ZnetShows Baby Conchs

I lucked out again when the guys at ZnetShows surprised me with a beautiful spectrum of mini conch shells.

These beach glass beads are perfect for earrings, but that wasn't my first thought of how to use them.
I grouped a few of my favorite colors (ones that reminded me of the beach) and hung them together on a silver ring from a chain to make a necklace.
Perfectly beachy!

From there I moved on to making some earrings. This design came to me out of the blue, so into the sketchbook it went until I was able to play with my e-beads and conchs.
I had to test out several wire types and gauges before I settled on the sturdy 20g galvanized steel wire for the frame. It worked perfectly.

Less perfect was the progression of the next pair. I had a fabulous idea involving memory wire. I played with some memory wire rings for FAR too long and finally remembered why I hardly ever use the stuff. In frustration, I threw that idea to the side and simply wrapped some seed beads around the top of two of these cobalt blue mini conchs.
Simple, easy, and beautiful (if I do say so myself.)

Finally, I wanted to do something a little different. While I'm not usually drawn to pink, the pale pink conchs called to me. Pairing them with silver, black, and pearl seemed natural.
I really couldn't get a great picture of these as the weather was being so weird. If I get a better one, I'll replace the one above or post it later.

Speaking of later, I've still got plenty of these to play with and a few more ideas. I'll share what comes to be. What fun these little babies were!
Thanks Bill for giving me the chance at them.

19 comments:

  1. I hear the ocean calling! Can't wait to go to th ebeach this summer.

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  2. Wow they are wonderful, just had a look at the website, lots of lovelies on there

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  3. Hope, your pieces are so pretty and perfect for the beach!! These babies are really fun to play with - I love your designs!!

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  4. Beautiful designs, Hope! I really love the cobalt blue earrings with the little seed beads wrapped around the top - so fun!

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  5. Great Job Hope~ These are great :-D

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    1. Thanks Tammie! I just love the whole spectrum of colors they come in, so much inspiration!!

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  6. Ooohh, I love how you played with these! Great ideas Hope! So, I love using memory wire, and am curious as to what kind of trouble it was giving you...

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    1. Shirley,
      Thank you. It was more like playing! :) I was using some of that small ring memory wire and was having trouble making the loops at either end in a consistent size. I just got frustrated is all.

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  7. Looks like lots of fun! These are so cute and different, I love them!!

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    1. Cory,
      It really was and they really are! ;) They're just the perfect size to have some definition, but still small enough to be cute. Now, to just decide what to make with the rest of the cuties!

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  8. oh these little lovelies are great! you did such a wonderful job with the pieces here ... kinda loving the pink ones, who knew since pink is not my favorite color! but I like the contrast in this pair - beautiful designs Hope!

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    1. Cynthia,
      Aren't they!? Yeah, the pink ones surprised me too. I'm totally going to have to get a better picture of them so all their loveliness can be seen a bit clearer. Ha! Thank you.

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  9. I haven't even finished reading your latest blog post and I'm absolutely in love w/ your blog already :) Will read more, and gush again later. I design jewelry too, so thanx much 4 posting the link to the glass beads, they're beautiful.

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  10. Hope,
    They are all beautiful. My favorite is the earrings with all the pretty colored beads.
    Therese

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  11. What a fun necklace - could be worn with anything!
    Love the earrings!

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  12. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  13. Beautiful designs! I just love the necklace.

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