McIntosh Festival at Harvest Village

We are watching the megastorm closely, and thinking of friends and family in the path of this killer storm. Hopefully it will be over soon, and everyone will be safe and sound. Clean up on the other hand will be a massive undertaking. Things can be replaced, but our people can't be. Stay safe dear friends and loved one's, my heart goes out to you.

For several days we felt the fury that was Sandy passing a couple hundred miles off our coastline. The wind blew relentlessly, and anything that wasn't heavy or nailed down was seen blowing across yards and fields. I watched my palm trees sway and blow for days prior to the craft show, so I took precautions and took some rock pavers to hold my canopy down. Thank you honey for giving me the pavers!

The turn out for this show was better than past shows at Harvest Village, but remember that this is a new venue, has only been going this fall, and people are just now finding us. It did help that the McIntosh Festival was happening the same day right down the road.

We had more vendors on Saturday, and some of them set up their canopy frame, or saved a spot with a table on Friday. Laci and I set up across from where we usually do.

You may notice my necklace displays are in a different spot this time. The winds from Sandy blew them over a couple of times, so I moved them. The big necklace display provided a wind break and kept them from falling over. I didn't even bother to set up the heads for the headbands, as I knew from previous shows that the slightest wind will take them down. I'm working on having something made to keep them in place.

I did move a couple of things around.....

but most things are the same. I do need to make some new earrings as I have 2 entire sides empty now.

I really like, and needed the larger ring display, and have sold a few of them :)

My bracelet board is a few shy of what is was also. I really need to get busy, and before the next show in 2 weeks! I also have an idea for the shell name badge reels....they just need a little something something added to them and I have just the thing in mind ;)

I did make some keychains, and didn't sell a single one :P
I'm nearly out of bookmarks....that is on my to do list.

I really do like the barrettes on the net this way, but sure played hell keeping them straight all day. It isn't normally so windy, so I'll still do this. I'm a few hairpin sets and barrettes down, too. So Much To Do!

THE WIND!!!!!!!! My big display did nearly go over but Laci caught it, and I ran around the other side to set it to rights. It really damn near blew OFF the tables!

Laci made some new things for the show, too :D

Her mini cupcake necklace was the first thing she sold. It is so adorable! Even though it takes a couple of hours or so to crochet such a tiny thing, she will probably make another...or two. It's only about an inch tall!

These are for kids.....except the cupcake pin cushion, lol. I must have taken this after she sold her pie darnit!

These are for kitty cats! Catnip toys! It's hard for me to pick a favorite. I love the whales, and the fish of course. But the little pie, cheeseburger, and toilet paper rolls are so darn cute, too. Laci can literally look at an object or think of one, and make it with yarn. No pattern!

It was a really good day despite the wind :) and Laci outsold me :D

I bought something that is beautiful and amazing, and I'll show it to you next time!

We are preparing for the next show on November 10th!

Is there anything you think we should make?

A Sanibel Summer

I have been playing with those Paper Fig shells that The Shell Lady sent to me last month. If you missed it, you can see that post here. I made a tropical necklace with one of them to commemorate where she found them. I still thank her in my mind each time I see, hold, or use one of her shells! Thank you Cheri!

This Paper Fig is just as pretty!

I sanded the edge nice and smooth, and hit it with a coat of clear gloss.

The bail is gold plated, and it hangs on a bright brass chain.

I made the little flower with flower part beads, a leaf bead, and a tiny pearl. A nice little feminine touch.

This shell makes a nice size pendant, and just whispers summer to me.

I really enjoyed playing around with this shell, and making this necklace!

Simple, summery, and feminine! Some of my favorite things :)

I have a few more ideas for Paper Fig Shells, and I can't wait to complete and share them.

Thanks again Cheri! These Paper Figs really made my summer!

Heart Cockles for You Giveaway

Hello!

This is it!

Because I "heart" you all so much, my giveaway will have 2 lucky winners!!!

Yep, that's right. I made 2 heart cockle necklaces :D

It's also fitting to have 2 because Diane is a two time follower. In this case, a two timer is a good thing :)
Diane was my 100th follower, and sealed the deal for this giveaway! (clicking Diane's name will take you to her blog, and her shop blog!)

Thanks again, Diane ;)

The criteria for this giveaway is that you

1. Be a blog follower

2. Leave a comment

3. Have a way for me to reply to you if you win!

One of you will WIN

this heart cockle on a copper coated brass chain, very fine link, with a teal freshwater pearl and crystal ab finish drop. This shell is very close to white.

One of you will WIN this heart cockle on a fine brass chain with brass balls about every inch or so. A pretty white freshwater pearl with blue zircon crystal drop dangles just above a brass ball. This shell has some yellowing to it, which seems to make it a perfect fit for the brass.

I will announce the winners on Friday May 18th!

GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL!!!!

Have a great Mother's Day weekend! 

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

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