Shell Fair Seashell mirror
We finally got some much needed rain this morning to water the plants and to refresh the island. Whenever it rains, I get excited about doing an art project since I know I’ll be inside all day. I revisited my photos from the Sanibel Shell Fair and Show to get inspiration and a few ideas… then I realized… I never showed you most of the winners from the craft division of the show.
Blue Ribbon best Seashell flower arrangement hobbyist
Can you see how this artist made the cacti? SEA URCHINS with TUSK shells poking out of the holes! What a fabulous idea to use TUSKS as thorns. I love creative people.
Sharon Thomas blue ribbon
Take you time and browse through the rest of these magnificent works of shell art.
Blue Ribbon Hobbyist Lucy Ann Read
ROSE PETAL TELLIN butterfies!
Deborah Yamin Second place winner
This one by Deborah Yamin is simple yet so elegant. Look at the OPERCULUM leaves.
Blue Ribbon Leslie Anding, Hobbyist
I love boxes of any kind and this one is especially sweet, isn’t it? I bet Leslie self collected those little WENTLETRAPS and ARK shells. I met her at the beach last year looking for those shells and BABY’S EARS on post Mixed Shell Bag.
Brandy Llewelyn blue ribbon winner
I also met Brandy Llewelyn last year looking for mini shells at the lighthouse.
Blue Ribbon winner Elaine Alvo
This is an adorable mermaid with her SEAHORSE and seashell treasure chest.
Blue Ribbon winner Victoria Ross, Hobbyist
Blue Ribbon single stem hobbyist Donna Carey
Blue Ribbon for Tyler Schoenherr
Have you gotten inspired yet? Well, I kind of went in a different direction. Instead of getting inspired to make shell crafts, I got inspired to do more posts about shell art and crafting so we will know what to do with those beautiful shells we bring home. But for now, the sun has come out …. so off to the beach to try to find another interesting shell or two.
Shell Ladies by Leanna Sherrill -blue ribbon
I have a mirror I want to put shells on, it has a wood frame.do you know how
Most people attach the shells?
I used hot glue also I have used a glue that I got at Michaels craft store called 527. It is in with the other glues. I love the shell mirror that I made.
I love creating mirrors and frames- although they’re not even close to that beautiful mirror in your first photo! I have enough buttercup lucines to try my hand at a flower or two; working with the shells is an extension of my joy of shelling :)
I’d love to see your shell frames! When you create with shells, I think you aquire even more of an appreciation of how beautiful they are (if thats possible!).
I use clear indoor/outdoor silicone. My friend Jane uses hot glue. Some people use tacky glue or E3000. There are so many options for glue! I will be talking more to the “pro” shell crafters to see what they are using and I’ll blog about it. Anybody else?
I use E3000. I’ve tried clear epoxy. The epoxy is stronger but runny. The E3000 is thicker and stays in place better which makes it easier to use. I’m finally enjoying my week here on Sanibel. Got caught in the storm yesterday morning while shelling. Fortunately I was almost done anyway. Shelling in the rain is bettrer than being at home woirking!! :)
Our very first day at Sanibel and first day of shelling, we got caught in an early morning rain. We kept shelling and enjoying ourselves. Our 20th anniversary in Sanibel was incredible!
Thank you so much for this wonderful website! I am planning on our next vacation – I don’t know when, but it will be at Sanibel Island! I was in Tampa for business at the beginning of the month, and got the shelling bug bad. My family is big into collecting rocks, and I think that translates pretty well to shells. We all enjoy getting close to the ground and scrutinizing tiny stuff! I will be cyber-shelling on your website and dreaming of warm Florida while spring is still deciding if it has sprung yet here in Colorado. Thank you again!
Thank you very much for the great pictures from unforgettable event. I hope to meet with you again in the next year on 75 Sanibel Seashell Show!
I was at that shell exhibit on Sanibel in March. It was AWESOME! I was so impressed with all the crafts. It gave me many ideas. I’m not sure if I could make those flowers from shells. They looked complicated.
Awesome show!
Amazing! Lovely! OMG! Such beautiful pieces of art!
Loved the cactus, so clever, I think I’ll try to make one to add to my desert terrarium.
I was told today that those are not tusk shells in the cactus. woops! They are the little parts inside a sea urchin. Hmmmm. They look like tusk shells to me. Either way, they are still so clever!
The orchid, whelk and multi-flower arrangements all show greenery of some sort. Are those shells too? Does the crafter remove silk flowers from purchased stems, then glue the shells to the stem? I just can’t imagine how heavy those single stems must be with heavy shells glued to them.
Thank you for sharing not only shell crafts, but magnificent shell art! By the way, Pam… how do YOU display your lovely shell collection?? We want to know! ;)
Donna,
Shellcrafters use wire spun into a spiral on the end to make a wider and more sturdy area to glue the shells to. Like the orchid single stem, the leaves are silk. After doing this post, I was curious to know what some of the crafters use as bases too…. so I have some fun video coming up in a few weeks (I have a lot of editing to do!).