Shell Collecting
posted October 29, 2009 - 8:27amFlorida’s sandy beaches are famous throughout the world. Visitors to Florida usually take note of the different color and consistencies of the sand here. In central Florida, we have two types, pure white made from quartz and gypsum and brown sand made mainly from crushed shell material. Small shells abound on our sun swept beaches and larger ones have begun to show up due to the recent storms.
For centuries people have marveled at the beauty of shells and have found many uses for them. The earliest settlers of Florida, the Spanish used coquina rock as building material. Coquina rock is a buff-colored limestone, which has a main component of small mollusk, donax variabilis, commonly called the coquina clam. Coquina in Spanish means shell or shell-life and the Spanish found that when they exposed it to air, it hardened and could be cut into blocks. Castillo de San Marcos, the fort in St. Augustine is a fine example of this use of coquina.
Collecting shells has been popular since ancient times. People appreciate shells in different ways, like consuming their contents as a food source; trading them as currency; making jewelry and decorations and using them as tools or vessels. These practical applications have evolved into decorative sophistication and include exhibiting shells in curio cabinets and using them to adorn rooms.
Beachcombers have their pick of shells in full view along the high water mark, but another place to look is the lip of sand a few inches deep, where the surf breaks. Many shells continue to tumble there never making it to the beach. Collectors wade or snorkel along the surf line to sift through the shells. Folks, who enjoy walking along the beach, picking up shells, can learn about cleaning and protecting them in a number of publications. Basically for a clean start, remove the remains of the last tenant and wash shells in warm soapy water. Leave the shells to dry thoroughly. The whole family can enjoy collecting shells. Some enjoy looking over collections of shells displayed at shell shows. Shows often combine self-collected shells and those that were collected through dealers, trades or trips abroad etc.
The first shell collector’s club was organized in the Netherlands in 1720, to study and develop an appreciation of shells and these clubs continue to flourish today around the world. Young and old collectors still gather shells and these treasures from the sea continue to inspire artists, scientists and architects.
Pure white shells we find at the beach in central Florida were once coated with a black mossy substance and after tumbling in the surf have become pure white. These are called ponderous Arks, which are a type of clam.
Many people who happen to find a large conch shell either on the beach or in a shop often hold the shell to their ear to hear the sound of the roaring sea. This happens when the shell contains a column of air which slight breezes and low background noises cause to resonate. The shell acts as a sound box like those of a violin or guitar and amplifies the background noise. If there is no air current, you hear very little.
Have you ever been fortunate to find a sand dollar? These interesting and beautiful creatures are mostly a hard shell called test. Live sand dollars are sturdy but dead ones are soft and easily fall to pieces in your hand. Shell shops cure them in a special manner, making them strong and collectible. The sand dollar has been used as religious symbols and one legend even says that through the shell’s markings, it tells the story of Christ. Inside the sand dollar are five little pieces, which in the legend are called doves of peace.
Another great find on Florida’s beaches is the starfish or sea star a name preferred by scientists, because the starfish isn’t related to the fish at all. It’s very hard to find a perfect specimen of these little creatures because as you touch it a leg will drop off. Predators, which harass the starfish, settle for the easy meal and the starfish escapes to grow a new leg. This ability to regenerate limbs has interest scientists as they research ways to repair the human body.
Shellwork was a very popular and fashionable pastime in the 18th century and today the whole family can enjoy creating useful things from shells.
Two young girls have created an awesome pencil holder from shells, air hardening clay and recycled plastic containers. First they washed and dried the container and shells. They wrapped the container with clay, about 3/8” thick. Then the two had fun choosing their shells, which they pressed into the wet clay. The container was left to dry and if any shells fell out they used glue to put them back. An adult brushed gloss medium over the clay and shells to seal the project and let it dry.
Sally Pillittieri sells seashells by the seashore. She owns the “Seaside Shoppe” in Flagler Beach. Sally crafts candles, wreaths and decorates mirrors using shells. She collects shells native to our area and gives them away to tourists visiting her shop and keeps a wide variety of other seashells for sale.
Fine Art in Crafted Shells
Kathy Bailey moved to Florida from Louisville, Kentucky in 2000. Each morning she would get up at 5 a.m. to walk on the beach and each day she would carry home a large bag of shells. The bags turned into buckets of shells getting in the way. Kathy said, “I really got started one day sitting and starring at all of these shells and an idea popped into my head. I began to make souvenirs and sold them at flea markets and craft shows.” When Kathy arrived in Florida she couldn’t find any cute or funny shell items made in Florida to send back to her grandchildren. So she began making turtles and people etc. Kathy tired of loading the car each weekend and decided to take the next step. She said, “I walked into a shop in Flagler Beach, spoke to the owner, who loved the fine detail in my work and encouraged me to create larger more decorative pieces.” For several years Kathy has made chandeliers, Christmas ornaments, candelabras, lamps, clock and more. These make great seashell gifts, as well as seashell home decor. “I continue to make more one of a kind pieces and enjoy it more everyday,” Kathy said.
Whimsical Shell Craft
Louis Ruiz found his way to Flagler County strictly by accident. While driving through Flagler Beach on his way to visit a relative in Tampa, his car broke down right in the front of the Flagler Beach Pier. “It was a happy accident and I’ve been here ever since. I was looking for a peaceful place to live. I feel very happy here, it was what I was looking for and I found a beautiful lady that I had asked God for and we will be getting married on Flagler Beach where we met,” Louis said. After collecting a variety of shells on the beach in Flagler, Louis realized he could use his crafting background to create pieces of art. Locals and tourists who pass the display at the beach admire his whimsical scenes, which he crafts along with his fiancée Donna Stenson. Louis and Donna also exhibit at craft shows.
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Comments
Thanks very much for your comments!
I hope you enjoy your trip to the Keys and find what you are looking for.
Dollsandart
Florida Shells
Great article. I'm looking forward to a trip to the Keys this winter. I hope there are some opportunities for beachcombing down there as well.
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Thanks very much!
For you comments! Yes, the candle holders were just wonderful to look at. The whole livingroom in that women's home was filled with such creative work, all from shells! The two little girls made lovely projects for their dad's gifts and had a great time doing it.
Dollsandart
Sea Shells
A wonderful and informative article! I really miss the sea shells being so far away from the seacoast now. The projects you describe are lovely. Those candle holders look amazing and so intricate! Thanks for another great article!
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Thanks you!
For your comments. The article was a pleasure to both plan and write. I met several really interesting people and two delightful young ladies help bring the project together.
Dollsandart
Beautiful pieces...
and very informative and well written article. A pleasure to read. Thank you.
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