Monday, November 11, 2013

Beach Tribal :: Shells & Fiber

Last time I was up at our camp in the Adirondacks I asked my mother-in-law about a large string of shells hanging on the wall. They had clearly been there a very long time, but no one seemed to know why or where they came from. She said that they had come back with my husband's older brother from one of his many, many adventures. Exactly which location? Hard to say ... Thailand, India, Mexico ... she couldn't remember. 

She said that they had no sentimental value and perhaps I could use the shells in my designs. Oh she knows how to sweet talk me! That took about 3 seconds, as I had to climb the stairs to reach the string of shells. They have a beautiful orange and off white pattern to them. Those were in my bag before she could finish the sentence.

And then a few weeks back I met up with my friend Christine and she gave me a shell her brother found in Florida from a beach combing excursion. She had drilled a hole in the top which made it perfect for a focal. She also gifted me this really cool banana fiber, which adds the best rustic boho feel to the piece. Funny how bits and pieces just fall together like they were always meant to be.

11 comments:

  1. I can here the sound these shells make when they touch against each other. What a great piece! Movement, sound, found, fringe...all the little bits collected from all around. What I am learning most from you with all these fantastic posts is monotone support. You work those white beads so well, They are a quiet support and with them, these pieces you have been making lately really do shine! Beautiful Beach Boho!!!

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  2. Wow. Gorgeous. Every time I've seen you do fringe it's amazing. How do you do that? Your fringe is lush, perfectly dangly, always exactly right for the piece. You just might be the queen of fringe!!!

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  3. Amazing! How nice of your mother-in-law to let you have them :)
    I have a bag made from pineapple fibre :)

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  4. Super design Cynthia!! And, now these beautiful shells (and beads and fibers) have meaning and I bet the hold some sentimental value now, too. :-) It sure is a beautiful necklace.

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  5. Its fantastic how something so simple can become something so beautiful, fabulous piece.

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  6. This is such a beautiful nature piece. How sweet of your mother in law to let you have them to work with. Itty bitty shells like these are so adorable!

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  7. Wow! Awesome find ;) Love that rustic look...

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  8. We find supplies in the most unexpected places! Lovely necklace--I enjoy making sea themed pieces as you saw on my blog.

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