Bead Soup Mix Challenge Inspires a Redo of a Necklace

Humblebeads Purple and Green Polymer Clay Bead

Heather Powers of Humblebeads  Bead Soup Mix Challenge is an easy one--create a piece of jewelry with at least one Humblebead in the mix.  I took this as an opportunity to redo a necklace that I wasn't happy with and combine a new lotus flower ceramic that I just purchased from Jenny Davies-Reazor with a pretty purple and green polymer clay bead by Humblebeads that I had been hoarding.  

This is the necklace that I redesigned.

I redid this purple rabbit necklace because I thought the jade purple rabbit was too small for the necklace. When I redid the necklace I got rid to the 3 silver hearts and used lavender Irish waxed linen thread instead of beading wire to give it a more casual look. I also added some amethyst beads to the necklace. The purple Humblebeads bead was the perfect color for the purple, pink and yellow ceramic.

Lotus flower necklace by Bay Moon Design

I replaced an inexpensive store bought  clasp at the neckline with a sterling silver clasp that I made to give the necklace additional handmade artisan component.  I kept Marsha Neal's pretty silk ribbon.    I think it is a perfect gift for someone who practices yoga. The lotus has spiritual symbolism among many cultures. I created this lotus necklace especially to add to my yoga collection.

I feel that I now have a true art statement necklace.  What are your thoughts?   

My Show at Art in the Park -- a Recap of the Highlights and Lows

Kathy Lindemer of Bay Moon Design-  handmade jewelry and cards at Art in the Park

With goal of bringing arts to the community and promoting artwork by local artists, the Millsboro Art League in Delaware held its 2nd Outdoor Art Show on Saturday, June 20, 2015 in Cupola Park, a waterfront park at the eastern entrance to Millsboro Town Center. There was a wonderful selection of artwork, photography, pottery, fiber art, stained and fused glass, painted objects and furniture, and jewelry. I was one of two jewelry artists. This was a first for me. I am use to a show being 50% jewelry or at least it seems that way.

The day did not start off well due to Mother Nature and the Weather Channel.  Of course I monitored the weather carefully everyday leading up to the outdoor show and the morning of the show. I was hoping I wouldn't need a tent.  Jewelry shows better in the sun and I am don't like to wrestle with a tent. There was a zero percent chance of rain so I didn't even pack a plastic tarp.  The moment I entered the park at 7:15 a.m. there was a downpour.  After it stopped raining and I located my setup spot, I began unpacking all my "stuff".  Soon there after, we had another downpour.  At this point my table cloths were soaked.  Being resourceful, I used some of my bubble wrap which I had packed some of my delicate items in to cover the table to prevent water damage to my jewelry and cases that go on the table.  When the rain stopped I finished setting up and then there was another downpour.  Next I used the lids of my plastic bins that hold all of my "stuff" and more of my bubble wrap to protect my setup.  Thank goodness, there was no more rain just heat and humidity.  Thank goodness for bubble wrap!

Paintings by John Donato

I took advantage of the opportunity to see some of the work by the artists there.  As you probably know, I love cats so John Donato's cat painting in the lower right corner caught my eye.  I love his whimsical style.  John specializes in creating art with "Smile Impact".   John is very well known for his transformational mural work in schools. His art projects help children, teachers, and administrators reinforce educational and social goals using mural painting.  I also discovered John has a Etsy store just like I do!

Photography by Carl Forsberg

 I have to give a shootout to Carl Forsberg.  He helped me get into the show.  Carl was at the Delaware by Hand Show that I did in Lewes over Memorial Day and gave me his email on a slip of paper with his schedule of shows for the year when I purchased some of his gorgeous cards.  Great idea to make a schedule for your customers and good advertisement for the shows!  I plan on doing this.

                                     From Jeff Todd Moore's art series of Delaware Beach scenes

Another shoutout goes to artist Jeff Todd Moore the organizer of the Art in the Park show.
Jeff Moore is a native of Delaware, and as a resident of southern Delaware. He does stained glass panels, photography and paintings that feature many of the things he sees around him, from the back bays and creeks, to the ocean and the boardwalks. 

Tiny Treasure Boxes by Ginny Barney

I also spotted Ginny Barney and her darling "treasure boxes" she creates from old cigar boxes. She was at  Delaware by Hand Show that I did in Lewes over Memorial Day also.

 I loved being in this show with these talented local artists.  Southern Delaware is certainly growing its art events and artists!

We're All Ears June Inspiration

ILLUSTRATION BY THEO CARRERAS

For this month's We're All Ears inspiration I focused on an illustration by Theo Carreras from National Geographic February 1986. There are so many textures, colors, shapes with many unique life forms, both above and below the surface of the tide pool.  Barnacles, seastars, octopi, crabs, mussels, anemones, kelp and even all manner of birds make their homes in these shallow pools teeming with life. 

My earrings are inspired by the tide pools rather than the rock pools. 

Tide Pool Inspired Earrings by Bay Moon Design

My rustic looking aqua earrings feature ceramics by Sue Kennedy.  Her aqua ceramics have a wonderful texture to them.  I love the swirls of blues, greens and tans. The colors mirror some of the colors in the tidal pool.  I paired the handmade ceramics with angular aqua beads. I think that these are interesting geometric earrings. They have sterling silver ear wires and spacer beads. I love that they have a rustic and earthy appearance to them. They are available for purchase HERE.

Royal blue bubble earrings by BayMoonDesign

I also made a pair of royal blue bubble earrings that were inspired by the tidal pool.  I imagines all kinds of living creature producing bubbles under the water.  These royal blue earrings are made of cultured sea glass long rectangles with sterling silver bubbles. These geometric shaped earrings are on sterling silver ear wires.  They are available for purchase HERE.

Which pair are your favorites?

Art in the Park in Millsboro, Delaware June 20, 2015

With goal of bringing arts to the community and promoting artwork by local artists, the Millsboro Art League (MAL) will hold its 2nd Outdoor Art Show on Saturday, June 20,  2015 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Cupola Park, a waterfront park at the eastern entrance to Millsboro Town Center.  There will be artwork, photography, pottery, fiver art, stained and fused glass, painted objects and furniture, and jewelry.  I am excited to be one of two jewelry artists.  I am thrilled to see my nest bracelet on the right side of the poster.  I will have a matching seagull necklace there at the show,

Seagull necklace and nest bracelet

I will also have some new beach bag charms there.  I made 4 of these for my craft show in May that was held in the beach town of Lewes, Delaware.  They were a big hit so I thought it worth restocking since Millsboro is also close to the beach.

Beach bag charms by BayMoonDesign

My new card holder

I will also have an opportunity to use my new card holder for a second time.  I will have plenty of handmade cards there for a variety of occasions.  I have found that having a variety of handmade items at craft fairs is a good strategy that works for me.  This time I will make sure my table isn't titled forward hopefully.  

Wedding card by BayMoonDesign

The Millsboro Garden Club will also host children’s art activities.  I will have my popular children's necklaces there for sale. These necklaces give me another opportunity to have a diverse selection. Another type of handmade jewelry which worked well for me this year is the foot anklet.  There will be a few available.

This is the first time I have done this show and I am very excited to be part of it.  It should be a wonderful family event.  The location is great.   It will be held at a waterfront park on tidal Indian River in downtown Millsboro, Delaware. The park features a pavilion with picnic tables and barbeque grills, a playground, boat ramps, shoreline fishing, and the largest bald cypress tree in Delaware.  There will even be food available for purchase.  I love the idea of combining art and the beauty of nature!