Andrew Thornton's Endless Sky Challenge

Andrew Thornton sponsored this Endless Sky Challenge by putting together 30 kits and challenging jewelry designers to use as much or as little of the kit to create a piece that showcases your creativity, individuality, and artistic expression. Ideally your creation will spotlight the great assortment of beads included in the kit, but the (endless) sky is the limit with what you can make!

Andrew Thornton's kit

The kit is an airy mix of Japanese Miyuki seed beads, Toho seed beads, Japanese Matsuno seed beads, vintage French seed beads, vintage Venetian seed beads, vintage Czech seed beads, freshwater pearls, glass pearls, Czech glass (both old and new), LOTS of aquamarine, agate, chalcedony, sodalite, stone, vintage sequins, German glass, jade, Swarovski crystal, vintage Japanese glass, vintage lucite and MUCH, MUCH MORE!

Thornton kit that Bay Moon Design received

For this challenge, we were given the creative spark in aquamarine. Thornton said, " I looked at the stone,  thought of the sky... an endless sky, studded with lazily drifting clouds. It's easy to say, "the sky is blue". But in reality, there are lots of colors represented above; there are shades of pale gray, subtle purples, and even tinges of green. The stone aquamarine has all of these colors".  This kit attempts to capture that ever-shifting blue.

Dreamy Blue Cloud Necklace by Bay Moon Design

The mystery component is the Thornton focal which I used in my first necklace.  When I saw all the seed beads I thought-not for me.  They were so gorgeous I found a way to incorporate them into this blue necklace as well as a second necklace. The stone and agate turned out to be perfect to use with them.   I also added one of my handmade sterling silver clasps to it. This dreamy cloud necklace is available for purchase HERE.

Butterfly Component in this necklace is by Jenny Davies-Reazor

This butterfly necklace features a handmade signed ceramic butterfly by Jenny Davies-Reazor . The pink and aqua heart ceramic below the butterfly is from Jeraluna Designs. With the yellow, pink, and aqua butterfly pendant I added royal blue and medium blue cultured sea glass with blue seeds from this kit on Irish waxed linen thread. The boho necklace is held together with a handmade silver lobster clasp. It is a real statement necklace with these vibrant colors and it is available for purchase HERE.

Textured Ceramic Earrings by BayMoonDesign

Sometimes you just need the perfect pair of beads to pop up.  Here, I found a pair that went perfectly with Susan Kennedy ceramics.  I love these textured blue, green, tan ceramics paired with soft aqua beads from the kit.

Jellyfish Necklace by Bay Moon Design

I managed to use a few more beads from the kit in this jellyfish necklace.  The large, round vintage lucite and powder blue bead that I put into the center were perfect to incorporate with the ceramic jellyfish to make the focal.   The jellyfish ceramic is by Suburban Girl Studio.   I also used some of the oval shaped grayish blue beads in this fun, summer necklace which is available for purchase HERE.  I think it makes a great summer birthday gift or hostess gift for a stay at the beach.

Can you believe I still have some beads left?

Here are the links to what other folks did with the same beads.  It is always interesting to see what others come up with!

Dolores Raml https://craftydscreations.wordpress.com

Marybeth Rich http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/

Mona Arnott http://bijouxgemsjoy.blogspot.com/

Christina Hickman http://vintagetreasuresjewelry.blogspot.com/

Shaiha Williams http://www.shaihasramblings.com/

Kathy Lindemer http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/

Ann Schroeder http://www.beadlove.wordpress.com

Tammy Bowman http://innermusejewelry.blogspot.com

Alison Herrington http://alisonadorns.blogspot.com/

Jeanne Steck http://gemsbyjeannemarie.blogspot.com/

Andrew Thornton, Melissa Wynne, and Laurel Ross http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/

Dolores Raml

Marybeth Rich

Mona Arnott

Christina Hickman

Shaiha Williams

Kathy Lindemer

Ann Schroeder

Tammy Bowman

Alison Herrington

Jeanne Steck

Andrew Thornton, Melissa Wynne, and Laurel Ross

Do you have a favorite?

UFO's-Unfinished Objects

Unfinished Objects not to be confused with Unidentified Flying Objects

                                                               photo by K Lindemer

Art jewelry Elements sponsored a UFO challenge--unfinished objects.  The challenge was simple.  

Pile of Beads that I Selected as Candidates for a Jellyfish Necklace

Collect up piles of half done work, those that you put into a draw and forgot about, the ones that you just could not find the right beads for or just lost interest in, the pieces you are not happy with and need to remake/rework, the works in progress....Gather them all up, and get them finished (or be brave and rip them apart and start again if they really do not work) so that you can move on to the next project with a clear mind or more importantly a clear desk.  Join the linky party to show off your newly completed treasures.

Completed Jellyfish Necklace by Bay Moon Design

I have a number of projects that would fit into this challenge, but I only finished one--my jellyfish necklace.  This blue necklace has an artisan ceramic jellyfish pendant by Suburban Girl Studio.    I attached it to some sea unique circular beads with blue Irish Waxed linen thread to give it an ocean look. This jellyfish necklace has white and powder blue cultured glass beads contrasted with oval, gray beads. This beach necklace is great fun and perfect with a casual outfit. This necklace is created to remind you of summer fun, the ocean and its underwater creatures.   I am glad that I finished it when there is still lots of summer left.  It is available for purchase HERE.

Backstory to Publishing in the 2015 issue of Create Jewelry

2015 issue of Create Jewelry 

I just received my complimentary copy of the new and super sized  2015 issue of Create Jewelry in the mail.  The magazine was packaged along with my earrings that are featured in it.  I also got back 3 other pieces of my jewelry that were considered for publication.  I dove into the magazine right away.  It is packed with 50 new and trend setting design and I am happy to be a small part of it.

Minimalist Earrings by Bay Moon Design

Have you ever wondered how a piece of jewelry ends up in a beading magazine?  To begin the process for this issue, we were given color palettes to use as our inspiration.  My published piece ended up being submitted by me to an "Earth Tone" color palette.  You can see that how these earrings work with that palette.  I was the one that named the earrings Minimalist.

These chocolate brown and beige ceramic earrings have an rustic and earth look to them. The ceramics are made by Marsha Neal Studio.  I used natural brass ear wires from Vintaj.  The natural brass ear wires go great with the colors in the ceramics and give them an bohemian look. Minimalist, simple, lovely, go with anything. They are available for purchase HERE.

Earthy Necklace by Bay Moon Design

I also had 3 other pieces of jewelry that were considered. By considered, I mean I was asked to send them to Create Jewelry.  Once there the company looks at all of the pieces that they are considering. They then select the ones that will appear together in the issue.  This earthy necklace was considered for the same "Earth Tones" section.  I used a vintage lucite focal that is layered on top of a triangular shaped handmade piece of brass. I  added some natural brass chain and Irish Waxed Linen thread to suspend the focal and attach the beads. Orange and gold print fabric is woven through the chain. I added a handmade copper clasp to completed the rustic necklace. Looking at the issue, I can see why the company was interested in the necklace.  Clearly, it is earth tones.  

Turquoise Boho Earrings by Bay Moon Design

These turquoise earrings were also considered for the "Jewel Tones" section which included a palette of orange, turquoise, green, brown.  These handmade turquoise earrings combine turquoise Irish Linen thread and turquoise polymer clay beads made by artisan Saraccino. A few white seed beads are added for contract and color. The bohemian earrings have a wonderful boho look or tribal look. They are available for purchase HERE.

Champagne Sunset Necklace by Bay Moon Design

Another piece that I was asked to send in is what I call my Champagne Sunset Necklace. I submitted it for the same "Jewel Tone" palette section. 

The beautiful peach orange crystals and turquoise chalk beads remind me of the colors of the sunset. The blue necklace has lots of sparkle. I used gorgeous hand dyed peaches and cream silk ribbons as the means to close it.

I am thrilled to have my pair of earrings included in this issue along with jewelry by 22 other designers.  The issue even has a photo of all the designers and a small bio of each.

I think you can see that a designer goes through-- looking at submission criteria, creating the jewelry, photographing it, writing descriptions and directions, submitting, mailing accepted pieces etc. What is the reward? The thrill of seeing your piece in the publication along with other designers that you admire.

Let's Celebrate the red, white, and blue with one of America's favorite pastimes--saving money!  Exercise your independence and enjoy your Fourth of July.

Use coupon code THANKU2 at checkout for 10% off purchases of $10 or more now through July 6.

Bay Moon Design has been busy creating some new jewelry and cards.  This is the time of year when my customers are looking for cards and gifts for such events as:

• graduations
• birthdays
• weddings or bridal showers
• baby showers or new baby

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

 

                             New Earrings by Bay Moon Design

                   

                                   New Wearable Art Necklaces 

                                     New Handmade Cards

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.

 I'm ready for Summer!  How about you?

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