Friday, May 1, 2015

Jeweled Abalone Shells

I took a little break the other day from my messy garage workbench and moved inside to finish up a few little projects that had been sitting on my desk for several weeks.  After rummaging through my waiting-to-be-repurposed jewelry stash, I came up with enough jewels to dress up these abalone shells.  Finding enough jewels wasn't the problem, it was finding the perfect colors to compliment the shells.

Jeweled Abalone Shells
Abalone shells are pretty enough when they're naked, but they really come to life after dressing them up in vintage jewels.

Jeweled Abalone Shells
The four little ones are 3" to 4" in length.  These were more difficult to decorate because most of the jewels I had to work with were too large and looked out of scale.

abalone shells decorated with vintage jewelry
My favorite decorated shell color combination.

Abalone shells embellished with vintage jewelry
The baby starfish isn't glued in, it just looks cute.

Abalone shells decorated with vintage jewelry
This 4" shell is much thinner than the others and so delicate.  The other side has been polished (not by me) and is just as beautiful as the inside.  It was next to impossible to get a decent picture of the bottom because of the glare and shape of the shell.

Abalone Shells upcycled decorated with vintage jewelry
Mama shell is about 7" long.  Sometimes I use gold based jewels, sometimes I use silver.  It all depends on the dominant colors in the shell.  Pink, blue, turquoise, lavender, and some shades of green look best.

decorated abalone shells with vintage jewelry
 Before gluing the jewels to the shell with E6000, I line the rim with a piece of double-sided tape.  The tape keeps the jewels from falling off while I decide where they look best.

Jeweled Abalone Shells www.MySalvagedTreasures.com
Now I need to decide which one my mom will be getting for Mother's Day, then the rest will be coming with me to my next vintage show at the end of this month.
You can see a few more of my jeweled shells here and here.

Sharing with:
My Repurposed Life for Catch as Catch Can
Funky Junk Interiors for Party Junk
Coastal Charm for Show and Share
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Cozy Little House for Tweak It Tuesday
Concord Cottage for Something to Talk About




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Posted by Labels: abalone shells, DIY, jeweled abalone shells, MySalvagedTreasures, repurpose, trash to treasure, tutorial, upcycle, vintage jewelry

33 comments:

  1. AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNaMay 1, 2015 at 8:40 AM

    Absolutely gorgeous and unique! What a perfect gift. Will you be putting any in your Etsy shop? hint, hint!

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  2. Rosemary@villabarnesMay 1, 2015 at 9:34 AM

    Stunning work, my friend.

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  3. Gina @ VictorianWannaBeMay 1, 2015 at 9:44 AM

    Oh wow Betsy, those are gorgeous! Happy May Day to you!

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  4. DD's CottageMay 1, 2015 at 10:22 AM

    These are gorgeous Betsy! I have love for abalone shells since I grew up on the coast in N. CA and they were a staple every place-on fences, as soap dishes......... Yours are lovely-can I PM you about maybe getting one for myself?

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  5. MixedKreationsMay 1, 2015 at 11:24 AM

    Oh Wow! These are gorgeous! You are right they are pretty by themselves, but when you dress them up there beautiful! I love all of them, but I think my favorite is the one with the starfish in it.

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  6. Michelle L.May 1, 2015 at 12:26 PM

    superb colors, my dear! Those are so pretty in a group, I bet someone buys the lot. Also, what a lovely mom's day idea!

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  7. cynthia lee designsMay 1, 2015 at 1:35 PM

    Oh my...these are so beautiful!! You will sell out of them at your show...for sure.
    ~Cindy

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  8. FayeMay 1, 2015 at 1:56 PM

    These are gorgeous! Lucky Mom!
    If you ever put them for sale in your Etsy shop please drop me a note asap!

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  9. thel dayMay 1, 2015 at 2:10 PM

    Stunningly beautiful. I love them

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  10. KathyMay 1, 2015 at 3:44 PM

    It is amazing how the jewels bring out the colors in the shells. It first glance I thought the one with the white flower was my favorite but you are right, the pink really makes the colors pop. Your Mom is going to love receiving one of these beauties!

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  11. The Speckled Hen CottageMay 1, 2015 at 3:50 PM

    So beautifully done, absolute proof that Mother Nature can be improved upon...Happy May Day!

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  12. ~Damita's Pretty Wrap~May 1, 2015 at 4:54 PM

    These are so so lovely and pretty!! What a perfect and special gift for your mom!! She will love it! :) Happy weekend!! xo Holly

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  13. Laurel StephensMay 1, 2015 at 4:57 PM

    Oh, these are so beautiful. The jewels really do bring out all those lovely colors.

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  14. Maria (Magia Mia)May 1, 2015 at 9:30 PM

    Betsy, these are absolutely stunning!

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  15. JeanieMay 2, 2015 at 6:50 AM

    Betsy, these are totally magical. I love them all but the pearls, especially seem to glow! Lovely!

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  16. Art and SandMay 2, 2015 at 8:39 AM

    More pretty "Betsy's".

    I hung the seaside necklace I bought from you on one of the hands in my hand collection - along with other jewelry. Your piece stands out and it makes me think of you my friend.

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  17. Glenda/MidSouthMay 2, 2015 at 4:33 PM

    Wow! Betsy these are beautiful! Your Mom will be so happy to be a recipient of one of these beautiful creations.
    Hope you are enjoying the weekend.

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  18. Angie ChavezMay 2, 2015 at 8:31 PM

    These are so beautiful, Betsy!

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  19. Crystal DvorakMay 3, 2015 at 5:54 AM

    Betsy, these are just darling. What a gorgeous combination of colors too!

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  20. Vicky HuntMay 3, 2015 at 6:34 PM

    You have the gift of taking something beautiful and making it even more beautiful. These shells are just gorgeous. I love the colors you use in them. Your mom will love receiving one for Mother's Day. I think my favorite is the one on the far right in the last photo, but the second one is a close second. Have a beautiful week!

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  21. JunkchiccottageMay 4, 2015 at 6:29 PM

    Betsy,
    These are really pretty. This is will be so special for your mom on Mother's Day. They are all just so unique and pretty.
    Kris

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  22. Babs RMay 4, 2015 at 7:02 PM

    Gorgeous! and so creative.

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  23. Teri McFarlanMay 4, 2015 at 7:54 PM

    Absolutely gorgeous shells! Love your use of vintage jewelry

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  24. ~Lavender Dreamer~May 5, 2015 at 2:40 PM

    I am so blessed to have one of these that you made for me. I keep it right here on the coffee table in the lanai so I can enjoy it all the time. Maybe I'm your long lost auntie! heehee! I wish! Sweet hugs, Diane

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  25. Suzan SweatmanMay 5, 2015 at 4:35 PM

    OH.MY.GOSH!!!
    These are stunning Betsy - absolutely stunning !
    Pinning just because I need to be able to see them now and then :)
    xoxo

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  26. Linda @ A La CarteMay 6, 2015 at 6:57 AM

    Betsy, these are so pretty! Love the pink and aqua colors.
    hugs,
    Linda

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  27. Debbie@Debbie-Dabble and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasMay 6, 2015 at 10:39 AM

    Betsy,
    These are absolutely amazing!!!
    I LOVE them!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  28. Ivy and ElephantsMay 6, 2015 at 7:30 PM

    These are fabulous! The colors and jewels are perfectly matched. I love them!
    Hugs and Happy Mother's Day!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  29. Little Vintage CottageMay 9, 2015 at 6:26 AM

    Oh my, how pretty! I love them and now I want to make some, I have a large vintage jewelry collection just waiting for a special project like that... now to find some shells like that... where did you get yours?

    Tania

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  30. Lisa HuffMay 11, 2015 at 7:22 AM

    HI Betsy, how are you? These are so beautiful and I love your junking trip above too. If you have a minute we'd love for you to come and link up some of these beautiful jeweled Abalone shells or anything else you like to our Something to Talk About Link Party. You always have the prettiest goodies. Here's to a great week, Lisa at Concord Cottage

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  31. Linda @ Itsy Bits And PiecesMay 11, 2015 at 1:33 PM

    How did I miss this post? OH SO BEAUTIFUL! These are just charming, Betsy...I'll bet your mom loved it!

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  32. Deb @ Frugal Little BungalowMay 11, 2015 at 3:26 PM

    oh my goodness these are just exquisite!

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  33. The Polka Dot ClosetMay 24, 2015 at 8:36 PM

    OMG I missed this post! These are amazing..Gorgeous!

    Carol

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