November 2015 Art Jewelry Element Component Challenge

Lichens

There is no greater inspiration than nature, and November’s Art Jewelry Element components were inspired by lichens.  They were made by Caroline Dewison of Blueberribeads. Caroline said, "I love to walk in the local woods, finding these little treasures on the bark of the trees. They make me think of tiny little worlds."  

November AJE Lichen Components

These components are made from earthenware clay and have been colored with a combination of her own recipe glazes. Two components were given away this month.  Nicole Prince and I are the lucky winners.  I have to add that when my component arrived from the UK, I was stunned at how beautiful it was.  The photo doesn't do it justice.  The focal looks like it has pools of water sitting in it. The colors have an iridescence to them.

The component that I won is the one of the right

Lichen Necklace by Bay Moon Design

As soon as I saw the lichen, I knew exactly what beads I was going to use.  I had squirreled away a strand of biwa freshwater pearls that I got from the House of Gems awhile back,  They have the same blue, purple, gold iridescent colors as the focal.  I knew I had to save these gorgeous pearls for something special and this focal qualifies,  I made sterling silver links and clasp for this special necklace.  I love it and intend to keep it for myself!   

Here's the blog roll - enjoy!  I can't wait to see what everyone did with this beauty.

Art Jewelry Elements Team:
Lesley Watt
Jenny Davies-Reazor
Phantasm Creations
Caroline Dewison
Linda Landig
Niky Sayers
Jennifer Cameron
Other winner of the component:
Nicole Prince - Healing Beading

Giving Thanks with Free Shipping and Gift Wrapping now thur Cyber Monday

Let's Celebrate Thanksgiving and the coming of the holiday season with one of our favorite pastimes--saving money!  

Use coupon code FREEUS for free U.S. shipping and wrapping on orders of $20 or more from now thru Cyber Monday!  All orders will be shipped Dec. 2.

Bay Moon Design has been busy creating some new jewelry and cards with the holidays in mind.  This is the time of year when my customers are looking for jewelry, cards and gifts for the holidays.

I put together this small sampling of some of the new gift items.  I hope something catches your eye!  

Very cute snowman necklace with charm holder on 18 inch chain

Another version of this artisan ceramic snowman is available on a 16 inch chain.  The snowman is suspended from a circle.    

Snowman on 16 inch sterling chain with circle 

Sparkly red and green crystal earrings

Pewter Snowmen Earrings

Rustic Red and Brown Earrings

Cute holiday card or gift card holder

These new designs plus others are available for purchase in my Bay Moon Design shop now.  Don't forget that custom orders are welcome.  Please feel free to email me at baymoondesign@gmail.com.

Did you know that 53% of those that shopped online in 2014 used smartphones or tablets, up from 41% in 2013?   (Google) 

 I'm getting ready for the holidays by shopping online!  How about you?

Visit Bay Moon Design Etsy Shop

Pretty Palette for November 2015 Reveal

Îles d’Or (Islands of Gold) by Impressionist painter Henri-Edmond Cross

Once a month Erin Prais-Hintz  selects an inspiration piece for she and her partner to use with Halcraft beads. This month I am her lucky partner.

This inspiration piece is Îles d’Or (Islands of Gold) by Impressionist painter Henri-Edmond Cross.  Îles d’Or are four islands off the southeastern French coast that must be magical. Legend says that the gods turned swimming princesses into the Îles d’Hyères. These islands are laden with mica-rich rock that glitters and gleams in the bright sunlight. At first glance it appears that the painting is just a simplistic color gradation. Upon further inspection, you can see the mountains of the isles in the distance, and notice the shimmering golden waves. 

November's Halcraft beads

Erin Prais-Hintz  selected Halcraft beads that are a cross-section of the colors in the painting.  She also picked beads with a similar shape. 

Beads (l to r):
59338 – Citrine chips semi precious
83951 – Gold luster hematite stone
90434 – Howlite chips dyed stone
97709 – Turquoise dyed howlite cube stone
55318 – Shell nugget aqua 7mm
93347 – Chinese yellow quartzite aqua stone
93818 – Abalone nugget 30-40mm shell (we each get one)

Our Pretty Palette for November took me away on a vacation of mind, body and spirit to my winter home in the Florida Key. I was inspired by this seascape inspiration with turquoise water and it reminded me of the blue water in the Keys. For my first necklace, I used the beautiful abalone nugget as the focal. I then selected beads that have a soothing natural color palette to go with the focal. I used almost the entire strand of turquoise howlite chips dyed stone and the aqua stones from aqua stone Chinese yellow quartzite  strand along with the gold luster hematite stone. I absolutely love the gold luster hematite. I think that these beads are just gorgeous together. I found some sari ribbon that had similar colors to pull everything to together in this multi strand necklace.  It is available for purchase HERE.

Abalone nugget necklace by Bay Moon Design

The second piece that I created captures the beauty of the seaside landscape. The seaside landscape that I used as my inspiration is this beautiful ceramic bead by UK artisan Lesley Watt. I love red, white, and blue so I used those 3 colors with the ceramic. I used the blue stones from Chinese yellow quartzite aqua stone strand, white beads with specks of blue from my stash, and red Irish waxed linen thread. I made a sterling silver clasp with similar angles as the sail. If you would like to purchase this necklace, it is available HERE.

Sailing  the Seas Necklace by Bay Moon Design

  

Starfish earrings by Bay Moon Design

I love to make earrings so I had to include a pair.  These starfish earrings use the semi precious citrine chips.  These starfish earrings are made from natural brass sheets that have been embossed with a starfish pattern. The earrings are hand painted also with yellow, blue and green patinas to create this beach jewelry. I used citrine chips to mimic the sand on the beach. The metal has a protective coating to keep the color vivid for years to come! I have hung them on brass ear wires.

These handmade earrings are available for purchase HERE.

Stop by Erin's blog to see what she the gorgeous necklace she created with these same beads.  
Erin thank you for inviting me to be your partner and for selecting such gorgeous beads and inspiration for me.  

Art Bead Scene November Monthly Challenge

Autumn flowers

by Marguerite Zorach

Autumn flowers by Marguerite Zorach is the Art Bead Scene inspiration piece for November, 2015.  The colors are bright and fresh just as autumn days.  This piece reminds me that autumn is  filled with clear, crisp bright colors. Just look at the autumn sky and changing colors of the leaves!  

The color palette of this month's inspiration is a mix of muddy, tertiary colors. It offers the pop of teal, cornflower blue, olive green and wonderful rusty oranges.

I selected a handmade component by artisan Heather Powers of Humblebeads with the oranges, olive greens, and muddy browns and grays, I was drawn to it by the colors and the fox. Jumping fox component has a sly little fox running through a birch forest. I love the muted earthy hues The fox has a special meaning to my daughter and I plan to give it to her for her birthday,

Jumping Fox Bracelet by Bay Moon Design

other side of Jumping Fox bracelet by Bay Moon Design

I read the  Leather Bracelet with Micro Screws Nuts Tutorial by Powers of Humblebeads on her blog and I decided to give it a try.  A real plus in this tutorial is that it lists component and where to locate them.  It also has great directions with photos.  I did deviate from the tutorial slightly when I used  her fox component.  It didn't have holes on each end like the bracelet bar in the tutorial.  I had to create a loop and connect it to the jump ring and leave enough room to make a messy wrap next to the component.  I then ran the wire horizontally through the component and make another loop.  I used this loop to attach to the jump ring.  Once again I left enough room to make a messy wrap next to the component.   Now, that I made the bracelet I have mastered a new skill.  Micro screws and nuts make this a no-fail project with very minimal tools and no riveting experience needed!  In fact, I had the tools.  I just needed to get the leather, E hook clasp, jump rings, micro screw and nuts from Lima Beadshttp://www.limabeads.com/. 

Now, go on and give this a try.  It is easy peasy!