Seashore Sunday

Aahhhh...there's no place on Earth that gives me peace, and rejuvenation, like the sea.

From the pounding surf.....

to calming, peaceful tranquility.

 

Our amazing sea life...

and it's winged inhabitants, too.

There is just something about the sea,

that draws me to it's shore.

There's no place I'd rather be,

I could stay here for evermore.

I'm linking up with Gypsea Nurse for Sand and Sea Sunday!

Love,

Del

Seashell Saturday

Seashells have been around for more than 500 million years! Mollusk evolution began in the Cambrian period.

Seashells are the oldest form of money!

Oysters change gender from year to year. Female one year, and a male the next. NO thanks!

Oysters release over 1 million eggs per season. Only 1 of these eggs will become an adult oyster!

Someone who studies shells is a Conchologist.

A quahog clam can live to be 220 years old! You can count their age by the ridges, or rings on the shell...like counting the rings of a tree.

Some shells change color according to the food they eat. I wonder what calico clams eat?

Ancient people used shells for jewelry, adornments for clothing, home decor, and containers for food and water.

Shells are composed mostly of carbonate of lime. The ingredient in chalk, marble, and limestone.

The shell is an exoskeleton. The animals skeleton is on the outside.

Shells come from eggs. The animal then secretes a substance, mostly (calcium carbonate) for protection, producing layers that make up the shell.

Some mollusks use the shell for protection, while others use the shell to keep from losing water so they don't dry out. Some use the shell to move with the currents of the water.

The 2 largest shell classifications are gastropods (univalves) and cephlopods ( bivalves).

Oysters and mussels form pearls. Pearls can naturally be different colors. Naturally colored pearls are more rare.

Native Americans used freshwater pearls for jewelry, and clothing decoration. I'd like to know how they drilled them!
 
I love reading about, studying, and learning things about shells. Even though shells may be the same species, no 2 are exactly alike....just like our fingerprints!

I've recently had a few comments about my photos. My little secret is...scrapbook paper! I have some that looks like water...in light, and medium blue. I use a variety of papers, depending on the piece I'm photographing. I also use an OTT light when I'm not using natural light.

I recently added a new pair of earrings to my Sea Notes Collection!
I had fun making these! Of course, I have fun making anything with shells!

I've made a few pair of earrings with jingle shells, but these are my favorites by far. I adore the natural freshwater pearls.

Next weekend I will be on the Gulf Coast! I will be walking the beach, head down, looking for shells, with my shelling bags hanging from my sides.

I'm hoping to find a lot of jewel box shells (spiny oysters) in a small size. I've depleted my supply of them. I still have several larger jewel boxes....too big for earrings and charm bracelets.

So, wish me luck! I can't wait to see what kind of shelling next weekend has in store.


We usually spend Memorial weekend at my family cemetery, cleaning up, and replacing flowers. I'm not going to make the trip this year, but I know the family will take care of it all the same.

Thank a soldier for your freedom! It's really all about them...not bbq's, or boating, picnics, or camping.

Have a Super Saturday, and a wonderful Memorial Weekend!

Love,
Del

Going Tropical

With our temps climbing into the upper 90's here lately, the glorious sun, and blue skies have had me feeling a bit tropical.

A pretty orange-y hued shell, some perfectly plump peach pearls, and orange bamboo coral came together and my tropical dreams are coming true!

 Can't you just feel the sunshine pouring out of this fun, flirty, tropical seashell bracelet?

This is one of the shells I found on Sanibel. I love the calico scallops, but I've found a few orange scallops, some orange calico scallops even, and I love love love them. But, this very light orange scallop shell has my heart right now. I've had this shell sitting aside since February....just waiting for the right components to come along.

This bracelet brings out the summer lovin' Leo in me :D All of that orange and peach has this Leo purring like a kitty.

I can see myself wearing this on the beach, or on a tropical island.
I'm having second thoughts about listing it, now. This does happen. I fall so in love with one of my pieces that I can't bear to list it.

Don't worry, I'll talk myself into it eventually! Give me a few days to gaze at it, and then maybe I'll want to see it in the shop ;)

Love,
Del

Seashell Saturday

For several years, I have been intrigued by Lightening Struck Sand.

The scientific names are Fulgurite, and Lechatelierite.

What, you may ask, does this have to do with shells???

One day while shelling, much to my surprise, awe, and glee....

I found an unusual shell.
Not a pretty, pretty shell.
This shell tells a little story,
and I could hear it plain as day.

This little clam shell was attacked by a wormy,

which left the inside hollow.
One day, this shell
lying in the sand
was struck by lightening
and the force of the strike blew the shell apart.

Lightening + Sand = Glass.

Can you see it? The rim of glass around the"blasted" opening of the shell?! I'm considering this the find of a lifetime!

I am on the hunt not just for shells, but I'd like to find more lightening glass...
or even some more lightening struck shells. It's not very likely I will, but I'll continue my treasure hunt.

Have a Super Saturday!

Love,
Del

I'm a Mermaid

Hello! I just wanted to pop in and welcome some new blog followers! I've been wanting to say hi to you all, so I thought I would do it first thing. Hi! Hello! and Welcome!

My hubby and I are getting ready to celebrate our 30th anniversary in a couple of weeks. Yeah, wow! I can't believe it has been 3 decades already! We always celebrate special occasions at the beach, and go as often as time allows in between.

Guess what the 30th anniversary gift is???? Pearls!!!! I know! Isn't that so cool! He said he'd gladly by me a strand of pearls....for jewelry making! He already bought pearls for my neck, wrist, and ears. He used to buy me pretty, pretty jewelry to go with special occasions. NOT ANY MORE! He said the stuff I make is prettier than anything he could ever buy for me. Isn't he so sweet?!

I took the Mermaid Name Generator test over at Rum and Monkey, to see what my mermaid name is. I did it twice, for Tropical, and Mediterranean mermaid. Both times I got the name Pearlia. So, Pearlia it is! I love it, and it is so me! I found the name generator from Gypsea Nurse.

Look at these art prints of mermaids wearing pearls I found on Etsy!

Each one is linked directly to the Etsy shop it is from.

Which is your favorite? What is your mermaid name?

I'm off to play with some pearls!

Love,
Pearlia aka Del

Seashell Saturday

Good day ladies! Happy Saturday!

I am so glad the weekend is here. I don't have any plans, I just enjoy knowing it's the weekend!

I saw your comment on my last post, Shellbelle, before blogger lost it. That was certainly bloggers day of doom wasn't it?! The day everyone's post went missing may not go down in history, but I am sure WE won't be forgetting it for some time to come!

Anyway, let's get on with the theme for the day!

Since I've been working on my photos in the shop all week, I thought I would show some things I've made and haven't had listed for one reason, or another, and something I made for my bedroom.

I love this Scotch Bonnet! These are such neat shells!

 

I'm not totally 100% satisfied with the chain. When I find one I love, I'll list this!

This Buttercup is a sweet shell, especially with the mother of pearl seahorse dangling in it!

Swarovski crystal flat backs in Caribbean Blue Opal accent the shell. I'm not thrilled with this chain either. I told you I'm getting picky!
 
My daughter, Kandi, sent this potpourri shell mix. I added some of my own shells, put them in this cool jar, and added a shell lei from my sisters wedding to the top.

This is in my bedroom on my dresser. This was a super simple project, and I love how it turned out!

I could sit and play with shells all day! Right now I'm between projects. I simply don't know which shell I want to play with next. I'm sure something will come to me before the day is out... I'm hoping it is in the form of jewelry!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,
Del

Pearls, Pearls, Pearls!

I've been on a pearl buying binge lately. I've been needing new pearls for a couple of custom orders.

Aren't these gorgeous?!

These are absolutely drool worthy!

I can't wait to use these beauties!

I've been looking around town for pearls, and I'm just too picky to buy any of the pearls I've seen. I don't have a problem with ordering them by the strand, as long as I get what I want.

Luscious, gorgeous, drool worthy pearls are what I want!

I have several more strands of pearls on the way, too! I'm really excited to get them!

As soon as they get here, I can start on my custom orders.

I'll show them off as soon as they get here, about a week from now, or so....

Love, 
Del

Seashell Saturday

Happy Seashell Saturday!

Today I thought I would do a fun little rhyming song to the tune of "My Favorite Things".

My Favorite Shells

Calico Scallops

 and big thick Lucina's

 

 Augers

 and Olives

White Dosinia's

 Whelks

and Jewel Box

 Kitten Paws

 and more....

 These are shells that I just adore!

Starting at sunrise,

 until the sunsets,

 I could spend all day
Combing the beach
and picking up shells
because this is what keeps me sane!

Have a Super Shelling Saturday!

Love,
Del

Versatile Blogger Award

I am such a bad blogger! Why? Well, on April 20th, Liz from Miss Merryweather's Creations awarded me with the Versatile Blogger Award. Obviously I forgot to blog about it!

I've been meaning to do it, but have been so busy, and I do get sidetracked rather easily. Thank you for this award, Liz! I'm honored that you would choose me for this!

In accepting this award, I'm supposed to list 7 things about myself you all may not know. Okay, here goes...

7 Things About Me

1.  I'm the oldest child in my family
2. I'm part Native American
3. I have brown eyes
4. I married my hubby when I was 15 and he was 16......30 years ago next month!
5. My favorite color is purple
6. I became a grandma at 33
7. I've lived in 8 states, and I've seen all but 10 of these United States

The rules state that you must thank the person who gave you this award, and link to their blog.
List 7 things about yourself.
Give this award to 15 bloggers.

Some of the blogs I would give this to don't accept blog awards, but I want them to know that if they did...they would get this from me...I'm giving them an Honorable Mention.

Okay, my 15 award recipients are:

1. Patty from My Life Under the Bus
2. Korrina from Kael Mijoy
3. Debbie from Love Of The Sea
4. Migrainista
5. Jessica from Painfully Speaking
6. Cricket from Gypsea Nurse
7. Kelly from Orangie's Attic
8. Karen from QueenNmyOwnMind
9. Shannon from Giggly Mama
10. Julie from Willow Tree Pottery
11. Kandi from Krafty Kandi Krafts
12. Diane from Lavender Dreams *Honorable Mention
13. Maya from Completely Coastal *Honorable Mention
14. Rhonda from Shellbelle's Tiki Hut *Honorable Mention
15. Pam from i Love Shelling I don't know if Pam accepts awards or not. If not, then she gets an *Honorable Mention*

I had to include Pam! The other day she blogged about sea turtles instead of shells and the beach, and that makes her a Versatile Blogger in my book ;)

Thanks again Liz, and I'm so sorry it took me so long to accept your award!

It's almost the weekend!!!


Love,
Del

Auger Seashell Necklace Sea Notes Collection

Yesterday I listed a new piece in my Sea Notes Collection. An Auger shell with a treble clef, and freshwater pearls. I love how this turned out!

The toggle on this necklace reminds me of a wave! I was going to use a hook clasp, but when I saw this toggle in my toggle and clasps box I knew it would be perfect for this.

I have a pair of auger shell earrings in the works, too, for this collection. Not the same kind of auger as this one.

I did have some shell fails yesterday, much to my dismay. I was planing to use some Dosinia shells, drilled the holes perfectly, and managed to chip the shells right by the hole putting the earrings together. I'll have to find another use for my Dosinia's. They just aren't sturdy enough for earrings, and maybe not sturdy enough for jewelry at all. I'm hoping to wrap up the Sea Notes Collection by the weekend, but it totally depends on whether I continue to break shells or not. I swear a little piece of my heart breaks off every time I bust a shell! It's heartbreaking as well as frustrating. Any broken shells get taken out to reside by the pond. You didn't think I threw them away, did you? Of course not! They are still precious to me! Wish me luck that I don't break any today!

Do you ever mess up something you planned on turning out perfectly beautiful? Do tell, and make me feel better!

I have to say Happy Birthday to a special fella in my life! Happy Birthday Zach! I love you!

Zachy is 4 years old today! He has been by my side since the day he was born, and he is an awesome companion. I love this boy so much!


Have a Wonderful Wednesday!

Love,
Del

Seashell Bracelet with Avocado Green Freshwater Pearls

The last time David and I were at Belleair Beach, I found a limpet! It's just a small one, and very lightweight.

Some shells do not drill well, and I've broken several in my attempts to drill them for jewelry. I just knew that if I didn't drill this limpet just right, it would break. I absolutely could NOT break this shell. I had plans for this baby, and had to find a solution to breakage. I decided to soak the shell in water for awhile. It worked! I drilled the shell without destroying it! Shells are so hard, and can take a little abuse, but drill it wrong, and it will break. I find this very frustrating! I'm going to use the soaking method in the future, especially for the thick shells. Scallops drill very easily, spiny oysters...not so easy.

My limpet paired well with these beautiful avocado green freshwater dancing pearls. They are luscious! I love how they look together!

 The toggle is a mermaid! I have to get some more of these, I love the mermaid toggle!

My sales of shell jewelry have picked up, and I've even sent a few pieces to Hawaii! That was really exciting! 

I'm spending the day creating new pieces, as I need to get the rest of my Sea Notes Collection finished. I'm excited to dive back into it! 

Thank you all for your wonderful comments! I enjoy hearing from you sweet ladies! And Pam, thanks for the shell identification! Next time I'll check your blog to make sure of the names. I still run across shells that I have no idea what they are. 

Okay, it's time to play! I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Love,

Del