Sunday, May 19, 2013

A Collection of Shells

Sea shells

Wisconsin is pretty far from both oceans, so it might be surprising that a lifelong Midwestern resident would end up collecting shells.  Especially since I have only been to the ocean perhaps four times in the last 20 years.  However, I am drawn to most natural objects, (flowers, rocks, plants, etc.) and since I don't have shells nearby perhaps it makes sense that I would collect them.  (Does that make sense?)

Sea shells and star fish

How does one collect shells far from the shores of any salt water body?  You might laugh when I tell you rummage sales.  But over the years, at estate and rummage sales I have been purchasing shells I like as I find them.  I thinks it's a hysterical way to collect shells, actually.  I also have found a couple of beautiful shell books.

Sea shells vignette

I made a little shell arrangement in my guest bathroom with some of my finds, along with a silver faux coral decoration I found at a decorator store.

At one rummage sale I found the glass globe below, which was dusty and full of shells.  I took the shells out, washed both the globe and shells, and arranged some of favorite shells back into the globe.  I think it looks like a bubble, kind of seashore appropriate.  


Sea shells vignette with glass globe 

When I was growing up, I have good memories of the handful of times I got to both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and I remember looking for shells on Sanibel Island in Florida.  When I was in high school I became a certified diver and had some fantastic diving vacations.  And then - children.  They have been to the ocean once, for one day.  They preferred the hotel pool, and didn't like the salty taste of the water.  They are teenagers now.  I hope it's not too late to give them a love for the oceans and shells...

Click on the images to see them larger. 


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This post was featured at Ivy and Elephants

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29 comments:

Ivy, Phyllis and Me! said...

Good Morning Jeanne, What a marvellous way to collect shells when you live so far from the sea.
I love how you have arranged them in your glass bowl. Like you I love the different textures.
As a child I lived by the sea and I used to love running in and out of the shallow water.... these days I stroll into the water!
Best Wishes
Daphne

free style creating by Villy said...

these shells are adorable!!!i love them!

angela hodges abode said...

I love a mixture of shells. Makes for such good decorating :) Thanks for linking up at Assets and Efforts on HickoryTrail

Angela

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

I love seashell collections no matter where we live!
Have you seen pottery barns catalog collection of shells.
Yours are pretty😊

Hugs
Sissie

Jeannie and Linda said...

Hi Jeanne, Your shells are so pretty, and not a bad collection for living so far from the ocean. I grew up near the ocean, and I've always collected shells, I really love them, there is nothing prettier in nature than a beautiful shell. I also went to Sanibel, but no luck with anything but little shells. Good luck with the collecting.
Jeannie

Gina @ VictorianWannaBe said...

Hi, I saw your post over at Cindy's at Dwellings. Your seashell photos are wonderful! I especially like the shells in that glass globe. I too, love seashells and have always collected them, I live no where near an ocean and have only been to the beach 4 times! I did a seashell post last year with my antique shell boxes, etc. If you are interested in seeing it let me know and I'll send you the link. Have a great evening! Gina

Jeanne said...

Sissie - I'm going to look for the pottery barn shell collection.

GinaBVictorian, I would love to see your shell post, can you list it here?

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

You have some beautiful shells and they look so nice the way you have them arranged. I live in Florida and collect shells! It is one of my passions! I love the big Lion's paw in your first photo! I hope you'll visit me...you'll see some seashells! Hugs!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Love all of your beautiful shells and the coral. Beautiful vignette. Thanks tons for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

curiositaellya said...

I guess I am not the only one who loves and crazy about sea shells....They are really pretty creatures!! And I collecting them too!
Thanks for sharing.

Ellya

Michele said...

That is truly a charming arrangement in your guest bathroom. I love shells, too, and wish you good luck finding more at rummage sales and elsewhere.

Unknown said...

Looks great, the round bowl is a very cute effect. I inherited some shells from my great-grandmother's world travels. She even found a conch shell on the beach, what a find!
I would love for you to share this post at our Photog Show and Tell.

http://www.whistleandivy.com/2013/05/photo-show-and-tell-3.html

Have a great day :)

Liz @ Quirky Vistas said...

I live in Florida, but it's hard to find pretty shells on our beaches here in the Southeast. I'd say finding them at yard sales is a great way to do it, esp. if you live far from the ocean. We also have a seashell store here with loads of cool ones. I love the pinky colored ones. So pretty!
Liz

Jenna said...

Beautiful collection and beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing at Give Me The Goods Monday! Can't wait to see what you bring next week! Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof

The Widlerness Wife said...

I love walking along the coastal shores of Maine. You never know what you are going to find - shells, sea glass, driftwood - all kinds of wonderful treasures. I have a lot of them tucked away in boxes but you given me some ideas to use to display them! Nice photos! I would love to have you share this recipe at my Linky Party! Wicked Good Wednesday at The Wilderness Wife Blog - http://www.wildernesswife.com/its-wicked-good-wednesday-in-maine/

Eclectic Red Barn said...

Your shell vignette is so beautiful. I love sea shells and enjoy collecting them. We live near the beach, so we are always bringing some home with us.
I am your newest GFC.
Have a wonderful week,
Bev
@ Eclectic Red Barn

LV said...

It was always fun to find a shell. Try to listen to the different sounds when you put them to your ear. Some of them are very pretty.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I love shells and also find many of the larger ones at yards sales. I love the bubble full of shells. Great display and I think it's awesome to collect when you are so far from the ocean! Thanks for joining Diann and I at TTF.

Linda

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

Love your collection of shells! I have a dish full that my hubby and I collected on a beach trip a few years ago. I think of the trip every time I see them.
Thanks so much for sharing at Amaze Me Monday!
Blessings,
Cindy

Katherines Corner said...

a wonderful collection! Thank you for sharing at the hop! xo

The Tablescaper said...

Gorgeous collection.

Thank you for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

- The Tablescaper

Sarah said...

Well, I say if that's the only source for sea shells inland then great going. You've managed to collect some lovely ones. I grew up on the Gulf coast, but not so many pretty shells on the TX coast to be found as one walks the beach. Like you, I like to collect organic things from nature.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

You have an amazing collection and I love how you displayed them. I think it's fun that you love shells. Just seeing them will take you to thoughts of the ocean. Definitely gives a soothing and relaxing feeling. I have seen shells at thrift stores now and then. Great way to collect them.
hugs,
Jann

Anonymous said...

Seems even more natural for you to collect shells while being so far from the ocean, that way you have something to remember it by. I love the bubble effect of that bowl. Thanks for sharing with us over at Photog Show and Tell.

Ivy and Elephants said...

Loved your gorgeous photos! Thank you for linking and sharing it with us, it is a feature this week. Please stop by and grab a featured button!
Hugs,
Patti

Kathy said...

Beautiful shell collection. I'll be going to the beach next month - I hope to find some of these beauties! I appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursay,
Kathy

Robyn Oliver said...

Hi Jeanne, thanks for sharing your beautiful shell collection with Our Beautiful World, loved reading how your collected them, they fascinate me too. Cheers Robyn

Ros Crawford said...

What a gorgeous display and such a wonderful collection!! Can't believe you would find things like this in a rummage sale ... Thanks so much for sharing with us at OBW!!

Louisette said...

Very lovely col lection, , from Belgium, have a nice sunday