The Elegant Murex

I made something cool and fun yesterday, but it requires a pedicure for me to do a post on it. Since that is not happening at the moment (maybe later today) I thought I would dig out a couple of necklaces that I made  a little while ago, and still haven't put them in my shop ....cuz I didn't have pics yet.

An elegant and so pretty Murex shell dangles from a copper bail, on a solid copper chain, with a peach pearl drop.

This chain is very fine looking, delicate, and dainty, but every little link is soldered closed.

The Murex has a dainty and delicate look about it, too... but make no mistake, this is a sturdy shell. I sure wouldn't want to step on one.

A simple lobster clasp completes this necklace.

Not everyone likes copper the way I do, and most people actually like silver the most.

This lovely Murex is on a silver plated chain, and has a pretty pinkish purplish freshwater pearl drop.

The Murex is like the Beauty Queen of the sea :)

Her details are stunning, and so very elegant!

Also finished with a simple lobster clasp, this necklace is ready to wear!

As soon as I get them listed in my shop, hehehehee!

I know I am still being a slow poke about listings right now, but I do have my reasons :P

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!

Off Center Seashell Necklace

I may be a little late, but I made it! I was waiting for my camera battery to charge. Isn't that the way it goes sometimes? You take one picture, and "battery is exhausted". Oh I hate it when that happens :(

So, I played around with another shell while I was waiting, and did a couple of Etsy listings :)

I have made a few asymmetrical necklaces, but never just an off center necklace, and when this shell spoke to me and said that's what it wanted to be, well, I had to listen.

This is one of mom's shells from Mexico!

The simplistic gal in me came out on this one. No sparkle, no shine (except the beads!) and no bling.

The larger beads are milky white, and the smaller beads are a beautiful Mediterranean blue dyed jade.
The one wood bead acts as an accent to the shell.

To mimic the natural coloration in the shell. The shell is old, worn, and has been tumbled by the surf... making it so smooth.

I carved out the center of the wood bead facing the shell, and added a drop of glue to keep it right there. No twisting and turning. I also left all the little beach pebbles lining the opening of the shell to keep the wire hidden inside.

This was a fun shell to play with, and I learned something. Sometimes it's best to leave nature alone, and just go with it. It sure was the thing to do with this one!

Have you ever worn an off center style necklace?

Be Still, My Heart

I have been playing with those Heart Cockle Shells AGAIN!

This time in 14k gold filled bliss!

A perfect Valentine for someone special!

This is a short necklace, and the heart shell rests at the hollow of the throat. A nice 14 inch choker, including the width of the top of the shell. The shell is 2 inches long by nearly 2 inches wide. Big and pretty!

Is it weird that I wonder what the animals from the shells taste like? Ya know, COOKED.

I've been wondering just how delicate and delicious a heart cockle must taste!

I am a seafood nut after all, and I know that in other countries they EAT all the goodies from the sea....even these!
I sure would like to find out....would you?

Where's Waldo?

Not THAT Waldo.....Waldo, FL!

Waldo is a little town with a pretty BIG Flea Market about an hour north of Ocala, and is one of two designated 'speed traps' in the state. No, I did NOT get a ticket! My hubby warned me before I left, so I made sure to set my cruise control just under the speed limit as soon as I entered Waldo. I've never had a ticket (knock wood) and don't plan on getting one :)

It was a beautiful day for the Country & Clogging Festival, although quite breezy. We were lucky to get a booth near the stage, and the cloggers were fabulous! They performed several times throughout the day.

A lady played guitar and sang a counrtyish acoustic version of AC/DC's 'You Shook Me All Night Long' Whoaaaaa! It was pretty good though! Would you be surprised that I DO know the lyrics? lol.

There were plenty of food vendors and concession stands, but I brought my own food and beverages for Laci and I.... like boiled eggs, carrot and celery sticks, red pepper strips, cucumber spears....you get the idea. Healthy munchies! But, oh! There were plenty of things to tempt me, but I only bought fudge for hubs....a few different kinds. But I wanted the bread and pastries one vendor had. They looked wonderful! Things you would find in a really decadent pastry shop/bakery. But I refrained from taking part in the delicious art... of divine turnovers, croissants, pies, and tarts. But it wasn't easy! I could SEE her booth from mine!

My setup was different this time. I was in an open air building, building B towards the front. The tables were long, narrow, and tall. I ditched my rafia (which Anna called 'My Junk' LOL!!!) and flipped my sheets over to hide the snaps....and had to clamp and pin them together underneath the tables because the wind kept whipping them every which way and blowing them out into the passersby, and up and over my items! Thank God I didn't use the rafia skirts!!!!

The day before the show I put together more hang tags to fit more items in this display, as I knew I would only have 2 tables.

They are now arranged according to price/and category.

Bracelets and fan pulls have been added, as I had to eliminate my bracelet board....BUT had I thought about it (cause it just occurred to me...I SHOULD have stood it over at the end by the pole to hang my hair things on!) BUT I was so disoriented by having to do everything differently, that my setup was not the best I've done. I do LOVE this display and the handstamped shell hang cards, though!

I *thought* I brought my extra zip bags, but I didn't.

I have a LOT of things in my booth that aren't listed in my shop yet, but will be soon.

Do you see anything new? :D

I didn't sell a darn thing! (sigh)

But, these were next to us, so I thought of Diane from Lavender Dreams, and also thought of all of you!

What made it totally worth it was our Dear Anna from Harvest Village was there, not far from us! And we did laugh about her calling my rafia 'my junk'. I said... MY JUNK????? Whatdya mean MY JUNK? My Rafia???? LOLOLOLOL! What she said was...."You didn't put your junk around your tables". LOL!

And the ladies with the rag dolls and quilts (Patsy & Laurie) were really nice, too. We had several hours to get acquainted. And they sold a couple of quilts, and something else....a bear, I think.

I was so happy to have Laci with me, she is always great company, even though she has gotten sick EVERY craft show EXCEPT the one when she didn't drink the frappacino. NOW WE KNOW WHY she has BARFED every time....except the ONE time she forgot to bring them. No more frappacino's!

Maybe a little TMI, but hey, it was part of our day, lol!

I'm looking for other places to go to craft shows, but will be back at Harvest Village on Feb 2nd. I have some flyers to pass out, and some errands to run today, and then it's back to listing, taking pictures, and listing.....until I get all those new items in my shop :)

Sooooooo, what did you see on my tables that is new?
Annnnnnnd, do you have any ideas to make better displays for headbands, or anything else?

Your input is greatly appreciated!

Thanks for hanging out for this LOOOOOOOONG and wordy post!