Surf & Turf Seashell and Wood Bracelets

A couple of years ago I made some jewelry that I called 'The Surf & Turf Collection'. The surf being seashells, of course, and the turf being wood. I love things made of wood, and beads are no exception. Wooden beads can be very pretty.

Yesterday I got busy and put together a couple of seashell and wood bracelets....a new selection of surf and turf is coming! (surf and turf also happens to be one of my favorite dinners...YUM steak and lobster!)

When I saw these beads come up on Etsy, I had to buy them. They are shell beads, and I think they are mini mussel shells....I've eaten lots of mussels, and that's what they look like.

They are highly polished, and resemble polished tortoise shell.

The wood beads are coconut, and I used glass button pearls to accent the purple in the shell beads.

For my next surf and turf bracelet, I used one of mom's Mexico shells. An olive shell.

Coconut beads in the shape of lets say railroad ties...that's what they remind me of. Small white glass pearls separate each coconut bead.

I love shells that are drilled by nature....it saves me so much time :)

I used large lobster clasps on these bracelets for ease of fastening for those who don't trust a toggle...and there are many of you out there. I can of course change to a toggle at your request...no extra charge :)

This bracelet is so cute around the wrist!

I'm really glad I got a chance to play, I mean WORK yesterday! And I actually did get some real work done and listed several new bookmarks in my shop. I also listed the necklace I showed you yesterday, and my starfish headbands. I'm having to get into my stuff that is packed for shows, take photos, and then blog/do listings. I prefer to make the item, then take my pics...before it gets put away....but I was in a mad rush to get things done a few months ago, and things did not go as per normal. I'm going back and doing it now ;)

I have many items you haven't even seen, and it's my goal to get them in the shop...and the blog!

So, I'll see ya soon with something new!

New for Me and You!

Hello, and TGIF!

Yesterday I was pretty busy doing listings on Etsy. I think I listed about 11 new items, with the fan pulls being four of them. (I was prompted by Karen to get them done!) Thanks Karen, I needed that push :)

Some of the new listings you have seen, and some you have not.

You have seen these frames....they are now in my shop :)

This cone shell necklace is new and is one of my Belleair Beach finds! Something for him or her ;)

A limpet shell necklace....love the lavender and brown in this.

I love, love, love this little lion's paw with the copper! No bling, just a simple shell necklace.

These yellow snail shell earrings are so bright, they just scream spring and summer to me!

These are all new in my Etsy shop!

I'm totally and completely thinking of spring and summer, after the major drop in our temps. It's in the 30's this morning BRRRRRRR! Way too cold for me!

I sure do hope it warms up nicely tomorrow....I'm participating as a vendor at the Country and Clogging Festival in Waldo, FL! I am super excited about this venue!!! The Waldo Flea & Farmer's Market is a biggy! Hopefully I won't have time to take pictures! LOL!

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!

About That Custom Order

A few posts ago I mentioned revamping a custom order. Well now I get to tell you about it!

For quite some time now, in my Etsy stats, I kept repeatedly getting views on a Lupus Awareness necklace I made a while ago...and I mean a WHILE AGO! My stats would come up with the Google search for Lupus Spoon Necklace. I thought surely the person searching for that necklace I made and sold would find another one somewhere else. Well, apparently not.

I was contacted by a nice fella who asked...."Just checking to make sure this three spoon necklace is really unavailable."

Ah Ha! There is my spoon necklace Googler. I sent him a message back that I could make one for him, but could I take some liberties with the design. He said "sure!" So I got busy and altered the design a bit.

You know I really like almost everything I make to be custom and one of a kind...especially necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. And this was to be a birthday gift, so it really needed to be special, and pretty.

The small crystals are a new addition, as well as the pearl, and this chain is much prettier than the original. The spoons will lay nearly together, with the crystals resting on top of the spoons. I really like the changes I made.

Here's a peek at the original

and another glimpse at the new design...

I got a message from 'husband of the year' last night....he says she loves it! And really...he deserves an award for searching for this necklace for months, and even though he kept getting my sold, and "sorry this item is unavailable" from the Esty listing, he still contacted me about it. That is determination! And that is LOVE!

I was more than happy to do this for them....for him, and for her. A very special birthday gift straight from the heart!

As soon as Etsy makes it easy to jump from one Etsy shop to another (for a seller) I will reopen my Awareness Jewelry shop. As it is, one must sign out of one account, and sign back into another....it is not a convenient set up. I'd love to operate two shops, but I'd like to view and use from ONE account...not two separate ones.  Logging in an out to check convos and such was a real hassle, and I closed my other shop before I sold one item from it....and I started the other shop to separate my jewelry. You can see other awareness items I made and sold by clicking on the 'items sold' in the sidebar of my shop.

My shop wasn't always just seashell jewelry, it was a mixture of things. It's hard to stay ON TOP of the search results when you have such an assortment in one shop.

It's also hard to stay on top when you don't list NEW items frequently....and you know I am falling behind in that area because I have been in 'craft show' mode. So, it's time for me to get busy, and get some new items listed!

Please Etsy, make it easy to operate two shops from one account! (Like admin is ever gonna see this post LOL!)

Seashells and Coral

I have been on a real limpet kick lately!
They are just so pretty, I can't help but to keep dreaming up things to do with them.

I'm also needing more bracelets in my Etsy shop, and of course, I made a limpet charm bracelet.

This one is simply darling. Not too much, but just right.

Teal, in it's various shades from light to dark, has been a favorite of mine for over 20 years. So of course, I'm lovin' these limpets and freshwater pearls!

You can find more pictures, and the description here in my Etsy shop.

I also added a new set of limpet barrettes. I know you are thinking...How much more can she possibly DO with limpets on barrettes???

Well....

I used a smaller barrette, and added these darling little mother of pearl seahorse dangles on the ends.
I think I'm on a darling kick, too. Everything is just darling!

The metal part of the barrette doesn't really show as much as my pics portray. I'm in macro mode when I shoot my pics, and it highlights and accentuates what can't be seen to the naked eye. Which is good in most cases, but bad when you can't get a good angle. It's hard to prop a barrette on it's side on a flat surface and get the best detail of it. They tend to fall over.

Another new item in my shop, is this coral ring.

This is a piece of coral I found on Honeymoon Island. It was the perfect size for this ring. It has taken me what, almost 3 months to talk myself into using it. Since I did find other equally cool pieces of coral that weekend, I decided not be selfish, and share the pretties.

It comes with two thin bands, to be worn whichever way you desire. This ring set is a size 7.
Visit my Etsy shop for more rings made by nature, and put together by me!

If you missed it, go back and leave a comment here to be entered to win one of two heart cockle necklaces in my giveaway!

My bracelet supply is still quite low, so I'm off to see what I can come up with!

And maybe get some more beaded necklaces started!

I hope you have a fun and busy day, too!

Mermaid Hair Accessories

You know, you don't have to be a mermaid to enjoy pretty seashell hair accessories.

I know most of us walk around incognito with real legs. It's an adaptation acquired out of necessity. There were only so many mermen left in the sea, and some of us were required to seek a companion on dry land.  Thus, the need for legs. I know some of you may be just like me, and prefer our tails and scales to having to shave those things called legs.

(oh, that was fun!)

After making a custom order for a hair barrette and bobby pins this past week, I dove in and made a few for my shop that are perfect for us land lubber mermaids.

Freshwater pearls add a romantic touch to this pretty seashell barrette.

This Mexican flat scallop made a great base for spiral turritella's and limpet shells for this mermaid inspired barrette.

I don't think I can pick a favorite between these two. Love them both!

Another large size barrette, this subtle hair accessory is made with limpets and umbonium shells.

I have had so much fun with these!!!

I made several sets of bobby pins, here are a few...

I gave these kings crown shells a couple of coats of gloss to bring out the pretty colors and give them that just from the sea wet look. This is listed as a set of four.

Also available in a set of two in a light color.

This set of two has much darker colors and would be really nice in blonde hair.

or a set of two that are nearly white!

I still have a set of two small size limpet barrettes available, too!

and I ordered more limpets (cause these aren't Florida shells!) to make some more.

I'm working on a limpet headband as well, and hope to finish it over the weekend!

Which hair accessories bring out the mermaid in you?

Coastal Home Decor

Oh yes, you read that right, my ocean loving beachy friends!

I am adding a new section to my Etsy shop! Seashell Home Decor!

I've actually had the supplies for a few months, and finally decided on which shells to use.

Check out my ceiling fan/light pulls!

 This Atlantic Cockle also has a crystal dangle on the inside/other side, too.

This is a nice size shell, not too big, but not a little thing either.

Fighting Conchs make awesome fan/light pulls...

With dangles made of conch shell, and little freshwater pearls.

Love the conchs! I made 2 of these...

One dark, and one light. The light color one is my personal favorite.

I also made doubles of Sharks Eye Moon Snail shells with different dangles on each one.

This one has freshwater pearls and a Sand Opal Swarovski Crystal bicone.

This one has been adorned with a single freshwater pearl, and Pacific Blue Opal Crystals. These are nice and big, too!

My next doubles are Sunray Venus shells.

This seashell fan pull has rubber coated acrylic beads, and a palm wood bead.

But this is my favorite of these! Freshwater pearls, wooden beads, and an Opal crystal. It's the same size as the first Sunray Venus. Hubby tried to snag these for our fans...the fan/light in our livingroom doesn't have any chain pulls. It's completely remote control operated. LOL!!!!
I do have fans in the Florida room with chain pulls...I'll make one just for him!

Last, but not least by any means...

a good size Olive Shell with freshwater baroque pearls, and Topaz crystals.

See the little blemish where it met with something in the depths below? Maybe a predator, or maybe a rock?

It doesn't take away from it's beauty or usefulness. I like this color combo, too.

These aren't in my Etsy shop yet. I wanted to debut them here for you first!
If you want to call dibs on them now, let me know and I'll reserve them as I list them.

I am one sale away from 100 sales in my Etsy shop! WOO HOO!
That 100th sale will get a freebie!

I'm also trying to think of a prize for a giveaway should I ever reach that 100th Follower!

I am so very thankful to each one of you, and I'd like to show my appreciation for your participation.

I love my beachy friends!

What would YOU like for a giveaway prize?

I have some new accessories coming up. Some are listed, and some are not.... and they aren't all hair accessories either!

See you tomorrow!

Maple Leaf Shell Earrings

A pretty and elegant little shell, the maple leaf shell is from the Bursidae family. They are similar to the Tritons.

I don't usually work with bought shells, but I have to admit I don't mind as much as I used to. I do have to continually remind myself that seashells are a byproduct. Other cultures eat what is in the shells, like we eat oysters, clams, and mussels, and their shells are the byproduct. I can't imagine eating what comes from these.

I do prefer to work with my found shells, although it makes saying goodbye to the item much harder. I form an attachment to the shells when I find them, and that attachment gets stronger as I play with the shell and gaze upon it until it sells. Such is the life of a seashell jewelry maker. sigh

The maple leaf shell earrings have been fun! I have broken a few while drilling. That's always the scary part! If it can survive being drilled, it's all good. If I think it won't, I try the alternatives and forgo the drilling.

I always want my jewelry to be unique, and try to make each pair of earrings, and each necklace, or bracelet different than the last. These would easily be replicated for bridesmaids earrings though.

I have some shell necklaces coming up next! Some bought shells, and some found shells, too! For now, it's back to taking some retakes of these earrings. I am not 100% happy with them yet. These were the best 3 out of the last 30 I've taken.

These seashell earrings will be in my Etsy shop soon!