July. There’s still summer time left to enjoy fashion’s leather jewelry trend. It’s an easy-to-wear look, perfect for open necklines and t-shirt dressing. Add the whimsy of ice resin and you have perfect summer jewelry.

My studio is home to all-things-leather at the moment. BoHo bracelets are stacked on the table, multiples of leather charmed necklaces hang from a display rod and long beaded dangles from resin bezels await matching necklaces.

These fun choices and more will be on display at Pottery Barn Uptown’s PopUpShop, 1pm – 5pm Saturday, July 31, 2016.

Sand dollars and faces add whimsey

It’s been creative heaven. I coaxed color out of real sand dollars from a beach near San Diego. (Sand dollars are said to be symbols of peace. Legend has it that there are five doves inside the shells that are free to bring goodwill to the world when the sand dollar is broken.)

This sand dollar is part of the Leather jewelry and ice resin jewelry collection displayed by MaryEllenBeads at the Pottery Barn PopUpShop.

These one-of-a-kind pieces highlight individuality. In some cases I melt together a background of various powders with a heat gun to generate a new color or add texture. In other instances, bits of glass, beads, or tiny charms were added.

These leather jewelry and ice resin jewelry bezels show sand dollars and faces by Mary Ellen Beads Albuquerque.

During another craft day with my Collaborheartists group, I made dozens of faces and then painted, inked, polished and rubbed them into different appearances.

These faces showcase the leather jewelry and ice resin jewelry of Mary Ellen Beads Albuquerque.

Leather jewelry and ice resin jewelry items make great gifts. Rather than matching an ensemble, accentuate any wardrobe piece with a simple, joy-filled selection. They pack and travel easily too.

This heart full sand dollar is part of the leather jewelry and ice resin jewelry collection by Mary Ellen Beads Albuquerque.

Get your shopping on at Pottery Barn ABQ Uptown July 31. The PopUpShop will feature Mary Ellen Beads.

Concluding thought

NOTE: Thanks, Pottery Barn for supporting local artists! If you haven’t heard, our Pottery Barn is highlighting local artists every weekend through September with an 11a – 3p PopUpShop each Saturday and 1p – 5p Sunday July through September.