Art Elements:: March Nest Theme Reveal

Photo by Ian Baldwin on Unsplash

This month the March Art Elements Challenge is sponsored by Cathy Spivey Mendola and the theme nests is perfect for a month when we are beginning to see all sorts of birds building nests. Some nests even have some eggs. Even though we could allow our imaginations to run wild, I went for a literal interpretation.

Natural Brass wire by BayMoonDesign

I thought that I would make a cute pair of bird nest earrings. I made a pair last year with some natural brass wire and I saw this as an opportunity to make another pair.  I wanted to see how these earrings would look with brass wire. Before I made them, I have to admit I was really thinking they would be too gold for my taste.

Bird Nest Earrings by BayMoonDesign

Next I had to decide what to put in my nests.  I went to my favorite bag of pearls. This bag holds vintage glass pearls from wedding gowns. It is a wonderful collection and so special. I thought that I used the same shade of pearls as I selected for the first pair.  Looking at the photos I am wondering!

It amazes who the gold wire brightens up all the parts of the earrings.  For that reason, I like the gold wire the best.

Photo by Jerry Kiesewetter on Unsplash

These gold nest earrings are sure to be loved and cherished as a gift for Mother's Day, for a new Mom or for any bird lover's. It's nature at it's finest!

One of these days I am going to make a necklace with a nest and a bird in the center.  I know exactly what kind of chain I am going to use.  Once again I will have to decide between natural brass or brass.  What are your thoughts?

I can't wait to see what all of the participants made for this challenge.  Join me for the fun.

Guest Participants-

Alysen

Anita

Divya

Kathy  (here)

Kym

Mona 

Rosantia

Sarajo

Tammy 

 AE team members-

Caroline

Cathy   (hostess)

Claire

Jenny

Laney

Leslie

Lindsay

Marsha

Niky

We're All Ears :: March Challenge :: Monochromatic

Photo by Meriç Dağlı on Unsplash

For the March challenge of We're All Ears, we are going monochrome - black + white. 


Directions:
Mix all the patterns. 
Throw in a pop of a color if you like .(and don't forget, metal is a color, too!
Play with scale and texture.
Most important

Photo by Eddie Garcia on Unsplash

Have fun!

Pearls and Black Lacquered Wood Earrings by BayMoonDesign

I decided to mix pearls, black lacquered wood, and sterling for a quick and easy pair of earrings.  I used thin and delicate silver keishi pearls and black lacquered wood beads along with the long silver kidney wires to create unique earrings with an edgy fashion look. The black wood lacquered beads, and silver add contrast and texture to the monchromatic earrings.

Photo by Colin Carter on Unsplash

I am anxious to see what everyone creates this month. Hop over to Erin Prais-Hintz's blog "Earrings Every Day"  to see what our hostess came up with for this challenge. From there you can follow links to other participants' creations.

Art Bead Scene March Monthly Challenge

Title: Red Water Lily of Southern India
By: Marianne North
Date: 1878
Medium: Watercolor

March Color Palette

What is the Monthly Challenge?

Every month The Art Bead Scene challenge their readers to create jewelry inspired by the featured artwork. Our only rule? You must use at least one art bead in your piece!

This month's inspiration piece "Red Water Lily of Southern India" is by Marianne North who was an English Victorian biologist and botanical painter who spent her life traveling the world, studying plants and painting them. She traveled for 24 years painting over 6 continents and 17 countries. This month's challenge painting comes from Marianne’s trip to India. She produced 200 paintings during her 15 months in India. Without formal training her work blurred the lines between art and scientific studies. She created many of her paintings in the field, directly observing her subject matter.  She created over 1000 paintings in her lifetime. A true pioneer who forged a career that caught the attention of Britain and the respect of her peers, such as Charles Darwin. Her work was of remarkable importance to the botany community in a time before color photography. She not only painted flowers, she discovered unknown species.

In her later years she created a gallery of her work at the Kew Royal Botanical Gardens .  Now the gallery houses 833 piece of her work. You can watch a video of her life and work produced by the Kew Gardens here. To read more about the artist and see her work, visit here.

Photo by Tanner Larson on Unsplash

My inspiration came from the earthy greens and yellow colors in the grasses of the watercolor by Marianne North.   

Turtle bracelet by BayMoonDesign

I used a turtle bracelet bar by polymer clay artist Brooke Bock. It had those earthy colors and the turtle seemed to be a creature that might live near the water lilies. The gorgeous green lamp work is by Sue Kennedy. The greens in it are perfect for the greens of the grasses and bracelet bar. I used annealed steel wire which I treated with steel wool and Renaissance wax because I wanted to draw attention to the blacks in the bracelet bar. I love how the turtle bracelet turned out.

Turtle Bracelet by BayMoonDesign

I love turtles for a variety of reasons. I am a graduate of the University of Maryland. Their mascot is the terrapin. I have a necklace with a gold turtle on it that my husband gave me and I wear it frequently because it is special to me for both reasons. Turtles are deeply symbolic. They are a slow and methodical. I sometimes think of myself as slow and methodical. I think that those are good qualities for someone who makes jewelry. The shy creatures can retreat to their shell when startled. I am also shy my nature. People associate them with patience, longevity, and wisdom. These are all good traits to have.

Photo by Eleonor G. on Unsplash

Who doesn't love turtles!