Shell Love Bug is born!
After thousands of hours, over 20,000 shells, over 65 volunteers, over 60 tubes of glue and millions of decisions… Shell Love Bug has graced the world.
I made this 2005 convertible Volkswagen beetle the ultimate symbol for the love of seashells and shelling… hence the name Shell Love Bug. Most of the shells used to make this shelldazzled masterpiece are from our personal collection and the Sanibel Shell crafters but there have been oodles of shells donated by other obsessed shellers like us. We’ve made the biggest mobile Sailors Valentine on the planet!
Y’all, I can’t tell you how over the moon shell I’ve been to recruit people in this community to create this work of art….  so many of my shelling friends, Lynette and Johnny and a few other talented ladies at Sanibel Shell Crafters. We only had 6 weeks to shelldazzle this car… but when shellers step up, things get done.
There are soooo many amazing stories I want to tell about “her”… the different shells she has, the people who helped, the glue, the shell crafting, where and when you can see her, whats gonna happen to her… and on and on. I promise, I will try to get you all the information. But first…..
We’ll be on Good Morning America tomorrow morning at 7am with Ginger Zee (This was June 20, 2016) ! Make sure you tune in to ABC or set your DVR to watch the live broadcast…. with Shell Love Bug! Oh ad Shell Love Bug has her very own website now so check it out…. Â ShellLoveBug.com
Pam,
All you need now is a beautiful license plate with sea shell design.
Love you’re new Shell Love Bug.
Jane Floyd
Wilmington,NC
Well here it is! What a masterpiece!
Shell love indeed.
This takes the cake!
Congratulations to Pam and everyone else involved. :)
Wow, wow, wow! This is so impressive and just perfect for Shell Day! You and your friends rock, Pam!
It looks so incredible!!! Congrats AMD can’t wait to see GMA
The Shell Love Bug is truly amazing! What an awesome job!
Can’t wait to see you on TV tomorrow……………….
One of the coolest things I have ever seen…totally AWESOME!!
Very very cool ! Love it! Great job Pam!!
Most adorable “Bug” I’ve ever seen! Love it! How fun was that!!
OH, WOW!!!!!! Soooo amazing and soooo joyful. Thanks to all who created this gem.
exceeded all expectations- well done!!
Does the gal that suggested that you decorate the car in shells
get to ride in a parade or something as a reward for her idea? :)
That is so amazing!! I’m sure you all figured out a way to shell-ack it so that the shells will never all off???
Am sure there will be Shell n Tell stories forthcoming :) Looks great!!! Are all the shells from Sanibel area?
OH MY GOODNESS IT IS OVER THE OCEAN TOO DARN SHELLFANTASTIC. My very first car was a VW! She was bright yellow and named Freta! I only wish I could be there with my margarita bucket to celebrate this special day with you but we are back in Oklahoma. Have a SHELLFANTASTIC time tomorrow. :)
Absolutely spectacular, amazing, fabulous unbelievable! All of these words can explain how beautiful your love bug is! Hope to run into you while collecting shells this October! Happy shelling my friend!
The Shell Love Bug is AMAZING. Have already set my dvr I don’t want to miss a minute tomorrow morning. All of my favorites tomorrow, Pam, shells and Ginger (she did weather in Chicago before she went to NY) it’s going to be a Good Morning America.
Don’t take it out – you’ll get her all dirty.!…A masterful piece. Hope you keep us up to date on her travels. Truly beautiful..
Way to go, Sanibel Shellers. Love it. Good Job. Will be watching GMA tomorrow.
What a shellinspiration!!! It is beautiful, fabulous and the perfect vehicle for your shellicious passion! It will
make an unforgettable impression where ever it goes. Looking forward to your appearance on NATIONAL TV!
The Shell Love Bug is the NEATEST thing I’ve ever seen!! And I plan to come to one the events this week and see YOU and the SHELL LOVE BUG in person!! I can’t wait!! Pam will you have any of the TShirts and tank tops with you for sale this week?? I want one so bad but usually have to see a shirt in person to be able to tell if it fits!
See ya either Tuesday or Wednesday!!
Janice from GA AND St James City, Pine Island, FL (we’re the big island right behind Sanibel)
Wow….what a fabulous idea and congratulations and kudos to all who donated their time and efforts!! It looks fantastic!!! Only wish I could see it in person.
A whirlwind week ahead for you- and countless hours of work behind, bringing this shelltastic car to life. Everything turned so beautifully. I appreciate that I got to put a little love and sweat and laughter towards getting shell love bug ready. Tomorrow is ‘bittersweet’ for me to leave my home and friends to embark on a new journey. I love you Pam-e-la and super Clark. Keep your ‘baby ears’ to a conch and listen for whispers of the mischief we have left to make! I be ‘sea’ing you before you know it!
Absolutely beautiful! Can’t wait to see ‘her’ in person!
Wowzer! It looks great! I particularly like the simplicity and strong graphic quality of the overall design against the ark shell background, as it really makes the design elements pop and read well from a distance (and read well as it goes driving past). It could have easily turned into a chaos of tiny shells, but nope… good job. I hope you have a garage to protect this treasure!
Beautifully Awesome!!!!! Love it!!!!! Wow, just WOW!!!!!
Can imagine all the hard work and fun that went into this awesome shelllovebug!!!!!
Amazing work by all!!!!!
ConGrat’s!!!!!
Thank you for sharing it with us on here!!!!!
Will you be bringing it up Coquina Beach way? Would absolutely Love to see it in person!!!!!
Great job all, beautiful!!!!!
ConGrats again!!!!!
What a shelltastic sculpture!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!!!! Hope it will be driving around next time we come to the island! THANK YOU to ALL the volunteers who worked so hard on that beautiful car!!!!
All those thousands of decisions turned our shellrific!!!!
Speechless, literally. It’s absolutely amazing Pam. Your design, choice of shells, the way it all pieced together, it’s truly a work of art. Love the buzz and excitement it’s generating. Have lots of fun, can’t wait to follow your Shell Love Bug adventures on the new website. P.S. Love the sand dollar…
AMAZING!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!!IT’s SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL!
How wonderful. Pam you are a genius. I just wish I had been in Sanibel to help you glue! A brilliant idea to promote shelling with the Shell Bug. Back in January and hoping I can see the Bug then!
I am so in love with Shells, Shelling and this Shell Love Bug!
WOW the car is sooo cool. I’m sure you are already aware that Houston tx has the largest art car parade in the US every spring. I go every year and would love to see it there. My daughter and I have already dreamed of covering a car with shells from all of my trips to sanibel. It’s either that or my house ha
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS!
I had been teasing my husb that I never had a car older than 3 years old until now – my Jeep was 11 years old!
I promised my family if my Jeep got too much older I would definately ‘Shell it’.
Low and behold- for Xmas my spouse bought me a NEW JEEP! If this one makes it to 11 I will “SHELL IT”!
Julie ~ julsofparadise.etsy.com
Hey Pam,
So cool.
Do you have shelling dates for September yet? We’d love to work in another cruise with you when we’re on the island.
Thanks.
Linda Gammon
Blue Springs, MO
Great meeting u and wonderful creation u did a fantabulous job on the shell bug!!!!!
Congrats to everyone involved – you did a totally awesome job!
Sweet! There’s a house covered in shells, as well as a car in or around Salinas, Puerto Rico. When we went to see it, the owner showed up just minutes after we arrived and gave us a personal tour. :)
Hi Pam I really loved meeting u and seeing the Shell Car at the shell factory in North Fort Myers. Thanks so much for making the rounds with her. I hope you keep us updated on where we’ll be able to see her in the future. Great job- can’t help but smile seeing that creation!
The most beautiful site that I have ever seen. So unique.
Yep – it brings much pride and a few tears to my eyes – loved loved loved being a part of that six weeks with you, Pam, and the bug. What a treasure – a memory forever. And wow – didn’t we work fast!!!! Ha….
Love at first sight!!!!!!!!! Is it for sale?
I lost my cute lil pink PT that was in the garage of my home that I lost to a fire, this one makes me Smile Too!!
Can you design one for me, I would help :)
Hello Pam!
I just recently read the news that you had won your lawsuit with the Lee county officials and getting possession of your Shell Love Bug….. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
I am so happy for you!
We plan to visit Sanibel the week of July 8th, and I would so love to do a shelling cruise with you, if you decide to get back into the cruises.
If not, perhaps we just might see you on one of the beaches on Sanibel looking for those lovely treasures!
Once again, congratulations Pam Rambo!
Sending Shell-Love your way!!
Sandra