Bead Soup Mix Challenge Inspires a Redo of a Necklace

Humblebeads Purple and Green Polymer Clay Bead

Heather Powers of Humblebeads  Bead Soup Mix Challenge is an easy one--create a piece of jewelry with at least one Humblebead in the mix.  I took this as an opportunity to redo a necklace that I wasn't happy with and combine a new lotus flower ceramic that I just purchased from Jenny Davies-Reazor with a pretty purple and green polymer clay bead by Humblebeads that I had been hoarding.  

This is the necklace that I redesigned.

I redid this purple rabbit necklace because I thought the jade purple rabbit was too small for the necklace. When I redid the necklace I got rid to the 3 silver hearts and used lavender Irish waxed linen thread instead of beading wire to give it a more casual look. I also added some amethyst beads to the necklace. The purple Humblebeads bead was the perfect color for the purple, pink and yellow ceramic.

Lotus flower necklace by Bay Moon Design

I replaced an inexpensive store bought  clasp at the neckline with a sterling silver clasp that I made to give the necklace additional handmade artisan component.  I kept Marsha Neal's pretty silk ribbon.    I think it is a perfect gift for someone who practices yoga. The lotus has spiritual symbolism among many cultures. I created this lotus necklace especially to add to my yoga collection.

I feel that I now have a true art statement necklace.  What are your thoughts?   

My Show at Art in the Park -- a Recap of the Highlights and Lows

Kathy Lindemer of Bay Moon Design-  handmade jewelry and cards at Art in the Park

With goal of bringing arts to the community and promoting artwork by local artists, the Millsboro Art League in Delaware held its 2nd Outdoor Art Show on Saturday, June 20, 2015 in Cupola Park, a waterfront park at the eastern entrance to Millsboro Town Center. There was a wonderful selection of artwork, photography, pottery, fiber art, stained and fused glass, painted objects and furniture, and jewelry. I was one of two jewelry artists. This was a first for me. I am use to a show being 50% jewelry or at least it seems that way.

The day did not start off well due to Mother Nature and the Weather Channel.  Of course I monitored the weather carefully everyday leading up to the outdoor show and the morning of the show. I was hoping I wouldn't need a tent.  Jewelry shows better in the sun and I am don't like to wrestle with a tent. There was a zero percent chance of rain so I didn't even pack a plastic tarp.  The moment I entered the park at 7:15 a.m. there was a downpour.  After it stopped raining and I located my setup spot, I began unpacking all my "stuff".  Soon there after, we had another downpour.  At this point my table cloths were soaked.  Being resourceful, I used some of my bubble wrap which I had packed some of my delicate items in to cover the table to prevent water damage to my jewelry and cases that go on the table.  When the rain stopped I finished setting up and then there was another downpour.  Next I used the lids of my plastic bins that hold all of my "stuff" and more of my bubble wrap to protect my setup.  Thank goodness, there was no more rain just heat and humidity.  Thank goodness for bubble wrap!

Paintings by John Donato

I took advantage of the opportunity to see some of the work by the artists there.  As you probably know, I love cats so John Donato's cat painting in the lower right corner caught my eye.  I love his whimsical style.  John specializes in creating art with "Smile Impact".   John is very well known for his transformational mural work in schools. His art projects help children, teachers, and administrators reinforce educational and social goals using mural painting.  I also discovered John has a Etsy store just like I do!

Photography by Carl Forsberg

 I have to give a shootout to Carl Forsberg.  He helped me get into the show.  Carl was at the Delaware by Hand Show that I did in Lewes over Memorial Day and gave me his email on a slip of paper with his schedule of shows for the year when I purchased some of his gorgeous cards.  Great idea to make a schedule for your customers and good advertisement for the shows!  I plan on doing this.

                                     From Jeff Todd Moore's art series of Delaware Beach scenes

Another shoutout goes to artist Jeff Todd Moore the organizer of the Art in the Park show.
Jeff Moore is a native of Delaware, and as a resident of southern Delaware. He does stained glass panels, photography and paintings that feature many of the things he sees around him, from the back bays and creeks, to the ocean and the boardwalks. 

Tiny Treasure Boxes by Ginny Barney

I also spotted Ginny Barney and her darling "treasure boxes" she creates from old cigar boxes. She was at  Delaware by Hand Show that I did in Lewes over Memorial Day also.

 I loved being in this show with these talented local artists.  Southern Delaware is certainly growing its art events and artists!

We're All Ears June Inspiration

ILLUSTRATION BY THEO CARRERAS

For this month's We're All Ears inspiration I focused on an illustration by Theo Carreras from National Geographic February 1986. There are so many textures, colors, shapes with many unique life forms, both above and below the surface of the tide pool.  Barnacles, seastars, octopi, crabs, mussels, anemones, kelp and even all manner of birds make their homes in these shallow pools teeming with life. 

My earrings are inspired by the tide pools rather than the rock pools. 

Tide Pool Inspired Earrings by Bay Moon Design

My rustic looking aqua earrings feature ceramics by Sue Kennedy.  Her aqua ceramics have a wonderful texture to them.  I love the swirls of blues, greens and tans. The colors mirror some of the colors in the tidal pool.  I paired the handmade ceramics with angular aqua beads. I think that these are interesting geometric earrings. They have sterling silver ear wires and spacer beads. I love that they have a rustic and earthy appearance to them. They are available for purchase HERE.

Royal blue bubble earrings by BayMoonDesign

I also made a pair of royal blue bubble earrings that were inspired by the tidal pool.  I imagines all kinds of living creature producing bubbles under the water.  These royal blue earrings are made of cultured sea glass long rectangles with sterling silver bubbles. These geometric shaped earrings are on sterling silver ear wires.  They are available for purchase HERE.

Which pair are your favorites?

Art in the Park in Millsboro, Delaware June 20, 2015

With goal of bringing arts to the community and promoting artwork by local artists, the Millsboro Art League (MAL) will hold its 2nd Outdoor Art Show on Saturday, June 20,  2015 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Cupola Park, a waterfront park at the eastern entrance to Millsboro Town Center.  There will be artwork, photography, pottery, fiver art, stained and fused glass, painted objects and furniture, and jewelry.  I am excited to be one of two jewelry artists.  I am thrilled to see my nest bracelet on the right side of the poster.  I will have a matching seagull necklace there at the show,

Seagull necklace and nest bracelet

I will also have some new beach bag charms there.  I made 4 of these for my craft show in May that was held in the beach town of Lewes, Delaware.  They were a big hit so I thought it worth restocking since Millsboro is also close to the beach.

Beach bag charms by BayMoonDesign

My new card holder

I will also have an opportunity to use my new card holder for a second time.  I will have plenty of handmade cards there for a variety of occasions.  I have found that having a variety of handmade items at craft fairs is a good strategy that works for me.  This time I will make sure my table isn't titled forward hopefully.  

Wedding card by BayMoonDesign

The Millsboro Garden Club will also host children’s art activities.  I will have my popular children's necklaces there for sale. These necklaces give me another opportunity to have a diverse selection. Another type of handmade jewelry which worked well for me this year is the foot anklet.  There will be a few available.

This is the first time I have done this show and I am very excited to be part of it.  It should be a wonderful family event.  The location is great.   It will be held at a waterfront park on tidal Indian River in downtown Millsboro, Delaware. The park features a pavilion with picnic tables and barbeque grills, a playground, boat ramps, shoreline fishing, and the largest bald cypress tree in Delaware.  There will even be food available for purchase.  I love the idea of combining art and the beauty of nature!

Art Bead Scene June Challenge

Feuilles, 1928  By Seraphine Louis

This month's Art Bead Scene Challenge is by Séraphine Louis, known as "Séraphine de Senlis" ("Séraphine of Senlis ") (1864–1942).  She was a self-taught French painter in the naïve style. Her works were inspired by her religious faith and by stained-glass church windows and other religious art. Her images are intense both in color and in replicative designs. Louis's works are predominantly rich fantasies of intensely repeated and embellished floral arrangements.  Sometimes her signature (typically "S. Louis") was carved by knife, revealing a ground of contrasting color. In some cases, she appears to have signed her paintings before painting them.

This month's painting is bursting with pink, red, orange, golden yellow and rich greens and hints of purple. I love how the colors contrast against the white leaves.   There is also a  palette of creams and off-whites which I focused on for my piece.  I also decided to focus on a single leaf theme rather than the over-abundance portrayed in the art by layering leaves together.

Leaf Earrings by Bay Moon Design

I created a pair of earrings from a pair of cream colored lampwork leaves by Canadian Kim Snider of Mandrel Beads. I combined these lovely leaves with soapstone amber beads and a little silver.  I used some large silver large ear wires which I made.  

lampwork leaves by Kim Snider 

These earrings as well as other jewelry are for sale HERE in my online store.  I hope you will visit me there!

Bay Moon Design First Friday Art Walk Blog Highlights Artist Davies- Reazor

A sampling of recent Jenny Davies-Reazor Ceramic Pendants-Hare, Celestial, Mermaids, Fox

I decided to feature artist  Davies Reazor in this blog that highlights June First Friday Art Walk on Etsy.  I first became acquainted with Jenny Davies-Reazor through her blogs for Art Jewelry Elements.  She is well know for both mixed media adornments and ceramic components.  Jenny is also involved in the creation of a great new auction site on Facebook:Creative Artist Bead Market. The goal is to showcase the best of the best, quality ceramic beads that are truly artist made. Its an auction site. I was fortunate enough to win the butterfly pictured above and to also win an auction of a lotus pendant of hers. 

Jenny's work features connections to mythology.  It only seems to reason that butterflies can be found in her ceramics.   Butterflies are in mythology from all over the world, many of which, in particular Greek mythology, link butterflies to the human soul. The Ancient Greeks also considered butterflies as the souls of those who had passed away. 

Butterfly Necklace by BayMoonDesign is available for purchase HERE

This blue butterfly necklace features the handmade signed ceramic butterfly by Jenny Davies-Reazor . The pink and aqua heart ceramic below the butterfly is from Jeraluna Designs.  With the yellow, pink, and aqua butterfly pendant I added royal blue and medium blue cultured sea glass with blue seeds on Irish waxed linen thread.  The boho necklace is held together with a handmade silver lobster clasp.   It is a real statement necklace with these vibrant colors.  The rustic necklace is 19 inches (48.26cm) around and the ceramic focal hangs below.

This necklace is for someone who appreciates contemporary, art jewelry. It also makes a thoughtful gift.  Visit my online store to see what is new and take advantage of using the code THANKU2 at checkout for a 10% discount on a purchase of $10 or more. This sale runs through June 8.

There are other sales this weekend.  Every month the AWETeam (Art Walk Etsy Team) hosts First Friday Art Walk --an online event.

Click on over to see the team's June Event Thread where members of our team show off work and discount codes for their Etsy shops.

Happy First Friday of June!

Endless Sky Challenge

I am participating in Andrew Thornton's Endless Sky Challenge.  This is the first time I have purchased one of his kits and I am having great fun creating with it for the challenge.  Jewelry designers can use as much or as little of the kit to create a piece that showcases your creativity, individuality, and artistic expression. Ideally the creation will spotlight the great assortment of beads included in the kit.

                                                   Endless Sky Kit by Andrew Thorton

My kit is an mix of lots of seed beads,  Czech glass (both old and new), aquamarine, agate, chalcedony, sodalite, stone, vintage sequins, German glass, jade, Swarovski crystal, vintage Japanese glass, vintage lucite, waxed linen thread, silk ribbon and a secret focal that Andrew will reveal on June 29th.   I have to admit that when I saw all those seed beads I thought I would just ignore them.  I really don't like to work with seed beads, but they are so gorgeous that I just kept going back to them.  I have used more than half of those seed beads so far along with some of the larger beads.  I have finished 2 pieces that I am really happy with.


The reveal date is set for Thursday, July 16th, 2015!  Mark your calendar and come back to see what I create.