Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Bee’s – the Art Elements theme for April 2020


Photo of bee by Dmitry Grigoriev on Unsplash
Photo of bee by Dmitry Grigoriev on Unsplash
The theme of the April Art Elements challenge is the inspiring bee.  Artisan Niky Sayers selected the bee for  this challenge.  The hardworking and industrious bee is an interesting insect. Since bees work together in a vast hive community with a central theme: survival,  they are a perfect symbol for the pandemic we are living through. 

Here are a few interesting facts about the bee.
  • There are about 20,000 different species of bees in the world.
  • Bees see all colors except the color red.
  • Beekeepers use smoke to calm bees when they are collecting honey or relocating a hive.
  • Bees make honey to feed their young and so they have something to eat during the winter.
  • Killer bees have been known to chase people for over a 1/4 mile once they get excited and aggressive.
  • Certain species of bees die after stinging because their stingers, which are attached to their abdomen, have little barbs or hooks on them. When this type of bee tries to fly away after stinging something, part of the abdomen is ripped away.
Photo of Bee by Guilherme Stecanella on Unsplash
Photo of Bee by Guilherme Stecanella on Unsplash
I pulled out my 2 sheets of bee papers with delight. I also gathered two bezels, ice resin, a pencil, sizzers and Mod Podge.


ice resin, Mod Podge




I decided this was the time to use ice resin for the first time. I watched a few You Tube videos and followed the directions. It was very easy and I love the results.
Bee components by BayMoonDesign

Bee components by BayMoonDesign

Leather, clasp and Super Glue for Necklace
Leather and cord findings with Super Glue for Necklace
I used a used some almond 4mm stitched Nappa cords from Plessmann Endless Leather. The main reason I was drawn to this company is because I love their color selection and large choice in leather cords. They have more than 2000 different leather cords online. This tan color picks up the tan in the gold bee component that I made. The component fit onto the cord perfectly and the clasp is glued to the ends with Super Glue. This company has a wide selection of leather cord findings that makes for one stop shopping.   Creating was quick and easy and I love the look.  

Leather Bee Necklace by BayMoonDesign
I had plenty of bee paper left so I used the remainder to make a few greeting cards.

Queen Bee Mother's Day Card by BayMoonDesign
With Mother's Day right around the corner, I made a special card for a Mom or wife-- the Queen Bee! This Queen Bee Mother's Day Card has a pretty floral panel next to some bees and a crown. I made a large bee from black and yellow paper that sits on top of the panels. These panels are on black high quality cardstock. The sentiment "Happy Mother's Day" is hand stamped on the inside of the card. There is a queen's crown on the bottom corner. This card is for sale along with other Mother's Day cards in my online shop.

Inside of Queen Bee Mother's Day Card by BayMoonDesign

With remainder of my bee paper, I made a bee themed birthday card.

Honey Bee Birthday Card by  BayMoonDesign

This handmade honey bee birthday card has a trio of honey bees on the front of the card. The greeting card is hand stamped on the inside with the sentiment "To a wonderful friend, enjoy your special day!".   There is plenty of room on the inside for you to add your own special words.

Inside of Honey Bee Birthday Card by BayMoonDesign
This card is also for sale in my online store along with cards for lots of occasions.  I am also running a sale on my cards. You can purchase two at a reduced cost and pay the cost of  shipping one card.  I also take custom orders.

I hope you enjoyed seeing what I was inspired to make by the bee theme.  This is a blog hop so please take some time and visit the other artists to see what they made.
AE team:
Niky (host)

Guests:
Kathy (here)
We love to hear your comments!
Bee on Flower Photo by Laura Barry on Unsplash
Photo by Laura Barry on Unsplash

13 comments:

  1. The cards are very sweet, and I love the pendants!

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  2. Your information and photos about bees are wonderful and I really love your pendant. Those cards are a great thing to have on hand for this time of the year too :) Wonderful post as always!

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  3. Nice Projects! I used this resin for the first time last year. If you're like me you're going to become a little obsessed :)... I started out with the small syringe like yours ... Alysen

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  4. Your pendants are sooo pretty and your cards are amazing Kathy!

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  5. I'm so glad you tried the Ice Resin! It's one of my favorite things too, and so very easy to use in that plunger style tool. Your pendants turned out so cute.
    I'm smitten with the bees you made for your cards. I'm guessing that's some sort of die-cut with layering. You make me want to try more card-making. But, I know mine would never match up to your precision. Beautiful contributions to the theme!

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    1. Thanks! I am positive that you make awesome cards too--just a different style.

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  6. I am glad you tried Ice Resin. I used to create with a different resin years ago, but I tried Ice Resin for the first time last year and I loved it. The pendants you made are perfect for this theme. Thanks for the info about the leather I have never used them before and plan to check them out. All of your bee cards are lovely. I would be delighted to receive one of those!

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  7. You may have inspired me to try ice resin! Especially since your pendants turned out so well. The cards you made will make any recipient quite happy, I'm sure, as they are cheerful and very well done.

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  8. I love what you did with the pendants and the resin. I love how the pendant goes perfectly with the leather cord. I will have to check out their shop and look at the leather; always looking for a new place to shop.
    The cards are fantastic!

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  9. Your initial work with Ice Resin turned out much better than mine. When I tried it years ago things went so badly I've never tried it again. Your pendants look fabulous. The greeting cards are lovely.

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  10. Lovely offerings! I do enjoy ICE resin - it is satisfying - and the syringe does make small amounts so doable! Cards are bright and colorful! Eye candy!

    Thanks for joining us! Hope to see you in the Art Elements Community on FB.

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