I cast several tiny shells that will be translated into jewelry. A fresh catch of castings destined for my Conchology Collection.

Although my backyard is lush and green right now, the trees sent down some old lovelies after high winds came through.

Before I began crafting tiny metals, I worked as a production assistant for a couple of beaded jewelry designers. When I started to do my own work, I felt limited in just stringing beads and so I went on to Penland School of Crafts to hone my skills in metals. Lately, I’ve been going back to my beaded roots and mixing it up with some hand-cast pieces. Here are some results.

Cast Auger Shells & Clasp strung with Kelly Green Thread and Granite Agate Beads.

Cast tiny Cocina Shell with Teal Seed Beads and accent Gold Seed Beads.

Cast mini Anchor with Poppy Seed Beads and accent Gold Beads.

Cast Blackbird Cameo strung with Poppy Thread and Indigo Seed Beads and Black Matte Heishi Beads.

Detail of cast Bronze Clasp.

Knotted Turquoise 6mm Beads with Gray Thread and finished with Braided Bronze Clasp.

I made this in time for Mother’s Day for my mom, but I’m just getting around to taking a photo. Mom had some nice pearls that she never wore because the clasp was white gold, something she never wears and it was shorter than she liked. I repurposed the gold from the clasp and cast a new braided theme clasp in peach gold. I lengthened the necklace by adding peach accent pearls and restrung with a pale pink thread. She loves her redesigned pearl necklace. Having a jeweler as a daughter has it’s benefits!