Abalone Sun Catcher

I had an idea of what I wanted it to look like and just kind of winged it. I receive them cleaned, but did give a gentle scrub with toothpaste and toothbrush. They all are so gorgeous and shiny!

I wanted to hang strings of beads from natural occurring holes in the Abalone shell, but needed a way to stop them from falling through. I chose crackle glass beads that were larger than the holes, brought 80 lb nylon fishing line up through the hole in the shell, added a crimp bead then the crackle bead, inserted the end of the fishing line down into the same crimp bead. I then tightened up the fishing line around the crackle bead and crimped the crimp bead. (photos down below) This keeps the crackle bead in place.

I decided I needed 2 holes to run nylon line through to make a hanger. I got out my Dremel and slowly made 2 small holes at the top of my Abalone Shell.

I attached one end of the line with a bead similarly to the way I did before. Chose which beads I to use, threaded them on the line then finished the other end of the line as before. There are more detailed instructions and photos in my blog

I decided it needed a little more sparkle. I added my Grandmother's Aurora Borealis clip on earrings, a brooch, and a couple other pieces from her jewelry that I thought would look good. I used GE Rainproof Silicone for the adhesive. At the time I wasn't sure if it was going outside or staying in and I know GE Silicone can handle any weather that gets thrown at it, at least in our climate. 

I'm glad I added my Grandmother's jewelry. It looks much better sparkling here than hiding in my drawer!