Summer Elements

inspired by:  http://beadedlaughter.blogspot.com/

Toletc Jewels/Jewel School Friends is hosting a wonderful blog hop called Summer Elements.  It was her beautiful post that made me let out a big longing-for-summer-sigh in late April and sign up.  Our task was to share what we love about an element of summer.  My element is shells.  Growing up in southern California every summer meant beach time.  The smell of the ocean, the pounding of the waves and of course the best part seashore scavenging.  Shells inspire that same hoarding instinct in me that beads do.  I just want them.  

I rummaged through my stash of shells and found the one.  This shell had endured, it was amazing.  Those relentless waves tumbled it, wearing away a lot of the outer shell to reveal the inside beautiful labyrinth.  Shell poetry.  Absolute proof that things do get better with age and wear!  

Of course the photo shoot needed a helper

My main thing is bead embroidery.  When I stitch those tiny lumps of colored glass down time flies by and I'm in my zone of contentment.  I used a piece of abalone and some mother of pearl, my celebration of summer.  I think I got a little carried away with the colors. 

A gigantic thank you to Toletc Jewels/Jewel School Friends for her time and effort.  I'll be on vacation when this posts, so I probably won't get to check out all the summer goodies for a few more days.  I hope everyone has fun hopping around, here is the list of participants:

Toltec Jewels (Hostess) http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/

Marlene Cupo http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com/

Cheri Reed http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/

Ailsa Cordner http://www.bramalfiebeadsetc.co.uk/

Robin Reed http://willowdragon.blogspot.com/

Nan Smith http://www.wirednan.blogspot.com/

Sherri Stokey http://www.knotjustmacrame.com/

Christie (Charis Designs) http://charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/

Carolyn Lawson http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com/

Susie Harris http://jewelleryjunkie.blogspot.com/

Andrea Glick-Zenith http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

Nelly May http://smellynelly.blogspot.com/

Melissa Trudinger http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/

Dini Bruinsma http://angazabychanges.blogspot.com/

Kathy Lindemer http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/

Cory Tompkins http://tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com/

Robin Reed http://willowdragon.blogspot.com/

Gina Hockett http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com/

Karen Martinez http://www.fairiesmarket.blogspot.com/

Liz http://beadcontagion.blogspot.com/      <------- you are here

Jasvanti Patel http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com/

Solange Collin http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com/

Gerda http://gerdascraftsblog.blogspot.com/

Karla Morgan http://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com/

Anindita Basu http://alankarshilpa.blogspot.com/

Alicia Marinache http://www.allprettythings.ca/

Andrea Trank http://heavenlanecreations.com/

Dyanne Everett-Cantrell http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com/

Mischelle Fanucchi http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/

Tanty Sri Hartanti http://tjewellicious.blogspot.com/

Shaiha Williams http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/

Mary Govaars http://mlhjewelrydesigns.com/

Becca Sirevaag http://godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com/

Lennis Carrier http://windbent.wordpress.com/

Regina Wood http://www.gina-design.blogspot.com/

Sue Kennedy http://suebeads.blogspot.com/

Kathleen Breeding https://www.facebook.com/99BOBOTW