Sea treasures from the Caribbean

I spent the Summer in the Caribbean and found beautiful little dead coral at the beach.

To save sea life it's not allowed to bring any coral back home. 

But I asked around and smaller finds (dead) will be tolerated at the customs.

For larger pieces you will need a receipt from the store to show to customs, 

otherwise there's a chance you have to pay a fine -and- they will confiscate the piece.

One day these Caribbean jewels will be wearable! ;-)

The heart of coral is for my little nephew. And how funny is the elephant's foot!

Lots of Love from Cala del Moral

Hearts of Stone found at the beach of Cala del Moral in Spain.

Love is all around! 

Sibling Pendants

Now, look at this...
My neo-vintage pendant and Hanut Singh's pendant...
The form, the colour of the stone...
Do you see what I see?

 

Michael Berger's kinetic rings

Michael Berger is a German jewellery artist and I absolutely love his kinetic rings. He's a genius.

Summertime! ~Anklet~

Summertime! It's time to show off ankles and feet! Sandals, coloured toenails and... anklets!

Pearls, Swarovski crystals, seedbeads and 925 Sterling Silver. 

Dutch Design: Art Jewellery & Jewellery Art

I used to work in the arts, but somehow I missed out the chapter about art jewellery in the Netherlands.
Last week I saw a documentary about the Dutch artists Ted Noten, Uli Rapp (from Germany, but based in the NLs), Marije Geursen and Ralph Bakker. And I am impressed, I love their work. I had no idea this little country is gifted with top jewellery artists. Call it national pride, call it admiration, but I am over the moon!

Turbo Princess, © Ted Noten

© Uli Rapp

© Ralph Bakker

© Marije Geursen

Little girl's verdict

Last summer I was in Austria for a family visit and on a warm summer afternoon my little nephew and I decided to go to the playground. I had brought my beads with me and sat down at a wooden table under a large tree, and I started beading something casual. Then a 7-year old girl with sunny blond hair walked towards me and asked what I was doing. I told her I was knotting a necklace that can be worn as a bracelet as well. She followed every move I made with my hands. After awhile she said:
"Das ist aber seeeehr schön.../ That is actually reeaaaally pretty...".
And with a big smile she finished the sentence: "Sie haben Talent! / You are talented!"

She made me laugh out loud...

Kids... what's not to love about them!