Sea urchins; interesting creatures for certain. I looked all over the Mojave desert and failed to find a single sea shell. I didn’t have any sea urchin parts to play with for this challenge, so I resorted to making my own focal bead from clay.  Here’s what I finally came up with for the sea themed Inspired By Nature Challenge:

for a teaser, a pair of earrings using shell buttons>>>

then the clay focal bead>>>

and finally the whole shebang>>>

another full view-symmetrical design for a change of pace >>>

and it’s always a bonus when the back of the piece looks as interesting as the front -reversible perhaps?>>>

Materials used: a hollow ceramic bead, Apoxie Sculpt, acrylic paint, seed beads, dyed bone beads, some type of funny little “mood” beads – the ones that look like mini sea urchins, linen thread, recycled silk sari ribbon, shell buttons and metal chain, links and clasp. Of course a few macrame knots here and there. This necklace is adjustable in length, with a three inch chain extender.