More Shells

Shells found today. Most are very small.

Jingle Shells In My Pocket

When I'm walking on the beach, I can't help but notice the shining jingle shells. So, when I see one that I think is a pretty color or different, I pick it up and put it in my pocket. There's hardly a time that I go home from the beach without jingles.

The thin, translucent clamshell halves make a jingling sound when they are shaken together. Their surface is shiny like frosted nail polish. These bivalves (two-part shells) attach themselves to hard objects in the water and often other shells, by means of threads that extend from a hole in the lower valve. Their shape is often influenced by the shape of the object they're attached to. The upper valve is concave, and the lower valve is flatter. They vary in size, up to a couple of inches wide; most that I see are no more than an inch wide.

Sometimes they are used to make jewelry, wind chimes, strung together to make wind chime curtains, or many other craft items. Just recently, I saw them thrown at a beach wedding instead of rice. The colors vary from shades of white, yellow, and black.

Other names for the Jingle Shells are 'Mermaid's Toenails', and 'Saddle Oyster'.

Simple Project

This is a very simple and inexpensive project to use a few of your treasured seashells and some sea glass if you have it available. Hurricane candle holders or something of that type can be found at Wal-Mart or at a craft store for just a few dollars.

Hold the container upside down and either dip it in glue or put glue around the edge of the opening. Then dip it in sand.
Put a little sand inside and on the bottom of your glass container.
Place a candle in the center.
Drop a few seashells and sea glass on the sand.
Tie a ribbon around the top.
You could add some other type of decoration to the outside if you want. Like artificial flowers or glue a seashell on the ribbon.

Kitten Paws

Even though they seem to be everywhere on the beach, these little shells always get my attention. I find myself picking up a few, every now and then, just because. After looking around at the other shells I have in containers and such, I realize that I've failed to display any kitten's paws. So....I remedied that today. I placed each little kitten paw, one by one, into a glass sugar bowl. Now they have their own special place.

Sea Shell Wreath

A very pretty wreath that belongs to a friend of mine, shows how simple it would be to use a few of your sea shells to decorate your home.

Do you need ideas?

This is not something I have tried yet. But, I so admire the talent it takes to put these flowers together. I think they are very pretty. This little flower basket belongs to a friend. I believe it was purchased at The Shell Net at Bailey's Shopping Center, which is not in business anymore. Bailey's Hardware now carries some of the same items.

There are also similar crafts made by Sanibel Shell Crafters. They have their shell crafts on display at the Sanibel Community Center on Periwinkle and at the annual Shell Fair held in March. I believe the Community Center is open to visitors on Mondays from 10 - 2 in the North room. Phone # 239-472-2155.