Found my old stash of little shells from way back when.  It's been a while since we've been to the beach. I'm dying to go, but all summer, even when it looks perfect out, the clouds suddenly roll in and dump a load of rain and shoot lightning everywhere.  Unfortunately we don't live close to the water so the chances that we'd waste a long trip just to get rained on is highly likely.

Keeping it simple with some found shells that already had holes in them.  I can't imagine trying to get the rotary tool to drill such a clean hole in the shell without it shattering or spraying nasty dust everywhere. Some predator already did the hard work for me.  Simply combined with some dead soft wire (aluminum? I dunno) that I got from Japan.  It comes in different colors and the hue runs all the way through, not like the painted/coated crap.  They actually use this stuff for crafts and jewelry and I can see why, it's great stuff.  The gunmetal/pewter color is my favorite; I wish I brought more of that color home.  Strung simply on flat braided nylon cord which is super durable and doesn't irritate the way leather and waxy cotton can, especially when they get wet, perfect for the beach, when/if we can ever go!

I like busting out the super macro setting on the camera on more than just my glass beads.  It gives an uncommon perspective on every day things.  It makes me realize how much detail I am missing with mere naked eyes.  So many fine details, textures, colors, a whole new world can be seen through the macro lens.  Almost like you are shrunken down to the size of an ant, and the world you see around you is nothing but a pile of cherry pits, but they are beautiful from this view.

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These pits were fired halfway.  Some fully carbonized, others did not.  I gave them another washing and they were drying right before the camera lens.  I was going to fire them again but I liked the varying shades and hues, I might leave them like that, seal them, drill, and string them up.

I am not sure what my fascination is with little black beady things.  The sound it makes when it deeply rattles in its container, the way they look piled up.  Oh well.  Something to photograph.

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Unwashed dry black beans.  I am eventually going to make black beans and rice with tomatoes and chipotle, or black bean turkey burgers, and maybe plant a couple and see if I can get even more black beans!  The blackened cherry pits will be made into beads, if I am successful.  Fingers crossed.  I would string the beans too if I was not afraid of them sprouting on my neck in this Florida humidity!