Bee’s – the Art Elements theme for April 2020

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

I pulled out my 2 sheets of bee papers with delight. I also gathered two bezels, ice resin, a pencil, sizzers and 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

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)

Sue

Jenny

Jen

Cathy

Marsha

Guests:

Tammy

Cat

Alysen

Kathy (here)

Sarajo

Kelly

Evie and Beth

Hope

We love to hear your comments!

Photo by Laura Barry on Unsplash

We're All Ears at Home

Photo by Julian Hochgesang on Unsplash

My home is in Delaware and due to the Coronavirus Disease the State has a mandatory order to stay-at-home and shelter in place, except to leave for essential work or activities. Automobiles with out-of- state plates are being stopped by the police. Unless the drivers have an essential work or activity in the state they are not permitted here.  The reason for this is that the southern portion of the state has beaches and there are many who would like to come to their second homes here or just enjoy the beaches. Living in the small beach town of Lewes the idea of lots of tourists entering the area is very scary.  Our hospitals are not equipped to handle the load of large possible cases the tourists could add.  The beaches have been closed to even the locals because large crowds were gathering.  I am glad.  I believe it is necessary.  We all must be doing our part. I just wish everyone would abide by the recommendations so that that we can all come together once again and that our economy will heal.

my deck with hummingbird feeders

In the meantime, I have much more "free time" which I have been trying to use wisely.  It is easy to do nothing or just do fun things!  I am trying to use some self discipline and do some cleaning and yard work each day.  I like yard work much more than cleaning.  I am appreciating my half acre of land more than ever each year due to increased summer traffic to my area and now due to this virus.

During these stressful times, I find it therapeutic to spend some time appreciating the plants and birds in my yard.  I am trying to attract hummingbirds.  I have my feeders out and I am hoping to see some.

hummingbird feeder

I had a few hummingbirds last year so I am hopeful that I will get more this year.

waterlilly

My favorite part of my backyard is a water feature with water lillies and gold fish.  This is a photo from last year of one of the lillies.  We divided the lillies this month and the flowers are just establishing themselves.  Our goldfish survived the winter and are enjoying swimming around. In another month, the pond should be filled with lillies.  I look forward to sitting on my deck with my goldfish, lillies and hummingbirds all summer.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird Earrings by BayMoonDesign

I snagged these hummingbird components made by Grubbi ceramics.  They reminded me of my love of hummingbirds.  When thinking about a design for a pair of earrings I knew that I wanted to keep the earrings light for the wearer for that reason I didn't want to use chain. I also decided to focus on the colors of the Ruby throated hummingbird.  It dawned on me that I had a bit of green 1mm round leather from Plessmann Endless Leather that I used on a bracelet and blogged about previously.  The main reason I was drawn to this company is because I recalled their wide selection and large choice in leather cords. They have more than 2000 different leather cords online. I absolutely love the colors they carry.  I am so glad that I kept the green leather scraps left from the bracelet. The color is perfect.

back of earring component and parts

The leather is very light weight and I started on the front of the earring and ran both ends through to the back where I then made a square knot. I applied a few drops of Super Glue to make the knot permanent. I added the component to ear wires with two jump rings. I thought about adding three dangles to the bottom, but I wanted a simpler and light weight design so I decided to snip two outer wires off.   I pulled in the colors of the bird by adding ruby colored pearls and pink Czech beads.  I love this pair of earrings that were inspired by the backyard of my home.  I hope that you are safe and finding your home a place of love, comfort, security.

This is a blog hop so I am looking forward to seeing what others were inspired to create.   Pop on over to the Earrings Everyday blog HERE to see what everyone else was inspired to make!

Bead Peeps Reveal 2020

Photo by Haley Lawrence on Unsplash

go down the rabbit hole

To enter into a situation or begin a process or journey that is particularly strange, problematic, difficult, complex, or chaotic, especially one that becomes increasingly so as it develops or unfolds. (An allusion to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.)

Beads Sent to BayMoonDesign by partner

Bay Moon Design is participating in Bead Peeps 7th Annual Swap'n Hop 2020. I love the opportunity to swap beads and get inspiration from a new assortment of beads. This is a blog/social media hop event where the organizers partner up with other beaders around the world to swap beads and then post the creations made with them. Be sure to check out the Facebook group for more info on this fun event!

Photo by Gary Bendig on Unsplash

In a previous blog I introduced my partner Jackie Marchant from Middlesboro, Kentucky.  Jackie sent me so many beads to work with that I had to narrow down the selection to beads that I would attempt to use.  Part of the challenge is to create something with a focal that was sent.  With Easter right around the corner, I decided that I would use the rabbit focal and include the key and lock clasp.  The pastel quartz beads reminded me of jelly beans so I thought they would be perfect to include in a necklace.

Beads set aside for bunny necklace

Bunny Necklace by BayMoonDesign

This is the Easter bunny necklace that I made with the pastel quartz beads added to a long natural brass chain. There is 26 inches of chain and beads added to the rabbit pendant which is 3 inches long.  The clasp has the bronze skeleton key and lock.

Bunny Necklace by BayMoonDesign

I am very happy with the look of the necklace. I think that an Alice in Wonderland fan or nature lover would adore it. 

Beads Selected for Pantone Classic Blue 

Another part of the challenge is to use Pantone Classic blue beads in jewelry.  When I sorted through all of the beads that I sent, I set aside some blue beads that I hoped to incorporate into a design.  I had a blue bracelet bar on my craft table for months that I thought I would use this spring.  This seemed like the perfect time.

boho blue bracelet by BayMoonDesign

This boho blue bracelet has a blue and gold handcrafted bird focal piece with lots of Pantone classic blue beads combined with turquoise and green beads. I think the variety of blues and greens with the pop of gold make this a perfect spring and summer bracelet. This piece of art jewelry features a bird on a branch by Brook Boch. I think this would make a fun gift for casual dress.  Both pieces are available for purchase in my online shop.  

Photo by Gary Bendig on Unsplash

Happy Easter and spring!  Enjoy the sights and sounds of Spring.

Leather Jewelry with Sliding Knot Tutorial

I found several tutorials that show how to make a sliding knot. Once you have mastered the sliding knot you can use it to make a number of necklaces and bracelets.  Jewelry cord with a sliding knot closure is perfect for finishing casual necklaces and bracelets and offers many advantages. Sliding knot closures are adjustable in length, so one size fits all. It is also a metal-free finishing method for those with sensitive skin.

When selecting a cord for your project, let the weight and size of your pendant or beads be the guide for your cord. Use smaller cord with small, lightweight adornments, and use a heavier cord with large pendants.

Adjustable Boho Beach Bracelet by BayMoonDesign

I love the casual look of this leather bracelet and it is easy to make. I tend to gravitate to any quick easy design that allows for flexibility in length because making bracelets can be a challenge due to the necessity of sizing the bracelet correctly. Since I market my jewelry to a wide range of customers, I like to make it appeal to a broad range. This sliding knot design broadens the range of wrists this bracelet can fit. I wanted some great looking colored leather that would compliment the beads that I selected to use.

2mm gray cord from Plessmann Endless

I selected 2 mm round cord from Plessmann Endless Leather in gray. The reason I was drawn to this company is because I have have used their leather before because they have a wide selection and in leather cords. They have more than 2000 different leather cords at wholesale prices online. I selected gray because I knew that I was going to use some word beads by Scottish artisan Grubbi and a pewter sea urchin bead. I love silver with blues. Gray is a neutral color so it was an easy selection.

In this video by Beadaholique, you will see from start to finish how to make a bracelet with slide knots using 2mm round leather cord and large hole beads. You will also see how to use crimp covers to hold the beads in place.

Another tutorial with photos and step by step instructions that I recommend for making sliding knots is by Rings & Things.  In this tutorial the sliding knot is used to create a leather necklace.

I used the sliding knot to make this adjustable boho leather bracelet that makes a great gift for a beach lover. The beach bracelet has a pewter sea urchin with word beads surrounding it. The word beads say "the ocean calms my restless soul" and "salty air and not a care"'.  The pale blues, greens and yellows give the bracelet a peaceful bohemian beach feel.

I liked the design so much that I made another bracelet that is similar and includes some different word beads by Grubbi.  The bead says "the ocean breeze puts my mind to ease. Once again I used the sea urchin bead.   I love that there is no limit to creativity with leather.  Comments are welcome!