My
love for seashells started a long time ago, on some faraway beach during a barely remembered childhood vacation.
|
| Image 1: Detail of sea shells on mirror |
On vacation, I searched for pretty shells. In grade school I remember
trading for seashells. In a middle school science class, a unit on seashells was a
favorite. In high school a scuba diving trip cemented my
love for the sea. And as an adult I added to my shell collection, often at
estate and rummage sales.
|
| Image 2: Seashell Decorated Mirror by Jeanne Selep |
To celebrate my love of shells and display some of my collection, I recently created my seashell decorated mirror using an upcycled mirror.
|
| Image 3: Seashell Mirror Bottom Edge Detail |
This mirror showcases much of what I love about seashells - the shapes, colors, textures and patterns.
Shapes of shells especially intrigue me - the whimsical swirls and curls and fan shapes seem far removed from land based natural shapes like leaves and petals, or the geometric shapes of the modern world. (And seashell shapes seem to have nothing to do with geometric solids from math class!)
|
| Image 4: Seashell Mirror Left corner detail |
In the middle school science unit we classified seashells: univalves and bivalves, cowries, cones, conchs, whelks, starfish, urchins, scallops, clams, coquinas - each word conjures up shapes in my mind.
It's been a long time since seashells
have had much relevance in my life. With this project I returned to a less hectic time where picking up seashells on a salty beach was fun and important.
|
| Image 5: Seashell Mirror |
Laying
out and arranging the seashells on the mirror seemed to take forever - picking out which shells to use, trying to create some sort of "balance" with the colors and shapes. I felt I was reliving my childhood shell collecting.
I
attached the seashells using my favorite "mosaic" glue - clear silicon
caulk.
I didn't use my favorite seashell, though.
|
| Image 6: Venus Comb Murex Seashell (murex pectin Lightfoot) |
By far, my favorite
type of seashell is the beloved Murex, (and there are some in the mirror frame). My "best" seashell is the Comb of Venus (or Venus Comb, or murex pectin Lightfoot) that I bought years ago from a decorating vendor. I love the whimsy of the name Comb of Venus.
|
| Image 7: "Comb of Venus" Murex seashell on a shell book |
I'll end this post but not before pointing out Nature's colorway for seashells - creamy whites, ivories and and grays, browns and oranges, pinks and salmon and yellows, and occasionally lavender and
red.
The colors blend with perfection.
|
|
| Image 8: Seashell Mirror by Jeanne Selep |
I hope your summer (or winter in the Southern hemisphere) is full of wonder and beauty!
*Notes:
Taking pictures of this mirror was an absolute pain! I used backdrop paper and ended up having the mirror reflect my ceiling. Then I used photoshop's lens correction advanced tab to transform the vertical perspective. And then more work to straighten the tilt.
How to assemble: Collect shells, clean if needed. Find a nice framed mirror with a "wide enough frame". (I prefer beveled mirrors.) Arrange shells on mirror, attach shells using clear silicon caulk as the glue. Hang on wall!
Click on the images to see them enlarged!
I blog for fun and my blog is ad free. Comments encourage me, and I
sometimes need encouragement. Please leave a comment if you have time!
Anonymous comment are welcome!
_____________________________________
Here is another mirror I created!
_____________________________________
Recent Posts ...
_____________________________________
If you enjoy Creative Projects you might also like:
_____________________________________
I am linking up to these parties:
Sum of their stories: Handmade Mon 434 (Entry 10x of 87x.)
Lisa Howeler: Weekend Traffic Jam Thur (Entry 57 of ***)
Rachel Swirl: Sunday Snapshot (Entry 7 of 8.)
Mostly blogging: Inspire me 526 (Entry 2 of 58.)
Good Random Fun: Good Fun Mon 4a (m Entry 23 of 30.)
*BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 6a (s Entry 6x of 23x.)
Holly pinklady: Hello Mon (l Entry 17 of 26.)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party 591 (l Entry 7 of 41.)
Keeping it Real: Party 474 (Entry 9 of 30.)
Kristin at Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me Mon 334 (m Entry 13 of 82.)
Karins Kottage: Linky Party (Entry the Party is over.)
Image-in-ing: Weekly link Ukraine (Entry 8 of 36.)
Nicholasjv: Travel Tuesday 508 (Entry 10 of 14.)
Jenerally informed: Happy-now Link-up 488 (m Entry 28 of 52.)
My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About (s Entry 18r of 95r.) I was featured here!
Stonecottageadventures: Tues with a twist 640 (l Entry 30 of 36.)
Stonecottageadventures: You're the star (l Entry ??)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 646 (l Entry 19x of 92x.)
Studio27 - Jennifer: Wed Studio 28 (Entry 7 of 28.)
Eclectic Red Barn: Wonderful Wed (Entry 5r of 86r.)
Grandmas house: Grandmas house 463 (m Entry 25 of 52.)
Artsy mama: Artsy Party Wed 10a (Entry 11 of 87gone.)
Fifth Sparrow No More: Whimsy Home 145 (Entry 4r of 84r.)
Our Hopeful Home: Vintage Charm 501 (m Entry 6 of 91.)
Simple Life Mom: Homestead Blog Hop 559 (Entry 8 of 77.)
Pennys Passion: Thinking out Loud Thur (Entry 1 of 90.)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style 467 (Entry 12 of 24.)
Try It Like It: Creatively Crafty 405 (Entry 13 of 35.)
KatherinesCorner: Th Fav Things 10a (Entry 37 of 108.)
Also Follow the yellow brick: TFT 10a (Entry 37 of 108.)
Its a small town life: Thankful Th 24 (Entry 1 of 13.)
Modern on Monticello: Home matters 541 (s Entry 9r of 103r.)
Answer is choco: BFF open house Thur (Entry 6 of 90.)
Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic Thur 552 (i Entry 5 of 113)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks 679 (L Entry 8 of 103.)
Countyroad 407: Farmhouse Fri 413 (Entry 4 of 98.)
Mumma b stylish: Linky Party (Entry 5 of 15.)
For the Love: Wed Party 373 (Entry 1 of 44.)
Momfessionals: Fri Favorites (Entry 25 of 43.)
* Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe (L Entry 14 of 53.) I was featured here!
Shabby Art boutique: Create-grow-gather 686 (L Entry x of 94x.)
Crazy Little Love Birds: Link party Fri (Entry 21 of 40.)
Funkyjunkinteriors: New Upcycle Ideas 790 (Entry 3 of 18.)
Pams Party: Dare to share Fri 11p (m Entry 5 of 93.) shell crafts
Huisvlijt: Huisvlijt Party Sun (Entry 11 of 27.)
Nixpixmix: Sunday Best 441 (l Entry 2 of 10.)
The house on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 260 (Entry 1 of 106.)
Life and Linda: Dishing it Digging it 320 (l Entry 7 of 90.)
A pinch of joy: Busy Sun 6p (l Entry 7 of 74)
Sew can do: Craftastic Mon Su (Entry 5 of 57.)
A Labour of Love: Happiness is Homemade 596 Sun a (Entry 15 of 111.)
Also Love my Mess: Happiness is homemade 596 (Entry 15 of 111.)
Esmesalon: Salon Pit Stop 372 (Entry 48 of 168.)
Pienilintu Finland: Wed around the World (16 of 16. gone)
Life tales books: Will blog for Comments Mon (9 of bi-week gone.)
My Random: Anything Goes 453 (Entry 30 of 42.)
Grace filled moments: Sweet Tea Oct (monthly Entry 131 of 201.)
April Harris: Hearth and Soul Sun 10p (Monthly 19 of 167.)
792828
