Karen, I am totally impressed that your DH picked up shells and a sand dollar for you! Hope you gave him a big ol' smooch for remembering! ;o)

That gal did a terrific job on her candleholders. Her's look just as good as the pricey originals.

I have a small box of shells sitting in my shed. Most were collected when we stayed at Myrtle Beach. Everytime I walked on the beach, I just couldn't help but fill a pocket or two! Out here, you seldom find nice shells. Either we don't have that many wash up or people collect them as fast as they do. The only thing I've used mine for are to go inside a glass jar or on that one tablescape I did a couple years ago with a beachy theme. Little GD sometimes likes to play with them too.

Luvs

Wow Karen...I was pretty impressed with your DH bringing back those shells too! Ya never know which ear 'if any', they are using to listen to us..I guess your DH used both!! lol Good for him.
If you're looking for more...Michael's usually sells them by the bag as well as Walmart (if you have one near you).
That gal did a really nice job making her own candleholders.
I have a really nice beach picture of the Gkids that I've been wanting to make a shell frame for. I bought a bag of shells last year to do this, and have completely forgotten about it till I saw your post.
When I worked Summer Camp at my school, I used them for many fun projects. Glad you showed this...you got me all inspired to 'get going'!

jane

Big HUG to your DH, purplemoon! Bet his Mom was very surprised! Yup, this thread will create some ideas! Those candlesticks are very elegant!

You've probably seen my project with shells on GJ...these shells were once a windchime I bought in TX.. kept tangling & breaking where they were hung...so I used them on a birdhse...

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That pic was March 09 & I'm lookin' out my computer/craft room window right now & the bdhse still looks great! Wrens made a home both yrs. TFS the shell project, PM! Jeanne S.

Jeanne...
I can see why the Wrens used the birdhouse two seasons in a row...very 'Fancy Smanchy'...lol
Nice idea and nice looking too.

jane

Karen, those are very pretty and she did do a bang-up job. At least DH remembered to bring some shells for you. When our DS was young we went to the beach every summer and he would bring home buckets of shells. Only one summer did we find starfish and they were everywhere, he collected dozens and put them on the balcony of the condominimium to dry and they stunk to high heaven. Jeanne, I love your bird house. I'm trying to gather items for my future fairy garden and I think some shells would work well for maybe a path or some little furniture. I want the fairy garden to have a woodsey/natural look to it. Thanks for the ideas guys.
Frou

Jane, your "Ya never know which ear 'if any', they are using to listen to us" comment is right on target. LOL.

I saw the pretty shells at Walmart when I found the bags of ACORNS one of you told us about awhile back. I got two bags tho was tempted to get more. Trying to behave and not run the grocery bill up higher on 'non essensials'. LOL.

Jeanne, your shell GJ stuff is wonderful. ALL your yard decor is. I'd so love to be your neighbor!

Frou, I definitely don't want Stinky Starfish. LOL. Those must not have been dead when he collected them!
A friend in WA sent me a photo of a PURPLE Starfish and it was gorgeous. Tho I am glad it was alive and well. (hmmm, wonder if they'd make a good pet? LOL)

hugs, Karen

Karen, thanks for the link to the shell candle holders. Very pretty and I think it was Kathleen who set a table with the ocean theme. Bet she will love seeing these.

DH must hear everything it wants. That was sweet that he brought you back some. I love the sound of purple star fish. Hope you get some and try painting them. Or if you have an aquarium maybe you can keep them alive as a new pet.LOL

Jeanne, your birdhouse is pretty and I'm not surprised you came up with this idea. Your pretty clever with crafting.

Punk

Wow ! Karen those are just beautiful. I don't normally care for seashell projects, but I could live with those :>)
For those of you that do like to work with shells and haven't really got a source of shells around you, check out Sanibel Seashell Industries online. Sanibel and Captiva Islands in Florida are famous for their seashell hunting ! If you go on their website be sure to check out the stunning seashell flower kits they have and the seashell valentines ! They have starfish, seaglass,sand dollars,etc. and the prices are extremely reasonable ! I just realized I sound like a walking, talking advertisement..lol ! But, I've been shell hunting at Sanibel and the shells are so pretty :>)
Susan

Susan, I've never done seashell projects and they sure wouldn't go here at all...but like you, I sure could live with those candlesticks! The things my DH collected for me will probably go in a small covered jar since they are special. Not only him actually bringing them home, but I'll always remember it was on his Mom's 90th birthday too.

Here's the photo of that neat Starfish living on a Washington beach.

hugs, Karen

Karen...that Purple Starfish is amazing! It looks like
it's decorated in 'Jewels'! lol
I've never seen one like this before, or even heard of one. So being (teacher curious), I looked it up and found this info. (very interesting)
Sunflower Starfish
(Pycnopodia helianthoides)
The sunflower star is among the larger of the starfish species. With its 24 arms, it can reach a diameter of over 2 feet! The color of this starfish can range from purple to red, pink, brown, orange, and yellow. It is common along the Pacific coast and can be found along the rocky sea bottoms from Alaska to southern California.

So Karen...still thinking of having one as a 'Pet' ?? lol

jane

Here is a link that might be useful:

Okay Karen...so I'm completely 'Wacko'...lol
I couldn't resist sending you ONE MORE pic...
then that's it...promise :)
I guess your starfish pic really facinated me...

jane

Here is a link that might be useful:

WOW, thanks, teacher Jane & Purplemoon! I'm thinkin' in your next life, PM, that you may be a "bejeweled purple starfish!" BEAUTIFUL! LOL! TFS! Jeanne S.

WOW Teacher Jane, that photo of a bunch of them on the beach is incredible. Guess I'll pass on one for a pet if they are that big! LOL. I was thinking along the lines of ultra small. I have a 50 gal aquarium. Tho right now I still have an 18 yr old fish living in it. Plectcostomas (sp?), he looks like a prehistoric monster. LOL. "Monster" and his buddy, a black shark, were bought as tiny 2 inch long babies. Shark died last year at over 18 yrs of age. I still miss him, would you believe.
I'd always had a shark and monster fish (scavengers) in small aquariums, but the tanks were 10 gal. And the fish got about 8 inches long and lived around 8yrs. These two must've loved the big tank however. I've heard fish grow according to their home's size. And they grew an inch a year. So both hit 18 inches long.
But its getting too hard on my ol' body to clean the big tank now, so after Monster goes, I'll give away the tank so I'm not tempted to put something else in it!!
;o)

hugs, Karen

Awww Karen, and here I thought being a 'Purple Starfish'
you HAD to have it! lol I can see though what a job it would be, having it get that large.
Although - wow, a fish that's over 18 yrs old, and a shark living almost as long, now that's amazing! I guess you provided the perfect 'living conditions' for them. lol
I'm surprised the surviving fish is still continuing on w/o his companion..but then again, maybe that shark 'nagged him' all those years, and he's only now getting to enjoy peaceful bliss Alone! lol

jane

Jane, when Shark died, Monster lay in that spot for 4 days.
It was very sad and I thought he might die too. But then he started eating again and adjusted to being alone. Last year I tried taking a photo...not easy to do, LOL. But here's the best I got.

Sorry to get so far off topic, Everyone. Tho that purple Starfish sure would be pretty to decorate with! I might have to try find one (NOT alive) on eBay. My friend who sent me the photos doesn't live on the Coast to go hunt one down. Tho I guess I could paint one. LOL.

hugs, Karen

Wow..Monster IS unusual looking. How touching
that he reacted the way he did after Shark's passing.
Creatures never cease to amaze.
Since it's been pretty slow, I don't think anyone here minds us going far 'off topic'...lol
I think what led up to 'this topic' was pretty interesting.
As far as you finding one of those purple Starfish on Ebay...that would be an interesting find...ya never know, as I'm sure there have been stranger things sold on there.
lol

jane

Wow! I've been away for a while and when I read this post I was instantly reminded why I love this place. Candlesticks to birdhouses to purple starfish to ole Monster. What a treat!
I love you gals.

I'll post pretty soon with some OT things I've been up to.
Have been outside decorating for the 4th. Feeling my age when I climb up and down the ladder.

OA

WoooHooo, O-so-A-mazing is back! Missed you, Gal.
After you noticed we went from candlesticks to birdhouses and starfish, then my ol' Monster...it does sound like a weird thread. LOL. Any new person coming on here for "holidays" might think this post is awfully fishy!
;o> But they'll learn every day is Holiday here, and everything is something to celebrate, huh?

Hey Jane. Guess what I found on eBay? LOL
REAL, DRIED, NATURAL-DYED PURPLE 2"+ to 3"+ KNOBBY STARFISH
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Ok, so they aren't the real purple ones, but close enough. And tiny.
hugs, Karen

WOW Karen, leave it to you to discover those purple starfish on ebay... Put you on a 'Mission' to find something, and 'Super Sleuth Karen' finds it!! lol
Those are real nice little beauties. I can see you doing fun stuff with them. lol

Hey Hey OA - Welcome Back...don't ya just love all the 'Diversity' here on Holiday!! Like Karen said, everyday's a Holiday here, no matter what the subject :)

jane

Well, I have no idea what this thread is about now, but the candleholders are pretty!
I never saw a purple starfish, if they are that big you would have to keep it on a leash.
The heat must be getting to everyone!