Eye of Shiva AKA Pacific Cat's Eye

by Judy Larson

Found in the warm sea bed waters off Thailand, Indonesia, and Australia. the Eye of Shiva, also known as Pacific Cat's Eye, is actually the operculum of the Turban Snail. When the snail feels threatened, it can retreat into its shell. The operculum closes like a trap door, protecting it from danger. At the end of the snail's life, the operculum detaches and sinks to the sea floor.

Instructions

A number of years ago I purchased a few strands of Eye of Shiva beads in different sizes and shapes. A few were used traditionally as beads, but most I set aside as I thought they would be beautiful bezel set. I made a necklace and two pairs of earrings for my daughter-in-law. Then I put the beads away and forgot about them.

Judy Larson's Eye of Shiva AKA Pacific Cat's Eye - , Wire Jewelry Design, Design, eye of shiva pacific cat's eye

On a recent archeological dig through my bead stash, I rediscovered them and started sketching, using 18mm Eye of Shiva beads as a starting point. While doing this, I kept thinking of all the other beads I rediscovered that would also work as bezel set stones, too. Coin beads make wonderful low-profile bezel set stones. So many ideas-can't wait to get started!

Materials

22 Gauge Dead Soft Argentium Silver Sheet - 6 Inches

H19-22SM6

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Inch
Price: $65.27
Gold Club Price: $48.95

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Tools

Premium Wire Jewelry Tool Kit

Y4-1

Y4-1
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $99.97
Gold Club Price: $74.98

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Deluxe Soldering Kit

G15-5

G15-5
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $116.97
Gold Club Price: $87.73

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Category: Design
Technique(s): Design

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!

Eye of Shiva AKA Pacific Cat's Eye

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