Seashell Saturday

Happy Seashell Saturday!

While my best friend Dee was visiting, we went over to the Gulf to Clearwater Beach. Clearwater is one of my favorite beaches. It's not too far from home, and I can shell there!

It was a bright, sunny day when we went. I mean blindingly bright! Dee soaked up the sun, and I stayed under my canopy chair most of the day.

so bright I can't see

okay, I can see the camera now

ahhh that's better thanks for the sunglasses Lace

We saw some sailboats....

they don't see sailboats in Alaska

and a pirate ship!

Pirate ship in Clearwater. I want to go out on this ship, as long as I don't have to walk the plank!

We did some shelling, too, which is my main purpose for going to the beach!

Laci finding some mini shells

All of us found a LOT of shells. Elisia, Laci, and I found a shelling bag full EACH! Dee didn't find as many. She was busy soaking up some good Florida sunshine ;D

some of my mini's

more of my shells

I made a pair of earrings for Dee with some auger shells I found.

These are just her style, too. These should go well with her regalia, or anything she wears up there in Alaska. This was the first time I used feathers and shells together, and I like how they turned out. I know Dee will love them! She hasn't seen them yet, I'll be sending them to her on Monday.

On this shelling trip, I found shells I've never found before!

bubbles, wentletraps, baby ears, horse conch, and???

This is just what I found, and doesn't include the cool sponge that I put out by the pond. Elisia found a TON of little shells (and I found less because I was sitting in the shade most of the day ;( lol). These are so small you don't even notice them until you start really looking for them. I went with an intention to find small shells, and I did have to leave a few because they were still quite alive!

I love, love, LOVE the babies ears and wentletraps!!! They would make gorgeous earrings, but the ones I found are just too fragile. My augers aren't in this pile, I had sorted them to make Dee's earrings. I found three different kinds of spiral augers! Okay, I see one auger in the pile.

I can't wait to go back to Clearwater! I'll be sure to bring my own sunglasses, though!

It's a special day here! Today is my 2nd oldest daughter's birthday! Happy Birthday Lace!!!

Laci and Tanner

 May you always feel 27 sweetie!

 I hope your Saturday is special, too! Have a great day!

Love,
Del

Helping Our Sea Friends

I just added a new widget to petition for saving the nesting grounds of Leatherback Sea Turtles. I'll leave it up until the petitioning is complete. You can sign anonymously,  just check the "don't display my name box".

                                            Photo Credit: Georgia DNR Coastal Resource Division

If we don't take action and care for our sea life, there isn't going to be any for future generations to enjoy. I just can't imagine a world where there aren't sea turtles, fish, shrimp, SHELLS, and all of the wonderful animals, and mammals that live in the vast expanse of oceans around the world. It's up to us to teach our kids and grandkids the value of the sea, so they can teach their kids and grandkids!

I love animals, especially baby animals! I would love to see a nest of sea turtles hatch and head for the water! It would be an incredible experience! Yes, it's that exciting to me!!!

So if you have a moment, could you, would you, help them out a bit?

Have a Fab Friday!

Del

Visitors and Sight Seeing

My best friend from Alaska has been visiting for the past two weeks. Dee and I had a great time, and her 2nd oldest daughter came with her for the first week. Laci (my 2nd oldest) and Elisa had a good time, as they were also able to recall silly fun things they did as kids. Dee and I have been best friends since the 7th grade, so we go back many, many years.

We did get to the beach, but only once. We really wanted to hit both coasts, but one or the other of us was recuperating from our few outings.We are both sick ladies, but still want to get out and enjoy our surroundings!

We went to Silver Springs, and went on the glass bottom boats one day, and took a tour up the river from the other side in our pontoon boat on the weekend.

Lisa tried to feed the fish through the glass. It was hilarious!

Looking through the depths of the Silver River

This is so much deeper than it looks

White alligator. Pretty, yes...lethal, definitely!

Dee enjoying the Florida sunshine (I'm under the canopy in the shade!)

Can you see the monkeys?

How about here?

Look real close. See the baby hanging underneath it's momma? It was so very little.

The secret is not to make eye contact. It looks like they've been told that, too!

We never see the monkeys when we go to the park, but we've been lucky to see them almost every time we take our boat up the river. Florida is the only state that has wild monkeys, and we live pretty close to some of them!

I hope you enjoyed our tour on the Silver River!

I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, and I'll be back to my old self soon, with less activity. Sight seeing is fun, but tiring!

I missed you all so much, and I can't express how glad I am to be back. I have so much catching up to do! I'll see you around!

Del

It's a Stormy Day on the Beach

Hello dear blog readers! I am so sorry I haven't been posting, and thought I better pop in and do some explaining. Let's just say that I've been doing more than I should be, and am paying for it. I'm hoping to be back soon, but am preparing for visitors, and it takes a lot out of me. In the future, when I'm not feeling well, I'll just post that "It's a stormy day on the beach".

Thanks for bearing with me! I heart you all :D


Del

Sea Notes Seashell Jewelry

Hello! I have been working on a new shell jewelry line that I am calling the Sea Notes Collection. I've been working with raw brass, and a torch. I haven't been wanting to work with much else lately besides my shells! If it doesn't involve shells and pearls, then I'm not interested in making it. I've found my niche, and shells are my preferred medium to play or work with. I have made other shell jewelry recently, but today we are going with these because I want to share them with you, and get them listed!

 I'm lovin' this necklace! The pearls and Swarovski crystals are lovely, the shell is a perfect size for a pendant, and this is also reversible.

This was a little time consuming, but all good things usually are! I'll be on the hunt for white shells the next time we go to the beach, I don't have as many as I'd like, or in the sizes I want either. I found some awesome scrapbook paper that looks like an old ships log, and I love (of course!) the way these look on this paper!!!

These shells are small, and make such cute earrings. I made a small necklace to match.

These are fun, and a bit different, and I had to use these charms someday. I bought them for Laci to play with, but she isn't interested in making jewelry anymore. She's my yarn lovin' girl! I have a few charms left, and I'll see if I have what I need as far as shells go....

But I really need to get back to my Surf n Turf Collection, and work on the bracelets I've been thinking about, and have laying out. So many things to make, so little time! You know how it goes...

and then we have me being Miss Uber Picky. I can't even buy pearls in town because I look them over, and put them back. I just can't bring myself to use low grade inferior pearls! I hand select every single pearl I use in my designs. I did buy some very funky natural baroque pearls, and I can't wait to use them. They are kind of gnarly looking, but in a very cool way! 

I must beg forgiveness for not posting lately, I've had a lot going on. I'd love to explain, but that story is for another blog :)

Like I said, so many things, so little time....

I'll see you all soon! 

Have a super day!

Del