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.