Sarah's chandelier
Sarah is one of my best friends but she isn’t a sheller. She does her shelling in my garage when she comes to visit. Sarah is an artist and this shell chandelier is a spectacular piece that she just hung in her home in Virginia Beach this year. Unbelievable! She has such a detailed eye and it shows in every inch of it. She picked the perfect spot to show it off! Gorgeous!
Sarah's chandelier closeup
Stunning, huh?
Two years ago she came to visit for a week so she decided she wanted to make a shell mirror while she was visiting. We went thrift store shopping to find an old frame then I dragged her to the beach to figure out what kinds of shells she wanted to use. We found a few to start but that’s when she decided that picking through our shells in the garage was much easier. Clark teased her that she could only go in there for “supervised visits” so she wouldn’t take the best shells. LOL
Sarah's mirror
She wanted to use a few starfish and sea glass for accents so we went to a few shell shops to find her the perfect finishing touches.
Sarah's mirror closeup
Now you see why I’m so crazy about her…. it was so much fun to spend our time planning her project and to see her create this gorgeous piece before my eyes. Of course, this would be my favorite piece because of the great memory.
Speaking of memories, I will have another good memory from yesterday. I was a nominee for the 2010 Elaine McLaughlin Outstanding Hospitality Service Awards.  I didn’t even know that there was such a thing until I got the notification that I was nominated for the category of “Other Services” for iLoveShelling.com. The winners are chosen by a committee with criteria such as satisfaction, work ethic, compassion, and familiarity with our community. Who knew? I didn’t! I didn’t win but it was such an honor to be included with such thoughtful people in our community.
One more day to enter the Write From The Beach GiveAway! Click Here
I WANT that chandelier – it really is fabulous. You have a very talented friend. Congratulations on your nomination – it’s well deserved.
Have a beachy day…
Marie
Sarah definitely has a talent for creating beautiful things. That chandelier is awesome!
Quite spectacular, I’d love to see it lit up!!
Wow! That chandelier is stunning!
Fabulous chandelier and unusual mirror. Congratulations on being nominated for the service award, that is truly an honor.
We love your blog and look forward to it every day. Although I would rather be shelling on the beach!!
Wow, what a piece!!! And I assume all made with hand collected shells…, that makes it super special.
It is amazing, isn’t it? I think she bought most of the shells she used on the chandelier because she needed those small same sized ones. I shipped a few to her like those scallops from Sanibel. It was the mirror that she used mostly Sanibel shells. She’s so gifted!
Congratulations on your award, well deserved. You keep all of us who don’t live on the coast, but love it,connected in a very special way and I thank you for that.
Your friends shell art is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Beautifully said Carolyn Nally, I second that! :))
That chandelier is amazing! What a talented friend you have. Congratulations on your nomination. You totally deserve it. I too adore your blog and look forward to your posts. Kindest, Pruxxx
I even enlarged the close-up photo and OH MY GOODNESS is that magnificent or what?!? What a masterpiece.
Congrats on your award and well deserved too!
How lovely, both projects! Such patience…I can admire the workmanship. Kudos to your friend and you and Clark for letting her at your “stash”.
Congrats on your nomination….well deserved. You do provide a service and education for those of us who live vicariously thru your adventures. Thank you for all you do, Pam.
The two projects are an inspiration. Just one more week and 11 hours away from Sanibel. My shelling books arrived a couple of days ago as well as my shelling scoop and fishing pole holders. My son helped me start a blog so all my friends and family can follow. I wait daily for I love Shelling and thank you for all of the fun.
Congrats on your nomination! I am so proud of you my friend! You go girl!!!…..
Gorgeous, just gorgeous! There are so many interesting ways to use shells!
Let’s all go shelling in Pam’s garage :-) I could never dream of making something so amazing… that’s one serious chandelier, must be gorgeous at night. Your passion for life at the sea (& for sea life) makes you a wonderful representative for your community.. nomination well deserved.
Now I know WHERE to go shelling in November…lol. I have to send my friend Tracy over here, we’ve been talking about seashell chandeliers and I know she’ll love this one! Very talented friend you have there.
Congrats on the nomination, that is so exciting!
Hugs
You (and your blog) win in my book….I know bunches of other’s who agree!!
How in the world can someone do such beautiful work with shells and not be a sheller!! I make projects every year for christmas gifts for all the extended family….So I have to keep shelling to have enough!! (That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!!) = )
Congratulations on your nomination. Hooray for you!!!
I look forward to reading your blog everyday and want to thank you for taking the time to share your adventures. I’ve passed your link onto several Sanibel visitors. I’m glad you are being recognized for your love of the island.
The artwork is beautiful — the mirror is my favorite! Very tasteful creation!
Wow! I want that Chandelier also. She should go into business of creating and selling those.
Bravo for your nomination and recognition. Well done!
Wow – that chandelier is amazing. What a piece of art. I love it…it looks like something you would see in Horchow. It gives me such inspiration….I would love to create something like this.
Congrats on the nomination – – your information daily is a treat for me! I love to see the pics, read the stories, and hear some interesting facts I would not otherwise know. My kids love it too!
Thanks Pam!
A well deserved normination! It keeps us all happy. You know the chandelier is beautiful, but I actually like the mirror better. I’m sure you know why. Continued thanks!!
You make even the “couch potatoes” want to get up and go to the beach just hoping to be able to see a small portion of what you and Clark see and find. Congrats on the nomination.Your friend has a wonderful eye and is lucky to be able to be so crafty too..Beautiful works…both of them.
WOW! So glad that you posted on our Caron’s Beach House fb page! LOVE LOVE shelling in Florida – I am incredibly jealous that you get the opportunity to be there. I might need that chandelier. What wonderful workmanship!
Caron
This chandelier is amazing!!! I have been researching how to make something fairly similar for my pool house out of an old chandelier that we found. I have been unable to find out what type of glue or adherent is best to use. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
The chandelier is lovely, she is talented. What kind of glue did she use?
Did anyone ever find out what kind of glue she uses? Thanks
Yes! She used hot glue for this project. So beautiful, huh?
Oh my! The chandelier and mirror are lovely!
I make similar creations.
See my shop at http://www.julsofparadise.etsy.com
However, I’m concerned about her using hot glue for such spectacular creations!
Hot glue may not hold up with heat of the lights. I;d hate to see all that hard work be for naught. I use heavy industrial type adhesive. Bond 527 or 6000 glue. They are available at Home Depot, Lowes, Michaels Crafts, etc. A bit smelly but super hold. I would not trust hot glue. Just sayin’!
Happy shellin’!
ps GREAT blog site! Very informative!
Beautiful pics! I’m wondering if you know of online shops that sell driftwood at discount prices? Thanks in advance:)
That chandelier is one of those most beautiful things I have seen. What a wonderful artist! Thanks for sharing the link to this on your recent posting!