April Art Bead Scene Challenge

    Matamoe or Landscape with Peacocks
Paul Gauguin
1892
Oil On Canvas

This month's Art Bead Scene Challenge is a colorful and vibrant landscape by Gauguin.  Gauguin found it constricting to do what other Impressionists did and paint entirely from nature. Instead, he created a new type of Impressionism by painting with large, outlined blocks of flat, bright color. One thing that separated Paul Gauguin from other artists was that he used heavy outlines in his paintings. Impressionists blended pieces together to achieve a sense of time in the painting. Gauguin separated out objects with clear outlines instead in watered down Prussian blue. Later the blue outlines would be filled in with opaque colors. The idea was for the dark outline to heighten the intensity of the other colors used. Gauguin used flat areas of bright color. He used colors such as Prussian blue, cobalt blue, emerald green, viridian, cadmium yellow, chrome yellow, red ochre, cobalt violet, and lead or zinc white.

                                       necklace by BayMoonDesign featuring focal by Mary Harding

I decided to limit my use of colors to blue, black, green, and yellow.  The ceramic leaf that I selected to use as my focal in a necklace is by the well know ceramic artist Mary Harding and it reminded me of the blues and blacks in some of the trees in the painting.  I love the earthy and rustic looks of her work and I have several pieces in my shop that have her ceramics in them.

Navy Blue Ceramic Necklace by BayMoonDesign

This earthy navy blue ceramic necklace is perfect for anyone who loves art jewelry.  The dagger necklace has a rustic appearance and reminds me of the many green, and orange colors found in nature especially in Spring.  I used navy blue Irish waxed linen thread to bring out the yellows and greens in the necklace.  This long boho necklace has a bronze clasp that I made for this necklace.

I was inspired by this piece.  I think it would be a great Mother's Day gift.  What do you think?

Bead Peeps Blog and Swap

3rd Annual Bead Peeps Swap N Hop

I am happy to say I am part of the 3rd Annual Bead Peeps Swap N Hop which is hosted by Linda Anderson  of CherryOnTopDesign.  Our directions for this event are to send our partner something he or she will love and will brightening his or her day as well as offer a challenge. 

We didn't have much time to mail our beads to our partner. I spent some time poking around on the Internet to learn a little about my partner--Linda Raggo as possible.

Linda Raggo

Linda lives in Auburn, Georgia.  I found that Linda is exclusively on Facebook. She told me that she has had much better luck there than Etsy or Amazon Handmade and better than her local shows.   She is a seller in the LBA Designers Galleria Showcase group.  I had the opportunity to watch her sell there one weekend.  As far as I could tell, she sold everything she listed.  Her photos of her jewelry were really well done.  Her jewelry is beautiful.  She uses Swarovski crystal accents, sterling silver and lots of handmade ceramic and lamp work by well known artisans.

Stash of beads that Raggo sent to BayMoonDesign

Leafy agate necklace by BayMoonDesign

This yellow, moss green, and brown agate necklace has the three creamy leaf shaped ceramics that Linda sent to me. I  added light brown jasper and moss green and brown agate to them. This earthy statement necklace is 18 inches around. I made the brass clasp which reminds me of the sun. The yellow, brown and green colors are perfect for the nature lover.

Leafy Agate Necklace by BayMoonDesign

I think this woodsy necklace would make a special Mother's Day necklace or handmade artisan gift for someone special.  It is available in my shop.

Floral earrings by BayMoonDesign

These red floral lampwork earrings are so romantic and pretty! I used the floral lampwork beads that Linda sent.  The glass beads are white with red flowers that have tiny blue centers. I added blue swarovski crystals to highlight the blue in this red jewelry. I hand forged the sterling silver ear wires.

Rainbow colored necklace by BayMoonDesign

This rainbow colored casual necklace is a multicolored necklace with upcycled vintage tin beads and the stunning large, royal blue glass beads that Linda sent me.  I attached them with soft pale pink leather. I made an adjustable necklace which can be worn short or long. 

navy blue floral earrings by BayMoonDesign

I used the irredescent blue floral beads in these earrings.  The floral lamp work is a pretty navy blue. The earrings have hand forged sterling silver ear wires that I made especially for this jewelry. I added a couple of crystals to the ear wires for some sparkle.



Part of this challenge involved sending our partner some beads that we created with. I sent Linda the pink ceramic focal. I am anxious to see if she used it and how. Below is the pink crystal necklace that I made with it.

Pink Crystal Necklace by BayMoonDesign

This rosy red necklace has a pale pink ceramic focal surrounded by stunning pink crystals. There are rosy red pearls and silk ribbon attached. The crystal necklace has a pretty floral silver clasp.

Ocean wave necklace by BayMoonDesign

The other bead that I sent to Linda is the ocean wave bead in the necklace above.  I used the artisan 24 mm. in diameter ocean wave lamp work bead by glass bead maker Carole Hughes. The peach colored seashell swirl opaque glass and transparent glass reminds me of an ocean wave. I added a copper coral connector to the top and copper coral branch to the bottom of the lamp work. I combined copper spacers, carnelian red beads, cream beads, and blue gray chips. I also added tiny blue gray seed beads to add color and sparkle. I made the circular copper clasp with the intent of adding more copper with a similar design to the piece.

I am anxious to see if Linda used these beads and what she did with them.

I still have lots of beads that Linda sent left to use. Thank you Linda Raggo for the generous supply of beads and Linda Anderson for organizing this.  Please grab  your favorite beverage and enjoy seeing what everyone has created.  Leave a comment or two!

Linda Anderson - Hostess -  
http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com 
 
Beaders and partners 
Linda Anderson    http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Christina Hickman http://www.vintagetreasuresjewelry.blogspot.com
 
Catherine LaVite http://drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com/
Barbara Price    http://www.instagram.com/colorcopiajewelrydesigns/
 
Kathy Lindemer  https://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/  (here)
Linda Raggo  http://www.instagram.com/linda_raggo_
 
Marianne Baxter  http://simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.comAgnes Heidler
Rachelle Walker  http://www.chellerydesigns.net/blog
 
Gloria Allen  http://wingsandbeads.blogspot.com
Ally Asato  https://instagram.com/purplemosspal
 
Robin Lynne Showstack http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/
Naomi Knafla     https://www.instagram.com/naomiknafla/
 
Maria Rosa Sharrow http://willowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Dana Phillips    http://www.neverwinterdesigns.blogspot.com
 
Michelle McCarthy http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Beth Blanc       https://www.instagram.com/beth.blanc.designs.jewelry/
 
Hope Smitherman  http://CraftyHope.com
Kari Asbury     https://www.instagram.com/kariasburyjewelry/
 
Shai Williams   http://www.shaihasramblings.com/
Betony Maiden   http://beadwenches.blogspot.com
 
Inge van Roos     http://ingetraud.wordpress.com
Kelly Hosford Patterson https://www.instagram.com/pyxeestyx/
 
Kristina Peck  http://tealeavesandtinyhats.blogspot.com/
Lori Schneider  http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com
 
Rosantia Petkova    http://bairozan.blogspot.bg/
Erika Price      http://erikaprice.co.uk 
 
Claire Fabian  http://saraccino.blogspot.de/
Rachel Mallis  http://www.sharpthingsblog.com
 
Deb Fortin     http://mhotistudio.blogspot.ca
Nicole Rennell   http://nicolerennell.com
 
Joanne Bell  https://joannetinks.wordpress.com/
Johana Nunez  http://www.artincendi.com
 
Sam Waghorn      http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk
Natalie Davidson http://www.northshoredays.com/
 
Robin Reed     http://www.willowdragon.blogspot.com
Faye Wolfenden  http://torchfairy.blogspot.com
 
Karin King  http://maverickbeads.blogspot.ca
Divya      http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com
 
Rebecca White  http://morganafeycreations.wordpress.com
Palak Udeshi  http://kalaabhushan.blogspot.in
 
Seed Beaders 
Rebecca White  http://morganafeycreations.wordpress.com
Palak Udeshi  http://kalaabhushan.blogspot.in
 
Penny Houghton  http://smellynelly.blogspot.com.au
Krafty Max     http://www.kraftymax.net/blogposts/
 
Heather Canepa  http://www.desertjewelrydesigns.com
Ginger Bishop  http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
 
Katy Heider      http://onthepondcreations.blogspot.com/
Renetha Stanziano http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/
 
Becky Pancake  http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com/
Tina Pawass  https://freebirdsinnovations.blogspot.com
 
Mowse Doyle  http://www.midnight-leopard.com/
Tami Norris  https://www.instagram.com/taminorris79/
 
Minnette Miller    https://www.instagram.com/minnettemiller/
Veralynne Malone http://www.veradesigns.blogspot.com

Spring is in the Air

photo credit :: https://unsplash.com/@jmarko_smith

Spring everything is officially upon us, and I couldn’t be happier! I’ve loved running across so many pretty things on the web inspired by the fresh spring season.   I want to share some spring faves with you. 

Spring is in the Air by baymoondesign featuring yellow home decor



 Keep scrolling to see a few of my latest finds…

Yigal Azrouël red dress
renttherunway.com

Pink handbag
etsy.com

Post earrings
etsy.com

Floral painting
etsy.com

Yellow home decor
etsy.com

Easter home decor
etsy.com

Set of 3 Chick Eggs Painted Egg Gourds Spring Easter Eggs Blue Golden...
etsy.com




I think it is great fun to see floral and off the shoulder trends in women's fashions.  Accessories are key to energizing your wardrobe and home. Accessories can help to bring the spring into your home.

photo credit :: https://unsplash.com/@alexseinet

Bead Soup Blog Hop Hoarders Edition

Bead Soup Blog Party 2017

I am happy to say I am part of the Bead Soup Blog Party of 2017 which is sponsored by Lori Anderson.  This is a special edition --a Bead Hoarders edition. Our instructions were to open our hearts to hope and beauty and true gift-giving. We were to send our partner something he or she will love and will brightening their day.  This is a blind trade.  No discussion of colors, styles, etc. An interesting twist is that you need to send a note that tells who made the bead (if you know), the material (glass, clay, etc) or type of gemstone, and why you hoarded it.

Bobbie Rafferty

We only had a few days to mail our bead or beads to our partner. My partner for this year's exchange is Bobbie Rafferty of Beadsong Jewelry. We have worked together before on as designers for ZnetShows Beads and our jewelry has been featured on their website and Creative Spark online magazines.

Goodies sent to BayMoonDesign by Bobbie

I was pretty excited to get my package in the mail.  Truth be told, I am always excited to get beads.  I love the lamp work focal that she sent me.  I plan to use it in a necklace.  The focal is perfect for a redo of a necklace that I made a long while ago that was lacking contrast of colors.  In this reveal, you will see the before and after.  I succeeded in brightening the necklace with adding red to it. The focal has a deep red which worked well in the design.  

Before necklace by BayMoonDesign

The original freshwater pearl necklace contains elements that I loved, but the necklace just didn't do them justice.  I used stunning blister pearls,  freshwater pearls, and jasper.  There is a special green bead that is I made from high quality paper wrapped with gold and green threads. The focal pendant is pretty but added no additional colors.  The necklace was brown and olive green.  It needed another color to carry it to the next level.

                                 One of a kind olive green and red art necklace by BayMoonDesign

The lampwork bead that Bobbie sent me was just what I needed to redo this necklace.  The lampwork has a deep red, olive green and navy blue in it.  I added a handmade green head pin, some brass bead cap to it.  I also added additional red glass beads to the necklace to brighten it.  I spaced the stunning blister pearls with small brown pearls. I kept the jasper and special handmade fiber and paper bead.  I included a pretty polymer clay red rose by Leah Curtis. I turned this art necklace into a one of a kind gift for Mother's Day, an anniversary or birthday.

Earthy navy blue necklace by BayMoonDesign

The navy beads that Bobbie sent were just what I needed to finish my second necklace.  This earthy navy blue ceramic necklace is perfect for anyone who loves art jewelry.  The dagger necklace has a rustic appearance and reminds me of the many green, and orange colors found in nature especially in Spring.  I used navy blue Irish waxed linen thread to bring out the yellows and greens in the necklace.  This long boho necklace has a bronze clasp that I made for this necklace.


The ceramic leaf is by the well know ceramic artist Mary Harding.  I love the earthy and rustic looks of her work and I have several pieces in my shop that have her ceramics in them.

Thank you Bobbie for sending me just the right bead to transform a pretty necklace into a very special one.

A special thank you to Lori Anderson for organizing this!
Please stop by the blog hop to see what other folks created.