On the Ninth Day of Christmas

On the ninth day of Christmas

My true love gave to me...

A gorgeous one of a kind necklace

(You can view the link to this necklace HERE)

 

Petit Jardin de Roses

 

I found these gorgeous apple green and pink glass beads strolling through a bead shop and was mesmerized by them!  

 

Petit Jardin de Roses necklace

 

It took several days for me to decide how to use these beads, trying different styles and colors.  I really liked the way the beads looked when I wrapped each as a link instead of beading them together on a string.  

 

As I looked at the necklace and bracelet, I was reminded of a beautiful rose bush my husband had bought me at our first house.  I had to leave it behind when we moved, but it had the most beautiful pink cabbage roses I had ever seen.  And putting the name in French just seemed to be more romantic than saying "Little Flower Garden."

 

The Christmas tree is up, without lights or decorations yet.  But I can look at it and think of the wonderful time I had with my family in finding it!

On the Third Day of Christmas

On the third day of Christmas

My true love gave to me...

A custom wire wrapped sand dollar lampwork bead bracelet

 

I started my jewelry journey with wire wrapping.  It was the best way to create pendants with my sea glass.  And it was only natural that as I started looking at the work of other artists, I would became interested in learning various wrapping techniques. 

 

Sand Dollar Dreams

 

Although simple to create, these links add visual interest that would be missing if I used something mass produced.  They give this bracelet a special touch that makes it truly one of a kind.

 

Lampwork Beaded Bracelet

 



This bracelet is constructed of handmade lampwork sand dollar beads, small glass green beads and my handcrafted links. It's a fun bracelet, especially in the summertime.  And I used a super strong magnet instead of a clasp so that it's easier to get on and off. 

 

 

I love the way this photo turned out...I was experimenting with different techniques and props at the time.

 

I wonder what to put on sale tomorrow?

On the Second Day of Christmas

On the second day of Christmas

My true love gave to me...

A sea glass pendant

on a custom beaded necklace

 

OK, I told you yesterday that this probably wouldn't rhyme. 

Or be in tune. 

 

  Mermaid Lagoon

 

I love the look and feel of sea glass.  It remindes me of the quietness of the waves breaking on the beach.  And so I use very simple patterns when wrapping my sea glass pendants, so that the beauty of the glass shines through.

 

 Sea Glass Necklace

 

I've created a spiral rope chain for this sea glass pendant.  The small white beads shine like pearls and the green glass beads are a perfect backdrop for the brown sea glass. 

 

 Mermaid Lagoon Sea Glass Necklace

 

Be sure to check in tomorrow for the sale item for Day Three...

 

On the First Day of Christmas

It won't rhyme or even be in tune, but I'm having my own little "12 Days of Christmas" party over at my shop,  Sea of Dreams. 

 

Actually it's going to be "24 Days of Christmas" because I'm going to reduce the price on one item each day from now until Christmas Eve.  Each day will feature a different item...but please be aware that items ordered the week before Christmas may not arrive in time for the big day.

 

So, here goes...

On the first day of Christmas

My true love gave to me...

A pair of lovely white sea glass earrings
(You can view the listing here)
 

 

Ocean Blues

 

If you are not familiar with sea glass, let me be the first to tell you all about it!  Sea glass is the ultimate in recycling.  As ships have sunk off the coasts of various countries and the glass in their cargo has broken, it then moves with the tides all throughout the world.  Each piece of glass spends the next 50 to 100 years tumbling through surf and pounded against sand until it acquires the frosted finish and rounded edges prized by collectors.

 

I am lucky to live near the New Jersey coast and have collected the sea glass I use in my jewelry myself.  The most common colors I find are white, brown and green.  Prized colors are cobalt blue, pink, lavender, and red...usually found in Hawaii or around the Mediterranean Sea. 

 

Do not be fooled by man made sea glass (faux sea glass) also known as beach glass.  This is glass that has been created in a rock tumbler and can be purchased in bulk quantities.  If you find lower priced jewelry that says it is sea glass but the glass is uniform in shape and color, it is probably not genuine sea glass.  

 

 Large White Sea Glass Earrings

 

The sea glass in these earrings was found over the course of about eight months.  Each trip, I collect only sea glass that meets jewelry grade standards (easily 70% of what I find on the beach is not usable in my jewelry).  Then each piece is rinsed off and sorted according to color, shape and size.  To find two pieces that are similar in all three areas takes many visits to the beach and hours of sorting through all the glass I've collected.

 

 Ocean Blues Sea Glass Earrings

 

It is rare to find sea glass this large.  And I considered myself very lucky to find two pieces that were so nicely matched! 

 

One interesting fact is that sea glass is very light-weight.  These earrings, while large, are not heavy at all. 

 

 Ocean Blues Sea Glass Earrings

 

Which item from my shop will be featured for the Second Day of Christmas?  Check back tomorrow!