Color Inspiration - By the Seashore
by Kristal Wick
Don't we all have a love affair with the seashore? Beautiful beaches with the surf and sand in our toes. Taking one look at this beach shot fills me with calm and the feeling of carefree days spent at the beach. I can feel my breath release and almost smell the sea salt. It's amazing what one picture can do to your physical body isn't it? When my pal in Florida sent me this recent beach shot, I knew I had to make a piece of beach inspired jewelry!
I lived in Boston for awhile and loved weekend trips to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Those beaches were more organic and rustic than the polished beaches I experiences in Florida or California. One of the coolest memories I've never forgotten about Martha's Vineyard was all the bird houses everywhere. They were weather worn distressed looking shanties with more charm than you can handle! I'm not sure if anyone maintained them but it looked as thought they'd been there for eons, through many storms and chilly East Coast winters. I made a whole series of birdhouses in metal clay inspired by those seashore icons.
Kristal Wick's Color Inspiration - By the Seashore - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, color inspiration by the seashore
I use copper metal clay for this little birdhouse (see how to make them in my book: Metal Clay for Beaders: https://www.amazon.com/Metal-Clay-101-Beaders-Embellishments/dp/1454707593/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=metal+clay+for+beaders&qid=1607811092&s=books&sr=1-5). One of the highlights from the beach shot is the little touch of seafoam blue/green sky. I chose to bring that out in my coiled links by using 20 gauge sea foam colored wire as the base for antique copper colored wire coils. I like how the little coils add some interesting texture to the overall composition. I used Swarovski crystals for the necklace links. Then added a few wrapped dangles from the birdhouse using crystals and pearls. This chain link necklace design would work for many focal pieces you may have in your stash, not sure of how to finish them up. Have fun!
Kristal Wick's Color Inspiration - By the Seashore - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, color inspiration by the seashore
Kristal Wick's Color Inspiration - By the Seashore - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, color inspiration by the seashore

Materials

20 Gauge Round Silver Plated Sea Foam Copper Craft Wire - 25 ft
H17-B20-25FT
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.95
  • Gold Club Price: $5.96
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20 Gauge Round Antique Copper Enameled Craft Wire - 30 ft
H5-Q20-30FT
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $6.80
  • Gold Club Price: $5.10
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8mm Topaz 5000 Round Swarovski Crystal Beads - Pack of 6
A13-186
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $4.97
  • Gold Club Price: $3.73
Out of Stock
4mm Topaz 5328 Bi-Cone Swarovski Crystal Beads - Pack of 10
A13-65A
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $1.97
  • Gold Club Price: $1.48
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Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $170.72
  • Gold Club Price: $128.04
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  • Category: Design
  • Technique(s): Design