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

Category 3 bracelets ... I can't stop!

My Category 3 bracelets have been so much fun to work with, I just can't stop. My favorite part is showcasing the round Czech druk beads and since the available colors are practically endless, there may quite possibly be a bracelet using every one before I'm through! The original Category 3 bracelet and matching earrings which incorporates copper druk beads is at Cloud Nine in Nags Head. I hope you can stop by to view it and other select pieces while you're visiting the Outer Banks this holiday.

See you on the beach!

Julie

Category 3 Goth

A new “Category 3” bracelet in gothic style for the Sandy Gear collection (Item #12110). Dimensional beading featuring 4mm round black glass Druk beads, the result is individual “links” throughout the bracelet. Includes iris silver and black size 8/0 beads; and, 11/0 silver seed beads. 19x9mm Sterling Silver gothic hook and eye clasp. Black chain and pewter glass pearl drop embellishment. The bracelet's finished size is 7"

See you on the beach!

Julie

Turtle Cove

In Turtle Cove (Item #100910), I used a delightful carved moonstone turtle with vertical netting and fringe necklace with (6) accent 8x12mm smooth teardrop aqua glass beads. It also includes 3mm square round silver-plated beads; 6/0 transparent turquoise; 8/0 matte aqua and yellow; 11/0 transparent AB clear, transparent sea blue, opaque lime green, matte aqua AB fringe beads, fringe beads and 15/0 silver seed beads. Finished with Sterling Silver split-rings and a cute 24x9mm Sterling Silver S-hook clasp. Necklace length is 16". If you'd like to see this necklace and other select pieces in person, please visit Cloud Nine in Nags Head.

See you on the beach!

Julie

Jewels of the OBX Birthday earrings updated!

August - Peridot, Item #82910)

September - Sapphire, Item # 93010)

October - Rose, Item #103110)

The Jewels of the OBX Birthday earring collection is coming along nicely! The Swarovski birthstone colors for August (Peridot), September (Sapphire), and October (Rose) have been added which means the entire collection is almost complete. It's so exciting for me to see this all coming together and in honor of getting to this point, I'm offering a special ... for every pair you buy before September 30, 2010, you'll receive a free pair! Yes, I'll even accept your $20 Happy Birthday certificate (you do have yours, right?) towards your purchase. Just indicate which birthday month you want for your free pair in the "Additional comments" section of the Order Form.

See you on the beach!

Julie

In the Marina

"In the Marina"

The newest bracelet and earring set at Jewels of the OBX. This is a light bracelet where I used three different shades of blue and green 5mm opaque rondelles and then tucked each one into a beaded ribbon of 11/0 mixed blue/green seed beads. The bracelet also includes 6mm teal resin rondelles and antiqued gold and dark gold seed beads. A rondelle loop makes a cute embellishment and the bracelet is completed with a 10mm antiqued gold lobster clasp. The earrings are a simple drop of matching rondelles with antiqued gold earwires. The bracelet is 7 1/2" long and the earrings are 1 1/2". The set can be viewed at Cloud Nine in Nags Heads.

See you on the beach!

Julie

Goodies

To those curious about what goodies I bought at the Intergalactic Bead Show last weekend, here's some eye candy for you!

Here's the entire booty ...

My favorite is this 8" strand of textural copper beads. I love the way the light plays between them, making it appear as if they're two different shades of copper.

All I could think of was "party" when I saw these multi-colored glass bead chips! Can't you see them strung along with the copper beads into something interesting? Hmmm, maybe.

Beadwork Magazine featured these hand-painted porcelain beads which, of course, with the starfish and shells on it, caught my eye. They were $7 each, a slightly larger size was available for $10 each. These are probably destined to be focal beads in a necklace/bracelet set.

I also liked these copper seahorse charms although after further inspection, I'm not thrilled with that goofy smile on their faces. Seriously, don't they look like they have little beaks?

The sheen on these top-drilled tigereye nuggets is mesmerizing.

I see them in a spectacular multi-strand necklace with these small green and cranberry button cultured pearls.

Perhaps the necklace will look nice with this copper toggle clasp that I also bought at the show.

One vendor was doing well offering great prices on these bone beads. You'll probably see them in some unisex surfer jewelry one day soon.

I enjoy square cut beads and this little strand of mixed gemstone beads caught my eye, too.

After getting them home and checking them well, though, I realized they're unfortunately just a medium grade with a few irregularities. Defintely not quality material for Jewels of the OBX jewelry! I've decided to just use them in a bracelet for myself along with some faceted jasper rondelle beads I already purchased the other day at Cloud Nine.

While I was in Cloud Nine, a girl came in who Harry and I had just talked to at the show. She had been working for the vendor I purchased the copper beads from and turns out she lives here in Colington! It's a small world.

Hope you enjoyed browsing my new stash! That ought to keep me busy for a little while!

See you on the beach!

Julie