Pretty Palette for November 2015 Reveal

Îles d’Or (Islands of Gold) by Impressionist painter Henri-Edmond Cross

Once a month Erin Prais-Hintz  selects an inspiration piece for she and her partner to use with Halcraft beads. This month I am her lucky partner.

This inspiration piece is Îles d’Or (Islands of Gold) by Impressionist painter Henri-Edmond Cross.  Îles d’Or are four islands off the southeastern French coast that must be magical. Legend says that the gods turned swimming princesses into the Îles d’Hyères. These islands are laden with mica-rich rock that glitters and gleams in the bright sunlight. At first glance it appears that the painting is just a simplistic color gradation. Upon further inspection, you can see the mountains of the isles in the distance, and notice the shimmering golden waves. 

November's Halcraft beads

Erin Prais-Hintz  selected Halcraft beads that are a cross-section of the colors in the painting.  She also picked beads with a similar shape. 

Beads (l to r):
59338 – Citrine chips semi precious
83951 – Gold luster hematite stone
90434 – Howlite chips dyed stone
97709 – Turquoise dyed howlite cube stone
55318 – Shell nugget aqua 7mm
93347 – Chinese yellow quartzite aqua stone
93818 – Abalone nugget 30-40mm shell (we each get one)

Our Pretty Palette for November took me away on a vacation of mind, body and spirit to my winter home in the Florida Key. I was inspired by this seascape inspiration with turquoise water and it reminded me of the blue water in the Keys. For my first necklace, I used the beautiful abalone nugget as the focal. I then selected beads that have a soothing natural color palette to go with the focal. I used almost the entire strand of turquoise howlite chips dyed stone and the aqua stones from aqua stone Chinese yellow quartzite  strand along with the gold luster hematite stone. I absolutely love the gold luster hematite. I think that these beads are just gorgeous together. I found some sari ribbon that had similar colors to pull everything to together in this multi strand necklace.  It is available for purchase HERE.

Abalone nugget necklace by Bay Moon Design

The second piece that I created captures the beauty of the seaside landscape. The seaside landscape that I used as my inspiration is this beautiful ceramic bead by UK artisan Lesley Watt. I love red, white, and blue so I used those 3 colors with the ceramic. I used the blue stones from Chinese yellow quartzite aqua stone strand, white beads with specks of blue from my stash, and red Irish waxed linen thread. I made a sterling silver clasp with similar angles as the sail. If you would like to purchase this necklace, it is available HERE.

Sailing  the Seas Necklace by Bay Moon Design

  

Starfish earrings by Bay Moon Design

I love to make earrings so I had to include a pair.  These starfish earrings use the semi precious citrine chips.  These starfish earrings are made from natural brass sheets that have been embossed with a starfish pattern. The earrings are hand painted also with yellow, blue and green patinas to create this beach jewelry. I used citrine chips to mimic the sand on the beach. The metal has a protective coating to keep the color vivid for years to come! I have hung them on brass ear wires.

These handmade earrings are available for purchase HERE.

Stop by Erin's blog to see what she the gorgeous necklace she created with these same beads.  
Erin thank you for inviting me to be your partner and for selecting such gorgeous beads and inspiration for me.