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During the summer months, art shows are a common occurrence every weekend on the green in downtown Milford, Connecticut. As I leisurely walk down the isles during one of these shows I suddenly spot them. Several items are skillfully created with, it seemed, every kind of shell there is. Perfect for a Victorian seaside home. However, it wasn’t until I went to the Milford Oyster Festival during the third weekend in August and saw more of them that I realized a trend was forming.
I was intrigued, so I eased through the crowd. “How were you able to collect so many varieties of beautiful shells?” I asked the artist. “It’s wonderful what you’ve done with them.”
“I used to collect them along the Connecticut shorelines but it was difficult to find a variety of shells”, she replied. “Now, I just order them from catalogs.”
Her answer surprised me. It never occurred to me to buy shells. Why would anyone buy them when they seemed plentiful on most beaches? However, after talking to the artist and seeing her booth I understood. She some rare shells of every variety, color, shape and size included in her creations. From then on I was hooked!
For one of my first projects I decided to decorate a frame. I purchased a plain, birchwood frame with a flat, smooth surface the shells could adhere to easily, some glue and a bag of shells. At home, with anticipation still high, I arranged the shells in different patterns on the frame before I decided, “This is it!”. Then, I carefully glued each piece into place making sure to quickly wipe away any excess glue before it dries. It was left to dry over a few days while propped up with objects to keep it level. When it was finally finished, I put a favorite photo in it of one of my visits to the Cape. Although I was proud and amazed at my accomplishment, the real test came when a friend noticed it.
“I like your frame. Where did you get it?” she asked.
“I made it myself.”
“It looks like you bought it at an art show!” she exclaimed.
With this encouraging comment, my shell craft ideas were born. Some of them I’ve listed here along with additional information you need to know before attempting your own shell projects.
Types of Shells
Some common types of shells used for decorating smaller projects are tiny ½” – 1” Periwinkles (gray, brown, or black) and Basket Whelks (tan or yellowish gray with raised lines). For slightly larger projects, there are the 2” – 3” Shark Eyes or Moon Snails (gray, light brown or shades of bluish lavender) and Blue Mussels or Atlanta Ribbed Mussel (blackish coating or ribbed outer shell with a pearly light blue or iridescent white interior). Of course, the more familiar Starfish (grows up to 10”) or Bay Scallop (a fan shaped, multi-ribbed shell that can grow as large as 3” in diameter) could also be used for other larger projects. To learn more about the different kinds of shells available and what they look like check out the books provided in your local library or favorite bookstore.
Where to Find or Buy Shells
Most, if not all, materials for your projects can be bought at your nearest arts and crafts or discount stores. Some of these stores also carry a small amount of shells. If you’re fortunate enough to live by the beach or vacation frequently along the shore, you may have an unlimited source of shells for your project.
However, if you haven’t been able to find or collect different types of shells, there are a number of suppliers from shops nearby, in catalogs or on the internet (at SeashellWorld.com) that can provide you with inexpensive shells to use in your decorating plans. Wherever you get them, try to find as many different colors and shapes as you can. This will add variety and interest to each item you decide to make.
For first hand experience and to gain additional knowledge of shells, a visit to the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum in Sanibel Island, Florida or along the beaches there may be helpful in uncovering hundreds of different varieties. This small island, connected to the mainland at Ft. Myers by a causeway in southwest Florida, is fast becoming known as the seashell capital of the world.
Tips on Cleaning Shells
If you are using your own seashells collected from the shore, however, be sure to clean them thoroughly before using. If there is any dirt left on the shell’s surface, just scrape and wipe clean with a brush or soft cloth. Then carefully soak your sea treasures in a solution of one part chlorine bleach to four parts water. Since glue doesn’t stick well to wet shells they will need to be dried thoroughly. You can air dry them for up to a few hours, let the sun bleach as well as dry them or, if you’re in a hurry, use a fan to quick dry. After they are completely dry, look them over to be sure they haven’t been chipped or broken during the process.
Your Own Seashell Project
Here’s a quick, easy project to help you get the creative waters flowing. A few basic materials you’ll need are:
One round ball-shaped clear glass (about 3” in diameter) with an opening at the top to place the shells inside.
One small glass holder to insert into the opening for a tea light.
Some ¼ inch ribbon for a bow to dress up the outside around the top or “neck”.
A glue gun or craft glue works best. It helps to hold your creation together stronger for a longer time.
Shells of various sizes, colors and shapes (sand is optional).
That’s basically all you’ll need! Now, you’re ready to create your own beautiful treasure from the sea. Take your glass “ball” and fill it with your favorite shells using only the best, unbroken ones. You can either fill completely with shells up to the bottom of the small, glass insert or you can fill the bottom quarter of the “ball” with sand and place just enough shells on top of it to appear as if the ocean washed them up. Put the glass insert in the opening at the top and place a tea light inside of it. With the ¼ inch ribbon make a small bow around the “neck” of the holder and glue a tiny shell or group of shells in the center.
You can create a one-of-a-kind holder every time by using different patterns and materials. For example, depending upon the holiday various kinds of ribbon can be used to give a certain holiday feeling. Perhaps pink or yellow bows at Easter or red and green ribbon during Christmastime. Tiny pumpkins and black cats could be glued to orange ribbon for Halloween along with variegated shells. Even the shells themselves could blend more evenly with your theme by spray painting them with different colors, varnishing to preserve their original beauty or having them glued with sequins or glitter. Well, you get the idea – let your imagination run wild!
More Shell Ideas
A glass bowl or dish filled with your favorite shells gives a casual look for a centerpiece on a coffee table. Shells “marching” in single file around a birchwood frame or just gathering in a few corners bring the feeling of sun-filled beach days to all your precious photos. Even bathrooms are transformed with shell delights by selecting a large one to glue onto a night light covering the bulb. Your shell will seem to “glow” from the inside as it adds a touch of mystery from the light shining through it. Shells surrounding the outer edges of a mirror also provide that clean sea-washed look for bathrooms. Another option for the bathroom is using various sizes and shapes of shells arranged in a pleasing pattern on a white wicker tissue cover.
Sea shells By the Seashore
Displaying shells and items made with shells can bring a casual, carefree look and feel to any home by adding to and complimenting your interior decorating styles. Shells are increasingly popular as a way to bring the essence of the sea inside. Whenever I find myself at home walking along Milford’s Silver Sands Beach with a shell in my hand I am reminded of an article by Joyce Gabriel from the Connecticut Post newspaper as she declares that, “I can’t resist the opportunity to gather just one more, struck all over again by their beauty and their sense of mystery, of having been places I can only imagine, deep in the sea.” May you also discover for yourself the versatility and beauty natural shells can bring into your home.
Resources:
• Seashore Identifier by Bob Lollo, 1992, pgs. 15-16.
• Joyce Gabriel, Connecticut Post newspaper (1998).
© Copyright 2007 by Camiellie Szulc
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