Moondance Jewelry: B'Sue Boutiques Build-A- Line Challenge Blog Hop #3

Welcome to the Rustic Garden Collection and the First Day of Spring

Let's celebrate the arrival of Spring with some bouquets for our ears!! 

Czech glass flower ear bouquets 

 In some ways I can't believe that three months have passed since we began this Build-a -Line Challenge (BALC)! The long winter season is finally drawing to a close and I couldn't be more ready. During this time I've worked alongside my classmates as we've developed our lines, honed our designs, considered various approaches to marketing and the business side of jewelry.  Often we've stretched way out of our comfort zones. To say I've learned a lot is quite the understatement.

One of the big things I've learned is that discipline is hard work. Jewelry making has been a stress reliever for me. The creativity feeds my soul and I've mostly worked at my own slow pace fiddling around with designs, learning techniques and not having to watch the clock. I knew this challenge would force me to focus, and I was right about that. I've had to focus my time (there's never enough anyway), my designs and my brain power.  Aside from my Rustic Garden pieces I've made very little other jewelry in the these past months. But what I have made is a good foundation for a line of jewelry that will continue to grow. And I've met the goal I set for myself: to make interesting, high quality, affordable jewelry that I like and think others will too. 

The rules for the BALC were that we had to use components from B'Sue Boutiques and make at least five pieces with a cohesive look, that could be replicated easily. So, what did I make anyway????

Cue the eye candy....

The Rustic Garden Collection Debut 

If you've visited my blog before, you may remember the bird's nest necklace I shared in our second blog hop. Here it is with a completed 5-strand bracelet in the same color palette.  This set needed some blooms for the ears and the tulip bead caps with robin's egg blue beads peeking out fit the bill.  ( I just might have to call this ensemble Birds of a Feather!)

Birds of a feather
 

Blue mix 5-strand bracelet and Czech flower earrings

A girl needs options, so here are a couple of blue and copper earring choices.

Blue earring options

The cuff bracelet below I made for the first blog hop, waaaaay back in January. It is the first piece I completed in this new collection and features the rusty black finish with soft pink accents.

Lily cuff bracelet and tulip earrings

And always more earring options.

Pink and cream earrings

This pendant necklace nicely showcases the large tulip bead cap. Many of the accent beads and charms used in the cuff bracelet dangle from this focal. What else would you pair with a tulip necklace? Tulip earrings, of course.

Tulip necklace and earrings in pink

Irises are a favorite Spring flower and this stamping is gorgeous. The yummy faceted Swarovski pendant and bronzed pink and blue bead links set off the iris in this lovely rustic necklace. Don't you think it will look great at your first garden party of the season?

What is a Spring collection without some green? This 5-stranded bracelet and coordinating earrings practically shout SPRING!

 Birds and leaves~a couple of green earrings to choose from.

Green earring options

 

More Growing in My Garden

Things are just beginning to bloom in this Rustic Garden. I have several more items to add to the collection, including other metal finishes (also from B'Sue Boutiques.com) and color palettes. Most of the pieces I've shown above will also be available in a few different colors. (For example, the Lily Cuff Bracelet will also be available with blue and cream accents, as well as greens.  Likewise the Tulip Necklace above will be available in both blue and green palettes). And like the warmer weather, new pieces are coming!

Please join me as the collection expands! I'd love to have you sign up to follow me, or get my blog by email. New work will also be posted regularly at my FB page and you can message me if you are interested in purchasing any of the designs shown here. www.facebook.com/MoonDanceJewelryMaine

Thanks so much for traveling with me on this adventure, and I hope you'll leave a comment.

Nadine

Hop on over and see what fabulous creations my classmates are showing!

Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B'sue Boutiques.........our hostess and leader of the pack
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
Howling Dog Jewelry
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 Prull 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

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

Moondance Jewelry:B'sue Boutiques' Build-a-Line Challenge Blog Hop, Part #1

  

What's better than ice cream? Jewelry, right?
 
OK, sometimes it is a toss up but today we are all about the jewelry! Welcome to the B'Sue Boutiques' Build-a-Line Challenge Blog Hop. Now, that's a mouthful!
I'm delighted to be a participant and have the opportunity to work on developing a more cohesive approach to my jewelry while in the company of 50+ other jewelry artists. During the long, cold, dark winter days I try to learn new techniques or work on some other aspect of my budding jewelry business. This challenge was right up my alley.

Selecting my theme wasn't all that challenging. I wanted something to help me focus and tie my work together; a collection, if you will. My style is earthy, organic, kinda boho, and most often I only make one of any particular design. After a quick brainstorming session I settled on Rustic Garden for the name of my line. It conjures for me lush blossoms (perhaps a bit faded), fruits, vegetables and shrubs all in a rather untidy mix. My garden may be a little overgrown but it's a comfortable, warm and cozy spot.

For me that translates to jewelry that is nature-inspired and uses a mix of materials, colors, textures and techniques. I've chosen to use the Pantone Spring 2015 color palette for this collection.  Although I have to confess that I've taken some liberty with those colors (I can't really seem to color inside all the lines!). If all goes well, as I develop more pieces you'll see the color variations as a common thread throughout the collection.

Playing with color to get some nice greens for embossed earrings.

 Components from B'Sue Boutiques are the other common element to this evolving line of mine. Brenda Sue Lansdowne (of B'Sue fame) is the sponsor for the challenge and these blog hops. Using her components is easy to do since she has a great selection of high quality and reasonably priced brass components. If you aren't familiar with her website check it out here. http://www.bsueboutiques.com

Unadorned Deco Lily stamping in rusty black patina

I used the Deco Lily stamping above to create the first finished piece for my Rustic Garden collection. The rusty black patina finish on this is beautiful all by itself but when you buff and seal it, well, it becomes swoon-worthy! I love the play of shadow and light on this piece.(I'm a big fan of warm metals anyway). All those little dangle-y bead clusters and leaves just add to the movement as well as the garden theme.

Rustic Garden Deco Lily bracelet

I'm working on several other pieces for this collection and will have at least five completed by the last blog hop. Below is one that's a work-in-progress. Birds' nests are a sure sign of spring and always inspirational! But what kind of jewelry should I make with that charming little bird's nest???

Come back for the next installment on February 20th and see how things are progressing.

Thanks for stopping by!

Now get hoppin'.........there's lots of other eye candy to take in!

Nadine

(P.S .Comments welcome!)


Blog Hop Participants

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
Howling Dog Jewelry
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

Mmm Marsala

Marsala Bouquet

Marsala, the much-talked-about Color of the Year from the color experts at Panetone (http://www.pantone.com/pages/index.aspx?pg=21163&from=hpfeatures), is that rusty wine colored liquid that is the main ingredient in chicken marsala. Some people aren't happy with what they consider a dull color. Granted, the Panetone version of marsala definitely has some brown undertones, much more than my bouquet pictured above. However, like the Italian wine it is named after, there are a range of hues in the marsala family from more golden to ruby shades.
Having already confessed my love of earth tones, you won't be surprised to learn that I like the marsala pick quite a bit.  While I tend toward the more ruby side of this spectrum, I find the color to be warm, lush, and somehow comforting (not unlike a good glass of wine). I can see it as the main color in designs or as a side note. Either way, I expect marsala to find its way into many of my jewelry designs this year.  
Here's the first one for 2015.

Salute Marsala!

Marsala's charms

Living color

Happy New Year! I hope your 2015 is off to a good start. I'm not much for resolutions but in the past couple of years I've used the winter months to learn new jewelry techniques to improve my designs. There are so many things that I want to do it can be hard to focus so I try and stick with one primary technique. (Sometimes I'm more successful with that approach than others). This year I'm thinking about color.

When my daughter was young she used to complain that our house was brown; all of it. While that's a slight exaggeration it is true that I'm drawn to earth tones. I love old stuff: rusty metal, chipped paint, faded fabrics and muddy colors. I surround myself with those colors and tend to use them over and over in my jewelry.
Getting ready to apply for the Build A Line Challenge has sparked my thinking about color. I don't want to reveal too much yet (applications aren't due until January 8) but I am thinking about busting loose with color for 2015! I'm hatching some ideas for the challenge and want to do a little experimenting first.

I think this means I need to buy some new beads! Yes, I do have 9 gazillion but I don't have the RIGHT COLOR! Now this is a resolution I can embrace.

Adventure on!
Nadine

We all start somewhere

I've been avoiding writing a blog for a number of years even though I knew it was limiting my participation in the online jewelry/beading community. For a couple of years I've had a Face Book page for my jewelry projects (https://www.facebook.com/moondancejewelrymaine )  and hoped that would suffice. Nope, I just can't be a part of the communities I want to without having a blog. There's nothing wrong with blogging mind you. It's just that mostly I would prefer to spend my rather limited time (whose time isn't limited?) creating jewelry or looking at all the AMAZING talent out there on the world wide web. All that talent has me vacillating between being inspired and intimidated, which is another good reason to not have a blog.

So why now? I crave the community of jewelry artisans and learning to use social media is required for me to really join in. B'Sue's Boutique, an awesome online jewelry supply site, (http://www.bsueboutiques.com )is sponsoring a three month challenge in which the participants create the prototype for a "line" or collection of their jewelry. The challenge features coaching, feedback and all around helpful advice to artisans who are looking to expand their repertoire and want to develop a cohesive look to their work. And guess what? You have to have a BLOG to participate.

So, here I am launching my blog just as we turn the calendar page to 2015. I intend to blog mostly about my jewelry adventures, starting with the Build a Line Design Challenge. (Much more about that later). I can't promise that I won't also write about food, a good book I've read, the incredible natural beauty of the great state of Maine or some other thing that catches my fancy. And there will be pictures, lots of them. ( I'll try not to bore you with  all my tribulations of setting up even the most basic of blogs. But when you see Set up Your Blog in 20 Minutes don't believe it for a second!)

I hope you will join me as I venture into the blogosphere and that we'll enjoy each other's company for some time to come.

Adventure on!

Nadine