Tweezer Sister's organized seashells
You have got to remember the Tweezer Sisters. No? They call themselves the Sanibel Sisters but let me refresh your memory…. I originally met these gals at the lighthouse picking up mini shells with huge 14 inch tweezers and I then featured them on my post Full Moon Tweezers. They were back on the island (from CA) last week and I got to see all the shells they collected….. and organized.
tubs of seashells
I can’t tell you how jealous I was to see how tidy these girls were with their shell finds.
circles and squares of shells
Can you believe all of the minis? And when I say minis…. I mean teeny, tiny minis….These are HORSE CONCHS just out of a dehydrated EGG CASING.
baby horse conchs from egg casing
Want to see just how small these little guys are? Well, I’d say …only as big as Lincoln’s nose.
baby conchs on penny
How about this tiny baby SEA URCHIN! Is there anything cuter?
tiny sea urchin on finger
More baby seashells and URCHIN SPINES….
newbie shells urchin spines
Take a look at the tools they have for picking and cleaning shells. This is quite an operation!
seashell cleaning tools
Even more boxes of collected, cleaned, dried and organized shells….
organized seashells
seashell box
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. There’s another Tweezer Sister in the making. Taylor is Sanibel Sister Judith’s adorable granddaughter with her own handy tweezers in hand with her shells that she collected….. and organized, of course.
Taylor with seashells
So who are these amazing gals I got to hang out with? Linda, Judith, Debbie and Brenna- The Sanibel Tweezer Sisters.
Tweezer sisters
wow! love those baby shells! also great tool hint
As I was sorting through my shells yesterday, I said to myself “I need to get some really long tweezers.” Glad to see I’m not the only one!
Really enjoyed seeing all these :) Have fun ladies!
Ladies…what a great idea! I will be on the island in July..and cant wait to add to my shell collection! Thank you for sharing this with us…my hubby is going to be so jealous ! lol…
I dont have to tell you all to have a great day!!!
love
Jo
wonderful!
I seem to say wow on here all the time, but really, WOW!!!!!! I thought that I had a knack for mini’s, but they put me to shame…I have to know, what do they do with all these minis? I would love to see some pictures of whatever they do with them!
I showed an amazing piece of Sanibel Tweezer Sister Judith’s art on a post in March. You will love it! Check it out here…. http://www.iloveshelling.com/blog/2011/03/01/sanibel-beach-is-a-beautiful-canvas/
I also love the tiny shells, but have always wondered how to tell if they are alive or dead. Can you tell me? I hate to think I am stopping a baby shell from growing into a large shell.
Just the same as the bigger shells- you can see the operculum (the “door” in the opening of the shell) or you can see the guy hanging out. Hermit crabs can occupy these little shells too so make sure you look for their little legs tucked in there before you take them. Good luck with the minis!
I think I need to add a magnifying glass to my shelling equipment to check for the little guys. . .
Wow! How very organized. I use a basket with recycled plastic containers in it to carry as I shell here on Navarre Beach, Florida. Helps me keep up with what I have found for the day. I use an old plastic medicine bottle to put my mini shells in so that they don’t get lost in the shuffle. Your website keeps me whistfully waiting for August when I can return to Sanibel for my yearly “fix” of Sanibel shelling…..thanks for all the work you do to keep it up!
I am so jealous! How fun. I was just there in May and had a great time shelling but never thought to go quit so tiny. Will have to give this a second thought and get myself a pair of those great tweezers. Thanks so much for sharing.
Awesome Post…the Tweezer Sisters are kiliing me….so envious! We found a few tiny shells while on Sanibel in May, but missed good opportunities due to high tides all week! Tiny urchin is priceless….ahhhhh….made my day in Colorado a little better! Thanks!
And to think I thought I was organized because I have my shells in plastic shoe boxes (all mixed together). Great job, Tweezer Sisters!
Where do the Sisters find these tiny masterpieces, and where can the super tweezers be purchased? I know they are not available either at Fleamasters in Fort Myers or the Flamingo Island Flea Market down in Bonita. I’ve done an internet search as well, but no success so far. Thanks!
I’ve found the long tweezers at my local hobby shop that carries model making supplies. Our Ace hardware store here in Pa. also carries them. Hope this helps. Sue B.
Beadshops carry nice tweezers for use in beading crafts. They’re awesome for working with “tiny” things!
Aaahhhhhh….so many shells, so little time….
Where do I start, my eyes, my back and my hands would be hurting. Not only do you have to find all of those minis but you have to clean them. It’s good to see somebody that’s organized, it’s give me hope. I still haven’t completely cleaned the horse conchs we found in Jan.. It’s finally getting warm or should I say hot here in IL so we’ll be able to start brushing & a little more bleach.
Twenty years ago I was on the beach at Shalimar in my lounge chair. I had on my head magnifiers, a tray on my lap and my large tweezers. Every 15 minutes I’d go back in the water and scoop out a pile of small shell debris. Finally after watching me for over an hour a couple of German tourists came over and asked “WHAT are you doing. Over the years I’ve met a lot of nice, curious people this way. We’re off to Germany in a couple of weeks to see them. Sue Bunkin in Penna.
What a wonderful and relaxing way to spend the day. Very impressive!
What great finds! That mini urchin is too cute! I always sort my shells when I get home, but sorting before going home is a smart way to keep any of them from breaking. I’m going to do this next time, and I’ve got my tweezers ready!
pam, thanks again for the fun visit with us and the wonderful entry on your blog….the photos turned out great! especially the babies on the penny….taylor was most proud to be included too….my mind is so full of new ideas for the shell pictures and am anxious to get going…..i bought my tweezers from a sight i found on the internet under the topic 12″ tweezers….they actually came from florida
Wow! This is completely amazing! My first thought as I marveled at the images was “These ladies must have some pretty darn good eyesight!”