AJE Buried Treasure January Challenge

We all have one. Call it a treasure, or a bead stash. Call it loot or inventory.

The AJE Buried Treasure January Challenge this month is to create with a treasure --bead or component! 

Here is how it works: 

• Gather your beads and components by any and all of your favorite artisan bead makers. 
• Fondle. Think. Plan. Design. Dream. 
• Create! 

Teal Leaf Earrings by Bay Moon Design

One of my favorite lamp work and enamel work artisans is a member of this group-- Sue Kennedy.  I bought these enamel leaves from her several times in different colors.  I love them.  I think that is why I hung onto this teal pair for so long before making earrings with them.  I finally decided to pair them with some teal crystals that have a slight hint of purple in them just as the enamel leaves do. They are available for purchase HERE.

                                                 Seek Beautiful Moments Bracelet by Bay Moon Design

My second piece that I made is for my yoga collection of jewelry in my online shop.  This pretty lotus bracelet has a large brass cuff with inspirational words "Seek Beautiful Moments" handmade by artist Erin Prais-Hintz. It also has yellow, orange, red lotus flower on it. I added some red, orange Czech glass and yellow beads to it. It has interesting brass beads and rust Irish waxed linen thread.  It is available for purchase HERE.

I am happy I participated in this challenge.  I have 2 pieces I love made with beads by 2 talented artisans.  Thanks ladies for your creations!

Please visit these participants and see whose creations they used.

AJE team:

Lesley Watt

Lindsay Starr

Caroline Dewison

Jennifer Cameron

Jenny Davies-Reazor

Susan Kennedy

Niky Sayers

Guests: 

Terri - Terrri’s Blooming ideas

Shai - Shai’s Ramblings

Melissa - Bead Recipes

Tammy - Paisley  Lizard

Sarajo - SJ Designs

Kathy - Bay Moon Designs   (here)

Karin - Ginko et Colquelicot

Lola - Bead Lola Bead

Samantha - Wescott Jewelry

Mona - Bijoux Gem

Suntsa - Suntsan

Brooke - Artistic Endeavours 101

Thank you for taking time to read my blog.  I would love to hear your comments and I welcome you to follow my blogs.

My Take on the Muffin Tins Challenge

My plastic container with earring parts

Heather Powers of Humblebeads issued a challenge on Saturday.  Heather calls it her Muffin Tin Challenge.  She has held this Muffin Tin Challenge before.  The idea is simple--get out your muffin tins, fill them up with beads.  She recommends one project per muffin cup.  Since I travel a bit, I wanted something portable.  I found this plastic container with a lid this summer and I use it as my muffin tin for my earring designs.  I love to make earrings so I am always looking for pairs of beads to use.  I have found this a great way to collect pairs or parts for earrings.

Mauve Earrings by Bay Moon Design

I was able to get this mauve pair of earrings made plus 4 other pairs using this method.

For necklaces and bracelets, I use plastic bags.  I start with a focal like the yellow flower above and keep adding pieces until I think I have what I want to use.  This might take a year or two for me!  I have lots of these baggies.  The baggies then go into a box with a lid so they are portable also.

Yellow Flower Focal by Lesley Watt

Cardinal necklace by Bay Moon Design
This cardinal necklace is a result of using the plastic baggy method. I have been collecting and making pieces slowly. The cardinal pendant in this necklace is a true piece of wearable art necklace inspired by nature. The red bird is made by polymer clay artist Humblebeads. The ceramic twig is by artist Diane Hawkey. I put a patina on the leaf to add some contrast in color. All were combined to make the statement focal for this red necklace. I used brass chain and gorgeous red beads with a hint of yellow. It finally came together just in time for this challenge and it is available for purchase HERE.

What bead storage and organizational methods work for you?

Handmade Components

Copper clasps by Bay Moon Design

January is the time of the year that I restock some of my handmade jewelry making supplies.  I am using more and more of my own handmade components like clasps in my jewelry and selling some in my online Bay Moon Design online store.

Copper clasps are available for purchase HERE

Gold brass clasps by Bay Moon Design

I devoted a few days this month to making more gold brass clasps as well as copper clasps.

Gold brass clasps are available for sale HERE

 Next, I need to make a lot of ear wires.  You know me, I love making earrings so I use lots of ear wires.

Beginnings of Copper Leaves by Bay Moon Design

I am also beginning to make some copper leaves for my jewelry.  I love copper and I can't wait to finish these.  Right now I am at step 1--cutting the leaves out of copper.

Handmade Beads by Bay Moon Design waiting to be made into jewelry

I made a few polymer clay beads.  I hope to take the best looking of these feathers and put it on top of a copper leaf to make necklace.

experimenting with photography

I have also been working on my photography --always a challenge for me.  I am really happy with my new photo box.  I just switched out the white background for gray and I am even happier with my photos of my jewelry.

What have you been up to this month?

January Art Bead Scene Challenge

Landscape with Stars 

by Henri-Edmond Cross

This month's January Art Bead Scene challenge is a wintry-hued watercolor Landscape with Stars by Henri-Edmond Cross.  His paintings of the early- to mid-1890s are characteristically Pointillist, with closely and regularly positioned tiny dots of color. Beginning around 1895, he gradually shifted his technique.   Instead he used broad, blocky brushstrokes and leaf small areas of exposed bare canvas between the strokes. The resulting surfaces of the paintings resembled mosaics. His works may be seen as precursors to Fauvism and Cubism.

Color Palette

I see this month's color palette as fresh spring shades and a chance to use Pantone's colors of the year! 

Blue Leaf Necklace by Bay Moon Design

 I used gorgeous lampwork leaves by Canadian Kim Snider of Mandrel Beads.  The colors of the leaves-- blues and yellows seemed to echo the landscape. In between these leaves I added a few brilliant blue lapis bead chips for contrast. I pulled in yellow by using citrine bead chips. A few sea colored beads add a nice contrast. I made a brass clasp to add to the yellow in the necklace.  The necklace is available for purchase HERE.

I think I nailed the colors in the landscape.  What do you think?