Pretty Palettes :: Ocean Inspired

Hi all,

This month the Pretty Palettes jewelry challenge has a wonderful ocean palette - perfect for summer. 
I'm a summer child and the ocean has always been my happy place.  I head to the ocean any chance I get.  I'm very lucky this year; I've been to the ocean at least three times and have camping trips set for two more!

Here is one of the photos chosen by Erin Prais-Hintz from a site for free use photos called Unsplash.

[Photo credit :: Aleksandra Boguslawska :: Unsplash]

Here are the beads that Erin chose for the challenge from Bead Gallery line from Halcraft:

Here are the beads that I chose:

They are also from Halcraft, but these are the Bliss Beads line, which is available at JoAnn's. 

I threw some Bead Gallery beads into the mix also.  I had some of the gold bicones and some brown shell beads from past designs. Then, I found some at Michaels that I thought were perfect for this theme.  They remind me of driftwood on the beach.  I played with these for hours!

Here is one pair of earrings:

Here are some other earrings with waxed linen, shell beads and howlite discs.

Here's the necklace:

Beachcomber Necklace

I made the necklace with wood chips, starfish, fish, gold bicones, shell beads, and turquoise dyed howlite pieces.  I used a mix of metals and added a little patina to color the metals. 

Here's a closer view:

Beachcomber Necklace

I picture myself in my favorite summer activity - searching tidepools for bright anemones and starfish or strolling the beaches poking among the seaweed for shells and driftwood. 

Head back to the Pretty Palettes : June Reveal for all the other beautiful ocean-inspired designs.  Thanks for the inspiration, Erin!