What's the Difference?

Although I like all of the ring bases I buy, I do have my favorites.
You may be asking, "what's the difference?"

These are really pretty open filigree, and are very thin and lightweight.

Easily adjustable.

But these...

these are my favorite ring bases! They are heavier and strong, and take some force to adjust the size.

Can you see the difference in the thickness? I bought three color variations this time :)

The black one isn't painted, it's powder coated! Powder coating is harder, and much tougher than paint.
Bicycle frames and appliances are powder coated. Sometimes my husband sends fencing materials to be powder coated, and that's how I knew what it was. When I saw that these black ring bases were powder coated, I bought them without hesitation. I can't wait to pull out my mini shells and play with these!

I already played with the others last week ;)

I like, okay I LOVE the finished look of the filigree ring bases. I do know how to wire wrap rings... I've made a few. But as far as a complete and finished ring go, I like using ring bases better :D They have a more 'high end' look to them.

So, that is one of the things I'll be working on this week, the rose stem rings! My favorite ring bases!

Shae says Thank You ALL for the birthday wishes!

Edited 5 hours later to add:

I was supposed to announce a WINNER today! OMG I am sooooo sorry!
I'll do it tomorrow, I promise....I need to unearth my brain from wherever I've lost it in this craft room.

Everything's Coming Up Roses... Seashell Rose Rings That Is!

I had a eureka moment a few days ago, and I had to pull out my shells, and epoxy. This little light bulb lit up over my head, and I couldn't turn it off until I did what I needed to do!

Now don't go imagining that I glued shells together to resemble roses. I'm not that kind of shell crafter. I wish I was, but at this time, I'm not. Maybe someday!

Maybe I should just stop rambling and show you what I did. It was really simple. Too simple really.

Look very closely and you will see that those are 2 different rings, 2 different shells. The one above is slightly larger, and the one below the tip of the shell extends further down the stem. I didn't dare drill these. They are really thick for such a tiny shell, and I was afraid of breaking them. But I wanted to use them so very badly! So, now I have shell rose rings!

These turned out cute, too! You are going to start calling me the crazy shell lady for sure....if you don't already! LOL!

and since I had a couple more of those little calico scallops laying out....

I told you it was too simple! I do LOVE the results. Too cute! Now, I'm waaaaaay to old for these seashell hairpins, but I can see them in a younger woman's hair.  Well....they might be cool in an older woman's up do hair do....I could do that! Like in a gorgeous up do braid. Those are so elegant!


I may just grow a tail and fins after all :D

I hope you have an AWESOME Friday!

Until next time....
Del

Seashell Saturday

Hello! Welcome to Seashell Saturday!

I hope you all had a wonderful week, are enjoying the summer, and have been able to keep cool!

Today I'd like to share an easy peasy way to make earrings.

What you will need:
shells (coquinas are awesome for this, or any shells that match, came attached, same size/color)

2 part epoxy, cardboard, toothpicks

earring studs/posts (I use surgical steel and hypoallergenic)

 Have your shells ready, and slide the earring back onto the stud.

Mix a small amount of 2 part epoxy, squeeze out about a pencil eraser sized amount from each. It dries fast, so less is best. Waste not, want not. I use a piece of thick paper or cardboard to mix it on, and a toothpick to stir and mix it with. When epoxy dries IT DOES NOT COME OFF! Eye protection, etc, etc... is recommended. Mix according to directions. Mine is ready to use after 1 minute of mixing.

Dip the flat side, or base of the stud into the epoxy, and attach it to where you want on the shell. Hold for a moment until set, and then set aside to dry and cure.

That's it! You can also do this with ring bases! If your local craft store doesn't carry the studs/ring bases, you can order them from one of the many supply sellers on Etsy.com :)

 I also made a pair from small Sunray Venus shells. They are sooooo pretty!

and small Olive shells

Last but not least...RINGS!

Other items you can use for earrings and rings:
pebbles
flat back crystals
undrilled pearls
anything goes! if you want to wear it, make it!

What are you making today?

Have a wonderful weekend!

See you tomorrow for Seashore Sunday!

Love,
Del