Sanibel Island Treasures...................

We just got back from 6 days on Sanibel Island,and I thought I'd share how I am going to display some of the shells I found.
This first is just an old white plate,with a candle I got on clearance(who doesn't love clearance items?).

In all reality,I got the idea from Sarah at ABeachCottage.Check out her blog,if you want to see some great ideas for displaying beach treasures.She's amazing!

The next one is of a tall jar that sits on our fireplace hearth.Of all the beach treasures I find.Not necessarily shells,mind you.Just the flotsam I find on the beach that appeals to me,and reminds me of where I have been.

All of the sea urchins I found,this trip(12,I think),have joined others in an antique wooden bowl that sits on the sideboard in our dining room.

Anf there you have it.........Just how we display our beach stuff.......

A Sanibel Bench

I finally realized that I have never posted a picture of the bench that sits in our front entry.
Sooooo,here it is-------
These are close-ups of the paintings that are on the seat.The first is a painting of the sand dollars,Michael,the Elder,found when he joined me for a week on Sanibel,two years ago.I just placed them on the bench,traced around them,and painted away.

This is my salute to Gary and Tootie.Notice the orange scallops and pink tellon and coquina.

Sanibel Santa

I think this is may be one of the best things I have ever done.It 's what I think Santa would like if he took a shelling vacation to Sanibel Island,after the hectic days of the holiday season.
I originally made him when I was going thru a clay sculpting phase,and he was meant for Jon.He had held fishing gear,but now,he's holding a real jewel box shell with a pearl(it's fake) in it,and he has his golden shell bag,with mini "craft" shells.

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