June Art Elements Challenge --Selkies

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash

The theme of the June Art Elements Challenge is Selkies.  Selkies are not mermaids. In Scottish mythology, Selkies or Selkie folk  mean "Seal Folk".  They are mythological beings capable of changing from seal to human form by shedding their skin. They are found in folktales and mythology originating from Orkney and Shetland.  

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash

In Orkney lore, selkie is said to denote various seals of greater size than the grey seal; only these large seals are credited with the ability to shapeshift into humans, and are called "selkie folk".   The type of large seals that might have been seen on the islands include the Greenland seal and the crested seal.   Something similar is stated in Shetland tradition, that the mermen and mermaids prefer to assume the shape of larger seals, referred to as "Haaf-fish".  The legends of the selkies are found in Ireland, Scotland and Wales; coastal tales as selkies are from the sea. return to the sea.

Photo by Joanna Nix on Unsplash

Having Scottish roots and having red hair and having a ceramic pendant made by Jenny Davies-Reazor who is the originator of this challenge,  I was eager to use the Reazor pendant for this. 

Selkie ceramic by Jenny Davies-Reazor

I love to make crochet necklaces because I enjoy crocheting and I love the organic look.  Copper wire was selected because it helps to draw attention to the red hair of the selkie on the ceramic.  I crocheted a variety of pearls because they come from the sea just as the selkie.  Glass chips that look like sea glass seemed like a natural fit. Other beads that compliment the copper wire.

Copper Wire Crochet Necklace by BayMoonDesign

I made this statement necklace by stringing beads onto copper wire, crocheting 4 strands and then weaving them together.  Lastly, I  attached the pendant that I put together. 

Photo by Nsey Benajah on Unsplash

From seal to woman, from sea to land - join us this month by visiting the blogs as we take inspiration from these transformative creatures of mythology and folklore!  We love to read your comments!

Guests: 

Paisleylizard.com/blog

Anordinarymiracleday.wordpress.com 

 Ebbeadandmetalworks.blogspot.com

Bay-moon-design.blogspot.com  (here)

AE team: 

Lesley

Jen

Caroline

Claire

Laney

Cathy

Niky

Lindsay

Jenny

We're All Ears :: June Inspiration :: Storms

Photo by Brian Taylor on Unsplash

For June, the We're All Ears Challenge offers a perfect inspiration -- storms. This type of weather includes storm clouds, lightning, raindrops, rivulets on the window, umbrellas, puddle jumping, and of course, rainbows. On the East coast we have had plenty of storms. My home has survived fine, but a brother had a wind shear come through his area and cause lots of damage.

What Is Wind Shear? Wind Shear defined as is a change in wind speed and/or direction over a short distance. It can occur either horizontally or vertically and is most often associated with strong temperature inversions or density gradients. In my brother's case it occurred horizontally and took off the tops of trees and poles in his area. His house had the top of a tree leveled off. Fortunately, the top half of the tree top landed in an empty spot in his yard. It could have landed on his roof if the wind had been in a different direction. He also lost his power for 2 days which I was really surprised that it took so long to restore the power in a residential area. I guess the lesson is be prepared!

Photo by Dominik Schröder on Unsplash

We have been very fortunate to not have the flooding that many areas of the country have had.  There have been lots of clouds and evening storms with thunder, lightening, and heavy rain this spring. It seems the clouds build all day as the temperature rises and then we have the thunder storms at night. 

Photo by Jason Blackeye on Unsplash

The cloud cover is the inspiration for my latest earrings. I used some ceramics by Marsha Neal that have light blue and cream colors and look like the colors of clouds. They have swirls in them that remind me of the highs and lows in the clouds.

Light blue summer earrings by BayMoonDesign

These handmade light blue earrings have textured ceramics by Marsha Neal Studio. The earrings dangle below a couple of blue accent beads. Silver is used in the ear wires and to connect the ceramics to the accent beads. These rustic boho earrings are 2 inches and are light and comfortable to wear.  I love this pale color for the summer.
I plan to spend some time in doors this weekend and read the blogs of the other participants in this blog hop! Join us and leave comments in your travels through them.