In looking over some of my old numbers of Martha Stewart Living, I found a great article on making Seashell Valentines in the February 2003 issue so went to check her website and found one of the valentines there. There were more ideas in the magazine itself so if you like the example in the link below, you could always borrow the magazine from your local library.

Seashell Valentines (it took a while for the page to load so you might have to be patient)

Sanibel Island, near Fort Myers, Florida is famous for the huge number of shells to be found there. And with so many shells, naturally there is plenty of inspiration for shell crafts. So every year there is a shell fair with a competition.

Here is a nice video on Martha Stewart Living showing some of the shell fair prize winners from 2008.

An astonishing number of people make a hobby of shellcraft, the art of combining sea shells in an endless series of patterns for ornamentation and decoration.

Some of these products are fashioned into souvenirs in coastal cities. They are sold in vast numbers to tourists, and present an astonishing range of taste.

Other shellcraft ornaments are made in homes by workers who conduct something like a cottage industry, selling earrings, plaques, or ash trays to local distributors, such as gift shops.

Many carry on shellcraft just for the fun of it, using their hobby as an outlet for their decorative or creative urges.

Shellcraft is also used by school teachers in programs which require handwork, and by camp counsellors, who find that shells have an outdoor, nature significance, very appropriate for a camp program.

Some therapists have found shellcraft very helpful in their work with the handicapped or with convalescents.

Beginners in shellcraft usually work, at first, with some set of simple examples or patterns which have been prepared by others. To do this they usually turn to books of explanation and direction, which are the best form of aid in this kind of work.

Here are some popular Shellcraft Books that have loads of ideas and inspiration.

Image courtesy of Flickr.

Sea shell candles are easy, fast, and fun to make! Here's a link to a description of exactly how to do it.

How to Make a Seashell Candle