Summer Vacation Blog Hop

Due to unforeseen events this week I am, once again, late to post for a blog hop for which I apologize. Technical issues with a variety of things cropped up and... well, it is what it is.  Paula Hisel of Simply Beadiful  had issued an invitation on Facebook to participate and I jumped on it. I've had a very special pendant waiting and knew this was the perfect time to use it. The guidelines were to created a piece of jewelry that reminded you of a favorite summer vacation.

I love when God weaves people into your life unexpectedly and they become dear friends, the kind that make you wonder how life was without them. One of those gifts in my life is my friend Betsy. She and her DH Donny have a special place in our hearts. They are a delight to spend time with, and we've seen God work in their lives in so many ways. Donny is not only a boat captain but a gifted artisan as well. He knows my love of handmade things and had given me a hand carved conch shell starfish pendant. Last summer they invited us to a dinner-on-the-water excursion. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, the company even better and we had an absolutely lovely time.

Betsy and I

     

Two of our sweet girls

What's not to love with a view like this?

 So, with this great memory as inspiration, I went to work on Donny's starfish. This is what I ended up with

Isn't that pendant beautiful? He had given us a conch shell from the Bahamas, so figured it was apropos to use for photographing the necklace.  Here's a closer view of the pendant- it's carved from the inside of the shell.

I used some chain from our wonderful local bead store, Simply Sterling, as well as some delightful rainbow moonstone beads that were on sale there.   Paired with 4mm pink Swarovski bicones, it makes for a great combination, don't you think? I added little dangles from the bigger links to add some movement and repeat the cluster pattern. I love this- this one isn't going anywhere! It's fairly long, and a little asymmetrical - can't wait to wear it. I'm also going to make a pair of matching earrings- yep, I'm a set person!

One final look:

Now, to figure out a name for it! Don't forget to stop by the other participants and see what they created!
Karin King: maverickbeads.blogspot.ca
Annette Rivers: http://mamaowlsmess.blogspot.com
Mischelle Andrade Fanucchi: micheladasmusings.blogspot.com
Leanne Loftus: https://www.firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.com
Dolores Raml: http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com/
Christie Murrow: www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com  ( you're here)
Paula Hisel: http://simplybeadiful.weebly.com/simply-stated.html

Wishing you a summer filled with dashes and splashes of grace and joy- and dear friends!