Looking through my jar of agates collected from hikes on various Oregon beaches, I found two carnelian-colored, almost-matching pieces that would represent my beach theme and started shopping through my stash. Copper? Carnelian? Red Creek jasper? Bone?
I knew I wanted to keep the focus on the agates and cage them inside hammered copper hoops, but they sat on my work table forever while I dreamed (literally) about how to accomplish this without obscuring the stones in gobs of wire.
Here are the finished earrings after a wire wrap, a bath in LOS, and an added shell charm dangle - a beach find with a nod to the reddish color and the spiral shape.
But wait, what about shells? I found two shells with holes in them. (Haven't yet invested in a drill to make my own holes, so naturally occurring holes are a handy convenience.) These took forever to problem solve, but that's what challenges are all about, right?
Still more shells to use! I combined wrapped shells with aquamarine, pearls, larimar, and Peruvian opal. As you can see, I got distracted from the original color palette. I was thinking about beach colors, I guess. *The spiral cage technique was created by Tracy Stanley and was published in the book she co-authored with Janice Berkebile, Making Wire and Bead Jewelry .
I wasn't yet finished with this inspiration; I was on a roll! Departing from the beach theme, I still had to capture those colors and shapes - the spirals, the red and black, the stripes. I made some silver spiral connectors and added Czech glass drops, striped bone, and black seed beads.
Finally, here are the inspiration photos for this challenge. Thanks, Erin, for the best inspiration yet. This challenge was near and dear to my heart, representing the natural beauty of my home on the Oregon coast.
Shells, agates, sea glass, pebbles - if they come from the beach I love them too!! They are all gorgeous, proper beach treasures xx
ReplyDeleteThe treasure hunting is the best part. This is what got me started making jewelry. I had to do something with all of those shells and rocks I collected. So I guess you could say that I owe my love of making jewelry to the beach!
DeleteThose agates look awesome! Lucky to live that close to the beach.
ReplyDeleteThese agates were an amazing find. Yes, I have waited many years to be able to retire and live on the beach. It is a constant wonder and always inspiring.
DeleteGreat use of shells - I've been learning to drill my own, but am only progressing very slowly. I particularly like the last pair of earrings with the red drops and the silver spirals.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Ok, you convinced me that it is time to invest in a drill and take the leap into learning something new. What kind of drill would you recommend?
DeleteI love how you do these hoops! Ingenious! And your little frames for the seashells are brilliant!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words! The spiral frames for the shells are a technique by Tracy Stanley in her book "Making Wire and Bead Jewelry", co-authored by Janice Berkebile. I should have given credit to Tracy in my post.
DeleteWow! This really got your earring mojo going! Love how you had a personal hand in acquiring all these great sea treasures, too.
ReplyDeleteYep, tons of mojo working. :) The treasure hunt was the best part.
DeleteBeautiful how you wire wrapped around the shells, and I love the rough agates in their copper cage!
ReplyDeleteThank you! The spiral frames for the shells are a technique by Tracy Stanley in her book "Making Wire and Bead Jewelry", co-authored by Janice Berkebile. I should have given credit to Tracy in my post.
DeleteI love the Oregon coast and I love all your earrings, esp. that first pair. Cool!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Linda. t is a special place here. I certainly had fun with this challenge and its shell theme!
DeleteYou are so very creative! It's wonderful that you used the actual shells. My favorite is #4 -- love the way you wrapped the shells.
ReplyDeleteThank you! My shells were happy to come out to play. :)
DeleteYour rocked it out on this challenge! All of your designs are Fantastic! I'm hard pressed to pick a favorite.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terri. I did get a bit carried away this time. :)
DeleteThanks for sharing the process..love all the earrings Awesome :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Radhika. The process on this challenge involved some thoughtful problem solving and lots of fun . Love that!
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful designs! I'm not sure I could choose a favorite they are each so wonderful. Your post does make me long for a trip to the coast now...I am in the Portland Metro area...so close, but so far with the busy days of life!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kari. That's cool to know that you are in Portland. What a great city. We love to get away and hit the big city every once In a while.
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