From Beach to Beyond
Shelling
All the shells are authentic! I've personally gathered them all, with the exception of when my husband wants to join in on the fun. I do not gather live shells, and when I do pick one up, they are carefully returned. My favorite shelling spots are Lido Key, Siesta Key, and Sanibel. I also enjoy combing the beaches of Anna Maria Island and Venice. And I never turn down a boat ride to a secluded beach!
It's always fun to see what will be available, because every outing is different. It's amazing that within an hour's drive there are over a dozen different beaches - all with different sand and shorelines. And those change frequently due to storms, so truly every trip to the beach is unique in itself.
I have a couple "tools of the trade" that are my favorites -- a telescoping long-handled scoop and a short-handled plastic sifting scoop. I have several mesh shell bags, and have sewn a few of them together so I can separate shells as I go. Of course I have a couple of small buckets along if needed. The biggest tip I offer people is to carry a small plastic (food) container along to put fragile items in such as sand dollars. I just put the container down in my shell bag for easy carrying.
Another tip that I offer is to stay in an "area." If I find several good shells in a spot, I usually hang out there for a bit to see what else comes along. On one trip to Sanibel, I'm pretty sure I didn't move from an area about four feet wide for over an hour. The tide was coming in and with it bringing in all kinds of treasures! Also- don't be afraid to check under sargassum! Some of my favorite shells have been tangled up underneath a mound of sargassum.
Most of the time when I go, I'm not searching for anything in particular, just enjoying the scenery and seeing what the day brings. Occasionally I do go out on a hunt for particular shells I need to complete a piece, or fulfill a custom order.
While I have become more picky in my shell-hunting, I always pick up broken shells along the way. I love incorporating broken pieces in my art, as a reminder that we all have a story to tell. Our lives are filled with joys and sorrows, and to me, those broken pieces are symbols of strength in the storms.
Cleaning
After I get the shells home, they go through a multi-step process over the course of several days to thoroughly clean them and bring out their unique colors and beauty.
Depending on the shell, I have three different approaches to cleaning. My goal is to restore the beauty of the original coloring without damaging the shell. The cleaning process is labor-intensive as I take my time, often using small "dental picks" to remove white calcium build-up or barnacles.
After cleaning thoroughly, I use mineral oil to polish as I prefer they remain as natural as God made them. The only shells I use a clear sealant on are on coquinas, as their bright colors will fade over time.
And, yes, I do this for ALL of the shells!
Creating
It's important to me that my coastal-inspired art pieces have a natural appearance. For this reason, I choose to use fabric as my background instead of paper. All of my pieces that include text are printed on fabric!
I spend time creating word art of some of my favorite Scripture verses and beach-related quotes. After selecting particular fonts and sizing, I tweak them until I feel I get them “just right.” Unfortunately for me, I'm a bit of a perfectionist... so sometimes this step takes more time than I'd like!
The fabric is permanently adhered to two different backings to provide the structural support needed.
Now I'm finally ready to sit and create! While I did take art classes in high school and college, I've never been an aspiring artist. I just know what I like, and understand composition. Again, I take my time, finding the "right" place for each shell and look to bring certain color schemes together in different pieces. The adhesive I use to secure the shells is permanent. While I may use the same word art, each piece ends up being completely unique.
The art is then framed within a glass front shadowbox, and I give the backs some attention for a "finished" look. Please note that I will photograph the art without the glass before final framing. The photos you see on Etsy are without the glass.
The final product is one-of-a-kind. There will never be two exactly alike. Just like us. God created each one of us to be different, special. Maybe that's a reason I've always loved shells so much. Each are so different - and no two are alike (unless they are man-made). Perhaps shells are like little love letters from God, reminding us how beautiful we are.
The whole Earth
is filled with awe
at Your wonders
Psalm 65:8