Capiz Shell and Pearl Jingle Belt

This is something I have had on my brain since before last Christmas. I originally wanted to do it with jingle shells, but they just aren't quite as tough and strong as capiz shells. I don't think I will ever look at one of my FULL charm bracelets as time consuming again. They are easy compared to making this belt!

Even though it is completely loaded with capiz shells, freshwater pearls, and some jingle bells.... Every other capiz shell has a pearl drop, and about every 3-4 inches there is a bell. I still feel as if something is missing. It's pretty, it's fun, it makes some nice sounds...but I think it could be better. So, technically it may not be finished. I'm thinking about adding some pretty seashells to it, but really don't want to over do it.

This 'jingle belt' measures 36 inches, and can be worn around the waist, or just riding the hips. A slim gal could have some shells and pearls hanging at the end. It has a big lobster clasp, which can be worn in the front, or at the side....and I would demonstrate for you, but I am no longer a slim gal.

I am so glad it's finished....or NEARLY finished! I think I'm going to let it sit for a couple of days and then decide.

What do you think? Finished? or NOT finished?

Sundays Are Fun Days

An early morning on Daytona Beach

watching the sunrise.

A day of playing on the beach....it's only 70 miles from home!

Lifeguards gone from their post to do their job.

Strong rip currents = 20 rescues!

Tide line is high

No driving on the beach til low tide

When the lifeguard is away

Beach goers will play

Sundays really are fun days! 

A Dark Seashell Necklace Just for HIM

I can't believe it's really Friday. This week seemed to go by rather slow for me...or maybe I'm just moving slower and doing less after last weekend???? Or maybe what I've done the last few weeks has finally caught up with me?! Oh well, I sure have had fun!

This new necklace was made for men, but maybe some women would like it as well.

This is a Bat Volute Shell. They come in a wide range of colors and patterns from very light, to very dark like this one.

It was the color of this shell that drew me to it. It's a manly looking shell, plain and simple.

The aperture of this shell has a little hint of orange at the end!

This dark beauty hangs from black leather, between silver tube beads, and is finished with solid cord ends and a lobster clasp.

This just may be my favorite guy necklace so far!

On another note....doesn't that scrapbook paper really look like wood? I could almost swear there was a crevice between the boards, and with the flaking paint raising up? WOW! There's some great detail in that paper!

I have been working on my transportation of jewelry....can't wait to show you what I've done!
Have a great weekend, and I'll see ya back here on Monday!

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!)