Something new, Coming Soon. The Manaia

The Manaia are coming!

Recently, I've become fascinated with Manaia, a mythical creature comes from the Maori people of New Zealand and Eastern Polynesia.

This protective mythological creature has the head of a bird, tail of a fish and a man's body.  Manaia are always shown in profile and there is some debate on to why that is.  The minute I saw the shape, I was curious as to the origin and am in awe at the simplicity and elegance of the carvings that I have seen.  I could not resist doing my own take on Manaia and I have tried to be true to the cultural roots while adding my own style.

The Manaia is believed to be a messenger to the spirits, similar to the Native American's Thunderbird and it is also believed to be a guardian against evil.

These hand-carved, original bone pendants will be coming soon to my product page --- www.beachcut.net

Wire Wrapping takes more than wire

Moss Agate shows tendrils of mossy green coloration in a semi-transparent quartz matrix

Before you create that one-of-a-kind piece of wire-wrapped jewelry, before you even pick up those pliers, you will need to select a stone, bead or crystal.  That's where Beach Cut comes in.  We have lot and lots of unique cabochon stones that you will not see anywhere else.

Geodes make great jewelry

That's because we don't mass produce them.  Each one is cut by hand right here in Florida by Beach Cut Jim.  

Amethyst Crystals make great jewelry

He lets the shape of the stone dictate the shape of the piece.  He does not use templates so you will not see cookie cutter ovals and tear-drops.  Please check our shopping section under cut stones to see what is new.

www.beachcut.net

Three Simple Ways to Make the Beach a Better Place

Sea turtle necklace is beach ready.  (hand-carved bone topped with fossil turtle shell  from the Pleistocine period) 

Have you been to the beach during turtle nesting season?  It begins May 1st of each year.  To celebrate this season, I've created several baby sea turtle pendants ready to join you as you walk the beach in the early morning searching for tracks left by female loggerhead turtles.

In preparation for nesting season, here are three simple ways to make the beach turtle-ready.

Everyone should have a statement piece of jewelry.  This sea turtle pendant is made for the beach.

1. We are very close to Mote Marine Laboratories.   They have marine biologists who mark the sea turtle nests with stakes and orange tape.  So your first simple act is not to walk over or through these nesting sites.

Sweet baby sea turtle with turquoise inlay is beach ready

2. Remove all beach furniture from the beach each night.  Did you know that sea turtles get tangled in beach recliners every year on they journey above the tide line?  Keeping the beach obstacle-free will help them along.

Sea Turtle Beach Ready Jewelry

3. And finally, if you are lucky enough to live near the beach or are staying in a hotel along the shore, turn off all lights facing the water and close your curtains at night.  Upon hatching, baby turtles are drawn to the brightest thing they see.  That should be moonlight on the water and not the glow of a television screen or parking garage.

Female Loggerhead on the beach

Three simple ways to make the beach a better place during turtle nesting season:

1. Stay clear of the marked nests

2. Remove all beach furniture at night

3. Turn off lights during nesting season

Enjoy the season!

Red Coral

Do you like red coral?  I'm adding some inlaid pieces to my 2017 collection.  This is another sneak peek.  This hook is set with coral and has red spiny oyster beads paired with amazonite.  The amazonite reminds me of sea glass.

Inlaid with red coral