One of my favorite things to do when I'm at the beach is to walk along the water picking up shells. I've done it my whole life as I grew up on the coast and have always lived next to the ocean. The only exception being the 4 years I was in college. For me, I can't imagine living anywhere but next to water. I'll take a lake when it isn't the sea!
Last February we spent some time down in Mexico by the sea. It was a wonderful 10 days in sunshine when the rest of my world seemed to be covered in snow. You can see my favorite little lunch spot here where I grabbed a fish taco (or two, or three) along with a cerveza for lunch. Yum. Then off to the water to comb the shore for some shells. I could seriously do that forever.
Anywho, I did bring back quite a collection of local shells off the beach where I spent my afternoons just walking through the lapping waves. Did I mention that it was wonderful? And the best part is that many of the shells had a natural hole in them, which is perfect for beading. A beader's little secret.
Months later, I grabbed some of those shells, along with a piece of suede and some seed beads, and got stitching. The suede made for the perfect band to attach my shells and beads into. I also included some trade beads that look and feel like mud, which were the perfect complement to my design.The suede feels soft and comfortable on with this bracelet. And the ball clasp was the perfect choice to tuck up under your wrist and not take away from the drama of the shells. I left it just a little loose so it would have some sway to it and give that wonderful sound of shells cascading.
I included it in the last issue of Bead Chat Magazine and posted a picture on my Facebook page. I sold it inside of a day, and then another friend asked if she could buy it. So I needed to make a second one, which surprised me as I really wasn't expecting that kind of response for my little beach boho bracelet.
Oddly, I am not a water person at all - don't like the heat, the beach, etc. HOWEVER, I spent several family vacations in Sanibel Island, Florida (as an adult!)! And I do love the shells! I collected POUNDS of shells - glued them to everything I could think of! At one point, every bathroom in my house had a shell-encrusted picture frame mirror!
ReplyDeleteYour bracelet, as usual, is just lovely and it brought back memories of combing the shore for those shells!
Well you know I love it Cynthia. Shells are one of my most favorite things and picking them up on the beach has been one of my favorite things to do for a very long time. I love how you attached your shells and the beads you used just compliment the shells perfectly. Awesome job - no wonder you've already sold two.
ReplyDeleteI'm also a walking on the beach collecting anything...shells in Florida, coral and shells in Turks and Caicos, rocks and beach glass on Lake Michigan.....cannot walk on the beach without picking things up. Your bracelet is beautiful!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Cynthia,
ReplyDeleteThe bracelet is beautiful. I like Patti am not a big fan of the beach, but on the rare occasions that I go to the beach I spend my time walking the shoreline looking for shells. I like your design and using the suede so it is gentle on the skin is a nice touch.
Therese
I'm right there w/you - being a 'beach person'. Always picking up whatever I can find. I'm not sure I could have parted w/these treasure from the sea. Not just because they would have reminded me of my vacation, but because this is one of the prettiest bracelets I've ever seen!! LOVE this!!
ReplyDeleteThis turned out beautifully! The white/beige colors are SO beach/sand and soothing. The sound and the movement must be wonderful! Again, another that is easy to see why it sold so quickly. Ahhhhh, warmth and water.....
ReplyDeleteI can absolutely see why it sold so quickly, when I look at it I can feel myself relax. Ahhhhhhhhh, tranquility. I can almost smell the salt air and hear the waves. I was missing the ocean so much I had to head to the Oregon coast for a few days. I walked the beach, saw quite a few broken sand dollars but not much in the way of shells.
ReplyDeleteI'm like you, grew up not far from the beach and loved walking along collecting shells. I still love doing that! I love what you did with your shells. Using the suede was a great idea and I love the colors. Soft and sandy like their natural habitat! Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThis bracelet is so precious and so creative! I love it! Well done ;o)
ReplyDeleteThis definitely makes me yearn for the beach! Beautiful! And congrats on another quick sale...well, 2 actually!
ReplyDeleteThe bracelet is so perfect for a tropical vacation or a day at the beach! It looks like you found a lot of beauties in Mexico. I remember picking up shells as a little girl and there being a hole in them. I would put them on string and wear them as a necklace. :) I'm right there with you about needing to live near the ocean!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love your beach combers' bracelet!! Washed and rolled by many turns in the surf. So beautiful and reminds me of my own little collection of shells brought home from a long ago trip...
ReplyDeleteI love to walk along the water picking up shells, too!! I have many vases decorated with them.
ReplyDeleteLovely bracelet!!! Great work!!!
Have a good week!!! my g+ for you!!!:)))
Besos, desde España, Marcela♥
I grew up near water and I miss it terribly! Love, love your shell bracelet! I'm not surprised it sold straight away :)
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