Beading and More Beading

I got my wish this summer...

I have been able to take several beading classes at The Potomic Bead Company in Ocean City, NJ. 

I have been thinking that some of my sea glass designs would look so much better with a beaded necklace rather than just a plain chain.

Not that there is anything wrong

with a simple pendant suspended from a simple chain necklace...In fact, this is still one of my favorites!

Sea Glass Pendant

I have already created several pieces

that use a simple stringing technique

to make fantastic necklaces. 

Ocean Waves Sea Glass Necklace

I love the colors in this necklace...

so tropical and summery. 

But I was looking for something with more detail, more drama!  And when I saw a sample of the spiral rope design, I knew it was just what I was looking for...

 

Beach Blues Sea Glass Necklace

I originally chose these colors

and created the necklace for the BIG reveal this Saturday (7/28) for the Bead Soup Blog Hop, but I just didn't like the colors next to the focal piece of paua from New Zealand my partner had given me. 

So I found this gorgeous piece of light aqua sea glass, wrapped it into a pendant and added it to the beaded spiral necklace. 

With my next design, however, I realized that simply using wire and a jump ring wouldn't do.  After all, a bridal necklace needs to be unique and special...

So I went back to the drawing board

(well, actually the internet) and found some great instructions for creating a bezel for my sea glass pendant.  It took the entire evening and several false starts before I figured out how to get the look I wanted. 

Bridal Blush Beaded Sea Glass Necklace

But what a finish!

Don't forget Saturday is the big reveal for the Bead Soup Blog Hop!  There are about 100 of us that will be showing off our creations and designs for this first reveal date.