My inspiration for these charm necklaces are the simple collections of shells, beach glass, crosses and coins that I see strung on leather cords, worn by those who walk the beaches here on the Jersey Shore. Each charm is a found object or a gift representing a personal memory or a talisman of good luck. Do you wear something like that? Let me know what it is in the comments. I'm always interested in how the soul is reflected in what we choose to wear about our necks. It's our most ancient and most human impulse. I added these unique, one of a kind charm necklaces to the Pirate Tides Collection. Each of these is a treasure and has a special story to tell. They will reveal the story to you, as you wear them on your life journey. They are made to layer easily with your other tokens you collect along the way. I have had so much fun making them. Take a look by clicking each picture below. If one of them speaks to you, please consider buying it. There will never be another one like it, when it's gone.
These are all ready to ship within 1 business day from the order.
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![]() This week I enjoyed creating a custom pendant to showcase a client's special Rune stone. He requested that I add a fleur-de-lis symbol. We decided to add it both as a cutout on the back and also a chased design on the sides. An ancient, rustic style was needed to reflect the ancient symbol of the Rune stone. Following are photos of the process. I measured the stone he provided and figured the right height for the custom bezel. I tested a design on a scrap of silver. Once the bezel was completed, I tested it for the fit. I created a fleur-de-lis sketch to fit. The backplate and bale were soldered. The cutout was pierced with a jeweler's saw. The stone was set using a hammered handpiece. A dark, antique patine was applied and then hand brushed and polished. Do you have a special stone, coin, token or shell? Would you like to make it into a wearable piece of jewelry? I'd love to work with you on creating a one of a kind treasure.
I hope you have a great holiday weekend. Remember to always find a way to inspire freedom, to ensure freedom and to protect freedom!
Today the sun feels great. Spring is coming and the birds are singing. I made a pendant to celebrate this special feeling - when all good things seem possible. I hope you have a great day and enjoy the promise of the sunrise.
![]() I love reading about local history of my area. Henry Hudson came here, to Sandy Hook, NJ in 1609. In the ships log is this observation about the Lenape Native Americans. "This day many of the people came aboard, some in mantles of feathers, and some in skins of diverse sorts of good furs. Some women also came to us with hemp. They had red copper tobacco pipes, and other things of copper they did wear about their necks." When I find shells on the beach, I just want to wear them. I think it's an ancient instinct within all of us. Here is a shell I found on Sandy Hook, made into a simple pendant of pure copper, to wear about your neck.
My walk on the beach today was much more pleasant than it has been in several weeks. It was warmer and much of the ice and snow are melted. I found some beach glass and purple wampum shells. That's always a good sign. Can Spring be far behind? I hope not. ![]() So, here are three new beachglass pendants for you. The first is a refreshing spring green. I also have a frosted white and a pale aqua. I've textured the sterling silver backs with 3 different designs. These all include silk cords. You can replace them with your own sterling silver chains or a leather cord. The rings are extra wide to allow for thick chains. I've also soldered them for extra security. You can purchase my beach glass pendants here in the Beach Walk Treasures Collection page. The Sea transforms them and then throws them onto the beach, for us to collect. Some people call it beach glass and some call it sea glass. By any name, everyone seems attracted to it. ![]() Frosty Green Beach Glass Pendant I sometimes wonder why it is, that on a beach full of beautiful shells, I am most often attracted to the man-made bits - not just the glass, but other items too. Is it because they become more precious by their scarcity on the beach? Could it be because they show the combined efforts of man and nature? Or is it the mystery of wonder - how long did the sea toss this, what person once held this? These are the types of questions I ask myself while I make jewelry using beach glass I find on my morning walks. Please let me know if you have a piece of glass you've found and would like made into a custom pendant. I think it's so much more meaningful when the wearer discovered the "gem" themselves. If you wear it, let me know if you figure out the answer to the question - what makes beach glass so appealing?
I'm starting this new year with a new blog. Here I'll share with you some of the work that goes on behind the scenes. You'll see the inspirations, the discoveries and the process of creating the jewelery I offer for sale. This year I plan on filling out some of the existing Collections. I also plan on creating at least 2 new Collections. I invite you to take a few minutes each day and join me on this wonderful journey. ![]() Inspiring Ship sculpture The inspiration for the above ship coin pendant began with a walk on the beach. The ship on top of the Paramount Theater on the Asbury Park boardwalk made me remember some coins I had. I always meant to use them in jewelry. I've been thinking of creating a Pirate themed Collection. So, on January 1st, I made the simple pendant. ![]() Here's the reverse side of the pendant. The coin behind it is another of the same. I added a dark patina to the pendant. It's all brass and should weather well. |
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Mary Lu Wason
is a studio jeweler. Here she shares the inspirations, discoveries and process of creating her art jewelry collections. @PirateTides on InstagramSubscribe
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