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Jewels of the Sea Wreath
Designed by Barbara Matthiessen

Want a beautiful way to remember your trip to the ocean? Have a passion for shells, pearls and beads? Then this beach-inspired project is for you.

Inspiration:
I am drawn to the juxtaposition of things seemingly opposite from each other but beautiful when combined. Consider the oyster shell—unique, but not attractive until it is opened to reveal the pearly interior. Shells combined with pearls and a variety of beads, including Aurora Borealis and sea glass tones, then topped with water-like glaze, give that ocean feel.

Instructions:
  1. Paint the wooden wreath white and allow to dry.
  2. Glue shells onto the wreath using drilled holes as reference for balanced placement. Glue the largest shells first, and then fill in and around with smaller shells to cover 90% of the wreath. Allow glue to dry.
  3. Glue the largest beads to the wreath, covering edges, and filling in between and on top of some shells. Allow glue to dry.
  4. Place the wreath on a large sheet of paper. Squeeze Dimensional Magic™ in and around the shells and large beads. Sprinkle on the smaller beads and pearls. Allow to set, and then gather the beads from the paper and repeat two more times, applying more Dimensional Magic™ and additional beads and pearls. Allow this layer to dry.
  5. Place the wreath back on a large sheet of paper. Apply Dimensional Magic™ around all edges. Sprinkle with small beads and pearls. Allow to set, and then gather small beads and pearls off paper and repeat application. Apply additional Dimensional Magic™, pearls, and beads until wreath is very full and complex. Allow this layer to dry.
  6. Drizzle Dimensional Magic™ generously over the wreath. Sprinkle on clear and then silver micro-beads. Allow to dry in place.


Tips:

  • For balanced placement, use the predrilled holes in the wreath as a guide.
  • Use beads to fill in and stabilize shells.
necklace
 
Beginner project
Time to complete project: an evening.
Dimensions: 12-in. diameter

Materials:

• 1 12-in. 3 Ring Circles Wooden Wreath
• Plaid®
     1 bottle FolkArt® Acrylic Paint—
                  Wicker White, #1610
     2 bottles Dimensional Magic™
• Variety of sea shells
• Variety of sea-glass-colored glass beads
• Variety of Faux pearls
• Foil-lined glass beads—white or clear
• Variety of Aurora Borealis beads
• Micro-beads—clear and silver

Additional Supplies:
Beacon™ Adhesives Gem-Tac™, paintbrush, scrap paper.

For questions concerning this project,
contact designer
Barbara Matthiessen of Port Orchard, WA
E-mail: barbaramatthiessen@earthlink.net
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