Betterly Ceramic Is Perfect for June Art Bead Challenge

Trees Laden with Parasites and Epiphytes in a Brazilian Garden, 1873 

      
This month's Art Bead Challenge is a landscape painting by Marianne North, an English Victorian biologist and botanical artist.  She is  notable for her plant and landscape paintings.  She is also well known for her extensive foreign travels, her writings, her plant discoveries and the creation of her gallery at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

 The painting selected for our inspiration is called  Trees Laden with Parasites and Epiphytes in a Brazilian Garden.  The scientific accuracy with which she documented plant life in all parts of the world, before photography became a practical option, gives her work a permanent value. 

When I first looked at the painting I was struck by all of the reds and greens. That combo reminds me of Christmas, but it's also a really powerful complementary color scheme. Red never looks more red than when it's against green because they sit directly opposite each other on the color wheel.  I pulled out a bracelet bar made by Moriah Betterly because it is red and has a design that reminds me of the flowers in the painting.

Red Floral Cuff Bracelet by BayMoonDesign

I decided against trying to use the dominant color of the painting green in the same proportion as the artist did.  After selecting the beautiful red ceramic and I struggled to do it justice.  I came to realize that the tiny green button pearls that I originally decided to use were way too small for this large cuff.  The ceramic cuff is large and sits on top of the wrist. It is about 2 inches in height and completely covers the top of the wrist. The bracelet has 2 strands of beads on the back --green freshwater pearls, gold beads, and red sea glass beads. The long red sea glass beads that I got from Znetshows are the perfect vibrant color and their unique shape worded well.   I made the  golden brass clasp so that I had control over the length of the clasp.  I am so glad I have decided to make most of my clasps.  It lets me customize the design.  I am very happy with the bracelet.  I didn't want it to end up screaming Christmas and I don't feel it does.  I love the reds in the bracelet.  I also feel that I captured the tropical colors in the painting.  The bracelet is for sale HERE.

What are your thoughts?

We're All Ears-June Inspiration

June Inspiration for We're All Ears--The Skylight of the Guggenheim

Guggenheim Museum in New York was designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The museum itself is a modern marvel art.  It houses some of the world's greatest art.  The skylight of the Guggenheim is this month's inspiration for "We're All Ears".  The natural nautilus-shaped spiral gently slopes from the top to the bottom leading the viewer through each layer of the collection. This view is looking up from the bottom of the rotunda to the sky lights above.

When I first looked at this photo, all I saw were circular shapes, but there are angles as well. In face there are triangles, arcs, circles, squares, and ovals.

 

Black BoHo Earrings by Bay Moon Design

My black boho earrings are inspired by the the circular shapes and shades of black from gray to black and the white.  I used circular obsidian beads with different shades of gray and black circular patterns in them along with gray, handmade polymer clay beads that have flecks of white, silver, gray and black in them.  I combined them with black Irish linen thread and used silver earwires.  You can purchase these earrings HERE.

Summertime Giveaway and Sale at Tree Wings Studio

Are you ready for some fun?! Tree Wings Studio so enjoyed creating these new pressed flower beads, and since seeing her beads find new homes in your creations… and she LOVES doing giveaways.  She decided we should have another one.  She is giving away 1 focal (of your choice from the photo above) to 4 lucky winners! (Details for entering are below.)

And since good things often come in pairs, it seemed only right that everyone has a chance to save a little on bead shopping—so, starting today thru June 28th select beads are 15% off in her Etsy shop! You don't need a coupon—she has already marked the prices down in each listing for easy shopping.

And…

With spring coming to an end,
so is her Spring Cleaning Sale—grab these last sets while you can!

Whatever is left goes back to regular price on 6/29.

The Giveaway Rules:

(Yes, as always, international bead lovers are welcome to enter!)


To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment in the comments section of Tree Wings Studio blog and tell me your favorite spring and summer flowers. Are you often inspired by flowers in your jewelry or bead designs? What flowers would you like to see me make? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

And you get extra entries by leaving additional comments for doing one or all of these:

1. Becoming a follower of Tree Wings Studio blog
2. Sharing my GIVEAWAY on your blog, facebook, twitter, or pinterest
3. Sharing my 15% off Summer Sale on your blog, facebook, twitter, or pinterest

4.  Sharing my 20% off Spring Cleaning Sale on your blog, facebook, twitter, or pinterest

Be sure to leave ONE comment for EACH thing you do.

And don't forget to leave your contact info.

(Feel free to use any of the photos posted here when sharing.)


This giveaway and sale will end on June 28th at 11:59pm EST.

A Good Deed Is Rewarded

Sea Shell Necklace by Bay Moon Design

A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love. 
Saint Basil

 

Over a year ago, bead artist blueberribeads had a giveaway and I won a number of her beads.  I still have 1 focal from this batch that I won that is unused.  I won the 2 ceramic urchins and the ceramic shell pictured above. I added some natural shells, purple czech beads, and mint green Irish waxed linen and created a summer necklace. This earthy, long purple necklace is 26 inches (66 cm) long not including the shell pendant which is 1.5" long.  A lovely seahorse clasp completes the nautical look. It gives a piece an earthy look.The shell necklace has been published in Bead-It-Today magazine, issue 8.  I am just thrilled.  I know blueberribeads is too. 

I feel that her generosity in giving away some of her beautiful beads has been rewarded by the beads getting published.  For me, I feel like I won  twice.  I won the beads and a publication.  If you would like to purchase the necklace it is available HERE.

Bead-It-Today magazine

Bead-It…today is a bimonthly how-to magazine that features trendy, budget-friendly jewelry and accessory designs that can be made, from start to finish, on the quick. With a heavy focus on current trends, it has tutorials and features are fresh, fun, and stylish!