From fabulous to just plain fun, let's look at Shellcraft!
Shellcraft is an artform that has been around for generations- Native Americans incorporated it into their clothing and jewelry designs (as well as using shells for wampum!)
Some sailors would collect shells on their travels and bring them home to loved ones who then created masterful works of art out of them.
Other sailors would purchase intricate works of art created by locals in the tropical ports they visited while away from home. They would sometimes include small sayings such as "thinking of you" and were brought/sent home to wives and families as a way to let them know they were thought of and missed while the men were gone on long voyages. These are commonly known as "Sailors Valentines".
Then there are simply those of us who love shells and have baskets, bowls and bottles filled with them and are constantly looking for new ways to display them. This lens will explore any and all forms of shellcraft we can think of!
Some sailors would collect shells on their travels and bring them home to loved ones who then created masterful works of art out of them.
Other sailors would purchase intricate works of art created by locals in the tropical ports they visited while away from home. They would sometimes include small sayings such as "thinking of you" and were brought/sent home to wives and families as a way to let them know they were thought of and missed while the men were gone on long voyages. These are commonly known as "Sailors Valentines".
Then there are simply those of us who love shells and have baskets, bowls and bottles filled with them and are constantly looking for new ways to display them. This lens will explore any and all forms of shellcraft we can think of!
Beachy Crafts For the Holidays and Year Round
If it's good enough for the White House...
First Lady Laura Bush spotlighted the nation's seashores for the 2007 Holiday Season. Recreate the look of the shell wreaths hung in the West Garden Room of the White House!
You will need:
12" foam wreath (a tightly bound grapevine wreath will also work)
24" floral wire
wire cutters
glue gun
hot glue and 2 bags glue sticks
seashells and sea life in various shapes and sizes
Make two or three loops around the top of the wreath with floral wire and then make a small loop at the top. The small loop will become the hanger for the wreath.
Hot-glue the shells to the wreath base as desired. Make sure to fill in any spaces where the foam/vine shows, especially on the sides.
For a step by step video, visit the HGTV White House Christmas 2007 page by clicking here.
You can also check out this terrific little DIY seashell wreath kit in our eBay store!
A Closer Look at Sailors' Valentines
A small sampling of the beautiful artwork created by some of my customers
Sit back and enjoy this stunning slideshow of artwork by RI Sailors' Valentine Artist Pamela Boynton.
Pam's Web Gallery
curated content from Flickr
Shellcrafting supplies available on eBay
Find the shells you need to create your own Sailors Valentines and other works of art!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Share your thoughts with me!
submit
-
Reply
- Classicvideogamesplus Classicvideogamesplus Feb 26, 2008 @ 6:05 pm
- Nice lens here as well. I signed a few of your guestbooks since you have some great lens. Thank you for visiting mine as well.
-
Reply
- Tiddledeewinks Tiddledeewinks Feb 17, 2008 @ 5:46 pm
- WoW! Love those sailors Valentines!
-
Reply
- pinman201 pinman201 Feb 15, 2008 @ 12:21 pm
- srg rules. Another great lense.
-
Reply
- beesknees-23 beesknees-23 Feb 8, 2008 @ 10:45 am
- Great lens!! Five pasw up from the Feline Citizens at Beesknees-23!!
-
Reply
- stampslore stampslore Feb 7, 2008 @ 8:29 am
- Saw you on the store board!!5***
- Load More
Some great seashell touches for your home found on CafePress!
Shells Scallop Tile Coaster
Price: 6.79 
Seashell Large Mug
Price: 13.99
Seashell Calendar
Price: 5.99
by Scarboroughseashells
Mother of 3, seller and collector of all things "shell". I am Scarborough Seashells, nice to meet you! (more)
Explore related pages
What To Do With All Those Seashells?- If you're like me, you find it very difficult to return home from a beach vacati...
Home Decor Headquarters- Home & Holiday Decorating! Decorating for holidays or special occasions, or...
eBook Club: eBooks Galore!- Our eBook Club offers ebooks on just about anything and everything. We'll...
Home and Garden - Suite101's Home and Garden Writers- There are so many home and garden expert writers bringing you the latest informa...
Business Value Message - USP for Interior Designers- Otherwise known as your USP (Unique Selling Proposition), you can creator your o...
Halloween Costume Party Tips- The decorations,food recipes,songs,games,movies and costume ideas for a wonderfu...
