Eupatagus Antillarium

I have been absolutely dieing to blog about this! A couple of weekends ago, the guys went salt water fishing in the Gulf. My son-in-law Josh went snorkeling, too. He brought home a Eupatagus antillarum. What's that? It's a fossilized sea urchin from the Eocene Epoch, about thirty-eight million years ago!

I squealed with delight when he gave this to me! I had to do some Google-ing to find out exactly what it was. I was puzzled that it looked like both a sand dollar and a sea urchin. I was so tickled when I discovered what it was, and how old it is! The hole is supposed to be there, I thought it was a flaw. There was another hole in the bottom where the mouth was, but it's now covered in what I guess is limestone.

I just wanted to share this awesome find with you!

See ya later,
Del

Blog Spam....Really?

I wanted to make it easy to comment on this blog, so I let any comment come through. I really didn't think there would be a spam problem, but I was wrong. Due to this fact, I will enable word identification. It's supposed to keep the spammers out. I enjoy reading comments, but not when it takes me to a site that I'm afraid to click on something for fear of getting hacked (even though I have great protection.) I know this makes people think it's a hassle to comment. I used to think the same thing. I never commented on blogs when that little box popped up. It was a new world to me, and I was afraid to try new things. I guess I've come a long way, baby!

It's not difficult to leave a comment. Give it a try :)

Pretty Shell Necklaces

I have new pieces to list and blog about! I thought I would start with the last two shell~y pieces I made. The first is a gorgeous fuchsia number with pearls, swarovski crystals, and a calico scallop.


The shell piece beads have been dyed this beautiful fuchsia color, and I just knew they would be a perfect match for this unusual shell coloring. I am loving this one! As soon as I get the description written, and name her, I will post it on the Orange Blossom Boutique blog at orangeblossomcrafts.com.

My next pretty is a wire wrapped auger shell. There are several kinds of auger shells. This auger has been wrapped in a copper coated wire, and hangs between pearls, peach coral, and these cool shell-ish looking glass tube beads in pretty aqua.



I finished this with a toggle that I made out of a scallop shell, and another type of auger shell.

There is another swarovski crystal hidden inside the scallop. Very different, fun, and pretty! I just love this toggle! Both necklaces are great for summer up do's, they are pretty all the way around. I've really been getting into this style of finishing my pieces lately. Maybe because I've been wearing my hair UP so much... this heat and humidity are sweltering! I will let you know when these get listed. I'm sure it won't be long! I'm really excited about my new items, and want to get them listed ASAP!

I have a few more, but don't want to drag my post out too long... but maybe just a little peek at one I made awhile ago, and just hadn't gotten the pics done. They're taken now, so this is another that will be listed shortly!

Beach in a Bottle Necklace~

I have a few of these bottles with sand from different Florida beaches! I can't wait to make more of these! Work comes before play, and listing and posting will have to come first.

Until next time,
Della

Seashell Earring Display

You may have noticed that I've started using displays. My oldest daughter and son-in-law gave me a gift certificate for Mother's Day this year! The bracelet, and earring display arrived in a pretty timely manner. I think every jewelry making mama received gift certificates this year, and ordered the same necklace display I did! It was on back order for what seemed like forever! It arrived several weeks later. I have been using it for the last couple of weeks, and I love it! The bracelet display is nice too, and adds a professional touch. I do like the earring display I ordered, but it just doesn't work for all earrings. I will need to order another one, but for my shell earrings I wanted a more ocean-y feel to my pictures. I went through some of my big shells, and found a couple of pen shells that weren't to broken to use. After drilling some holes in them, and a little rub down with some mineral oil, (they were really dry) it was ready to be assembled into a foam block that I covered with a mixture of Mod Podge, Ceramcoat acrylic paint, and craft sand(yes, I really have store bought sand, but it's for crafts that I need pure WHITE sand). I love the way it turned out! Let the creative juices keep flowing~

I wish I had thought of taking pics along the way of making it, and putting it together, but.... hindsight ya know. I will need to practice taking pics of/with it, but for a first time, I don't think these turned out bad. The next whole pen shell I find will be rubbed with mineral oil as soon as it gets cleaned. I'm pretty sure it will keep it from cracking.

Del

Mother of Pearl Shell Pendant Necklace

I love the tear drop shaped piece of shell I used in this necklace. Shell pieces can be just as beautiful as any whole shell. I am intrigued by the shapes and colors, thick or thin, recently broken, or tumbled for eons. Whole or partial, inside or outside.

For this white and purple based shell, I wanted to match, as well as I could, to my pendant piece. The purple cats eye beads, and grooved white glass ovals were perfect. For a little pizazz, the pretty emerald faceted beads and druks were just the right touch. This is a long necklace, and would look great with a plain, no frills style top. A silky tank, camisole, or even a plain t-shirt! The toggle clasp makes it so easy to put on! I have been using more and more toggles on my own jewelry. I'm really lovin' the toggles!

You can buy this now on Etsy!

Mauve Shell Necklace in Graduated Gradients

This was a fun piece to make! I love the pearls, crystals, faceted Czech glass beads...and especially the shells! What color!!!
This is one for Etsy! When I list it (soon!) I'll post on the orangeblossomcrafts.com blog.

I am running low on my assortment of pink scallops! I so need to go shelling when there is a full moon! I still have A LOT of shells to work with...and quite a few scallops...just not many pink ones left!

Now that the hectic month of June is over, I should have more time for Etsy, pictures, and blogging!

Del