Summer Fashion With Artbeads.com!

Summer is quickly coming - it's time to pull out the sundresses and tanktops!  And what to accessorize with those?  Why not create your own jewels with Artbeads.com!

Finding my niche in repurposing jewelry, I thought I would also give a hand in making this collection about finding new life in these pieces I've had for so long.  I was fortunate to squeeze out nine - yes, nine - pieces to make a few mini-collections for this month's glorious Artbeads.com challenge.  I'm really happy with the results, especially in how the incorporated elements of these beautiful beads worked with the vintage inclusions.  Look out on my Etsy shop - these pieces may be soon available for sale!

Bohemian Nautical necklace

The base of this necklace was originally of a vintage necklace of a long strand of these cream-coloured beads in different shapes and sizes with the silver rings.  I had picked this find up a few years ago in an estate vintage shop in downtown Toronto, and found myself not wearing it recently.  Why not give it a new look?  (So excited about the idea that struck me, I started working on it right away and  didn't think to take a 'before' and 'after' picture for this project.  I should really relax, I get so excited at times!)  These brown resin rings are incredibly lightweight, and strong enough to use as a link for this long necklace, and the limited edition Wasabi Picasso Nautilus Shell Coin Beads (unfortunately, no longer available, but check out the Artbeads.com 'Limited Edition' section for something to make your piece truly unique!) are absolutely stunning with swirls of sea colours and highlights of turquoise in pleasant, unexpected places.  Also in the mix, stamped coins from a vintage souvenier bracelet from the beautiful coasts of San Marino - a purchase from ArtBoxDesigns.etsy.com!

And to complete the set - two pairs of earrings and a bracelet to match!  Check 'em out!

Bohemian Nautical earrings, no. 1

Bohemian Nautical earrings, no. 2

Bohemian Nautical bracelet

This collection evokes the mystery and tranquility in what could be down in the deep ocean; what I like to call the Marina/Zen collection.  Featuring repurposed chain from various vintage necklaces and more 'Etsy ingredients' from floridaangel.etsy.com, this bracelet has beautiful movement on your wrist, and is just about long enough to be worn as an anklet!

Marina/Zen bracelet, no. 2

I've always had a love affair with charm bracelets, and couldn't resist this time!  The charms and chain are all in mixed metals, because you'll never know what kind of booty you'll find at the bottom of the sea!  The charms are adorable!  Let's count them - antique brass seahorse and mermaid charms, antique gold starfish and sand dollar charms, and antique pewter crab and cone shell charms!  In the mix are these beautiful sea foam resin rings with beautiful translucent colour, Picasso glass roundelle beads in Deep Ocean, and green glass beads with ominous faces - an Etsy purchase from floridaangel.etsy.com!

Charms are aplenty on Artbeads.com - it's a section I'll definately revisit for some more projects!  For whatever occasion, style or statement, you'll find a charm to suit it!  Check out the collection and plan your own!

Here are two pairs of earrings to complete your look!

Marina/Zen earrings, no. 3

Marina/Zen earrings, no. 4

 

Jewel tones and florals are also a favourite to pair together, and had some fun with these beautiful glass beads in amethyst and tourmaline and vintage floral detail.  Take a look!

Summer Garden necklace

  

The vintage floral locket - another purchase from ArtBoxDesigns.etsy.com - and the Hill Tribe Silver Lily pendant are a beautiful match together!  Crawling up the chain are glass roundelles in light tourmaline and deep cut nuggets in tourmaline and amethyst in lovely bunches.  Probably one of my favourite pieces so far!  Take a look at these matching earrings!

Summer Garden earrings

In the same colour palate, this necklace and earring set also incorporates repurposed vintage elements.  Do the stamped coins look familiar?  Take a look at the first few pieces again!  I was excited to be able to use these in another setting with a few leftover light tourmaline glass roundelle beads.  Combining them with the amethyst donut and agate teardrop bead were the perfect match, making these pieces a new statement in 'pretty'!

San Marino necklace

San Marino earrings

Once again, Artbeads.com has help my imagination come to life with their amazing selection of charms, pendants and beads, and I'm looking forward to so much more!

*Disclaimer: I had received these products free of charge from Artbeads.com and I am making an honest review of the products and have not been paid for this endorsement as it pertains to the products received.