dangle and can be different when viewed from alternate angles. More than any other jewelry, earrings are easy to play with motion and patterns and illusion.

I created these brown pearl earrings with beautiful freshwater brown coin pearls, tiny brown glass pearls and brown crystals that are meticulously wire wrapped with sterling and attached to sterling ear wires.

December Art Inspiration

When I saw this amazing art installation which is called anamorphic, I was struck by the variety of ways that the various parts moved. I noticed how the  anamorphic image is special and distinct and has it's own way to be looked at.  I also noticed that the shape of the round forms and the light brown colors against silver looking metal.  I selected the round glass pearls and brown crystals to mimic the round objects in the art installation.  I used sterling silver wire to copy the silver looking verticals in the art.   I used a coin pearl rather than a round pearl because I wanted to add an illusion of round shape and a surprise element to the viewer of the earrings just as the installation has that element.  I love how all of the glass pearls and crystals are individual pieces and have their own way of moving yet there is also a continuity to the movement just as there is in the art.  

I am really looking forward to seeing what others create based on this art!

Dec. Art Bead Scene Challenge Inspires a Celtic Component and Brown Jasper Necklace

Color Palette by Brandi Hussey for "Choir of Sint-Bavokerk, Haarlem by Jan Saenredam

December's ABS Challenge piece is "Choir of Sint-Bavokerk, Haarlem" by Jan Saenredam.  Out of all of the challenge palettes we've had this year, this one was very different in that it had very subdued colors.  I decided to work with several shades of brown in the picture.  I selected the a shade of gold (from the hanging lantern) and a tiny bit of green.

 

Celtic Component Made by BayMoonDesign

I made my own focal component for this challenge .  The lines and arches of the church remind me of Celtic designs and because of that I embossed and patinated a Celtic design on natural brass.  I used some gold and reddish brown patina on the component.  When I was finished I put a sealant on the Celtic component.  I decided to attach a copper filigree to it.
 

Brown Jasper Necklace by BayMoonDesign

Once I had my focal,  I went about creating a 2 strand brown jasper necklace for this challenge.  I used some oval jasper beads which have different shades of brown, tan, black and even a hint of green.  I wanted to mix metals so I added natural brass chain, copper beads, and copper clasp.  I also used some round jasper beads and green and reddish brown Czech glass beads.  I am really happy with how this 2 strand necklace on a chain turned out. 

What are your thoughts on my interpretation of this month's art piece?

A Delicious December Giveaway by Silverniknats

There is a great December giveaway by Silverniknats.

This months giveaway includes:
Polymer feather bead by Claire Lockwood 
Lampwork hoops by Bead Monki 
Painted two hole coin button by Bits of NikNats 
Pendent and large bead by Round Rabbit 
Pendent by (sorry I can't remember) 
Feather pendent by Petra Carpreau 
Pair of ceramic beads by Karen Totten  
Pair of bird beads by (sorry I can't remember) 
Polymer and silver swirl by me 
Flowering heart seed by Green Girl Studios 
Lampwork ruffel bead by Kim Snider

So here's what you have to do....

Leave a comment on her blog post here.

Easy as that, of course if you would like more chances to win you could....

• Share this giveaway on your own blog, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, etc...
• Follow her blog
• Become a follower on any of her facebook pages (Silver NikNats, Bits of NikNats or Rustic NikNats)
• Follow her on Pinterest
• Like her Etsy shops Silver NikNats, Bits of NikNats or Rustic NikNats
• Leave a separate comment for all of the things that you do (if you are already a follower of her blog/shops/pinterest thats fab and you can still enter just leave your comments for each)
  every comment is an entry!
  This giveaway closes 22nd December.  Of course, I hope I win.  This would make a great birthday gift for me!

Shipping Deadlines to Get Gifts Under the Tree - Free Shipping this Week at Bay Moon Design

Image from GraphicStock

The holidays are approaching quicker than we may think and so are the Christmas shipping deadlines.  To help motivate some online shopping in BayMoonDesign.  I am offering free US shipping on purchases of $20 or more from now through Dec. 20.  Just use the code FREEUS when checking out.

USPS 2014 Christmas Shipping Deadlines:

To ensure that holiday mail and packages are delivered in time for Christmas, the Postal Service recommends the following mailing and shipping deadlines:

• Dec. 15 – Standard Post
• Dec. 17 – Global Express Guaranteed
• Dec. 20 – First-Class Mail
• Dec. 20 – Priority Mail
• Dec. 23 – Priority Mail Express*  

Here is a gift guide to help you.
Gift ideas for the coffee fiend--

Image from Graphic Stock

                      Several styles of coffee bean earrings are available at BayMoonDesign

 

Some glitter for the holidays--

Holiday Glam Jewelry is available at BayMoonDesign

Bracelets inspired by nature--

Bracelets available here

Exciting news from my studio--

These earrings are in Jewelry Stringing Winter 2015! They are a combination of Znetshows black triangles and Nina Designs sterling silver bubbles.

Black Triangle Earrings available for purchase 

Black Triangle Earrings by BayMoonDesign are in Jewelry Stringing 2015

Image from Graphic Stock

I hope I have given you a few ideas for holiday gift shopping!

2nd Annual Bead Hoarders Blog Hop

This blog hop is designed for those with piles of beads and projects to get done.  Do any of you fit this description? 

I need to design earrings for this necklace by BayMoonDesign

I took this blog hop as an opportunity to finish a custom order and make a small dent in a pile of pearls and try some new earwires.

Earrings by BayMoonDesign

I designed this pair of earrings for a customer who bought the above necklace at a craft fair.  I decided to use a lot of silver in my design.  The necklace has beautiful handmade silver links that I am highlighting with the earrings.  I choose a few vividly colored beads to clump together in the earrings just like they are clumped in the necklace.  My customer is happy with them.  One item done from my list.

Multicolored coin pearls from House of Gems

Next I am attempting to make a dent in this pile of gorgeous coin pearls from the House of Gems.  I got with the idea that these 2 strands would provide me with matching pairs of coin pearls for a variety of different colored earrings.  These freshwater coin pearls are 10-11mm in diameter and are the perfect size for earrings. For all of the earrings, I used 3 different sets ear wires from House of Gems.  They are all 21 gauge.  Notice how I paired the ear wires to go with the designs.

Blue Pearl and solidate earrings by BayMoonDesign

I made these blue coin pearl and solidate earrings and selected large loop sterling silver ear wires. I selected classic french hook ear wires because of their clean lines and length to support the beads.

Turquoise coin pearl earrings by BayMoonDesign

For these turquoise coin pearl earrings, I paired the turquoise freshwater coin pearls with white glass pearls, and turquoise swarovski crystals with tiny freshwater pearls.  For these earrings, I decided to use sterling silver ear wires with 2.5 mm ball and coil.  I selected these ear wires because I wanted to mirror the 3 mm sterling silver bead at the bottom of the earring to give the design some continuity.  This pair of earrings is available in my shop to purchase.

Purple green coin pearl earrings by BayMoonDesign

The last pair that I made has some gorgeous coin pearls that look green or purple depending on the light.  I paired these pearls with purple crystals to play on the purple in the pearls.  I paired these earrings with sterling silver ear wires with coils.  For this pair I wanted to use ear wires that were simple and delicate.

I did give away some of the pink pearls to the winner of my 15th BNB Challenge and the rest I am hoarding for awhille!

 A special thanks to Lori Anderson www.PrettyThingsBlog.com  (Hostess).
Please visit the blogs of all of the participants HERE.

Lori Anderson	www.PrettyThingsBlog.com  (Hostess)
Audrey Belanger	esperianterra.blogspot.com
Jenny Kyrlach	http://anafiassa.blogspot.com/
Kathy Lindemer	http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Lori Schneider	http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com/
Dee Elgie	http://cherryobsidia.blogspot.co.uk
Dolores Raml	http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com
Rebecca Ednie	Http://eclecticendeavours.blogspot.com
Lili Krist	http://emjestudio.blogspot.com/
Marybeth Rich	http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/
Hannah Rosner	http://goodrivergallery.wordpress.com/blog/
Nicole Prince	http://healingbeading.blogspot.com/
Deana Hager	http://justdeesarts.blogspot.com/
Jackie Ryan	http://kydojewellery.blogspot.co.uk/
Elsie Deliz-Fonseca	http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com/
Mowse Doyle	http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com/
Evelyn Shelby	http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com
Lisa Johnson	http://spudandmrsbutters.blogspot.com/
Terri Gauthier	http://terrisbloomingideas.blogspot.com/
Patti Pruhs	http://threebeadsandastring.blogspot.com
Shai Williams	http://www.shaihasramblings.com/
Andrea Glick	http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
K Hutchinson	https://jumbledhutch.wordpress.com
Marci Brooks	https://thatnothingbewasted.wordpress.com/
Jo-Ann Woolverton	itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca
Jasvanti Patel	Jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Laurie Vyselaar	Lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
Lisa Knappenberger	LIRaysaDesigns.blogspot.com
Mary Lindell	marylindell.com
Niky Sayers	silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Sandra McGriff	skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com
Patricia Handschuh	thecolorofdreams.blogspot.com
Erin Prais-Hintz	treasures-found.blogspot.com
Maria Rosa Sharrow	willowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Kathleen Breeding	www.99bobotw.blogspot.com
Monique Urquhart	www.ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com
Jackie Locantore	www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/MorningStar
Sheryl Stephens	www.babblebead.blogspot.com
Becky Pancake	www.beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Mona Arnott	www.bijouxgemsjoy.blogspot.ca
Michelle Escano	www.cabbycraft.com
Denise McCabe	www.cabewoman.blogspot.com
Carolyn Lawson	www.carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Sheila Prose	www.catswithbeads.blogspot.com
Kim Dworak	www.cianciblue.blogspot.com
Iveth Caruso	www.CreativeAtelier.net/blog
Deborah Apodaca	www.deborahapodacadesigns.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth Bunn	www.elizabethbeads.blogspot.com
Janine Lucas	www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories
Kari Asbury	www.hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com
Inge von Roos	www.ingetraud.wordpress.com
Divya N	www.jewelsofsayuri.com
Debbie Rasmussen	www.kepirasmussen.blogspot.com
KJ	www.kjsbeadaciousbeads.blogspot.com/
Klaudete Koon	www.klaudetekoon.blogspot.com
Ghislaine Kruse-van Erp	www.kruseartllc.com
Ginger Bishop	www.lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Kelly Schermerhorn	www.meanderingwithkelly.blogspot.com
Mischelle Andrade	www.micheladasmusings.blogspot.com
Sue Kelly	www.midlifegreaterexpectations.blogspot.com
Rachel Mallis	www.mintmonarch.com/#!Blog/c1jlz
Susan McClelland	www.mistheword12.com
Mary K McGraw	www.mkaymac.blogspot.com
Tania Spivey	www.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com
Stephanie Perry	www.mustardbeadbystephanieperry.blogspot.com
Mitzie Crider	www.NeedfulLuxuries.Blogspot.com
Nicole Rennell	Www.nicolerennell.com/blog
Nicole Valentine	www.nvalentine.blogspot.com
Karen Mitchell	www.overthemoon-design.com
Tammy Adams	www.paisleylizard.com/blog/
Patty Miller	www.pattymillerbeads.blogspot.com
Blanca Medina	www.peru-medesigns.com
Stephanie Haussler	www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com
Roxanne Mendoza	www.roxidesigns.blogspot.com
Claire Fabian	www.saraccino.blogspot.com
Bridget Torres	www.shears58.net
Donetta Farrington	www.simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com
Lee Koopman	www.stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Deb Fortin	www.studiok24.blogspot.ca
Susan Walls	Www.susansartcircus.com/blog
Cece Cormier	www.thebeadingyogini.com
Heather Otto	www.thecrafthopper.com
Lizzie Clarke	www.theneedtobead.blogspot.co.uk
Elizabeth Hodges	www.thewhisperingseas.blogspot.com
Fay Wolfenden	www.torchfairy.blogspot.com
Kelly Hosford Patterson	www.TravelingSideShow.blogspot.com
Nan Smith	www.wirednan.blogspot.ca
Jayne Capps	wwwww.mamasgototdoodle.blogspot.com

Robin Kae Reed                                              http://www.willowdragon.blogspot.com/
Melissa Trudinger                                            https://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/
Regina Wood                                                   http://gina-design.blogspot.com/

Round 6 Challenge Black and White Victorian Ceramics by Blu Mudd

Victorian Necklace and Bracelet by BayMoonDesign

I am fortunate to me on the Blu Mudd Design team.  The necklace and bracelet shown above are my entries in Round 6 Challenge Black and White Victorian Ceramics by Blu Mudd .

This challenge began with the members of the design team being challenged to create jewelry that contains all 5 of the Victorian style component pictured below.

Victorian components by Blu Mudd

Before creating with these Victorian ceramic components I did some research on the characteristics of Victorian jewelry.  I took away from the research some facts about flowers and pearls which influenced my design.  Flower motifs were predominant in jewelry.   Flowers were used to express love and friendship.  In the Victorian Era the technology for Cultured pearls created by Mikimoto in the early 1900s did not exist so all Pearls used in jewelry were natural pearls. Even the tiniest of pearls were of great value and lavish Parures of Seed Pearl Jewelry were created. Pearls were seen as symbolic of purity and chastity values much esteemed in the Victorian era. 

Victorian Meets Modern Necklace by BayMoonDesign

For the necklace I selected a Victorian style a16 mm antique silver rose connector by Tierra Cast and 2 matching rose beads to bring in the floral elements  of Victorian style.  I also used an antique silver clasp with a floral motif.  Pearls were my bead of choice for this necklace.  I used large black lacquered and white pearls.  I call my necklace "Victorian Meets Modern".

Matching Victorian bracelet by BayMoonDesign

The matching Victorian bracelet has a complimentary white and black ceramic, floral focal in the center and a ceramic bead with script next to it.   Both ceramics are by Blu Mudd. The black bracelet has black crystals and white pearls with silver beads. The pearl bracelet has a floral silver clasp. I think this bracelet  has a romantic look to it.

You can see all of the entries in this challenge and see the different designs.   I can win a $50 gift certificate from Blu Mudd if I get the most votes for my design.  To vote, click on like at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.895605793784951.1073741895.272858342726369&type=1
You know I would love to win that gift certificate!

This necklace and bracelet is available for purchase in my BayMoonDesign store.  Use code PIN10 for a 10% discount at checkout.