Today is the day!!! I am so excited to share with you the wonderful creations I made using some wonderful glass beads sent to me by my partner, Marcy Lamberson. Here is a link to her blog so come check her out when you get the chance. Marcy is an incredible glass artist (in fact I have since gone and bought more of her work because I just love her style) Here is a look at all the wonderful beads she sent me to work with.
As you can see, all of her beautiful gifts are sea related. When I was checking out Marcy's Facebook page before we talked, I noticed that just a few days before the partners were announced she had been to visit my little rural spot of Florida!!! What are the odds? When we talked it was a great starting point for our getting to know you conversations. While I live in the middle of the Withlacoochee State Forest, I am also just 2 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. So not only do I share a love for forests and trees, I have a deep love for water and the sea. I often design based on water and sea themes and Marcy was kind enough to indulge my love of the water in the beads she sent. Her work is incredible and the detail superb. Even the back sides of her pieces are special.
My first design uses Marcy's beautiful shell bead. If you were just looking at the bead you would not know it wasn't real. It is the most detailed glass shell I have ever seen. I created a Y necklace with it using pink cultured sea glass rounds, light rose crystal rondelles and the most delicious candy looking watermelon tourmaline. This necklace just sings summer evening to me. Here is a look at the shell from the back. See how she carries the detail through her work?
My next design uses the really fun bead my son has called the mini aquarium and the sand dollar and scallop shell beads.
This necklace is just so much fun!! The detail in the aquarium bead is really cool. It has shells on both sides and what my son argues is a crab walking inside (I say it is coral). I made another Y necklace and this time used opaque cultured sea glass rounds, crystals in padparadscha, teal and opalite and closed it with a cultured sea glass toggle clasp. On a fun note, scallop fishing is very big here. We are one of the best places to get Gulf scallops and it is a very big event here with people traveling from all over to go diving for them each year, so this necklace has a bit of homage to my hometown too! Here is a peek at the backside so you can see the detail on the aquarium bead.
Now if you know anything about me, you know that whenever I do a challenge or a blog hop I have to make earrings. I just love making them so any excuse to do so, I create at least one pair. This time Marcy had provided two wonderful little shells. They are not quite a pair, but they are close enough and I just love the touch of asymmetry, it adds a bit of fun to the earrings.
To tie them back to the shell necklace, I used the same pink cultured sea glass rounds and a light rose crystal for that touch of sparkle.
My final piece is the one I just love. Those two glass manatee beads are very special and I am going to hoard one for a very long time. He needs to peek out at me from my special spot I have for artisan beads and become the mascot to my work area. His partner I paired with several of the glass rings to make this:
The blue rings made me think of bubbles moving through the water so my little manatee sits under the viewing dome at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park munching on his lettuce all the while the water above him sparkles. I used icy blue seed beads and aqua and opalite crystals to give the necklace that watery feel. This necklace is asymmetrical with bubbles going up one side. I still try and embrace that not every necklace has to be the same on both sides; it remains a challenge for me and it is something I enjoy embracing when working on blog hops.
Here is a close up of the manatee:
If you are interested in seeing manatees, check out the manatee cam during the day. It is dark and eerie at night. :)
I had so much fun participating in this hop. I had a wonderful partner who went above and beyond making special beads for me. Thanks to Marcy and to Linda for organizing such a big hop. Please stop by and visit all the other hoppers to see what they designed.
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What great designs! I am really partial to the second necklace but that manatee is so cute.
ReplyDeleteMarybeth, they turned out great and you made so much!! I'll have my post with your beads up soon. Thanks so much for being my partner.
ReplyDeleteLove the gorgeous bead selection Marybeth, you made some beautiful pieces.
ReplyDeleteThe Manatee necklace real flows well and looks so cute.
I adore the combination you used with those gorgeous seashell beads, and i have to say i really love the aquarium bead necklace it totally stunning.
Those are beautiful...I too live in west Florida, just outside of Dunnellon...I love, love, love, the manatees....Great job!
ReplyDeleteThose glass shells are amazing. And so are your designs. Beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteWow! Everything is so beautiful! Wonderful job!
ReplyDeleteSimply SUBLIME! What GORGEOUS pieces you made, Marybeth! I love the pink necklace - I'd never have thought to go pink with the shells. And the Manatee is just too cute! Beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
http://cherryOnTopDesign.co
A very different take on sea-beach inspired pieces - great for Summer!
ReplyDeleteLovely designs. That little manatee is too cute for words and the sea glass touches that go along with him are like being in Florida waters.
ReplyDeleteMarybeth, your pieces are so very pretty! the beads are all perfect with the lovely glass. I love that manatee too. How very special.
ReplyDeleteI love all the focals that you were gifted. You made some great necklaces! I love earrings also and yours are a fun pair. Well done!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely pieces you have created!
ReplyDeleteLovely pieces! The manatee is fantastic and your piece with it is so creative!
ReplyDeleteYou got some really cool beads to work with and you have placed them center stage, creating the perfect surroundings with the added beads, colors and arrangements. The asymmetry in the last necklace is subtle and well balanced!
ReplyDeleteAll of those glass pieces! the manatees are so cute! and the rings do look like bubbles! Very beachy and sparkly pieces at the same time. Love em.
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely pieces. Great job.
ReplyDeleteI love the necklace with the seaglass blue toggle. Whimsical!
ReplyDeleteI love all of your designs, they are all really cool and I love the colors and texture!!! Be Blessed
ReplyDelete