Found something to do with shells saved for 40 years ...

14 years ago

I finally found something to do with the shells my kids picked up along the Pt. Aranasas beach and I've been saving for over 40 years! I had asked my 'personal shopper' ;-) Patty to watch for an inexpensive mirror for another project which has since been completed, and she found this one; a plate glass mirror with a chipped corner at a thrift shop for $5.00. This find led to a whole new project -- a make over of the wall of our small covered patio.

First I just had Bob attach it to the brick wall. Only then did I think of the shells :-( So Bob made a frame from pieces of old cedar fencing (he is such a patient and long suffering guy) and I glued on the shells with clear calking. Then he attached the shell frame to the wall. The screws were covered with a shell or two. Voila! It was a lot of fun doing it.

Pots and other stuff I already had were arranged around and below the mirror. Patty brought a few plants from her endless supply to put in the pots. The mirror lightens up the patio and adds another dimension to it. Left over shells are in the big glass jar. By the way Patty made the green board with little turtle hangers. What talent! Whatcha' think?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

carrie751
14 years ago
What talent, indeed !!! Just beautiful, Roselee....... I should have that much talent AND patience.
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks Carrie, but I don't really have much talent nor do I have patience. I just sort of slap things together. If I can do it anybody can. To show that is why I post pictures of some of the garden stuff I do. If you look closely you'll see that the big shells were lined up first and then small shells glued in between. Bob does the hard work like the drilling holes in the brick -- although I could do that if I had to. Don't tell him though ;-)

I have to laugh when I remember how my Mom said I was just like my Grandmother; "always outside beatin' and bangin' around on something" :-)
Related Professionals
Pensacola Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Dalton Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Memphis Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Dallas Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Morgantown Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Kenosha Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Coeur d'Alene Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Elkton Landscape Contractors · Westminster Landscape Contractors · Sioux City Landscape Contractors · Fort Wayne Landscape Contractors · Cowansville Landscape Contractors · Shreveport Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Stockton Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Coeur d'Alene Stone, Pavers & Concrete
Lynn Marie
14 years ago
Makes me wish I had a brick wall in my back yard! Are those real butterflies???
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
Original Author
14 years ago
Lynmarie, thanks for looking. The butterflies are made out of feathers of all things. They are painted/printed VERY realistically. I got them at a thrift store in Lakehills, but they probably sell them in craft stores.
PKponder TX Z7B
14 years ago
That vignette is so cute! I love the board for hanging trinkets! I'm always looking for places to hang pretties! I like the pillars and their displays too. What a unique sand dollar plaque...did you make that too? I have a real fondness for sand dollars :-)

Jeff build a picture frame to commemorate our Port Aransas trips with sea shells glued to the frame. We swap out favorite pictures occasionally.
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
Original Author
14 years ago
Pam, I'm glad you like it. The only thing I made was mirror frame and the largest square pot when Shirley had us over to try our hand at hypertufa.
beachplant
14 years ago
I love mirrors in the garden. You inspired me to get off my posterior and drag out the mirror I have been putting off doing anything with. Got grout at Home depot today and tomorrow I start making it mosaic.

It was great to meet you and Bob,we had a great time. See ya`ll in the spring.
Tally HO!