Bead Table Wednesday Devoted to Planning

Bead Table Wednesday is designed by Heather Powers to help share what is on our table today.   Today I am revealing what I received from Moriah Betterly of Blu Mudd Design for the Acorn and Leaves Challenge which will begin on September 1.  The winner of the challenge will be determined by votes.

1. My leaf and acorn beads by Blu Mudd Design

I laid out the beautiful ceramics I received and I put a penny in the midst of it so you can get an idea of the size of the beads.  For some reason, I had in my mind that the leaf would be larger and the acorn smaller.  These incorrect ideas had been floating in my mind for some time so I need to make some mental adjustments!  Next, I will have to pull out my beads and figure out what colors I will use.  I will probably create 2 strands of beads possibly some chain that all will be fairly small.  Next, I need to decide on the metal.  I am thinking of using natural brass or copper.  I don't have to use all of Moriah's beads.  Presently, I am thinking of using another acorn that I have as a charm.  The other acorn is enamel and smaller.  I will use at least one of the beads with leaves wrapped around, possibly all of them.

Acorns and Leaves Challenge on Sept. 1  (picture from GraphicStock.com

Decisions, decisions!  What are your thoughts?  Stop by Sept. 1 for a look at what Bay Moon Design's entry looks like,  as well as the other participants' designs.

Bead Table Wednesday Inspired by the Water that Surrounds Crisfield, Maryland

Crisfield, Maryland

Bead Table Wednesday

Bead Table Wednesday is designed by Heather Powers to help share what is on our table today.   Today I have a pair of completed earrings that remind me of drops of water.  These pale green earrings have ceramics by Suburban Girl Studio.  The earrings are available for purchase in my online store.

Water drop earrings by Bay Moon Design

The inspiration for these water drop earrings came from a visit today to Crisfield, Maryland.   Crisfield's heritage is on the water, it has many points of access to the Tangier Sound and Chesapeake Bay.  The site of today's Crisfield was initially a small fishing village called Annemessex Neck. During European colonization, it was renamed Somers Cove.   The name Somers Cove is used in the town.

Somers Cove

When the business potential for seafood was discovered, John W. Crisfield decided to bring the Pennsylvania Railroad to Crisfield, and the quiet fishing town grew. Crisfield is now known as the "Seafood Capital of the World".  The city's success was so great that the train soot and oyster shells prompted the extension of the city's land into the marshes. City residents often claim that the downtown area is literally built atop oyster shells.

downtown Crisfield 2014

Crisfield began to slip into decline along with the declining health of the Chesapeake Bay, prompting a "strategic revitalization plan" to address the city's future needs. Currently, Crisfield is largely a tourist destination.

Lots of water views in Crisfiled

 It hosts many annual events and festivals, the most prominent of which is the National Hard Crab Derby. Crisfield is also a major gateway to Smith Island and Tangier Island.

Boat to Smith Island or Tangier Island

 

 

 

 

 

Crustaceans are the center of this town's focus.  They are everywhere!  Crisfield's largest event is the annual National Hard Crab Derby & Fair, held every Labor Day weekend, which began in 1947. Major highlights of the Crab Derby include a parade through Main Street, the Little Miss, Little Mr. and Miss Crustacean Pageants, the Boat Docking Contest, the Crab Picking contest, and the Crab Bowl.

Blue Crab is honored on this local sign

Blue Crab and the state flower--black eyed Susan

Our trip today had the main purpose of eating a soft shell crab!  Mission Accomplished!

Soft shell crabs ready to eat

These cages are used to catch crabs in the water

Shedding floats that keep  crabs

Have  you ever had soft shell crabs and if so how did you like them?

Art Bead Scene Comes Alive with Suburban Girl Studio Ceramics

The Little Mermaid, 1911 by Edmund Dulac 

This month's July 2014 Art Scene Challenge is this illustration of "The Little Mermaid" which was prepared by Edmund Dulac for the 1911 Edition of Stories from Hans Andersen.  it was one of those accompanying the tale of "The Mermaid".

 It is associated with the following text: 'If the polyps should seize you, when you go back through my wood,' said the witch, 'just drop a single drop of this liquid on them, and their arms and fingers will burst into a thousand pieces.' But the little mermaid had no need to do this, for at the mere sight of the bright liquid, which sparkled in her hand like a shining star, they drew back in terror. So she soon got past the wood, the bog, and the eddying whirlpools.

I focused on the watery liquid of the picture and passage from the book.   I pictured some of the sea creatures in it.

                                                          Starfish Necklace by Bay Moon Design is available for purchase

 I love the pretty aqua shades and the sea creatures.  I dipped into my art bead stash and and selected some ceramics by Suburban Girl Studios.  I used 2 handcrafted porcelain seashell connectors with a sandy glaze and aqua starfish pendant connector from Suburban Girls Studios.  I even parted with a beautiful silk ribbon with lots of shades of pastel blues and pinks that remind me of the water.  I think that the aqua sea glass beads are a great fit as are the red tear drop beads.  I made the sterling silver clasp.

How do you think that I did capturing the feel of the water? 

Gems and Metal Blog Hop

Welcome the the Gems and Metal Blog Hop!


Lisa Lodge has organized another fun blog hop.  The challenge is to create some jewelry using what she sent each of us.  She selected our beads and findings using the theme "gems and minerals".

Jasper Beads and Antiqued Brass Findings sent to BayMoonDesign

Inspiration Photo by GraphicStock.com

When I saw what I was sent to use, I looked for an inspiration photo that had lush greens of a late spring.  The dirt path was shades of the brass findings in it.  The photo reminded me of a hike in the woods on a beautiful spring day.  I noticed the yellows in the photo and how they brightened up the scene.

Feather earrings by BayMoonDesign

I decided early on that I would use the 2 feathers in earrings.  I thought of using beads with them, but I decided to go all brass.  I love the look of these antiqued brass, feather earrings.

Green Jasper Bracelet by BayMoon Design

I wanted to use Irish waxed linen thread for the green jasper bracelet and necklace.  I have a number of colors of Irish waxed lace on hand.  I originally thought about using Forest Green Irish Waxed linen, but decided I wanted to brighten the necklace and bracelet and make them scream summer.  I thought about the yellows in the photo.  Well, I used a bright yellow to bring out the brass tones of the metal.  The necklace was becoming very ugly!  I then decided to use the Forest Green and I love it.

Green Jasper Necklace by BayMoonDesign

I had a brass focal that I bought on sale several years ago at Michaels.  This seemed to be the perfect opportunity to use it! This is a long necklace--24 inches plus the focal adds 2.5 inches to the length.  It has a great boho look to it.  I think these pieces will be perfect for fall and winter.  It is never to early to start on your fall line of jewelry and they are available for purchase in my BayMoonDesign online store!

I appreciate your thoughts on my pieces and so do my beading friends.  Please visit their blogs to see what they received from Lisa and what they created.

Your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist

Kim Dworak, Cianci Blue

Marybeth Rich, A Few Words from within the Pines

Karen Grosset Grange, Ginkgo et Coquelicot

Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera

Katrina Taylor, I Wanna Go Out

Ann Schroeder, Bead Love

Kathleen Breeding, 99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall

Terri Wlaschin, Dances in Fog

Margaret Pelech, Big Margaret

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Heather Richter, Desert Jewelry Designs

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

Toltec  Jewels, Jewel School Friends

Candida Elkins Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks

Catherine Yvonne King, Catherine's Musings

Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes

Shaiha Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings

Chris Eisenberg, Wanderware

Eleanor Burian Moore, The Charmed Life

Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design

Robin Reed, Artistry HCBD

Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry

Cassi Renee Paslick, Beads: Rolling Downhill

Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons

Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs

Judy Campbell, Macmillanmarie Jewellery Design

Nan Smith, Handmade Jewelry Nanmade

Marde Lowe, FanciMarDesigns

Linda Anderson, From the Bead Board

Leithleach Alainn Seodra, Alainn Jewelry

Lisa E. Prewitt Knappenberger, LiRaysa Designs

We're All Ears and Inspired by Racing Boats!

Navy blue waters and wind filled sails

This month's inspiration photo gives a little nod to the patriotic holiday we just celebrated--the 4th of July. These racing boats have very graphic sails.  I love the red, white, and blue colors.  The dark navy water against the light blue sky and the rolling waves add to the color palette choices.

 What inspired me about this photo? 

The shape of the sails filled with wind caught my attention as well the deep and dark blues in the ocean of the photo.

Blue and silver earrings are available for purchase here

These fresh, contemporary blue earrings are inspired by this photo.  They are for those who are looking for large oval dangles that are very retro looking. These navy blue earrings feature natural sodalite stones and sterling silver. The deep, ocean blues in these stones are as gorgeous as the dark blues in the photo.

Bead Table Wednesday- Patina Pieces Become Earrings

These pieces were on my table last week.

Bead Table Wednesday is designed by Heather Powers to help share what is on our table today.   Today I am revealing what I created with some Vintaj natural brass with various patinas that were applied last week.  I made several pairs of earrings with them and still have some left for another time. 

Seahorse earrings paired with sea glass beads by BayMoonDesign

I love the ocean so I was anxious to make the seahorses into earrings.  I rarely make the same piece of jewelry twice.  You can see how these 2 pairs of seahorse earrings are similar yet different. Two of the seahorses are paired with ZnetShows sea glass beads that are a very pale aqua.  I used green beads with the second pair of seahorses.  The shades of patina on these 2 pair of earrings are slightly different also.

Seahorse Earrings paired with green beads by BayMoonDesign

Which pair of the seahorse earrings are your favorite pair?

Pink floral earrings by BayMoonDesign

These brass flower earrings are for those who are looking for artisan and earthy earrings.  I hung them on gold colored ear wires to highlight the gold color of the metal that shows through the patina.

These are long earrings that hang 3 inch in length from the top of the earwires. They are light on the ears. I love the cutouts in the rectangle. You can see through those areas.

Purple Floral Earrings by BayMoonDesign

I love purple and green together.  My bead stash had just the right shades of the two colors that I was able to use both colors with the metal to create these purple floral earrings.

I still have some pieces remaining.  It takes me much more time than you might think to find the perfect beads to pair with them.  I also like to photograph and list them in my Etsy store before  I blog about them.  Plus, I always find photographing my jewelry a challenge.  I try to use natural light and have had luck with using a white skylight area in my home for the photos.  I have to work around my cat Lucy because he loves to bask in the sun there no matter how hot it may be.  He also delights in surrounding himself with my beads, props,  and jewelry.

Lucy in my skylight with photo props.

So adorable and annoying!

Bead Table Wednesday Devoted to Patinas

Metals that have different Patina's applied

Bead Table Wednesday is designed by Heather Powers to help share what is on our table today.   Today I am showing some Vintaj natural brass with various patinas applied.  These are all ready to be made into jewelry. 

Prior of appling patinas I embossed seahorses on 4 of the rectangular pieces and round disk. I then washed the pieces to get any grease or dust off.  After the patina was applied I used a sanding block to remove some of the patina to give the pieces a rustic, vintage look.  Sealant was applied as the last step.  I now have pieces ready to use in creating 5 pairs of earrings and a pendant.

I appreciate your stopping by and seeing what is on my beading table this week.  Hopefully I can show the finish pieces next week.

Creative Spark Magazine Featuring Znetshow Designers Daytime and Evening Jewelry

Grab a col drink, sit back and enjoy another issue of Creative Spark Magazine. This issue is devoted to summer jewelry for daytime and evening.  Znetshows designers use cultured sea glass, sea glass beads and Chinese crystals to create earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.  What I like a lot is that the pieces were created as sets.   If you are a jewelry designer, you will want to look at the beads that Znetshows offers at wholesale prices.  I love some of the unique designs that they offer.  I love the Znetshows sand dollar beads that I used in a couple of my designs.  They are perfect for summer jewelry!

ZnetShows sand dollar beads

Whether you are a jewelry designer or fashionista, you will enjoy this magazine!

 

Just click on the cover to see over 120 designs by the Znetshows designers. My designs are in here!
Enjoy browsing!

Summer Days and Nights Jewelry Blog Hop

 

Znetshows beads received by BayMoonDesign

Welcome to a Znetshows sea glass challenge blog hop. The theme is “Summer Days and Nights”.  The challenge as  Znetshows designers was to make at least one daytime (casual) set and one nighttime (dressy) set with the sea glass beads we received.

Daytime Graduation Party Jewelry needed

My Daytime Design Idea was to make a set of matching jewelry for a graduation party for my cousin.  My jewelry includes an aqua blue necklace with a beautiful sand dollar, matching sand dollar bracelet, and white and aqua earrings.

Aqua Sand dollar Necklace by BayMoonDesign

I made a pair of matching handmade clasps for both the necklace and bracelet.

Sand dollar bracelet by BayMoonDesign

White sea glass bead earrings byBayMoonDesign

If you would like to make a set like this, I have created this shopping list from ZnetShows .
For the earrings I used:
 P31-B42S - Cultured Sea Glass concaved coin Pendants 18mm 42-Opaque White concaved - earring size   

For the bracelet:
P49-B42S-Cultured Sea Glass sand dollar Pendants 42-Opaque white

For necklace:P49-B42S-Cultured Sea Glass sand dollar Pendants 42-Opaque white 

Cultured Sea Glass teardrop round Beads 42-Opaque White Cultured Sea Glass hypnotic Pendants 28-Turquoise Bay freeform
Cultured Sea Glass double-hole flat freeform mix Pendants two hole 28-Turquoise Bay    

I don't know about you, but I love the sand dollar beads!

The graduation party was a lot of fun.  It was great seeing lots of relatives and friends.   The weather was magnificent.  The location of the party on the Severn River in Maryland was perfect for a late Spring day.

Graduation Party in full swing

The food was fabulous!  One of my favorite treats there were chocolate graduation caps and cupcakes.  What a great idea!

Reese's Graduation caps

My next event that calls for some special jewelry is an evening wedding.

Evening Garden Wedding

For this wedding,  I wore my go to little black cocktail dress with purple heels and purse.  I created some pieces that tied the purple and black outfit together. The Znetshows crystals that I used in the pieces are perfect for special, evening events.

Black and Lavender Evening Necklace by BayMoonDesign

Black and lavender evening bracelet by BayMoonDesign

For the necklace and bracelet, I used matching morning glory clasps sold by Znetshows.  They are my favorites.

Matching lavender earrings by BayMoonDesign

If you would like to make this set of jewelry you need the following Znetshows pieces:

Necklace:
Cultured Sea Glass fancy ring Pendants freeform large hole 02-Jet Black   -PMX7-B02
Cultured Sea Glass barrel nugget Beads 0 -opaque purple color(13-pc-str)   -S79-B161
Cultured Sea Glass barrel Beads 02-Jet Black (7-pc-str)(about 8-in-str)  -S74-B02
Chinese crystal designer glass Beads faceted 25x9mm 121 - Half Heliotrope -elongated oval
M0314-AS-1 - Base Metal Alloy Finding 20x14mm antique silver tone morning glory vine toggle clasps

Bracelet:
Cultured Sea Glass fancy ring Pendants freeform large hole 02-Jet Black   -PMX7-B02

Cultured Sea Glass barrel nugget Beads 0 -opaque purple color(13-pc-str)   -S79-B161
Cultured Sea Glass rondelle Beads 02-Jet Black -black color (8-in-str) - S24-B02

Earrings:
Cultured Sea Glass barrel nugget Beads 0 -opaque purple color(13-pc-str)   -S79-B161
Chinese crystal designer glass Beads faceted 25x9mm 121 - Half Heliotrope -elongated oval
M0314-AS-1 - Base Metal Alloy Finding 20x14mm antique silver tone morning glory vine toggle clasps    

Of course you can buy all of the pieces in my BayMoonDesign online store!

As always, I appreciate you taking time to read my blog and I love to read your comments.  The other participants would love to have you visit their blogs and leave comments also.  I know I can't wait to see what they have created for daytime and evening.  

Please visit:

Amy Severino

Andrea Trank

BeckyPancake

BobbieRafferty

BR Kuhlman

CharlieJacka

ChristieMurrow

ChristinaMiles

ChristineStonefield

CynthiaMachata

CynthiaRiggs

DonettaFarrington

HopeSmitherman

KashmiraPatel

KathyLindemer

Kay Thomerson

KellyPatterson

KlaudeteKoon

Lee Koopman

Lisa Lodge

RenethaStanziano

SandraWashington

Shaiha Williams

SherylStephens

StephanieHaussler

TammieEverly