Art Bead Scene Challenge for November

Title: Crozant, The Bouchardon Mill

By: Armand Guillaumin

Date: 1906

Medium: Oil on Canvas

Every month the Art Bead Scene challenges their readers to create jewelry inspired by the featured artwork. This month the inspiration piece is Crozant, The Bouchardon Mill by Armand Guillaumin. It is an impressionistic oil painting. 

As soon as I saw this painting, I knew that I was in this challenge.  I love the subdued colors in it.  It also has a lot of purple.  I love purple.  I have a few pendants with purple that I considered using.  But one day, I happened upon Michelle Ann McCarthy's purple leaves and I fell in love with them immediately.  I think they are perfect for this challenge.

Purple Leaf Earrings by BayMoonDesign

A few years ago, I would have stayed away from these leaves because they had those tiny wire loops in the top that I don't like to see in a finished piece of jewelry. Now, I can work with them because I mastered a few ways of covering them. One of my favorite ways to do this, I used when I created these earrings.  I created 4 three jump ring rosettes. They are easy to make.  Just open one jump ring and attach it to another, add a third jump ring though the center of both the first jump rings.  For some reason, I have a large collection of black jump rings and I saw this as an opportunity to use a dozen of them. I knew I was bound to have the right size in this large jump ring collection. 

I love the purple leaf earrings that I created.   The plum color in the leaves contrasts with the bold black and white part in the leaf design. I highlighted the handmade ceramics by using blacked bronze jump ring rosettes and ear wires.  I also added a round bead that is the same plum color.

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

I am thankful for my loyal customers and I am offering free shipping from now through Dec. 20, 2017 when you spend a minimum of $20 in my BayMoonDesign shop.  Just use the coupon code YULE 2017 when you checkout.  You can even snag these purple earrings if you are quick!

We're All Ears :: November Inspirational Quotes

Photo by Ashley Batz on Unsplash

For November's We're All Ears Challenge, we able to choose at least one of these four quotes below and make a pair of earrings that illustrate the message.  I love inspirational quotes so I knew I was up for this challenge.

I decided to select the quote C "When everything seems like an uphill struggle, just think of the view from the top".  --unknown

This inspirational quote says so much about life and the choices we make. You can't give up, because the result will be worth the effort.  The journey is often filled with trials, obstacles, and difficulties. Getting to the top is a very special feeling. Know that your efforts in getting there will pay off.   Don’t ever give up. Once you achieve the pinnacle, you will be rewarded.

This quote reminds me of the times that I have been hiking up a mountain.  The climb is difficult and I am tired.  I start to wonder if I can reach the top.  I don't give up easily so I can't think of a time when I did turn around and head back.  I also remember that the view at the top on all of these occasions was worth the struggle uphill.

Textured Blue Ceramic Earrings by BayMoonDesign

These textured blue ceramic earrings were inspired by this quote and my personal experiences hiking.  The spiral in the  blue textured ceramics by by Marsha Neal Studio remind me of the struggle climbing .  It is like being in a maze and not knowing where you will end up.  Once you get out of the maze and continue the struggle up, you are rewarded with a refreshing pool of water ( the turquoise glass beads). The final view is on top of the mountain (the round) bead. It is a breathtaking view.

Photo by Sven van der Pluijm on Unsplash

It will be exciting to see everyone's take on the same message!