Denise Yezbak Moore

The June issue of Bead Trends has just hit the newsstands.  This marks my first publication with this magazine.  The June issue features "Fabulous Findings" - TierraCast ,  "Designer Highlight" - Lisa Kan and "Jewel School" - Beach Weddings.  Bead Trends is packed full of wedding, quick and easy, bracelets, anything goes, sentimental favorites, crystal creations, fashion favorites, and birthstone designs.   Bead Trends is a quality magazine with beautiful photography.  In this issue I have two designs.  The first is "Unforgettable" .  This piece is located in the "Weddings" section.  I love to design wedding jewelry.  Bling is my thing, anything sparkly draws my attention.  This necklace was created with fresh water pearls, Swarvoski fireballs & Rondelles, sterling silver bead caps, toggle and connectors.  It has a romantic/vintage flair. My second design is located in the "Fashion Favorites" section.   "...

Beads and findings inspire me.  It is really hard for me to order beads on-line.  I like to hold the gems and components in my hands, feel the texture and look at the color.  Bead shops have a limited inventory, this why I like to shop at Gem Faire .  The Gem Faire show takes place every three months at the Orange County Fair Grounds .  California does not host the Bead & Button or Bead Fest shows.  Really, Gem Faire is the only game in town.  I am awaiting the day that Bead Fest or the Bead & Button show finally arrive in California. I have always like the color combo of gray and pink.  When I found these strands of pink dyed agate and gray quartz at the Gem Faire bead show I was smitten.  The vibrancy of the dyed pink agate is breath taking.  The original idea floating in my head was pink, gray and sterling silver.  When I started to design that night, I was drawn toward Vintaj Natural Brass (big surprise there) ...

I thought it might be interesting to take close up pictures and share my design process for each "Bead Star" entry.  It was quite an experience trying to come up with unique designs for each specific category.  I decided to feature three a week until the voting is completed.  My first feature is in the Under $25 category.  The name of the piece is "Milady Sayde".  This design was named after my God Mother and Aunt Sadye Chacon.  I like to name my pieces after someone special.  Sometimes this is not possible because the design just doesn't fit the style of a specific person. I had a horrible time taking photographs of this piece (notice how much better this picture is - just my luck).  The photo in the Bead Star competition does not do it justice.  My sister-in-law was voting the other day and wanted to guess what designs were mine.  She picked every design except this one.  She said it looks "Indian".  That is not the case, ...

What luck to have been partnered with Amanda Davie in my first "Bead Soup Blog Party."  When I received her package in the mail I  was absolutely thrilled.  I have learned that the participants in "Bead Soup" package their soup mixes with love and creativity.  My packaging skills need vast improvement.  It is something to aspire to at the next party.  Amanda's envelope arrived with bird stamps and a lovely handmade mailing label (why didn't I think of that?). My bead soup was carefully packaged into a handmade quilted bag.  This bag is fabulous!  I love the colors, texture and the bird theme.  Although I have not quilted in a few years, the bag makes me want to break out my Bernina . Wow, Amanda sent me hand dyed silk not knowing that I am really into designing with silk right now. This next picture is Amanda's handmade toggles/connectors.  The wood toggle is made of bronze and the dress/hope toggles are made of brass, co...

I Attended Glitterfest yesterday to check out the show and see if it would be a good venue for me to sell my jewelry.  Glitterfest is a mixed media and art show held twice a year in the Spring and Fall.  There was a huge line at the door, I thought "Wow, this is a good sign".  Once inside I discovered crowds of people around the tables.  This place was so packed you could hardly move.  The vendors ranged from cupcakes, candies, art dolls, ceramics, altered art bottles, jewelry, clothing, paper, crowns, altered art home decor and much more. Talk about delicious and delightful.   Posh berries hand makes their decedent sweets.  They are yummy and beautiful. I love this brass rosary box made by Twigs .  Carolyn also makes beautiful altered art religious jewelry. I had to buy these antique keys and game tiles.  I plan to make necklaces out of the keys.  We will see what I do with Fleur De Les game tiles.  I loved the way   T...

Every time I went to Brea Bead Works in Brea, Ca.  I would ask my friend Cindy "How's the book coming?"  Her eyes would light up as she talked about the  process of creating her first book "Beadmaille" .    Tonight, she had her first book signing and I was first in line to get her autograph. Beadmaille is an innovative jewelry technique featuring the combination of chainmail and bead weaving.  The projects are designed for both the bead weaver or chainmail artist who wants to try something new.  The book has 25 beautifully illustrated projects.  The projects are for all skill levels and Cindy takes you through the basics needed for each project in the book. Her book is available now for purchase at Amazon and book stores everywhere.  For information about Cindy please visit her web site - www.CindyPankopf.com .  Congratulations Cindy, your book is a work of art!

The Bead Star voting is finally up!   I am very excited this year because my designs were selected "Top 20" in ALL nine categories.  This is a huge accomplishment for me.  I set out at the beginning of the year with a goal to design a piece for every category.  I was thrilled when I completed this task and I am over the moon that each piece was selected for the "Top 20". My only down fall this year was my photographs.  I actually took all 9 pieces to a professional photographer.  She did such a horrible job that I ended up using half of my own photographs. Please scroll down to the bottom to cast your vote! Crystals - The Grand Chenier - # 20  Glass - Roman Holiday  - # 19 Designs with Heart - Be Still - # 18 Metals - Brass Blossoms - # 20 Pearls - Italia Regalia - # 20 Plastics - Earthly Delights - #20 Seed Beads - Critchfield - #20 Stones - Moondance - # 20 Under $25 - Milady Sayde - #20 Denise is #20 in all categories ex...