Happy New Year beach lovers!

Happy New Year to all of you beach lovers! With a brand new year, I decided it was time for a brand new look for Jewels of the OBX, something a little more streamline, updated and simple. If Starbucks can do it ... ! Anyway, I hope you like it.


Cold weather (and yes, some snow) has settled onto the Outer Banks and it's the perfect time to start thinking about warmer days ahead and, of course, pretty beachy jewelry. With that in mind, I tracked down those beautiful dyed natural shell beads purchased last fall at the Intergalactic Bead Show in Chesapeake and put them to good use. They've been so much fun to work with, I wish I had bought more! The copper findings waiting patiently in my red Kaboodles box (oh, come on, you know you kept yours from the 80's, too!) were also pulled out to use with the shells. The copper and shells really look good together.


Here are a few of my latest creations, I hope you'll like them. You'll find more details on each on the website, Jewels of the OBX.



"Party on the Beach"
Item #1411, Price: $49.99





"One Shell of a Party!"
Item #1111, Price: $35.00




"Purple Shine"
Item #123110, Price $35.00





"Drops of Blue"
Item #123010, Price: $25.00


Stay warm and see you on the beach!

Julie

You can bead on it!

A question I am frequently asked is where do I get my beads. Here on the Outer Banks, the choices are fairly limited although my favorite local bead store, Cloud Nine in Nags Head, will order anything I need if it's not in stock. I keep hoping Michael's will be the next chain store to propose a location here but until my dream comes true, I have to travel to Chesapeake for that.

My idea of Christmas and my birthday all put together is the Intergalactic Bead Show. They are the "premier purveyor of bead resources from around the world," and presents bead shows in the eastern United States. Harry and I went to their Bead Show this past weekend in Chesapeake, which was just down the street from Greenbrier Mall at the Khedive Shrine Temple on Woodlake Drive. It was really nice because it had easy access yet just out of the hustle and bustle of the mall traffic. Although he didn't really use them, Harry liked that there were comfy leather sofas available in the entrance hall. We figured if they ever installed a bar and wide screen TVs, the place would be packed!

Use can find a schedule of the Intergalactic Bead Shows at http://beadshows.com/welcome.action

for upcoming shows in your area.

But, my go-to supplier of all things beads and jewelry making has always been Fire Mountain Gems. I usually order at least 15 items to take advantage of their "all-assortive pricing." It's fun to see the amount due go down after selecting the 15th item. They have a beautiful 436 page catalog that's absolutely free with no purchase necessary. It can be ordered at http://www.firemountaingems.com/catreq.asp?lnksrc=3&navsrc=2

If your purchases total more than $100, you'll receive their comprehensive 1,220 page catalog, also completely free. Comprehensive is right, like getting the Sears catalog we used to look forward to each year. Oh, geez, please don't tell me I'm dating myself! Everyone remembers that, right?

Jewels of the OBX can now be seen at Cloud Nine!

I'm so excited, Jewels of the OBX can now be seen at Cloud Nine, A Creative Emporium in Nags Head! Cloud Nine has been an Outer Banks feature for over 20 years! It is a truly amazing boutique that showcases local and regional artists in many different mediums. They also carry an extensive collection of beads and jewelry-making supplies and are open all year around. They're located in Pirate's Quay, Milepost 11 1/2 on the Bypass. Do you remember where Dowdys, OBX's last "amusement park," used to be? It's across the road from that. (A beautiful new school was built next to the old Dowdys location). Cloud Nine is actually closed this week as the owner, Ginny Flowers, a wonderful jeweler and instructor, is taking a well-deserved respite, and will reopen February 1, just in time for Valentine's Day.

The display at the store was put together by one of Ginny's assistants, Ashley. She also made the display along with that cute little sign you see. I gave her a pair of my "Compass to my Heart" earrings for all her hard work. She must have liked them, she gave me a great big hug! If you haven't seen the earrings yet, please check them out, along with a couple other new Valentine pieces, at the website http://www.jewelsoftheobx.com/ .

Don't forget to email me at jewelsoftheobx@embarmail.com to enter your name for the free starfish earrings drawing that will end January 31, 2010! (You'll see a pair of them in the picture of Cloud Nine's display case).

Just a few days left!

Enjoy the rest of your week and I'll talk to you later .... see you on the beach!

Julie

Sea Turtle Pin!

I really enjoyed creating this cute little Sea Turtle Pin with bead embroidery, who is approximately 2 inches long. Silver-lined rootbeer cylinder beads were used to outline seven Outer Banks shells that define his shell. Silver-lined cream cylinder beads were used for his head and front and rear flippers. I used gold luster Rocailles to finish the edges, which was probably the most time consuming part of this piece, but the most rewarding as it provides a nice feel and gives it body. The backing is smooth and luxurious dark brown Ultrasuede.

Although the Outer Banks is in the sea turtle's northernmost range, I haven't seen one on the beach ... yet! If I do, you can bet I'll be right here telling you all about it! There's a great website at www.nestonline.org that provides pictures by those who have been lucky enough to see them, along with helpful information and a brochure that can be downloaded and printed. All sea turtles are either endangered or threatened so it's great to see there are people willing to help protect them.

Please check out my pin at www.jewelsoftheobx.com when you get a chance and don't forget I'm offering free earrings with your holiday purchase!

Take care.

Cottage Row Bracelets

A fun thing to do while visiting the Outer Banks is riding along the beach and looking at all the beautiful oceanfront cottages. There are miles and miles of eye candy … the spectacular multi-million dollar homes, the “mini-hotels,” the lovely quaint cottages and the classic “old Nags Head” homes. Some rows of homes were built mirror images of each other but painted in different colors. Beautiful corals, blues, and greens. These were the inspiration for my new line of bracelets called “Cottage Row.” Each is a reflection of the other but in different colors and with different components making each unique and one-of-a-kind, just like all of my jewelry. The bracelet shown, Cottage Row Blue, is the first of the Cottage Row series. It features five beautiful frosted beads with Swarovski Crystals and a silver-plated toggle clasp. Check them out at the Jewels of the OBX website!http://www.jewelsoftheobx.com/