Coral and Seashells

You know how much I like playing with those paper fig shells.....

This one is the perfect off white color to match the off white coral in this necklace.

The pink coral is so feminine and pretty, and gives it just a little POP of color.

It's just a small shell, and so cute....

and hangs just right!

But the bracelet.....

still needs some work.

The bead caps slip against this slick bumpy groovy shell.

I have to take it apart and rework it. I love the design of it, love the carved coral, love the pearls.
I dislike the way the bead caps slip! of course they didn't slip until I started taking pics....

You shouldn't be able to see the hole. So, it's back to the drawing board on this one. I do have an idea, though. I can fix it!

Hubby and I went fishing Sunday, and it was a beautiful day on the lake!
I'll show you my pics tomorrow!

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!

Oh Sanibel!

My sweet shellin' sista Shell Lady sent me a whole bunch of shells! I couldn't resist playing with them, and here are the results....

Those dark magenta and orange scallops, the big ones were just too neat to not play with.

These were perfect for hair barrettes! I have a secret method to deduce what a shell will be used for.

This perfect little paper fig wanted to be a necklace.

I gave this shell a nice gloss coat, and oh so carefully drilled a tiny hole.

This necklace reminds me of the beautiful Gulf Coast.

The pristine blue of the water

Do you see that BIG thing swimming? WHAT is it?

that gorgeous coral-y color the sky turns at sunset

 and there is even a lavender hue on the shell.... and sometimes the sky turns this color, too.

The lavender hue is from the color inside the shell, and no, it's not purple inside.

It's a caramel color in there, but through the other side of the shell looks to be lavender.

See what I mean. All the colors of the Gulf.

I wish you all could see this in person!

I haven't decided what to do with it yet.....

it does match most of MY summer wardrobe :)

I still have a thing for teal, aqua, coral, and pink grapefruit going on, and most likely will for the rest of my life. I love these colors!

I'll show you just how much I love these colors tomorrow!

Thanks Cheri! I really enjoy playing with the shells!

Orange You Glad

...I'm not doing Music Monday?!

I sure am because it means I'm doing this instead!

Aren't these orange scallops beautiful?

I can count on one hand how many orange scallops I have found.

So where did I get all of these?

THE Shell Lady sent them to me!

Aren't they just gorgeous????!!!!!

She also sent some Paper Figs!

Yah! A whole bunch of them! I had told her about me only finding 1 ever.....and I had just ordered some Paper Figs to work with. LOL! She also sent these various colored scallops......

and other shells, too!

Thank you so much Cheri! I'm so excited to work with these! My custom order isn't due until spring of next year, but now I'm not sweating bullets over finding orange scallops. I can breathe a little easier now!

I apologize for the picture backgrounds...I'm rearranging my crafty space and trying to find a place to set up a dedicated photo area. No more pulling everything out to take pics! 

Now it's back to washing the shells the grandkids, hubby, and I found in Belleair!

And sorting them into my shell containers....

I like to reuse whatever containers I have on hand! Reuse, Reduce, Recycle!!!

I have some finished necklaces to show you (I mentioned them just before the kids came to visit) so I'll see you soon!

Seashell Saturday

I thought it would be neat to show some of my favorite shells, new finds, or other things I've made with shells. I contemplated this idea, and decided to call it Seashell Saturday. I'm sure I have more than enough shells, and shell items, to do this for years!

For my first Seashell Saturday, I picked the whelks we found last weekend :)

 

 He found the larger, manly whelk, and I found the small, dainty whelk. When we find shells that are alike, his always seems to be the larger, manly, rugged shell, and mine are the smaller, feminine, dainty shell. I'm so lucky to have found HIM! Actually, he found me :) We are so alike in so many ways, and I'm so happy that he shares my love of the sea, the beach, and shelling.

Have a great weekend!
Del