Seashell Jewelry

You may have noticed that I've reopened my Etsy shop. I received a custom order for an awareness bracelet, so I started working on it in the middle of the night while Bree was hospitalized. This prompted me to open the shop back up. Laci is working on a shop of her own, so I am on my own now....seashell jewelry, and awareness jewelry.

When I began making seashell jewelry, I did everything the hard way, and I mean HARD. I hand drilled my shells. What do I mean by that? I mean hand drill, not a power drill...no batteries, no electricity. It takes forever and a day to drill through a shell by hand. I am not kidding!
This is what I used.

 

My brother was a sweetie and bought me a battery operated drill. He tried to find a purple one, but he could only find this...

It was better than what I had been using, but it eats batteries. Rechargeable batteries don't last very long either. I borrowed hubby's little old Black and  Decker cordless, but it was angled and difficult to drill with. Last year for my birthday hubby bought me a nice Dremel with a drill press.

This is the best way I have found to drill so far. It is definitely faster!

Considering the time involved in drilling by hand, I was pricing my handmade jewelry accordingly, but it sure wasn't very cost effective to the buyer. Anything made pre-dremel is now in my own jewelry box. I cannot get what I want for them, so I'm keeping them for myself :) You try drilling a thick lucina or a jewel box shell by hand, lol! They are difficult enough, and still take plenty of time with a Dremel.

What's in my jewelry box? or BOXES? These are some pretties I've decided to keep.

and maybe this one too

It is one of my faves!

These are newer pieces, and were done with a Dremel, but I just love them.

and maybe, just maybe...this bracelet

I've been wearing this seashell and seaglass necklace a LOT!

 I only choose to keep something if it matches an outfit, or I can't part with the shell. I don't have pics of all of my shell jewelry....some of them I did make just for myself :D

But...I did take pics of this Tulip Shell necklace. It is my best Tulip Shell, and I just can't let it go. I wear it often!

So that's just a few of my fave pieces...it would take a very long post to show everything! 

I wish I still loved to sew as much as I love to make jewelry. Imagine the clothes I would have!

Do you have an abundance of your favorite crafty designs? Please do tell!!!

Love,

Del

Pssst...sorry for such a wordy post! I hope you got through it :D