Handmade Designer Necklaces - Spiny Oyster, Turquoise, Ashanti Brass

Hello 2011!  Lots of snow so there is time to  make necklaces.  The one above is made from spiny oyster. I bought it from a dealer in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  I have always loved the orange color of the spiny oyster which the Native Americans combine with lapis lazuli, turquoise, or varicite, all blue green colors.
The rough spiny oyster discs sat in the bead box for a long time as I just did not know what to do with such big rough pieces.
Finally inspiration struck . Ashanti  Brass from Ghana ends the run of spiny oyster discs separated by small pieces of turquoise.  I found "coral" bamboo for the sides and back of the necklace and used turquoise and spiny oyster spacers in between. A great necklace for a large person.