Reclaimed Beads

Occasionally, I create an item from a collection of beads that come from broken jewelry. Once such item is my newest listing on Etsy, a pair of earrings featuring  two metal heart beads that I got from God knows where. They remind me a little of Western or Southwestern beads, something you might see a cowgirl wear.

I didn't list them as reclaimed or mention it in my description just because the heart beads were the only recycled parts. I did, however, list my metal bookmark as reclaimed, because the entire beaded portion was recycled from broken jewelry.

I like creating these pieces because I absolutely hate to waste things. Besides, it provides a challenge to create something out of "leftovers." This is especially the case for me, since I am such a fan of symmetry, and working with salvaged materials doesn't always lend itself to that :).

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34327062

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35006944

Love for the beach

It's really funny - I'm an Earth sign, but I love the water. I'm drawn to pretty much any body of water, including a swimming pool :), but the beach is my favorite place. Growing up an hour away from the beach probably had something to do with this, as my family would often take several day trips to the beach during the summer.

I love everything about the beach: watching the pelicans and seagulls diving after jumping fish; seeing fiddler crabs skitter across the sand; the breeze blowing the sea oats. I especially love the waves - the crashing sound, the constant movement - they invoke serenity while indicating a great power, the driving force of nature.

When my husband used to go out to sea, I often got lonely. On the days I particularly missed him, I would drive down to the beach, stand in the water, and tell him I loved him. I would imagine the ebb of the ocean carrying my message to him. I don't know that he ever heard me, but I like to believe he did.

I also went to college near the beach. This afforded lots of unique opportunities, such as being able to study while working on my tan. I also went to school with some very handsome surfers, which is where I got the inspiration for my Surfer's Shell Necklace I recently listed on Etsy. You could find necklaces similar to this in just about any gift shop on the beach, and almost everyone on campus had one.  Some of them were plain, but a lot of them had carved shell pendants or shark tooth pendants. When I made my own shell chip necklace, I created my own pendant by layering a mother-of-pearl shell disc behind a metal scallop shell charm. I have also created two more of these necklaces, which I will be listing in a few days. They're identical to the one I have listed currently, except one features a starfish metal charm, while the other features a clam shell charm.

Making beach charms makes me feel good, since it reminds me of happy times in my life. Hopefully one of these days I'll get back to a place near the ocean. Until then, this won't be the only beach-inspired jewelry I'll be making for my shop.

Opening my Etsy shop

Back in October, I decided to open up a shop on Etsy. Recently, I had been thinking a lot about my mom-in-law's old flea market shop and how much fun I had helping her make things to sell there. I had really been missing that creative outlet. I love to do crafts, paint, make jewelry, and all kinds of other things, but unfortunately these projects end up cluttering my house. For the sake of not ending up on some reality show like Clean House, I put my crafting on a back-burner. I began to feel like the desire to create was eating me up inside, so that's where Ashley's Crescent Moon Shop came from. I'm not looking to become rich from this little venture, although I admit that would be nice. Really all I want is to be able to make the things I enjoy making, and then find the right person to take them home.

The name I chose for my shop pays homage to my home state, South Carolina. The state flag features a white Palmetto tree and crescent moon on a field of blue, and so too my shop logo features blue colors and a crescent moon. After moving away to New York state with my Navy husband, I became a little homesick. I love the New England scenery, the snow, and the fall foliage, but I miss seeing my family and spending sultry summers on the beach. This small tribute makes me feel a little closer to home.

The kinds of products I will offer in my shop will vary from time to time. I love to try new things, so occasionally I'll make one or two of something and then move on once I've gotten my fill of it. Some crafts that have remained constant with me are beaded jewelry and painted wooden signs. Beadwork is fun because there are literally infinite possibilities when it comes to what you can create. Painting signs is great because it's an awesome way to express your personality. Hanging up a sign in your home with a witty or inspiring phrase is the best way to make your house truly yours.  

So, come check me out on Etsy! I hope you like what you see! Be sure to check out my favorite sellers as well. There are so many talented people creating so many amazing things that you're sure to find something you love.

http://www.ashleyscrescentmoon.etsy.com/

http://www.etsy.com/

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