Blue Moon Shadow

"Blue Moon Shadow" Beaded Skull Mount
"Blue Moon Shadow" Beaded Skull Mount
“Blue Moon Shadow” Beaded Skull Mount

Blue Moon Shadow is a regal Whitetail beaded skull art mount. Sparkling tiny crystals and a dark blue metallic finish coat the hand-cut rough-face druzy agate centerpiece. Czech diamond-shaped bronze beads encompass the centerpiece’s rustic trim.

From there this Whitetail beaded skull art design transitions into a diamond shape that consists of bronze faceted, navy seed beads, blue Swaroski crystals, and Swaroski dark lapis pearls. In essence, Blue Moon Shadow mimics the dynamic night sky. As the pattern morphs from the center, its colors remain consistent, but with larger dark blue rainbow, sapphire rainbow, gold, and black smoke seed beads. Finally, hand-painted royal blue jute dress the base of his antlers.

With his deep hues, sparkles, and graceful form, Blue Moon Shadow conjures up many feelings, thoughts, and inspirations. What does the Blue Moon Shadow speak to you?

Continue reading below to see the making of Mysterious.
Blue Moon Shadow

is available for purchase for
$
2000
  • Dimensions:
    16 1/4″ w × 21 1/2″ l × 13 1/8″ h

The Making of Blue Moon Shadow, a Whitetail Beaded Skull

Cleaning

This lovely skull came to me with his left nasal bone missing. I soaked and scrubbed as normal and then had to face this obstacle. Should I break off the right bone or take on the challenge of recreating the left? And then there was the odd coloration lines on his antlers. I’m guessing this skull was boiled rather than the more natural beetle process of cleaning though I can not say that for certain. Either way, both the nasal bone and antlers would be faced in other parts of the process.

Blue Moon Shadow, beaded skull art piece after the cleaning process.
After the cleaning stage decisions need to be made.

Clay

I just could not bring myself to remove the right nasal bone and so took on the challenge of recreating the left. Being the first time I’d attempted such a reconstruction I was pleased with the outcome.

For some reason I felt very passionate about this skull. It was not the antlers that struck me but the skull itself. I had not even started to bead him and he was already my favorite so far in my skull art journey.

Blue Moon Shadow, beaded skull art piece after the clay process.
This skull felt special and new challenges were taken on for him.

Painting the Antlers

Normally, if I’m going to paint the antlers I do it as part of the painting process. Sometimes I even wait until the beads are complete to have a better idea what shade works well with the design coloration. But I couldn’t get past the discoloration lines and decided to paint the antlers even before I’d chosen beads for him. A little out of order but I was never sorry about the decision.

Painted antlers on a Whitetail deer skull prior to beading.
This time, painting the antlers early in the process worked well.

Bead Selection

I had originally intended to use the gray agate slice on this skull and this blue druzy agate on another. However neither would sit right on the skulls. So I tried switching them and…Voila!

Now that I knew he wished to be blue, I set out laying out the initial design. It became obvious early on that rather than having a larger area laid out, this design idea was one I just had to go for and allow to evolve.

The bead selection process for Blue Moon Shadow, a beaded deer skull artwork piece.
This skull chose to be blue and its design needed to evolve in its own way.

Paint

To enhance this particular Whitetail beaded skull design, I painted him the same deep blue of the druzy agate centerpiece.

After cutting the jute for his antler bases I felt like the natural color would detract from the design. So I painted it deep blue as well.

The Whitetail buck skull painted and ready to bead.
The whitetail skull painted a deep blue to match the druzy agate centerpiece.

Naming

I hadn’t even finished beading the center design when I knew his name. Blue Moon Shadow. He’s like a gentle night in the woods with the moon peaking between the tree limbs and stars twinkling in the dark sky. He surrounds you with blue-black shadows and pinprick sparkles. I love it when someone sees him in person and comments with amazement how some of the tiny beads sparkle and look like stars. Confirmation that the design conveys the right message and his name is very fitting.

The naming of Blue Moon Shadow, a whitetail deer beaded skull art piece.
His name was obvious from the very beginning. Blue Moon Shadow.

Steenbok, African Antelope Beaded Skull

African Steenbok beaded skull art
African Antelope Beaded Skull Shield Mount, South Africa Steenbok
South African Steenbok Beaded Skull Shield Mount

This Steenbok, an African antelope beaded skull shield mount, is an example of the diversity in beading as an alternative to traditional taxidermy. Despite its small size this is a full-grown, mature male. The Steenbok is such a small African antelope that full- grown adults are often thought to be babies by visitors. They may be petite but males are highly territorial, protecting their mating rights aggressively.

This impressive buck, mounted on a shield, sports an excellent set of horns with bases surrounded by gold twisted cording. The species spends much time grooming so the Teardrop Peacock Pennant, central to his design suits his dapper nature perfectly.

The remainder of the piece is formed from black, silver-lined green and gold seed beads. They allude to both his elegant yet assertive nature and the intrigue of the Dark Continent.

This regal Steenbok African antelope beaded skull is not for sale. Leesa beaded this piece for her husband and it is proudly on display in their home as part of their private collection.

If you have your own skull, European, or shield mount, whatever the species, Leesa can craft it into a one-of-a-kind artwork centerpiece for you.

Although this piece is not for sale, if you have your own skull, European, or shield mount, whatever the species, Leesa can craft it into a one-of-a-kind artwork centerpiece for you. Contact her at Leesa@UntamedElegance.net or 616.422.2342.