Seashell Decorated Mirror

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!

Flower Mirror

_____________________________________

Recent Posts ...

Summer Sunsets

Summer Vacation

Cherry Blossoms

Travel Memories

_____________________________________ 

If you enjoy Creative Projects you might also like:

Rock Window

Heart Window

Glass Flowers

Fused Glass

Autumn Wreath

Oak Leaf Print

Glass Leaf

Mosaics

Mosaic Birdhouse

Mosaic Birds

Bowling Ball

Button Pumpkin

Spring Album

Flower Mirror

Spring Gift Tags

Mixed Media 2

Mixed Media 3

Batik Star Quilt

Circle Quilt

Heart Quilt Top

_____________________________________

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

A Collection of Seashells

Wisconsin is pretty far from both oceans, so it might be surprising that a lifelong Midwestern resident would end up collecting seashells.  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. 


If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Butterfly pin

Holly pins

Elves Chasm

Chicago Garden

 







I am linking up to these memes:

Boogie Board: Masterpiece Mon 124 (Entry 46 of 124.)
Under the Table: Sunday Showcase 195 (Entry 133 of 305.)
The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sun 152 (Entry 91 of 97.)
I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop 80 (Entry 444 of 507.)
Homemaker: Creative bloggers 111 (Entry 68)
Making the World Cuter (Entry 10 of 148.)
Uncommon Design: Monday Funday (Entry 267 of 579.)
Dwellings: Amaze Me Mon 7 (Entry 43 of 63.)
Rain on a Tin Roof: Give Me the Goods 9 (Entry 9 of 185.) 
Mod Vintage: Mod Mix Mon 102 (Entry 5 of 67.)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 226 (Entry 39 of 190.) *
Serendipity and Spice: Manic Mon 429 (Entry x)
Hickory Trail: Assets and Efforts (Entry 168) 
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tue 164 (Entry 74 of 257.)

Dedicted House: Make it Pretty Monday 50 (Entry 130 of 277.)

* Stroll Life: Inspire Me Tues 165 (Entry 110 of 210.)
Knick of Time: Knick of Time Tue 87 (Entry 37 of ?)
Cedarhill Ranch: The Sun Scoop 67 (Entry 14 of 332.)
Uncommon Slice: Tue Treasures 135  (Entry 141 of 248x) 

Diamond: Time to Shine 117 (Entry 56 of 147.)
Cozy House: Tweak it Tue 41 (Entry 95)

Lavender Garden: Cottage Style 45 (Entry 24 of 37.)
Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed 119 (Entry 110 of 354.) h *
Trendy Tree: Creative Share Wed (Entry 37)
Handy: Wicked Awesome Wed 111 (Entry 2 of 96.)  
Family Home: Wow us Wed 11 (Entry 73 of 95.)
Katherine: Thurs Favorite Things 89 (Entry 79)
Ivy and Elephants: Whats it Wed 75 (Entry 7 of 47.) 
Someday Crafts: Whatever Goes Wed 171 (Entry 4 of 415.)
Southern Lovely: Show Share 93 (Entry 2 of 274.)
Jan Olson: Share your Cup of Tea Thur 59 (Entry 27) 
Girlish Whims: Your Whims Wed 112 (Entry 118) 
No Minimalist Here: Open House (Entry 42)
Snap Creativity: Show and Tell (Entry 37)
Creative Princess: Its a Party 107 (Entry 72)
A Delight: Home and Garden Thur 25 (Entry 30)
Shabby Chic: Transformation Thur 205, (Entry 203) *
House of Hepworths: Hooking Up 149 (Entry 67)
Glimpse inside: Catch a Glimpse 132 (Entry 25)

Brambleberry Cottage: Time Travel Thur (Entry 31)
Col Lady: Vintage Thingies Thur (Entry 8) 
Shabby Chic: Transformation Thur 205, (Entry 203) *

Domesblissity: Thriving on Thurs 68 (Entry 66) 
Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home (Entry 62)
Thrifty Grove: Thrifty Things Fri 110 (Entry 18)

French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 94)
* Common Ground: Vint Inspiration 141 (Entry 6 of 230.)
* Romantic Home: Show and Tell (Entry 69) *
Chic: Flaunt it Friday 155 (Entry 82)

Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday (Entry 115)
Tatertots: Weekend Wrap Up (Entry 286) 
Snap: Show and Tell (Entry 182)
Jen Rizzo: Fabulous Friday (Entry 87) 
Maleviks Rose: Saturday Show Off (Entry 28)  
Funky Junk: Sat Night Special 188 (Entry 69) *

Be Diff: Show and Tell Sat (Entry 261)

Natasha in Oz: Say G'day Sat 69 (Entry 27)

Twigg Studios: Sun Showoff 25 (Entry 31)

Boogie Board: Masterpiece Mon 125 (Entry 8 of 109.) h
Our Beautiful World: Week 67 Undersea (Entry 4)

The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sun 153 (Entry 20)
I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop 81 (Entry 107)

This post was featured at Ivy and Elephants

117884