A Collection of 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?)



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.



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.  

 

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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