Bead Table Wednesday Devoted to Planning

Bead Table Wednesday is designed by Heather Powers to help share what is on our table today.   Today I am revealing what I received from Moriah Betterly of Blu Mudd Design for the Acorn and Leaves Challenge which will begin on September 1.  The winner of the challenge will be determined by votes.

1. My leaf and acorn beads by Blu Mudd Design

I laid out the beautiful ceramics I received and I put a penny in the midst of it so you can get an idea of the size of the beads.  For some reason, I had in my mind that the leaf would be larger and the acorn smaller.  These incorrect ideas had been floating in my mind for some time so I need to make some mental adjustments!  Next, I will have to pull out my beads and figure out what colors I will use.  I will probably create 2 strands of beads possibly some chain that all will be fairly small.  Next, I need to decide on the metal.  I am thinking of using natural brass or copper.  I don't have to use all of Moriah's beads.  Presently, I am thinking of using another acorn that I have as a charm.  The other acorn is enamel and smaller.  I will use at least one of the beads with leaves wrapped around, possibly all of them.

Acorns and Leaves Challenge on Sept. 1  (picture from GraphicStock.com

Decisions, decisions!  What are your thoughts?  Stop by Sept. 1 for a look at what Bay Moon Design's entry looks like,  as well as the other participants' designs.

Bead Table Wednesday Inspired by the Water that Surrounds Crisfield, Maryland

Crisfield, Maryland

Bead Table Wednesday

Bead Table Wednesday is designed by Heather Powers to help share what is on our table today.   Today I have a pair of completed earrings that remind me of drops of water.  These pale green earrings have ceramics by Suburban Girl Studio.  The earrings are available for purchase in my online store.

Water drop earrings by Bay Moon Design

The inspiration for these water drop earrings came from a visit today to Crisfield, Maryland.   Crisfield's heritage is on the water, it has many points of access to the Tangier Sound and Chesapeake Bay.  The site of today's Crisfield was initially a small fishing village called Annemessex Neck. During European colonization, it was renamed Somers Cove.   The name Somers Cove is used in the town.

Somers Cove

When the business potential for seafood was discovered, John W. Crisfield decided to bring the Pennsylvania Railroad to Crisfield, and the quiet fishing town grew. Crisfield is now known as the "Seafood Capital of the World".  The city's success was so great that the train soot and oyster shells prompted the extension of the city's land into the marshes. City residents often claim that the downtown area is literally built atop oyster shells.

downtown Crisfield 2014

Crisfield began to slip into decline along with the declining health of the Chesapeake Bay, prompting a "strategic revitalization plan" to address the city's future needs. Currently, Crisfield is largely a tourist destination.

Lots of water views in Crisfiled

 It hosts many annual events and festivals, the most prominent of which is the National Hard Crab Derby. Crisfield is also a major gateway to Smith Island and Tangier Island.

Boat to Smith Island or Tangier Island

 

 

 

 

 

Crustaceans are the center of this town's focus.  They are everywhere!  Crisfield's largest event is the annual National Hard Crab Derby & Fair, held every Labor Day weekend, which began in 1947. Major highlights of the Crab Derby include a parade through Main Street, the Little Miss, Little Mr. and Miss Crustacean Pageants, the Boat Docking Contest, the Crab Picking contest, and the Crab Bowl.

Blue Crab is honored on this local sign

Blue Crab and the state flower--black eyed Susan

Our trip today had the main purpose of eating a soft shell crab!  Mission Accomplished!

Soft shell crabs ready to eat

These cages are used to catch crabs in the water

Shedding floats that keep  crabs

Have  you ever had soft shell crabs and if so how did you like them?

Art Bead Scene Comes Alive with Suburban Girl Studio Ceramics

The Little Mermaid, 1911 by Edmund Dulac 

This month's July 2014 Art Scene Challenge is this illustration of "The Little Mermaid" which was prepared by Edmund Dulac for the 1911 Edition of Stories from Hans Andersen.  it was one of those accompanying the tale of "The Mermaid".

 It is associated with the following text: 'If the polyps should seize you, when you go back through my wood,' said the witch, 'just drop a single drop of this liquid on them, and their arms and fingers will burst into a thousand pieces.' But the little mermaid had no need to do this, for at the mere sight of the bright liquid, which sparkled in her hand like a shining star, they drew back in terror. So she soon got past the wood, the bog, and the eddying whirlpools.

I focused on the watery liquid of the picture and passage from the book.   I pictured some of the sea creatures in it.

                                                          Starfish Necklace by Bay Moon Design is available for purchase

 I love the pretty aqua shades and the sea creatures.  I dipped into my art bead stash and and selected some ceramics by Suburban Girl Studios.  I used 2 handcrafted porcelain seashell connectors with a sandy glaze and aqua starfish pendant connector from Suburban Girls Studios.  I even parted with a beautiful silk ribbon with lots of shades of pastel blues and pinks that remind me of the water.  I think that the aqua sea glass beads are a great fit as are the red tear drop beads.  I made the sterling silver clasp.

How do you think that I did capturing the feel of the water? 

Gems and Metal Blog Hop

Welcome the the Gems and Metal Blog Hop!


Lisa Lodge has organized another fun blog hop.  The challenge is to create some jewelry using what she sent each of us.  She selected our beads and findings using the theme "gems and minerals".

Jasper Beads and Antiqued Brass Findings sent to BayMoonDesign

Inspiration Photo by GraphicStock.com

When I saw what I was sent to use, I looked for an inspiration photo that had lush greens of a late spring.  The dirt path was shades of the brass findings in it.  The photo reminded me of a hike in the woods on a beautiful spring day.  I noticed the yellows in the photo and how they brightened up the scene.

Feather earrings by BayMoonDesign

I decided early on that I would use the 2 feathers in earrings.  I thought of using beads with them, but I decided to go all brass.  I love the look of these antiqued brass, feather earrings.

Green Jasper Bracelet by BayMoon Design

I wanted to use Irish waxed linen thread for the green jasper bracelet and necklace.  I have a number of colors of Irish waxed lace on hand.  I originally thought about using Forest Green Irish Waxed linen, but decided I wanted to brighten the necklace and bracelet and make them scream summer.  I thought about the yellows in the photo.  Well, I used a bright yellow to bring out the brass tones of the metal.  The necklace was becoming very ugly!  I then decided to use the Forest Green and I love it.

Green Jasper Necklace by BayMoonDesign

I had a brass focal that I bought on sale several years ago at Michaels.  This seemed to be the perfect opportunity to use it! This is a long necklace--24 inches plus the focal adds 2.5 inches to the length.  It has a great boho look to it.  I think these pieces will be perfect for fall and winter.  It is never to early to start on your fall line of jewelry and they are available for purchase in my BayMoonDesign online store!

I appreciate your thoughts on my pieces and so do my beading friends.  Please visit their blogs to see what they received from Lisa and what they created.

Your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist

Kim Dworak, Cianci Blue

Marybeth Rich, A Few Words from within the Pines

Karen Grosset Grange, Ginkgo et Coquelicot

Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera

Katrina Taylor, I Wanna Go Out

Ann Schroeder, Bead Love

Kathleen Breeding, 99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall

Terri Wlaschin, Dances in Fog

Margaret Pelech, Big Margaret

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Heather Richter, Desert Jewelry Designs

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

Toltec  Jewels, Jewel School Friends

Candida Elkins Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks

Catherine Yvonne King, Catherine's Musings

Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes

Shaiha Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings

Chris Eisenberg, Wanderware

Eleanor Burian Moore, The Charmed Life

Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design

Robin Reed, Artistry HCBD

Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry

Cassi Renee Paslick, Beads: Rolling Downhill

Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons

Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs

Judy Campbell, Macmillanmarie Jewellery Design

Nan Smith, Handmade Jewelry Nanmade

Marde Lowe, FanciMarDesigns

Linda Anderson, From the Bead Board

Leithleach Alainn Seodra, Alainn Jewelry

Lisa E. Prewitt Knappenberger, LiRaysa Designs