Moondance Jewelry: B'Sue Boutiques Build-A-Line Challenge Blog Hop #2

Welcome to Blog Hop #2!

 Earlier this month that pesky groundhog said that we're in for six more weeks of winter but I've got my eye on the prize~ SPRING! Those warm breezes, blooming flowers and singing birds can't come too soon!

Japanese iris a perennial favorite

 Tree Peonies after a rain shower

Lupines courtesy of Miss Rumphius.

In my neck of the woods there is still a lot of  howling wind and snow piling up everywhere!  If you live in the northeast you've also probably seen more than enough of the white stuff.

Front gardens in February

I'm happier than ever that I chose Rustic Garden as my theme for this challenge because in the depths of winter I can dream about the coming Spring while planning my jewelry designs.

We've been having some very lively exchanges in our Build-A-Line Challenge group. Brenda Sue Lansdowne of B'Sue Boutiques( http://www.bsueboutiques.com) has led us in discussions on fashion trends, design inspirations, color palettes, product lines and much more. We're a chatty, talented and dedicated group that has a wide range of experience in jewelry making, and I enjoy participating in the exchange of ideas and opinions. She's made us dig deep and give serious thought to our goals as jewelry artists.

I've been meandering down my garden path a bit this past month while developing several different ideas.  I don't usually have a shortage of ideas but all the conversation with my classmates in this challenge has kicked my imagination into overdrive.  I've had to rein in my desire to try lots of cool ideas and instead focus on my growing collection. My jewelry journal is filling up with new projects for another time! For this challenge I need to be a bit more disciplined to create a more cohesive look for my jewelry. More cool ideas will have to wait for later.

Here's a bracelet I made recently. Those green beads and the flying bird are early signs of Spring and fit well with my theme. 

Rustic Garden 5 strand bracelet

And every good bracelet needs a coordinating pair of earrings, right? OK, maybe more than one but you'll have to wait a bit to see the others. You can also watch for a necklace to join this collection very soon.  

Rustic Garden bird earrings

Remember that bird's nest from our first blog hop?? Here it is all decked out in a rustic necklace heralding the arrival of Spring.

Welcome Spring nest necklace

 I liked that 5- strand bracelet design so much that I started working on one to accompany the necklace above. Still a work in progress, but what do you think?? Of course, there will be earrings too, and likely more than one style.  (I don't think you can ever have too many earrings!)

5 Strand bracelet work in progress

I've got several other pieces in the works and have ordered yet more supplies! (I'm giving the poor delivery people a workout this winter. Sometimes they can't make it up my driveway and need to hike in the snow to deliver my packages). Come back for the March 20 Blog Hop #3 and see the completed Spring collection of my Rustic Garden. By then we'll be that much closer to Spring! Yippeee......looking forward to some mud!

Thanks for visiting. Please leave a comment if you are so inclined. I do read them all and will respond! You can also check out my FB page for regular posts of new projects at www.facebook.com/moondancejewelrymaine

Nadine

Hop along and see what these other fabulous hop participants are up to!

Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B'sue Boutiques
Jewelry Making Outside the Box
Marcia Tuzzolino
Aurora Designs
Jann Tague
Clever Designs by Jann
Judy King
Apt to Wander Studio
Linzi Alford
Magpie in the Sky, Spoil Heap Tales
Cynthia Wainscott
Exotic Peru
Carole Carlson
Beadsophisticate
Lynn Stinten
Dragonzwench
Marica Zammit
Bead Lovelies
Catherine Shattuck
VRBrose
Michaele Collie
The Vintage Gem
Mary Craig
Jewelry Alchemy
Lee Koopman
Strega Jewelry
Erin Whitacre
Shattered Time Jewelry
Monica Casady
MJCasady Copper Works
Leila West
Leila Nicole Designs
Cindy Peterson
https://howlingdogjewelry.wordpress.com
Leila Belcher
Leila Bee Designs
Gloria Allen
Wings and Beads
Pamela Anger
Novegatti Designs
Tammy Adams
Paisley Lizard
Lynda O'Mara
LOmara Creative
Elizabeth Hildreth
MadScientistsDesigns
Dana Hickey
Wind Dancer Studios
Janet Calardo
Jan Lea Designs
Maria Clark
Sweet Willow Designs
Lori Beekman
B. Accessorized
Jennifer Kroeger
Relic Charm
Amy Jorgensen
Hoarder's Corner
Robin Reed
Artistry: Handcrafted Bead Designs
Ingrid Anderson
Lilis Gems
Louise O'Shields
Desire Divine Jewels
Susan Killam
Killam Creative
Mary Katherine Deis
The Rose Sword: Artisan and Vintage Collectible Jewelry
Nike Bottalico
Nike Bottalico
Susan Bowerman
Woodside Wireworks
Kristy Le
Kristy Le Trendy Jewelry Designs
Jan Peters
Stylized Vintage
Mitzie Crider
Needful Luxuries Occasional Blog
Gina Hockett
Freestyle Elements
Linda Anderson
From the Bead Board
Alexandra Sefton
Imaginary Jewelry and Altered Art
Melida Boman
The Journey of Pens and Things
Teresa Shurter
TreeZ's Treasurs
Melissa Latimer
Smithed Up
Renee Hong
Fine and Dandy Jewelry and Art
Nadine Edris..................................................YOU ARE HERE!
Moondance Jewelry
Lori Meyer
Parisienne Girl
Jennifer Merrill Williams
Artists of All Stripes
Denise Lussier Poirier
Jewelry by Denise
Renee Allen
Small Stuff Design
Autumn Adams
Autumn Dawns
Elizabeth Owens
1996 Shabby Lane
Kat BarronMiller
Midnight Kat Productions Art Jewelry
Sandra Ballard
Mama San's Mojo
Coral Law
ab:coraldesign

Swirling Like the Snow

Hello Friends! 

 You may have heard that the northeast has had some recent weather challenges. We've had something like 4 feet of snow in the past 12 days ,and it's not over yet. For those of you who romanticize winter in New England here's a little glimpse!

Snow piles on what, in summer, is the front lawn

So while I haven't actually done any designing recently, I have had lots of ideas swirling in my mind. Mostly I've been thinking about which pieces I should focus on and what materials I should select. Wire is always good so I've been working on some swirly leaf charms that I could add to a variety of pieces. They are fun to make and you can do it even when the power goes out (yes, really).

Oxidized copper swirly leaf charms

I've also  been pawing through my stash of rusty black components to see which ones I want to feature in some upcoming pieces. Below are some of the contenders. I just love the rich detail in these stampings and I know once I buff them out they are going to be stupendous.

All those blue and turquoise beads are delicious with the rusty black. Maybe I'm going a bit overboard with those colors?? Maybe a little too much summer daydreaming??? I think those little pink-ish rose beads are keepers and will find their way into one piece in this collection or another.  Don't you just love them paired with the rusty black copper?

Color is important but I also love to add texture.  Truthfully, I love multiple textures. Here are a few contenders in that same color palette. Hmmm, how can I use them in a way that isn't too labor intensive and get some pieces completed?

So while the snow has been swirling outside these are some of the ideas that have been swirling around in my head. Time to stop daydreaming and get to work on these beauties. According to that maddening groundhog it seems like we've got plenty more winter left but still I want my Rustic Garden to be ready for that first day of Spring!

If you've got some suggestions about color, design or even snow shoveling, please leave me a comment!

Nadine