Sweet Bead Studio Blog
Ocean-Inspired Jewelry!
I have summer jewelry on my mind still, as I mentioned in my last blog post. Living here at the beach for the summer, naturally I chose ocean-themed components when selecting beads for Artbead’s Design Partner program. It was easy to find the perfect inspiration when perusing the many pendants available.
Ocean Blue features a beautiful Hill Tribe sterling silver sand dollar pendant. In keeping with a classic circular shape, I added some great lampwork discs by Blue Seraphim. Just look at that metallic sheen on those chunky discs! This piece was oxidized and tumble polished for a rustic appeal. Can’t you just see wearing this one with your favorite strappy sundress or a crisp white cotton top?
My next piece once again features a sand dollar pendant, this time a stunning copper pendant with an incredible patina. With a focal like this, I knew simplicity would be the key. I wire wrapped some brown turquoise beads and added a second strand of pure copper chain. A gorgeous, etched lampwork bead by Kim Typanski was added off to the side. Again, the chains were oxidized and tumble polished. The hand forged clasp was created from heavy-gauge wire.
Ocean Blues has sold, thank you. Copper Sands can be found in my Etsy shop.
Now speaking of Artbeads, a fun new contest was just announced! You can enter for a chance to win a “Bead Genius” prize package (including a $100 gift card AND $150 worth of beading supplies) by taking a short quiz. Check your bead knowledge and enter for a chance to win Uh oh, I think I need to head back to school as I only scored a 7 out of 10! Contest open until September 16th.
Thank you taking a moment out of your summer day and spending some time here at sweet bead studio.
*Components were provided free of charge by ArtBeads for review in their Design Partner Program.
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Cindy Wimmer is a jewelry designer with a passion for combining vintage elements with modern wire design. She is the co-founder of artBLISS, hosting jewelry and mixed media workshops in the DC area. Her best-selling jewelry design book, The Missing Link, was released in Fall 2013. Read more.
Beautiful, I love both pieces, the blues and brown on the firs one and the copper in the second one go so well with the pendants you have chosen.
Magnifiques ! Both are amazing dear Cindy, but the first one had my preference. I am in love with the lampwork beads by Blue Seraphim, and i found the way you wire wrapped them on the chain, simply pure, and just so beautiful. Love too the combo of the second one, copper and turquoise, and this incredible pendant. Bravo dear friend.
I adore both pieces, but I am partial to Blue Saraphim’s glass. I own quite a few pieces that are in designs for myself.
Both pieces are beautiful, but I’m partial to the copper. The beach has inspired you to create some wonderful pieces! Continue to have a great summer!
Cindy, both are great, but if I had to choose I would go with the first one. Love those beads!
The patina on the copper sand dollar is amazing! They are both beautiful and summery, but I think that the colours work year round. As always, I love your beautiful photography.
Both pieces are gorgeous! I love the copper one–the colors are just amazing! Thans for the inspiration and beautiful photos!
beautiful cindy – i esp love the copper one and you chose the perfect glass accent bead… your wire working is always so professional… do enjoy summer… everything in its time…
Gorgeous! Your wirework is awesome, man…I wish I could make wire behave the way you do, unfortunatly, I’m too busy keeping my seed bead babies in line!
They are gorgeous!! Swooning over
them both really as they are both eye stoppers!
Wonderful job Cindy!
Beautiful work Cindy! I absolutely love the lampwork discs…the sheen is divine =)
Your work is just beautiful, and I so love looking at it…
Stay cool my friend =))
I love the doubled wire going through the disc beads- great detail. The overall design is really nice too.
Both pieces are incredible Cindy! I adore the 2nd piece though, the rich warm colors, and the teal is always my favorite! Incredible work!
I love both pieces…your combination of components are perfect! I think I can hear the ocean!
I love both pieces. My favorite is the second one. The colors are so yummy.
Thank you for looking and for the compliments, everyone. I enjoy hearing which one you prefer…seems like a tie! 🙂
Both pieces are just gorgeous! I especially like the first necklace…but I’m partial to silver. Excellent work!
Hey Cindy, they are both lovely pieces…..
Absolutely gorgeous, of course! I’ll have to play around with one of those copper pendants one day.
love them both!!
The “oceany” colors are just great. I am painting through synesthesia which makes me see colors when I hear names and numbers. These colors I transform in paintings. Colors are my life.
I always like what you make. The ocean theme is a wonderful one, I agree. Thanks for sharing.
Gorgeous pieces, Cindy! You know I love them both, but I’m definitely partial to the copper one (big surprise there-lol).
🙂 Molly
I love the first one and I love all the beachy stuff you’ve been doing lately!
I love them all, but especially the copper sand dollar with the earthy rustic colors. Your wire wrapping is so beautiful, I want to wirewrap like you someday!
HELLO SUMMER GIRL!
I just LOVE these pieces… what gorgeous work. They truly reflect the feel of the ocean and the sand.
I hope that your summer fun is still going strong! 🙂 🙂
Wonderful pieces! I really love the copper piece. Both pieces really make you think of summer time fun.
We left you a small surprise on our site.
Have a great weekend!
I have a little goodie for you on my blog
http://copperdiem.blogspot.com/2010/08/i-won-blog-award-im-so-excited-and.html#links
These necklaces are gorgeous! I love the ocean, the beach and I LOVE sand dollars!!! Beautiful job with the sand dollar pendants from Artbeads!
I love your work and your blog. I have left you an award on my blog.
http://beadsbybreul.blogspot.com/2010/08/im-so-flattered-amazed-and-stunned.html
Absolutely beautiful!I do wish I knew how to/was able to oxidize and tumble things, I love the satisfying, slightly chunky and organic feel your jewellery has, just lovely! And both so wearable.
Cindy, you make such wonderful things out of the ordinary components! I really love that copper starfish pendant. Thanks for sharing!
whoa, whoa, whoa…
you LIVE at the beach in the summer?? For real?
I just ‘met’ you and thought I liked you. Now I think I hate you.
Kidding of course!!!! I love bumping into people on the net that are local to me ! So very cool! We spend 2 weeks in OC each year – stay up on 142 street, been there for 16 years just about. Used to say at SeaWatch for many years prior to that. LOVE being up north at the ocean – very relaxed and quiet.
Oh – and nice jewelry and blog!!
Janice