SHELLABRATE the HOLIDAYS with my limited edition
All about my annual Holiday Release:
I've teamed up with Shell Maps by Donna... my Mom! What began as a love of collecting shells on family beach trips evolved into creating her signature oyster shell souvenirs. Donna's ornaments feature maps of favorite beach towns and happy places.
I SAW THREE SHIPS COME SAILING IN...
For our collaboration, we designed oyster ornaments with prints of my artwork. First, I created tiny original coastal paintings to fit inside an oyster shell - all with my signature process of textile collage. Then we made miniature prints that show the fabric textures and sailboats in fine detail.
FIVE GOLDEN BLINGS
Every year, I add 2 or 3 new images - so you can grow your collection. These are perfect to trim your Christmas tree, use as luxe gift tags on a bottle of bubby, or as napkin rings to surprise your holiday guests with this as a party favor. Oyster Ornaments also make beautiful bridesmaid gifts, hostess gifts, and Charleston souvenirs any time of year.
OH WHAT FUN...
it is to plan this holiday release on a warm spring day. My Mom and I begin work on these ornaments in January and February. We go shell hunting around the Lowcountry and Grand Strand, finding oyster shells that wash up on the beach and marshlands after storms. With a little help from family, we eat our share at raw bars and oyster roasts. We recycle the imperfect shells to South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for oyster restoration. The shells are bundled into wire reefs and bags. Then dropped in the marsh pluff mud, helping to prevent shoreline erosion, trapping sediment to maintain the elevation of the marsh, and attracting new oyster growth to keep the reefs thriving. Want to read more about how Charleston Waterkeeper and SCDNR restore oyster reefs to keep our waterways clean? Click here.
THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...
This project is so much fun because it really does include all my favorite things... going to the beach, family time, making art, oyster roasts, and the holidays.
Maybe we share some of the same favorite things?
Or are your favorite things "schnitzel with noodles" and "whiskers on kittens"? (I like those, too!)
Wishing you a Season worth Shellabrating... with a seersucker bow on top!
xoko