September's We're All Ears Inspiration Is Based on Geometry!

                                                                 

                                                             ENRA Torque Starter

This September's We're All Ears inspiration is based on geometric shapes that are found in this video of of an ENRA dance troop performance.


ENRA’ is a visual dance performance troupe from Japan performing stunningly unique animation-based digital performances. The images used in the performances are not attuned to the dancers, but interactively staged in a way never imagined before. The members of ENRA are experts in genres including martial arts, gymnastics, ballet, animation, dance, juggling and street dance.

Torque Starter' is a feast for the mind. Using stunning visual effects combined with the perfectly timed movement of a lone performer who is juggling a lighted ball, 'Torque Starter' is filled with a frenetic energy and a host of geometrical shapes and images.

Blue geometric ceramic earrings by Bay Moon Design

Even though we were not given a color to rely on this month, I worked with color in my design.  I used the color to provide a means to create a mini mirror of the reverse of the colors in the cylindrical shape of the ceramic bead that I selected as the center piece of the design. The blue striped lampwork glass beads that I used are from Big Bead Little Beads in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. UK. Both of the beads have 3 stripes of color and I used those 3 colors on the top of the design.  All of the beads on the top are round and are stacked to show 2 shapes from the performance a circle and another cylinder.  So now the geometric design of each earring has 2 cylinders and a circle.  These long royal blue striped lampwork barrel earrings have handmade sterling silver ear wires made by me.  They are available for purchase HERE.

What do you think of these geometric earrings?

Pine Ridge Treasures' Favorite Things Blog Hop and Challenge

Sponsored by Lisa Lodge

Lisa Lodge of Pine Ridge Treasures lured me into another of her blog hops.  I couldn't pass up on an opportunity to see some of her favorite things and I am not disappointed.  Her kit included lots of beads and a focal that put me in a mood for autumn.

Lodge kit and close up of Thornton Sugar Skull focal

I had to begin this challenge by creating something with the wonderful polymer clay sugar skull by Andrew Thornton.  I did a little research to learn about the sugar skull tradition before I began to bead.  Sugar art was brought to the New World by Italian missionaries in the 17th century. The first Church mention of sugar art was from Palermo at Easter time when little sugar lambs and angels were made to adorn the side altars in the Catholic Church.

Mexico had abundant sugar production but was too poor to buy fancy imported European church decorations.  Mexicans learned quickly from the friars how to make sugar art for their religious festivals.  Sugar skulls represented a departed soul, and had the name written on the forehead and was placed on the home ofrenda or gravestone to honor the return of a particular spirit. Sugar skull art reflects the folk art style of big happy smiles, colorful icing and sparkly tin and glittery adornments.  These wonderful artisans are disappearing as fabricated and imported candy skulls take their place.

Although it is more a cultural than a religious holiday now from  in southern Mexico.. It is a wonderful way to celebrate the memories of  loved ones who are now gone... through art, cooking, music etc..

This Mexican Day of the Dead Sugar Skull necklace began with the polymer clay sugar skull by Andrew Thornton. I wanted the skull and rose design to have warm and earthy colors like the focal. All of the colors that I used are found in the Dia de los Muertos focal. I decided to use the metal copper to bring out the warm colors in the focal. I made the copper component to attach the focal, 2 sets of copper loops for the necklace to attach the beaded section of the necklace to the chain section. I also made the spiral copper clasp that is attached to the chain at the neckline of the necklace. All were hammered and tumbled to harden them. I choose aluminum chain that is a copper color also. The firey sunset biwa freshwater pearls and orange and gray agate were strung on beading wire. I used both types of beads because their vivid oranges colors compliment the sugar skull focal.  This necklace is available for purchase HERE.

Next, I made a big, bold, chunky, bear necklace by using the large brown angular beads that were in the kit.  This bear necklace has a very handsome and strong looking ceramic bear focal by ceramic artist Moriah Betterly. I created a leather and chain necklace using turquoise Irish waxed linen thread to add to the Southwest colors in the bear. I added a bronze leaf clasp to add to the woodsy theme of the animal totem necklace. 

I used two ceramic leaves by Moriah Betterly along with a few dark brown oval beads from Lisa for both of these autumn leaf bracelets.  The first leaf bracelet has a ceramic with grays and brown so I used reddish brown beads, brown seed beads, and gray jasper beads. I made the sterling silver clasp and links.  This casual bracelet that is perfect for fall is available for sale HERE.

The second leaf ceramic is pale green with brown.  Once again I used a few dark brown oval beads from Lisa.  I added green and reddish brown jasper chips and used copper.  I made a copper clasp and link.  I also used tiny copper beads to attach one side of the bracelet to the ceramic.  This green leaf bracelet is available for purchase HERE.

Thank you Lisa for the great beads.  I still have lots left.  I didn't even use any of the pearls yet!  Please stop by the other participants blogs to see what they received and created.  


Hostess: Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist

Gloria Allen, Wings and Beads

Kim Dworak, Cianci Blue

Jacqui Kipfer, Seven Oaks Jewellery

Shaiha Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings

Carolyn Lawson, Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

I think you can see that my thoughts and designs are heading into the fall.  I am also getting ready for a couple of camping trips.  I to get into the woods at this time of the year.  The leaves are starting to turn in the mountains and the air is refreshing.  Are your thoughts drifting into fall also?

Let's Celebrate Labor Day with a Fall Preview and Sale

Let's Celebrate Labor Day and the coming of fall with one of our favorite pastimes--saving money!  

Use coupon code THANKU2 at checkout for 10% off purchases of $10 or more now through September 7.

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

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

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

New Fall Earrings by Bay Moon Design

New Post Studs Added to Yoga Collection


Wearable Art

Fall Leaf Bracelet by Bay Moon Design

Raven Necklace by Bay Moon Design

New Sassy Cards by Bay Moon Design

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 Fall!  How about you?

Visit Bay Moon Design Etsy Shop

We're All Ears Aug Inspiration

Antelope Canyon

August's inspiration for We're All Ears Challenge is one of the least accessible and most photographed vistas in the American Southwest-- Antelope Canyon.  Antelope Canyon is in northern Arizona.  It is home to some magnificent slot canyons. According to Wikipedia, the Navajo people have a name for the Upper Antelope Canyon - Tsé bighánílíní - which means "the place where water runs through rocks."  Slot canyons are chasms eroded over eons by wind and rain and raging floods to create one of the most spectacular natural masterpieces. Antelope Canyon is located on the Navajo Reservation and can only be accessed by licensed tours with a guide and a permit to visit them.

Orange Agate Earrings by Bay Moon Design

These orange agate earrings are inspired by the photo of Antelope Canyon. The colors and striation in the agate remind me of the canyon.  I paired the agate with copper in order to pick up more of the color.  These earrings are available for purchase HERE.

"the place where water runs through rock"

This photo shows that at certain times of the day light penetrates the canyons bathing the entire area and penetrate to the canyon floor. These magic shafts of light only penetrate the secret chambers of the canyons for around 30 minutes each day from late May to late June.

Natural Freshwater Pearl Earrings by Bay Moon Design

These are natural freshwater pearls are another great choice for a natural material to use in an interpretation of this beauty found in nature.  Beautiful freshwater brown coin pearls are combined with brown spike pearls. These special pearl earrings have  sterling ear wires that I made.   These earrings are available for purchase HERE.

How do you think I did?