On our brief trip to the West Coast, we visited the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum in Sanibel. They have a really amazing shell collection, and so much information on each one. Fortunately photos were permitted, so I got a few shots of some the pretty things that have been created using shells.
I thought his Victorian decorative screen was particularly beautiful.
Here is a gallery of some of the smaller artefacts. (Click to enlarge and see more detail.)
Disappointingly, there wasn’t anything I wanted to buy in the shop there, but on our way to Captiva, I saw a shop called ‘She Sells Sea Shells’, and bought this rather lovely Conch shell as a souvenir to take home.
There were quite a few of the exhibits I wouldn’t have minded bringing back with me as well, especially those Paua shell eggs. Which was your favourite?
Wow! That’s simply amazing! I think the second one is my favorite. It’s fantastic that it’s all sea shells. 😀
I agree with you, Inga. It’s really stunning shell art. 🙂
la fantasia e l’arte si manifestano in molti aspetti della vita, talvolta sono davvero molto originali
Very true, Annalisa. Some people are so artistically gifted and creative. 🙂
Well, that’s my project for when I’m in the Algarve sorted, Ad! They are absolutely gorgeous 🙂
That’s great, Jo. I hope you find lots of lovely shells to show us. 🙂
Such gorgeous works of art all! Thanks for sharing Sylvia.
So glad you enjoyed these, Madhu. 🙂
Oh my, I missed these creative artwork for we just drove by it 🙂 Thanks for sharing what I missed.
It would have been easy to miss. I’m really glad we stopped by and that you enjoyed the photos, Mona. 🙂
lovely creations, Sylvia! very colorful too! love your conch shell 🙂
It’s an amazing collection … That flower arrangement is fabulous. We were lucky to visit Sanibel some years back … I found the history interesting, shells as money tokens, or value as dowry. We were there when an elderly West African lady examined the exhibit of ‘dowry’ bags, and was explaining the custom to a young relative, maybe a great grand daughter – and her worth as a bride in shells. Living history, so far removed from our notion of wealth today.
Wow very creative Sylvia …Thanks for sharing this 🙂
My pleasure, Jake. Thanks for looking. 🙂
Beautiful table, beautiful design, and a clever idea for the use of shells. How original. Thanks for the inspiration, Sylvia.
Glad you enjoyed these, Marcy. It’s amazing what can be done, isn’t it? 🙂
I love the shell you bought ,,, the second photo of the mosaic … wow that is beautiful…
Thanks, bulldog. 🙂
So beautiful! Love the innovation!
Thank you so much. 🙂
This is so beautiful and so creative. Thank you dear AD, love, nia
Thanks, Nia. So happy you enjoyed. 🙂 xx
Thosr are stunning. Did you get any for Col to add to his collection? 😉
Thanks. No, I’ll let Col collect his own shells. 🙂
Yes the eggs! and my second choice is the box. What skilful people to create these, I wouldn’t have the patience. How big is your lovely conch shell?
You have good taste in shells, Gilly. My conch shell is about 9″ long and 7″ tall, depending on which way up it is. 🙂
🙂
my fav is the last one 0 the one you brought – like the pink 🙂
When you said ‘west coast’, I thought you had come out to my neighborhood, but alas it was just the Gulf Coast. 😦
Sorry to get your hopes up, Gunta. One day. 🙂
How beautiful! An art form in itself. I loved the flower arrangement!
Thanks, Tiny. There was a wealth of beautiful things to photograph there. 🙂
There is so much creativity in the world! What fun!
Yes, you’re right, Lisa. It’s great fun to search it out. 🙂
Almost hard to believe such beautiful mosaics could be made from shells. My fave is the first one Sylvia.
So much creativity and patience, Sue. The first one was a table top. I would give it house room. 🙂
The abalone covered ones are possibly my favourites, but I can admire the huge amount of work that has gone into some of the other items.
Mine too, Elaine. I’m happy you enjoyed the photos. 🙂
These are all lovely but those flowers- wow!
Thanks, Linda. 🙂
Wow! These are stunning. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Jill. Glad you enjoyed. 🙂
I have to agree with you about the Paua shell eggs but your conch is a beaut!
Thanks, Carol. Yes, I was quite happy with my consolation prize. 🙂
Wow, these are truly beautiful.
I remember as kids we decorated a few Maxwell House coffee jars with shells we got from
a beach in North Wales …. but not quite as posh as these – works of art.
Thanks, Ark. Yes, I think ‘posh’ describes them very well. 🙂
Reblogged this on Eu Vivo a Melhor Idade and commented:
QUE MARAVILHA! MUITO ESPECIAL!
Thanks so much, Sonia. 🙂
Beautiful!
Thank you, Stefan. 🙂
Wow they are beautiful and think how long it must take to make one !
Thanks, Kathryn. Yes, lots of skill and patience required. 🙂
Beautiful! How wonderful those shell arrangements!
Thanks, Ute. So glad you enjoyed seeing them. 🙂
Gorgeous all those shells in different form and color
Thanks, Marylou. 🙂
Now we all know what to do with our collections Sylvia ! I think I might be a few varieties missing to make a decorative table top … and I’m not sure about my carving skills on my conch shell find 😀
You always find such interesting places to tell us about … and lovely photos !
Thanks, Poppy. Glad you enjoyed the tour. I think I’ll leave my conch shell as it is. Safer that way. 🙂
We were just on Sanibel last week but didn’t stop at the shell museum. We went on the drive through the Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve, then had a piece of cake at the Bubble Room on Captiva. By the time we were driving back, we were really tired of the traffic and wanting to get home. Thanks for showing me what we missed. 🙂
We wanted to do the Ding Darling drive, but we went on Friday, and unfortunately, we found that’s the only day it’s closed to the public. 😦
Oh how lovely. Of all the years we have lived close to Sanibel, we haven’t been to the Bailey Shell Museum. Now, I must go. I think those eggs are priceless. To avoid the traffic, we usually take our boat over to Sanibel, around the bend from the lighthouse, anchor and swim. Collecting shells is a paradise there. So glad you shared this.
I’m so happy I’ve motivated you to visit the museum. It’s very interesting indeed. 🙂
Beautiful photos – it is interesting what a creative and talented hand can do with seemingly simple things.
Thanks so much. Yes, I really admire people who can make such beautiful things. 🙂
They are fine works of art and so pretty. Some of them look even better than real flowers. I think my favorite is the souvenir you bought – simple and lovely.
Thanks so much, YC. I’m very happy with my lovely shell. 🙂
Wow…
😀
Beautiful shells!!
Glad you enjoyed seeing them. 🙂
Stunning art.
Thank you. 🙂
That conch shell is beautiful. When we lived in a sticks and bricks home, I had a powder room accented with shells from San Diego. Hmm, I’m kind of missing it now. Creative ideas!
Thanks, Ingrid. I think my conch shell will end up in the main bathroom of our new house when it’s finished. 🙂
They are just lovely pieces. 🙂 What creativity! I loved looking up close in your photos and seeing the individual shells. The composites are beautiful, but to even have even one shell to sit on a shelf would be wonderful.
Thanks so much. I’m very pleased with my conch shell. It’s lovely. 🙂
How marvelously creative.
I agree with you, Cee. Some people are so gifted. 🙂