Outside the box

The polymer clay smooshers guild has regular challenges.  This months theme was beach.  The challenge is not mandatory, but, a way for the artisans to "think outside the box" and create something we may not have otherwise thought to do.  I had several ideas for the challenge and ended up with a necklace that incorporates some new techniques, new to me that is. 

I think I am most pleased with the palm tree and the parrots.  If other artists are like me, they rethink and critique their work all the time.  Even though I love this necklace, I keep wondering how it would look if the shells and parrots were set a little different, maybe lengthwise vs hanging off the stringing wire.  I'll keep looking at it...and critiquing....and looking....and critiquing...and....