New collection - Beach Diva!

I've been working on a custom order I received through my Etsy shop, The Curio Boudoir, that was inspired by my Natural Sand and Shell Switchplate. I have been making many bumbles! I'm trying very hard to meet the customer's specifications, but this is still a learning process for me. With each item I make, I am constantly seeking better ways of doing things.

I've been trying to make the 'perfect' sand covered switch plate, and needless to say I've made a dozen less-than-perfect examples so far :) However, with each bumble, I am discovering a new way of making them, and with each new way a new organic idea comes to fruition.

I was toying with the idea of using a spray adhesive to cover the switch plates with sand, as brushing on thick white adhesive was just not working out so well... I couldn't get an even-steven coat to save my life. I dug through all of my craft supplies, and found the small can of spray adhesive I used once years ago - and apparently didnt clean the nozzle after the last use because it is CLOGGED! While digging, however, I found a small can of spray glitter, and I figured its the same basic substance just with a little diva added to it... so I tried it.

I sprayed the plate with the glitter, and while it was still wet, buried it in sand. A little while later, I dug it out, brushed it off, and voila! It was a beautiful even coat of sand with a tiny bit of shimmer showing through. I instantly fell in love with it and started pulling out all of the shells I have lying around, trying to find one with the perfect amount of pink in it.

I had a bag of shells collected when I visited my sister and her husband in Louisiana a few years ago - actually, the week between hurricanes Katrina and Rita. We went to Holly Beach and found mass amounts of shells and other debris that had washed up. We even found a boot, a shirt, a hat, several bones, and we put together a 'beach man' haha.

I had completely forgotten about them, but in that collection of debris, I found the perfect piece of pink and white coral. I adhered the coral to the lower right corner... but... it still needed something.

A ha! My recent rhinestone addiction came out to play! I embellished both the coral and the switch plate with some magenta gems to finish it off. This gave me the idea to do the same with wood picture frames, trinket boxes, and other little goodies. And so was born the Beach Diva Collection! You can see the first installment in my Etsy shop now! (click on photo below)

I think this piece would be a lot of fun in a beach themed bedroom, dressing room, or a teen's room.

Stay tuned for more from The Beach Diva Collection!

Beachy Photo Album

A friend of mine recently got married in St Thomas .. a beautiful reception on the beach. Since my employment record has been pretty poor since we moved here, I was unable to go. But, I wanted to do something extra special for her so I've put together a couple of beach inspired keepsakes.

The first is a glass bauble, embellished with small rhinestone letters that say "I Do" on one side and has their monogram on the backside. Its clear glass, and I asked another friend that attended the wedding to get some sand and small shells for her to put inside the bauble, so they always have a piece of the beach where they got married.

Second, a photo album. When we got married, a friend gave me a simple photo album with a little poem on it indicating that we were to make it our anniversary album. Each year on our anniversary we are to take a picture of ourselves and put into the book. (and we've already failed - no pic on anniversary #1.. )

But I felt a plain photo album was not enough, so I super embellished it with sand and shells from the beach here in California.

It was covered in a canvas-like cloth, and unfortunately the only color I could find was black (I looked at Michael's and Target - and both stores had a terrible selection!)

I covered it with two layers of sand and sealed it, so that the sand will not flake or peel off. Since it was cloth, and that was a first for me, it soaked up so much of my mod podge that I'm going to have to find another adhesive in the future. I think i'll try to spray glue the sand on, the seal it with the mod podge... anyway, this is how it turned out:

Then, I pulled out my collection of seashells that I've saved over the years to find the perfect fit for the front. I pulled out half a dozen heart shaped shell charms from my jewerllry kit and tied them onto a strand of raffia. I wound the raffia around the opening on the front cover to frame the area the poem will be inserted into.

Then, I chose a large sand dollar, a piece of water-eroded shell, and a conch shell that was black and white - and it made the black photo album seem purposeful!

I have ordered some additional gems and I am going to put either their monogram or last name on top above the opening in the front cover to finish it off.

This came out so lovely, I think I am going to try to do another one using a spray adhesive. If it works out, I'm going to offer them as personalized handmade wedding gifts in my Etsy Curio shop, The Curio Boudoir. In addition, I'm thinking of expanding the selection to do smaller albums for vacations, beach-themed parties, etc.

from my beach

it is a beautiful sunny day here in IB and I have been cooped up in the bedroom forcing myself to read a book and do its homework for english class. boo.



being in this room (my craft room) i can't really focus on english, so i bribed myself to read 1/5 of the book and then craft for a while before reading some more. hey, whatever gets me through the day.


rather than crafting new, i decided to take advantage of the warm sun on our patio and photograph some of the beachy things i made last week. take a look!


The sand on each item has been sealed so that it will not peel or scratch off. The sand, shells and sandollars were all recovered locally in Imperial Beach, CA.

Natural Frame, washed with sand and sealed, then adorned with a natural sandollar. Holds a 4x6 photo, either horizontally or vertically. Can stand alone or hang.

Frame washed in ocean blue acrylic, then sealed with sand and adorned with a natural sandollar.

Holds a 4x6 photo, either horizontally or vertically. Can stand alone or hang.

Standard sized single switch plate covered with sand and sealed, then adorned with a natural shell. Comes with standard screws washed in ocean blue.

I can't wait to make more fun things with sand and shells. Summer is fast approaching and this little beach town will not be sleepy for long.

1st From the Beach

Living across the street from the beach for the first time in my life, I am now completely surrounded by nature's inspiration. Not to mention an endless supply of seashells! I just can't let this go to waste, and so I'm starting a new collection called From the Beach..

It will be beach inspired goodies that will span both my candle shop and my curio shop. I took the first round of goodies out for a photo op the other day, but it was so damn windy I could only do the heavy glass candle holders. The picture frames and switch plates started to blow away!

So here are some photos of the candle holders.. let me know what you think! The sand has been sealed so that it will not chip or peel off the glass. I test burned one I made for myself and it is so charming.

FLUTED VOTIVE/TEALIGHT HOLDERS:

I just listed these on Etsy and I think they are adorable. I'm not sure what to think of the photos though.. I'm on the fence and think perhaps I should reshoot them. What do you think?

VOTIVE HOLDERS WITH BLUE SHIMMER DUST:
The shimmer got a little splotchy in some areas but I think they are ok. I know better for next time!

SINGLE LAYER VOTIVE HOLDER:

I also made a double layer of sand, but I think the single layer lets much more light through.

As soon as I can photograph the other items I've made I'll post them and let you know. Feedback welcome!

xoxo, h