Monday, October 27, 2014

Art Bead Scene's October Challenge


Available for Purchase at BayMoonDesign



This magenta necklace  is inspired by October's Art Bead Scene Challenge.  Milton Avery's painting Autumn is the inspiration piece.

Milton Avery's Autumn is this month's inspiration piece

Milton Avery is a wonderful colorist and designer of two-dimensional patterns in the tradition of Matisse.  He uses color and elegant expanse of shape relating to nature.
His landscapes often use interlocking shapes of color.  The vivid magenta in the middle of the painting and the navy blue leaf just jumped out at me. The rest of the painting has very traditionally autumn colors. I have to admit that these colors were a real challenge for me.

Available for purchase at BayMoonDesign


It wasn't until I found the magenta, pink, black and yellow spiral focal by Marsha Neal that I was able to move forward with the necklace.  I pulled in orange autumn colors by using copper and natural brass.  The focal has copper added to it and it has 3 natural brass chains incorporated into it. The chains have brown and blue leaves dangling from it.  The copper bar in the focal is handmade. I selected magenta coin pearls, cream, navy blue, and pink beads to include in the necklace. I created the circular, copper clasp to mirror the circles in the focal. I love the boho look of this autumn necklace.

This month the Art Bead Scene has mixed things up a bit with our challenge. They are now using Pinterest as the place to show off the entries. And there is a bead category for beadmakers to enter. So jump on over to the Art Bead Scene to check out the challenge and see what everyone has made.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Octoberfest Blog Hop October 26

Sponsored by Toltec Jewels
THIRD ANNUAL 
OCTOBERFEST 
BLOG HOP
Sunday October 26, 2014

 A Home & Hearth Celebration of Autumn's Splendor 
featuring handcrafted jewelry, artisan beads, home decor, 
food, friends & family.


Happy Halloween from BayMoonDesign

Fall gourds (photo from Graphicstock.com)
When I think of this time of year all kinds of decorations and foods involving gourds come to mind.

Squash (photo from Graphicstock.com)

In fact the colors in this squash dish served as the inspiration for my orange  triple wrap bracelet which is made with lush deer hide leather, a sterling silver infinity link, and a charm by Humblebeads.  The colors in the  bracelet remind me of the gorgeous fall colors that are in gourds, leaves, and flowers.
Orange Triple Wrap Leather Bracelet is available for purchase at BayMoonDesign




Halloween is a time when thoughts turn to scary and creepy things!  I decided to select scary spiders as my creepy subject.
Along came a spider!

Along Came a Spider Cake

All you need to create this dazzling cake is boxed German Choclate cake mix, store-bought frosting, and black sanding sugar. 


Ingredients





1 box(es) Betty Crocker Super Moist German Chocolate cake mix, prepared
1 1/3 cup(s) grade-A dark maple syrup
1/2 cup(s) pumpkin pie filling
1 tub(s) Duncan Hines Classic Vanilla frosting
Black sanding sugar, for decoration

Directions
  1. Distribute prepared cake mix between two 8-inch pans coated with cooking spray. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes at 350°F, then cool 10 minutes in pans before turning out onto a wire rack.
  2. Ice top of one cake layer with vanilla frosting and place second cake layer on top. Ice entire double-layered cake. Chill in fridge for 15 minutes.
  3. Print spider template; cut as directed, and center stencil on cake. Sprinkle black sanding sugar to cover image, keeping rest of cake clean. Press sugar lightly with fingers to make sure it adheres. Brush off excess sugar and carefully remove stencil.
From Country Living Magazine

Image from Graphicstock.com


Spider earrings available for purchase at BayMoonDesign
These spider earrings are just plain fun for Halloween.

Spider Necklace available for purchase at BayMoonDesign


This spider necklace features a handmade, artisan spider focal of a spider.  This unique necklace features the ceramic focal focal, pretty blue, gold, and chartrouse green beads. The necklace has handmade brass links, connector, and clasp that I made.

I love to use art beads and I selected a focal by WhiteCloverKiln. Don't you just love the dark blue and green glaze that was used!
Image from Graphicstock.com

Please visit the participating artists and leave kind comments.  You will be amazed by the creations and thoughts about October.

Participating Artists



Toltec Jewels                            Jewel School Friends (hostess)

Dini Bruinsma                           http://www.angazabychanges.blogspot.nl/


Marybeth Rich                          http:/forestofjewels.blogspot.com/


Mary Govaars                           http://www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com/


Mischelle Andrade-Fanucchi     http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com


Karin Grosset Grange               http://ginkgoetcoquelicot.blogspot.fr


Andrea Zenith Glick                  http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/


Nan Smith                                http://wirednan.blogspot.com


Linda Anderson                        http://CherryOnTopDesign.Co


Becky Pancake                        http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com


Melissa Trudinger                     http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/


Lennis Carrier                          http://windbent.wordpress.com/


Sue Kennedy                           http://suebeads.blogspot.com/


Kim Dworak                            http://www.cianciblue.blogspot.com/


Jo-Ann Woolverton                  http://itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca


Jennifer Reno                           http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/


Veralynne Malone                    http://veradesigns.blogspot.com 


Lori Schneider                          http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com/


Shaiha Williams                        http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/


Alisa Siceloff                            http://armoredmermaid.blogspot.com


Pam Traub                               http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com/


Cryss Thain                              http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/


Maria Lourdes Rios                 http://mlourdes24.blogspot.com


Kathy Lindemer                       http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/


Carolyn Lawson                      http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com


Blanca Medina                        http://www.peru-medesigns.com/


Debbie Rasmussen                  www.Kepirasmussen.blogspot.ca


Heather Richter                       http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/


Kathleen Breeding                   http://99bobotw.blogspot.com/


Carol Dillman                          http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/


Chris Eisenberg                       www.wanderware.blogspot.com


Rebecca Sirevaag                    www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com


Sam Waghorn                          http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk


Sherri Stokey                           www.KnotJustMacrame.com


Gina Hockett                           www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com


Michelle McCarthy                  http://fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com


Michelle Buettner                     http://www.MiShelDesigns.blogspot.com


Dana Hickey                            http://magpieapproved.blogspot.com


Claire Fabian                            http://saraccino.blogspot.com 


Cynthia Abner                          http://createdtreasures.blogspot.com


Renetha Stanziano                    http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com


Jami Shipp                               http://CelebratingLifewithDaMamaShipp.blogspot.com


Charlie                                     http://505indiechic.blogspot.com


Gloria Allen                              http://gloriaallendesigns.blogspot.com


Lisa Johnson                             http://spudandmrsbutters.blogspot.com


Marde Lowe                            http://fancimardesigns.blogspot.com


Monique Urquhart                    http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com


Jill Bradley                                 http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com


Toni Gifford                              https://plus.google.com/+ToniG28


Shawnda D'Arcy                      https://www.facebook.com/JewelryByShawnda


RaMona Woolson                    http://jerseygirlsbeadwork.blogspot.com


Esterina Jagiella                        http://ekleijar.blogspot.com


Sandra McGriff                        http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com


Mary McGraw                         http://mkaymac.blogspot.com


Alenka Obid                            http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com


Marianne Baxter                      http://simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com


Ann Schroeder                        www.beadlove.wordpress.com


Inge von Roos                          http://ingetraud.wordpress.com


Robin Reed                              http://willowdragon.blogspot.com


Suzanne Berk                           https://www.facebook.com/IRescueJewelryDesign


Mowse Doyle                          http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com


Diana Miglionico Shiraishi         http://jasmineteadesigns.blogspot.com


RanaLea                                  http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com


Andrea Rivers                          http://turtlesoupcreative.blogspot.com


Janine Lucas                            http://esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories

Tanya McGuire                        http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com

Anindita Basu                          http://alankarshilpa.blogspot.com

Mitzie Crider                           http://needfulluxuries.blogspot.com

Deb Fortin                               http://studiok24.blogspot.ca

Cynthia Kent Machata             http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com

Cheri Reed                              http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com

Laurel Hanson                         http://stonewingdesigns.com/blogs/stonewingdesignsblog

Ingrid Anderson                      http://lilisgems.wordpress.com/

Karla Morgan                          http://Texaspepperjams.blogspot.com

Lori Anderson                         www.PrettyThings.com

Louise Mccormick-Glazier       http://lilyandjasmine.blogspot.com/

Jasvanti Patel                          http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com

Susan Kelly                            http://http://midlifegreaterexpectations.blogspot.com/

Lee Koopman                        http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com/

Carol Briody                          http://cbriody.blogspot.com/

Renetha Stanziano                http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/

Divya N                               http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com/
The Stanley Hotel, known for its architecture, magnificent setting, and famous visitors, may possibly be best known today for its inspirational role in the Stephen King's novel, "The Shining." This Colorado hotel has been featured as one of America's most haunted hotels and with the numerous stories from visitors and staff, The Stanley Hotel continues to "shine" today, as it did in 1909 when first opened. - See more at: http://www.stanleyhotel.com/#sthash.Cya2LWos.dpuf
The Stanley Hotel, known for its architecture, magnificent setting, and famous visitors, may possibly be best known today for its inspirational role in the Stephen King's novel, "The Shining." This Colorado hotel has been featured as one of America's most haunted hotels and with the numerous stories from visitors and staff, The Stanley Hotel continues to "shine" today, as it did in 1909 when first opened. - See more at: http://www.stanleyhotel.com/#sthash.Cya2LWos.dpuf

Saturday, October 25, 2014

4th Delaware by Hand Holiday Market in Dover, Delaware

 I am busy getting ready for craft fairs.  My first craft fair of the season in next weekend.
  
November 1, 2014 -9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Biggs Museum of American Art
406 Federal Street, Dover, DE
Admission is FREE! 
The 4th Annual Delaware by Hand Holiday Market at the Biggs Museum will  feature over 40 of Delaware's top artists. Find the perfect holiday gifts for everyone on your list, celebrate the best of Delaware's art scene, and enjoy food (available for purchase) from Mojo Loco, a local food truck. The media featured includes hand blown glass, woodwork, painting, jewelry, pottery and sculpture. 

While you're there, visit First State Heritage Park's 18th Century Market Fair right next door.    

I hope you will stop by and say hello if you are in the area.  I will have lots of handmade jewelry and cards there.

I will have one of a kind items there.   In addition to these unique items, I will have some of my popular holiday items that are available in my online store also.  Some of these items include:

Polar bear Christmas card
New this year is  a custom polar bear card.  The saying "a very merry Christmas to you" is inside in matching red ink.

There are adorable features on this card like the children with gifts, a button on paper ribbon. The polar bear has gorgeous greens around the neck. A high quality white envelope is included.
Santa Owl Holiday Cards are available online and at fair

My popular Santa owl card is available both at the fair and online.   The saying Ho Ho Ho is inside in matching red ink.   There are adorable features on this card like the owl's Santa hat, embossed snow flakes on the cream, colored paper. The owl's vest has tiny snow flakes on it. A high quality cream colored envelope is included.

Coffee Bean Earrings are available in several styles
Do you have a friend that is a coffee geek? What better than to acknowledge this coffee habit than with these earrings. The "coffee beans" are handcrafted from polymer clay and hang from long kidney wires. Both earrings have blue kyanite rondelles added to them to give them a pop of turquoise blue.

These coffee bean earrings are available year round and in several styles.  I have sent these all over the world as gifts!






Snowmen Earrings
These snowmen earrings are available at the fair and online.  The lampwork is made by an SRA artist.  The are great earrings for the winter month.


Image from Graphicstock.com


 I hope to see you at the fair or online at my BayMoonDesign store.  Custom orders are welcome!



















Thursday, October 23, 2014

Silvernknats Is Having a GIveaway!


Wouldn't you love to win some of these goodies!
SilverNikNats has too much stuff!  Sound like anyone you know?
She is giving away the following goodies:

To Win leave a comment on her blog
Scroll down to Giveaway on her blog. 
easy as that, of course if you would like more chances to win you could....
Please leave a separate comment for all of the things that you do 

This giveaway closes 31st October 12.00 UK time where she will use random number genarator to pick a winner!
and make sure you pop back on 31st October to see if you have won!
 

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Kick Back and Enjoy Gorgeous Jewelry Designs and Tutorials

Creative Spark Fall 2014 Fall 2014
Click HERE to view Creative Spark Magazine



Grab a hot beverage, sit back and enjoy another issue of Creative Spark Magazine. This issue is devoted to fall jewelry.  Znetshows designers use cultured sea glass, sea glass beads and Chinese crystals, metals to create earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.  
GraphicStock.com


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.  This issue also includes some great tutorials.  One of my favorites is a tutorial for acorn beads.

Graphicstock.com
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. 
 
  Enjoy browsing!


Monday, October 13, 2014

My Online Store Returns Home After a Visit to a Famous Haunted Hotel


The Stanley Hotel-Stephen King's Inspiration for The Shinning
Estes Park, Colorado, is the gateway to the Rocky Mountain National Park's lush forests.  The Stanley Hotel which was built by F.O. Stanley in 1909 is located there.  The main building was one of 11 buildings in the original complex. Many of those original buildings remain in use today on the remaining 55 acres.

Hotel has the Rocky Mountains in the background.

This Colorado hotel has been featured as one of America's most haunted hotels and with the numerous stories from visitors and staff, The Stanley Hotel continues to "shine" today, as it did when first opened.

1st edition cover of The Shining by Stephen King

When I heard that The Stanley Hotel in Estes Peak, Colorado was visited by Stephen King and served as the inspiration for his novel "The Shining,” I knew I had to visit it.
Staircase to 2nd floor
"The Shining" is a horror novel which was published in 1977.  It was King's third published novel and first hardback bestseller.  The book firmly established King as a preeminent author in the horror genre. The setting and characters are influenced by King's personal experiences, including both his visit to The Stanley Hotel in 1974 and his recovery from alcoholism.


1st floor
"The Shining" is about the life of Jack Torrance, an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic who accepts a position as the off-season caretaker of the historic Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies. His family accompanies him on this job, including his young son Danny. Danny possesses "the shining," an array of psychic abilities that allow Danny to see the horrific past of the hotel. Soon, after a winter storm leaves them snowbound, the supernatural forces inhabiting the hotel influence Jack's sanity, leaving his wife and son in incredible danger.  From the plot how King's visit here helped to shape the novel.
1st floor

This hotel has kept its appeal and mystery.  It is furnished as it would have been in the early 1900"s.



The back of the hotel
I enjoyed to book as well as the movie which came out in 1980. It was produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick and starred a favorite actor of mine-Jack Nicholson.  I love to recall the scene when he says, "Oh, Wendy, I'm home."


All of this mystery made me think of Toltec Jewels Octoberfest blog hop which s coming up very soon.

THIRD ANNUAL 
OCTOBERFEST 
BLOG HOP
Sunday October 26, 2014
 I have most of my pieces for the jewelry that I am making for this blog hop laid out on my work table at home, however, I still have a few design issues to work out and components to make.  I also need to get home to make the pieces.  I hope to be home this Thurs. and I will be very busy getting ready for The Delaware by Hand Holiday Market in Dover, Delaware as well as this blog hop.  I hope you will stop by my blog on Oct. 26 to see what I come up with.  If you are in Delaware on Nov. 1, please stop by and visit the Bay Moon Design booth at The Biggs Museum for this holiday fair.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Friday, October 10, 2014

My Etsy Store Travels to the tundra in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado




Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is  located in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. It has marvelous views of mountains and lakes.  It is also the headquarters of the Colorado River.  I think that the  varied climates and environments—from wooded forests to mountain tundra all in one park make it a special place.

Mushroom Rocks
A favorite part of the trip in the is park was the hike we took at the highest elevation of the park.  To get to the hike, we traveled up a  road that reached an elevation of 12,183 feet (3,713 m).   A few days before we got there the road was closed due to snow.  We were lucky that it reopened and we could enjoy a look at the tundra.  Almost at the very top of the hike, we came across the Mushroom Rocks which were an interesting rock formation.


Rydbergia--Rocky Mountain Alpine Sunflower


On the way up, I found some rydbergia plants.  This alpine plant is often called old-man-of-the-mountain.  It is a variety of Rocky Mountain sunflower.  Its yellow flowers were a welcome sight in a landscape of whites,  browns and grays.  Many of the plants in this are are found only in Alaska, Canada, and Syberia. 

Pika

This area also has some special wildlife.   I was able to catch a photo of the pika which is related to rabbits and hares.  This photo also shows another color-green which pops out in the stark background of the tundtra. 

View of the highest elevation in the park.
 As we traveled back down, I thought about how special this area and experience are. I also thought about how a little color goes along way sometimes.  That is a lesson that I can apply to my creations in my BayMoonDesign online Etsy store.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

My Esty Store Travels to Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite, California


reservoir

There are a lot of curvy roads that wind around the mountains in Yosemite National Park, California,  but the narrowest and scariest are into the Hetch Hetchy Valley.  Once you are there, however,  you realize it is well worth the trip. There you can see the O'Shaughnessy Dam.  It is a 430-foot (131 m) high concrete arch-gravity dam. The dam and reservoir are the source for the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct, which provides water for over 2 million people in San Francisco and other municipalities of the west Bay Area.

Although San Francisco had sought Tuolumne River water as early as the 1890s, this project did not move forward until the famous earthquake and fire of 1906, which highlighted the insufficiency of the existing water supply. The Hetch Hetchy Valley – then compared to Yosemite Valley for its scenic beauty – was chosen for its water quality and hydroelectric potential, but the location within Yosemite National Park generated controversy. It tool an act of Congress to circumvent federal protection of the Tuolumne River.  The reasoning was that public land should be developed for the public benefit.
Produces hydroelectric power

Construction of the dam started in 1919 and was finished in 1923,  The first of the water was delivered in 1934 after numerous delays. From 1935–38 the dam was raised to increase its capacity for water supply and power generation. Deriving from a largely wild and pristine area of the Sierra Nevada, the Hetch Hetchy supply is some of the cleanest municipal water in the US, requiring only primary filtration and disinfection.


The dam is named for engineer Michael O'Shaughnessy, who oversaw its construction.  Unfortunately for him,  he died a few days before its dedication.  It is a very impressive feat of engineering.  They had to build a railroad from a little town called Grove Point.  We stopped in Grove Point to buy groceries earlier in the week so I had knowledge of its remote location in the mountains.
surveyors mark

I discovered that there are surveyors marks on the dam that you used now to measure any shifting of the concert.  You know all about the earthquake situation in California!  I did see some large cracks there.
Wapama Falls (dry falls in fall)


We decided to go for a hike around the reservoir to the Wapama Falls.  The walk started up hill on a good path.  As we progressed, it go hotter and hotter and the path narrower and narrower with no humans in sight.  We found a sign along the way which indicated the falls were a little over a mile.  We can do that!  Only problem was that there were more rocks and less path.  When we finally spotted the falls we saw that they were dried up and there had been a rock slide which is why the path had all but disappeared.  We turned back and along the way we found a bear track.  This made us pick up the pace.  We started to run into some other hikers who had gotten a later start.  They were resting and talking about how the area looked like bear country.  My thoughts exactly! 

It was time to head back to our huge truck and tiny, windy roads.  After all, I had to get back to camp to check on my BayMoonDesign Internet based store.  Perhaps there are some sales.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

My Etsy Store Travels to Favorite Spot in Yosemite-Tenaya Lake



Tenaya Lake
In my opinion, Tenaya Lake is one of the prettiest spots in Yosemite National Park.  I discovered others felt that way too.  I learned the great beauty of this lake was known to the Native American Indians. Tannery Lake is named after Chief Tenaya, who met the Mariposa Brigade near the shores of the lake. Tenaya protested that the lake already had a name: Pie-we-ack, or "Lake of the Shining Rocks."This original name is now attached to a granite dome to the east of the lake.

As part of the 1864 Yosemite grant, the area became the first park land to be federally protected for preservation and public use. Yosemite became a national park in 1916 with the advent of the National Park Service.


Tenaya Lake


This area  has it all going on there.  It is an alpine lake in Yosemite National Park, located between Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows. The surface of Tenaya Lake has an elevation of 8,150 feet (2,484 m).
Lake is great for water activities

There is a backdrop of light granite rocks. It is a popular lake for water activities such as kayaking, canoeing or sailing  on the lake.  We also found some folks SUPping there.  A few hardly folks were swimming and wadding in the water, 
Mountain climbers

It is also a popular spot for rock climbers.  I always find it amazing that folks enjoy doing this,  I find it very scary,  I will stick with my water activities.

My Husband enjoying a walk around the lake.

My husband and I look advantage of some of the trails there and around the lake.  We discovered there were painters catching the beauty of this spot on their canvas.  I took several photos there with hope of having them inspire some of my future handmade cards.  I also picked up some pine cones and smelled the delicious sap that had collected on one.  This spot is truly a gem to enjoy for many different reasons.  I am glad we have it saved for the future for all to enjoy.

When we got back to our campsite, I discovered that my BayMoonDesign store had 2 Etsy orders.  The orders came at a good time for me.  We were leaving soon which meant that I would have cell service soon.  This was important because once again I needed to be on the hot spot network to print my order from our network printer,  I could probably work around that if need be, but I didn't want to have to strain my brain any further.  I think I could print the shipping labels as .pdf files, save them to my desktop, and then print them.  I need to test that someday when I am not as tired from exploring the lake.