Loads of Buttercups

I finally got around to sorting those shells, and what a massive pile it was.

I figured I had at least 100 Buttercups. I was waaaaaaaaaaay off!

How about over 100 off....

Like, um.....287 Buttercups. I counted twice! That doesn't include the really bad broken ones that I tossed in a flower pot, either.

I also have a bunch of  different types of Tellins, including Atlantic Tellins. They are a really cool shell. Really thin, and it looks bent. I didn't get any pics of them....so you will see them in something I've made one of these days. One of the Atlantic Tellins is a bit thicker than normal, or normal from what I've seen, and will make a nice necklace.

You may remember seeing the exoskeleton of a horseshoe crab a couple of posts ago. Hubby found the lil guy on Caladesi, and the birds had picked him clean. A bunch of sand and junk had washed up into his cavity, and started coming out while I was washing him.

 .....along with this little cutie!

 Isn't it darling?!

I'm just glad to have the first 3 cleanings finished!

My awesome piece of coral!

These Olive shells are HUGE!

Love these little Whelks and this small Banded Tulip!

I've been watching too much American Pickers....I started calling my mini shells my "smalls". Hahaa!

 The really tiny shells totally fascinate me!

Coastal towns use shells and shell crush in place of mulch. I caught this olive out of the corner of my eye walking through the parking lot after dinner one night.

It's a little beat up, but still has some shine to it.

I have been working on some of those projects I have been wanting to finish. It gives me a great sense of accomplishment to be checking them off my list.

I had a custom order recently to create a necklace. It was fun, and I love doing custom orders!

I also had my first International order!!!! I've sent to Canada before, but that's still in North America. I've sent to Hawaii a few times also, but that is part of the United States regardless of the fact that it's across the Pacific. This time I sent something to SPAIN!!!! Del's Shells goes global! WooHoo!

Now, back to those projects!

Sweet Regrets

Ah yes, those sweet regrets!

I have been so engaged in an assortment of activities that I do have some regrets.

I regret that I haven't had time to sort my shells yet. (and it has been raining daily!!)

excuse the backyard, the dogs have had a heyday out there

I am so curious as to how many buttercups are in these piles.

I like rocks, too!

I also regret that I haven't had a chance to reorganize my work space. But you aren't going to see that!

I regret not being able to work on my shops, too.

The sweet part is... dom ta da dom!
I've been working on some custom orders!

And I did do a little playing over the weekend.....

can tab glued to driftwood to make a hanger

 I saw this on Pinterest! using pop tabs as hangers! Okay these are Shae's energy drink tabs, and actual pop tabs have 2 holes and can be screwed on. The original poster of this grand idea was
http://blog.makezine.com/2011/01/19/make-projects-hang-a-picture-from/

This is a piece of Mangrove driftwood!
I apologize for the poor photo quality. It has been dreary out for days, and with UV 90 Shade Screen on my windows the lighting in my house is poor at best.

I also kiped/kyped some shells from my new pile.
Not many, just three.
That's my next post!

I have several new pieces to list, and I'm dieing to show you, but I still need pictures.

Aarrgghhh the madness lol!

At least the madness is fun!

Seashore Treasures

My idea of treasure can be a beautiful and perfect shell, or an old time worn chunk of one. I pick up many bits and pieces because I like the color, the shape, and/or the texture.
When I returned home last weekend from Caladesi Island, I tossed (gently) my shells onto the table in the Florida Room, to be cleaned another day.

There's little bits of everything in there, some coral, a little piece of wood, even some pieces of sponges. I like to put those out by the fish pond.

After soaking and cleaning my sea treasures, I laid them out to dry on a towel, on the hot tub, beneath the sky light.

 Some bits, some pieces, and some whole shells.

This giant Atlantic cockle is going in my bathroom. I have a few of them in there.

But this beautiful Lightening Whelk will be on display for everyone to see.

So pretty! I know hubby was the first to see it laying there between the rocks, and left it there for me to find...although he says he has no idea what I'm talking about. Yeah right, un huh.
He's such a sweetie!

A Fall Seashell Garland

I have been wanting to make a banner, or a garland, for a looooong time. I see them everywhere, and they are usually made of fabric, or paper. My daughter Laci crocheted some banners! Well, I finally got around to making my own, and it was inspired by the lovely fall weather.


It was really easy, and I'm sure you are wondering what this has to do with seashells. Let me show you!

I started with this ball of hemp, and measured a length of it to my front window. I added 4 more lengths of hemp to the first measured strand. Take the 5 strands, and get them even. Tie a knot in the center, and then tie a knot every 6-8 inches, or where ever you'd like your pretties to be.

I bought 2 packages of plain fall leaves from Walmart for $1 each, one with glitter, and one without. I hot glued the top center of two leaves together, with the leaves slightly off center from each other, added a little hemp bow, and glued a periwinkle shell on top of the bow. I repeated this many times...with the glittered leaves, and attached them to the knots with hot glue.

It is exactly what I was dreaming of, and I love it! I did measure it for the front window, but haven't finished my window treatments YET.

Now for the leaves without glitter.... take one leaf, glue a hemp bow on, and a seashell. Hot glue this to a few pieces of hemp long enough to tie around a cloth napkin....see where I'm going with this?!

So simple, so pretty....and so ME! I think it's perfect for a Florida Thanksgiving!

I'm working on one for Christmas next!

Are you doing handmade crafts for the holidays?

Have fun, and have a beachy day!

Del