… around the world …

… providing a great opportunity for jewelry making. The uninterrupted time on board, especially during days at sea, lends itself to creativity, and the inspirations in the ports we visit are amazing. Following are some of my creations on the trip. First are some beads made from the tissue paper that wraps the laundry on board. The beads are lightweight and quite durable. During the trip, a wire mishap led to the creation of a new heart-shaped clasp.

 

Next, a group of pieces made from Chinese elastic bracelets. The symbol on the long beads is an ancient Chinese symbol, like the Native American symbol. Two $1 bracelets contained enough beads for a bracelet, a ring, two pairs of earrings, and two pendants.

 

     

A seed pod and driftwood found on the beach in Nha Trang, Vietnam turned into a pendant with the addition of a pearl. Two chunks of coral found on the same beach also became pendants.

   

An elastic bracelet of colorful chevron beads morphed into a ring, bracelet and earrings. I also made several pairs of these pearl, crystal and garnet earrings.

 

 

A few bags of wooden elephant beads and an elephant keychain from the market in Colombo, Sri Lanka became two necklaces and matching earrings. (Modeled by Tauna Durand)

 

At an Osaka jewelry supply store, Tauna and I bought supplies and directions to make a necklace on display, using Japanese paper pearls. The challenge: the directions were only in Japanese. We finally found time a few months later to get together for assembly  – and had enough beads to make earrings to match. The necklace can be worn several ways… two options shown!

   

And then there are the friendship knot rings. They were a 2016 Christmas creation, and have become a favorite, adding various dangles. Think Maltese cross in Malta, and the protective eye in Greece. Annie, a fellow passenger, taught me two new techniques: the Japanese braiding known as kumihimo, and viking knit. I paired my first trial kumihimo project with a turquoise and bone pendant.

    

There’ve been many other projects, among them three bracelets for our tablemates, a necklace for a friend, and many rings already being worn. Also some assemblages, which are just reusing old jewelry parts in new ways. Don’t have any completed viking knit projects to show yet – but there will be seven sea days during the transatlantic crossing!