October's Art Elements Component of the Month Reveal

Photo by Gary Bendig on Unsplash

I am so lucky to be part of the the October's Art Elements Component of the month  reveal.  I won the opportunity to create with a very cute rabbit coin clasp made by Niky Sayers. 

coin clasp  Niky Sayers

 Niky  loves to make things with coins.  As soon as I saw this rabbit clasp, I knew that it would make a perfect clasp to go with a Humblebeads rabbit focal.  So I went about making a rabbit bracelet.

Rabbit Bracelet by BayMoonDesign

I used pastel purple agate beads and some ceramic beads. The green and brown ceramic that I paired with the house is by Humblebeads is by Susan Kennedy.  This hare bracelet has the perfect clasp--the handmade silver rabbit clasp made by artisan Niky Sayers.   I made sterling silver in the links that I used to combine the beads.  The last loop I made fits nicely into Niky's hook which is on the underside of her clasp. 

Back side of rabbit clasp by Niky Sayers

 I think this is a unique one of a kind piece of art jewelry by Bay Moon Design with a unique handmade clasp.  What are your thoughts?

Please visit the others that are in this challenge to see what they created with the clasp.

Guest Designers

Linda Landig

Kathy Lindemer  (HERE)

Divya N

Art Element Team

Claire Fabian

Jenny Davies-Reazor

Cathy Spivey Mendola

Susan Kennedy

Caroline Dewison

Lesley Watt

Diana Ptaszynski

Lindsay Starr

Laney Mead

Niky Sayers

October Art Bead Scene Challenge

Title: Madame De Pompadour  By: Francois Boucher

           Date: 1756  Medium: Oil on Canvas

color palette

October's Art Bead Scene Challenge is inspired by Madame De Pompadour.   Francois Boucher is the artist.  His colorful Rococo style portrait has rich colors.   Roccoco was developed in the early 18th century in Paris.   Rococo artists and architects used a more jocular, florid, and graceful approach to the Baroque.  

I focused on the colors in the painting rather than the content.  I love the light turquoise blue and deeper turquoise in the painting. For my color palette I decided to add the light flesh colors and peach colors to the blues.

Crocheted Seahorse Necklace by BayMoonDesign

 I used a lovely seahorse pendant by SheriMallery as my focal in the necklace.   I then enlarged the size of the focal by combining some textured beads, copper jump rings and copper spacers. 

I recently watched a Heather Powers video on bead crocheting. I have been wire crocheting necklaces and bracelets for years so I was interested in seeing a new style. I wasn't disappointed. Heather recommended using C-Lon .5mm or S-Lon medium weight thread and a crochet hook size 8 or 1.5mm.  and seed beads. Let me tell you--it is much easier on the hands to use thread compared to wire.  Right away I knew I had to get some of that thread.  Heather used a bead spinner to place the beads on the thread which is genius.  The key to using the spinner is to use a big eye needle with your thread to easily string your beads.  I didn't know about the needle and I was never able to use the spinner effectively.  It took some time to master the bead spinner, but it was worth the time investment.  I have mastered it and it saves a ton of time.  For this necklace  I strung 16″ of peanut seed beads before I started crocheting.  I recommend watching the Heather Powers video  for step by step directions.

Crocheted Seahorse Necklace by BayMoonDesign

I love the technique ! Give it a try and let me know how you like it. 

We're All Ears October Inspiration is the Harvest Moon

Photo by Neven Krcmarek on Unsplash

In 2017, the Harvest Moon fell in October. It is fitting that October's We're All Ears Inspiration is the Harvest Moon.

"Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we call the closest full moon to the autumn equinox the Harvest Moon. In 2017, the September equinox came on September 22. And the September full moon came early in the month, on the night of September 5-6 for the Americas. Thus, for the the Northern Hemisphere, the full moon of October 5 – the closest full moon to our autumn equinox – is our Harvest Moon." 
from EarthSky.org

Photo by CloudVisual on Unsplash

For several evenings, the moonrise comes soon after sunset resulting in an abundance of bright moonlight early in the evening. Traditionally this aided farmers and crews harvesting their summer-grown crops. Hence, it’s called the “Harvest” Moon! Additionally, the Full Harvest Moon rises at sunset and then will rise very near sunset for several nights in a row which makes it seem as if there are full Moons multiple nights in a row!

Harvest Moon Earrings by BayMoonDesign

The orange color is just a trick of your eyes. The atmosphere at the horizon is a greater thickness than higher overhead. The increased thickness of the atmosphere at the horizon scatters blue light in the spectrum the most allowing red light to pass to your eyes which is why the hue will appear more yellow, orange or reddish.  After giving it some long thought, I decided to make earrings which involve the color orange.      

TruePower punch and die set

Copper seemed like a good choice for the metal because of the orange color.  I pulled out my TruePower punch and die set and a sheet of copper.  I punched out 5/8 inch round discs and filed them a bit. 

Sizzix Moonlit Night embossing die

I then used my Stampin' Up Big Shot to emboss the discs with Sizzix Moonlit Night embossing die. I always associate a full moon with the "Man in the Moon" so I carefully positioned the copper discs to pick up that image. I then dipped them in liver of sulfur to darken them a little and bring up the image. I finished the moon by rubbing a little Renaissance wax on them. I strung orange Czech glass rondelles with camo fire polished rondelles, copper beads, on copper wire. Nunn Design antique copper leverback ear wires seemed like a good choice to finish off these earrings. I am very happy with the way the earrings turned out.  More of my Bay Moon Design earrings can be found at in my online shop.  I will be adding these harvest moon earrings later this weekend.

Now, head over to Earrings Everyday reveal post to see how other artists were inspired by this month's theme. I know I'm looking forward to it.

Photo by Ganapathy Kumar on Unsplash

Did you know that the Hunter's Moon, which is the first full moon after the Harvest Moon and will set the sky ablaze on November 3rd and 4th is a supermoon. This means that it will be even closer in orbit to the horizon causing it to appear HUGE! I am planning on view it. How about you?

Free US Shipping for Columbus Day

 

Bay Moon Design has been busy creating some new jewelry and cards with fall in mind.  This is the time of year my customers are looking for jewelry, cards and gifts for such events as

• Halloween
• Thanksgiving
• Birthdays
• Weddings or bridal showers
• Baby showers or new baby

It is never to early to get a jump start on your holiday shopping.  My inventory is at its best this weekend!

I put together this small sampling of some of some of my Autumn items.  I hope something catches your eye!  I am also tempting you further with free US shipping from now through Monday with a purchase of $19 or more with coupon code FREEUS.

Tree Necklace

The tree necklace is inspired by nature. This handmade winter tree pendant has a blue and black background .  There is a handmade enameled leaf hanging from it.  I added a cute bird in nest toggle clasp. The clasp is pewter and made by an artisan.  I combined sari ribbon, handmade ceramic beads, and recycled glass beads to give the tree necklace an earthy and boho look. This statement art necklace is a perfect birthday or holiday gift for the nature lover!

                    Leather Bracelet

Leather is hug this fall.  I added some leather bracelets and necklaces to my fall collection.

My earrings are my biggest seller and I am always adding more to my shop

What is my biggest seller?  These sterling silver lotus earrings. 

Get ready for Fall events with a handmade card by Bay Moon Design

        Pretty Butterfly Wedding Card

These new designs plus others are available for purchase in my Bay Moon Design shop now. I am offering free shipping for US customers with Coupon Code FREEUS on orders $19 or more now through Monday October 9, 2017.   Don't forget that custom orders are welcome.  Please feel free to email me at baymoondesign@gmail.com.

 I'm ready for Fall!  How about you?

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Thank You for shopping at Bay Moon Design!