Because, seriously, Friday is still 2 days away.
I love you, Wednesdays is my bloggin' attempt at a.) shutting up about my products and sharing the love of others' with others! and b.) sharing sources of inspiration that often stands behind my jewelry and creative process.
Summer's a beach, right? I mean that in the nicest way possible :) If I were to ask the question, "What symbol comes to mind when you think of summer" on Family Fued, I am will to put money on something beach related being one of the top answers (ding ding ding!). And I wish I could say that I would prefer basking in that top answer in my spare time on the weekends and be perfectly happy. "But Christyn," you implore, "You live in Los Angeles? Isn't love of the beach a requirement for residency?" Good, insightful question, my blogging friend. I, in fact, don't really care for the beach. 
Well, let me rephrase that, I enjoy spending a few hours on the beach when it's a perfect 78 degree sunny day and there is no traffic. And no trash on the beach. And no loud, drunken people getting in the way of my view. And no public toliets to endure. And no sunburn (I am a born-red head - there is ALWAYS a sunburn involved). And the long drive through Los Angeles traffic just to get 10 miles to the nearest beach (which, to me, is Malibu). And the feeling of utter exhaustion when I get home. I would much rather spend my time at home in the air conditioning making jewelry that reminds me of the beach than spending time on the subject of the jewelry itself. Call me crazy.
In fact, I really do enjoy beach-related art/items/jewelry - much better than the beach itself (cause, let's face it, a cute necklace won't bite me nor requires that I use a sandy, dirty public toilet!). 
Lately I have been really fascinated with the contrast of delicate gold and the cream white of shells or pearls, like the gold sand dollar necklace on the right (which is being used in wedding as bridesmaids necklaces for the second time this summer!). I am also digging red coral and turquoise color combination, as seen in this "Under 'da Sea" pearl and coral necklace (above). These fun little necklaces make enjoying the beach so much cleaner and less time consuming -- plus I don't have to embrace LA weekend traffic in order to enjoy them! I actually have sand dollar and sea horse charms at home that I have yet to play with, and LOTS of shells in which I need the husband to drill holes into so I can use them as charms!
Etsy is full of good Beachin' products - especially products in the color scheme I am digging - reds, teals, and creams! These colors alone, let alone when they represent all that is "simple" and artistic about the beach, totally inspire me to stay indoors and create! Go figure!
LuckyBluebirdArt, seasonaldelights, pillowhappy
oliodesigns, pillowhappy, dedeetsyshop
thetrendytot, beachgrasscottage, pillowhappy
A few weeks ago she told me that she wears the necklace often, though would love a matching set of earrings to accompany the coral, pearl, and turquoise beads of the necklace. She also requested earring that were about 1.5" long and that I use ear hoops that clasp in the back so she doesn't lose them. Done and done!
One of the unexpected joys of making jewelry is that I have been able to use what I have created as gifts, payment, or items to trade for others! A gal pal of mine from high school is a Bare Escentuals consultant and has been proving me with at-cost make up since I switched to the line last summer. This shipment around, she asked if I could pay her back in Bead Up goods! She was hoping that I could make her future mother-in-law a birthday gift of wine charms. My pal said that her F-M-I-L was super girlie, likes glitz and sparkle, and loves wine! I rushed to Michael's to buy some sterling silver "girlie" charms and came up with these:
The charms include a stiletto heel, decorated heart, purse, and Eiffel tower ('cause what can get more feminine that that?!). I also added several different colors and sized of pink crystal beads on the little silver ear-hoops. Here is what my gal pal had to say about them: "Omg love the charms...... They are perfect. The Eiffel tower couldn't be more on target, there whole house is decorated 'country French' and has a couple rooms with Eiffel tower stuff in them!" Glad that worked out - I thought I was taking a gamble on the Eiffel tower charm!
Finally, thanks to everyone who participated in Nilsa and my GIVEAWAY last week! We had 52 entries! The winner was actually a Bead Up client who originally found my Etsy shop through Nilsa's blog a few months ago!
Now I must get to work - there were many outfits on the red carpet and I have much to discuss on this week's Fashionably Friday: Oscar Style post! Have a great week!
In the meantime, if you are the Bible Devotional type, check out my contribution to my friend's blog as she aims to study the whole Bible through blog posts in a year!
