Signature Color Palettes: WHISPERS of PINK

How does The White Weathered Barn do Pink??

She Whispers it!

Call it Blush, Shell Pink or Pink Champagne, a subtle hint of pink is ethereal, ultra feminine & chic.  In my little opinion, anything more than a hint gets less sophisticated & rides that fine line of being too cute.  Mix a whisper of pink with a pale mocha, champagne or cafe au lait for a warmer palette and as always, don't forget the white!!

Almost 12 years ago when I got married I had my wedding dress sewn by an extremely talented Drag Queen seamstress!  I went down to the garment district in NYC to find the perfect fabric & was immediately drawn to a pale champagne matte satin that had just a hint of a pink undertone.  It was perfect for my fair complexion & a nice alternative to the traditional white. 

Anywho...years later, it is still my favorite way to celebrate pink!

Cheers my dears!

xo

Signature Color Palettes: LAVENDER

I don't pay much attention to color forecasts because I think color is such a personal expression.  So if the Spring forecast says that Orange is the new hot color, what, I'm supposed to start wearing orange clothes or paint my home in something hot & spicy ?? Yeah, no.

Of course I love everything white but when I have a hankering for some color, I do have a few signature ones.  Anything "weathered" typically does the trick for me...hence the name of my shin-dig over here.  As long as it is grayed down you can count me in!

So when I say I love LAVENDER for instance, I am really saying I love Thistle, Smoky Amethyst or Pewter.  It's dreamy, calming, neutral & sophisticated.  Infuse this color palette into rooms that are rustic, modern, simple or just plain pretty.  And if your style is like mine..it is a combination of all 4.

Enjoy!!!

xo

The Almighty ARTICHOKE!

SO..typically I say I have a "thing" for certain "things" & I don't know where the obsession comes from..HOWEVER...the artichoke has a special place in my heart.

As a child I lived in a beautiful 2 family tudor style house with my dear Italian Gramma Irena who lived upstairs.  And yes, I was named after her.  My Gramma was a one-of-a-kind, ingenious & beautiful woman.  Every Christmas Eve she pulled out all the stops and if you have ever been to an Italian Christmas Eve you know what I mean.  BUT, my favorite treat, the one I looked forward to all year was Gramma's stuffed Artichokes!  It was a project eating one (or two..heehee) of those bad boys.  Nothing & I mean nothing compared to that special treat so yes, I am obsessed with anything Arti-chokie as it applies to design elements.  May I interject here for a moment to also mention that hands down, she made the BEST meatballs & the BEST red sauce (or shall I say gravy?..she was old school) but I don't think decorating with meatballs would go over very well. 

Anywho..Artichokes are a wonderful & complex vegetable that hold a very special secret!  Have you ever seen an Artichoke Bloom?? STUNNING!! (exclaimed in my best Oprah Winfrey voice).  It blooms a very lush purple spikey flower that compliments the slightly purple undertones of the artichoke leaves.  Artichokes in the raw make wonderful candle holders when hollowed out, great place card holders & make quite a decorative statement when just placed in a rustic bowl.  They are magnificent in floral arrangments, wreaths or used as a simple hanging accent.

For those who share their love for artichokes as much as I do, you can enjoy a few tributes featured in my shop:

My pen & ink drawing on left & Jackie Maloney's stuffed artichoke illustration on right (featured in cards & prints)

I hope you enjoy exploring your decorative options with the Almighty Artichoke!

xo

BE-U-TEE-FUL BIRCH

Where one finds moss, one typically finds BIRCH.  First, let me just start off by saying that the Birch Tree is in itself..stunning!  Especially in winter...and those of us who are obsessed with white decor, peeling birch bark is a must design element.  The papery shreds from the birch tree can be used in so many crafts, but one thing I especially love to do with birch bark is wrap it around cans making one helluva pretty vase or container.  Teeny birch logs make beautiful holders for tea lights & slabs of sliced birch make a stunning base element for layering other bits of nature making a lovely centerpiece or vignette.  I find plenty of birch bark rolls on the shore while I am scouting out driftwood & I just collect them.  For the holidays I tossed them right onto the pine greens that dressed my mantel.  Stick them in apothecary jars to celebrate their beauty & texture.  The rolls make great accents on wreaths as well.  I also love to see artwork & jewelry that has been inspired by the natural design of the bark.  It just makes such a subtle statement that nature is a part of your heart.

I always say when one is at a loss for decorating ideaRs, just look to nature to guide you!!

xoxo

For the LOVE of MoSS!!

Ooooh Moss! Luscious green & cushy moss!  Those who love moss understand the addiction.  I think..or I hope.  I am fascinated by the differences in texture & all I want to do when I see it nestled in the woods is touch it, push on its spongey thickness & ultimately, dig a bit of it up.  I always feel kinda bad digging up a clump or two, but then rationalize it by staring at the barren patch and somehow trying to convey to it that I celebrate moss..I preserve it..I decorate with it...I don't mean to hurt you earth!  So in order to celebrate my "addiction" I have been making moss terrariums for a many years now because they are so easy to take care of, but there are so many ways to decorate with it.  You can use live or preserved moss in large table centerpieces or as a simple accent to bring the outdoors in to our homes.

Although this post is about moss, I have to give a huge huge huge shout out to this wonderful ETSY shop that I have discovered!  The center photo of the bottom pictorial features a sweet & loving birdie bride & groom wedding cake topper.  The quality is impeccable & the variations/customizations are so clever.  Her shop is a must see for any bride to be or lover of little birdies!

Introducing RedLightStudio!!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/RedLightStudio?ref=top_trail

I am totally in love with all of her creations!

The NEST

Whether you choose to decorate with a real nest or a crafted one, there is something about the nest that makes us feel warm & fuzzy.  That is why it is used in so many decorating schemes, table settings, weddings, floral arrangements & gifts.

I have been in love with nests for many years...and birds, eggs, feathers and anything else with an aviary tie.  I am looking foward this Spring to display my creative outlets that celebrate the nest.  I feature bird-like art work & decor all year long, but there is nothing like the approaching Spring season to kick my obsession into high gear.  I am also looking forward to featuring the works of other artisans as it applies to this theme.  Nests never go out of style, nor do any works involving nature for that matter.  I am lucky to have my own shop so that I can display my passion for nature for my own enjoyment as well as my customers. 

Chirpity-chirp-chirp.

;)

Focus Focus Focus

Okay, so yes I tend to be all over the place...my head is always filled with new ideas, inspiration and let's face it a little bit o' jibba jabba.  So, let me just add to that internal list of resolutions I roughly sketched in my head that I will try to keep my blog focussed on inspirational design ideas & creativity all within The White Weathered Barn style.

So the number one thing that inspires me are nests!

They are stunning examples of natural architecture & heartwarming examples of the the amount of work that goes into preparing a home for youngin's.

Love Love Love.

TOXIC Scrub!

Okay I was tempted to call this blog post "Are you fudging kidding me?" but let's just leave it simple.  I have been using this product since I was a teenager!  But let's have a look-see at its ingredients:

Water (Aqua), Juglans Mandschurica Shell Powder (Walnut), Glyceryl Stearate SE, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Zea Mays (Corn) Kernel Meal (Corn), Cetearyl Alcohol, Linoleamide DEA, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG 100 Stearate, Lanolin Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil (Apricot), Sambucus Nigra (Elderberry) Flower Extract, Primula Veris Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract (Sunflower), Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract (Matricaria), Ceteareth 20, Polysorbate 60, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Fragrance (Parfum) (Parfum), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)

so let's see what we got here??

Juglans Mandschurica Shell Powder : Walnut Powder
Glyceryl Stearate SE: a vegetable based emulsifier (keeps ingredients from separating)
Propylene Glycol: a cosmetic form of mineral oil found in automatic brake and hydraulic fluid and industrial antifreeze. In the skin and hair, propylene glycol works as a humescent, which causes retention of moisture content of skin or cosmetic products by preventing the escape of moisture or water. The Material Safety Data Sheet warns users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as this strong skin irritant can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: a foaming agent known to cause skin/eye irritation
Zea Mays Kernel Meal: (Corn Meal)
Cetearyl Alcohol: a plant based fatty acid used as an emulsion stabilizer & foam booster. It provides an emollient quality to the skin.
Linoleamide DEA: used as a foam booster & water thickener derived from linoleic acid. Studies have warned to avoid any products that contain DEA as it has been linked to cancer.
Glyceryl Stearate:  a wax-like solid used to retain moisture.
PEG 100 Stearate: used as an emollient, an emulsifier and a moisturizer. It is a known irritant of eyes, skin and respiratory systems.
Lanolin Oil: isolated from sheep wool this oil is a natural skin protectant.
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil: Apricot Oil
Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract: Elderberry
Primula Veris Extract: Primrose
Helianthus Annuus Extract: Sunflower
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract: Matricaria/Chamomille
Ceteareth 20: allows other ingredients to dissolve & alters skin structure allowing chemicals to penetrate deeper into the skin.
Polysorbate 60: an emulsion stabilizer & can cause detrimental reproductive effects, organ toxicity and cancer in high doses
Triethanolamine: or TEA is a synthetic emulsion stabilizer & skin surfactant (foaming ability), noted to irritate/damage eyes & skin, linked to carcinogens, tumours & cancer.
Carbomer: thickening agent & emulsion stabilizer.  Noted eye irritant.
Methylparaben: a synthetic preservative & noted endocrine disrupter with connections to breast cancer, eye damage & male infertility.
Ethylparaben: a synthetic preservative & noted endocrine disrupter with connections to increased cell division in breast cancer patients, early puberty & male infertility.
Phenoxyethanol: a preservative & this is what the FDA says about it: "Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that is primarily used in cosmetics and medications. It also can depress the central nervous system and may cause vomiting and diarrhea".  The FDA, which allows everything & anything has something to say about it?? STAY AWAY!!
Methylchloroisothiazolinone: synthetic preservative that may be toxic to your skin & immune system.  Linked to organ toxicity & may be carcinogenic.  Prohibited in many countries but widely used in the US (well of course it is). STAY AWAY!!
Methylisothiazolinone: a very strong synthetic preservative & known neurotoxin. May affect a developing central nervous system. Levels restricted in Europe, no regulation in US. 
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891): used as an opaque pigment. Currently under research as a possible carcinogen that causes respiratory/lung damage.

Lovely isn't it???
So..Gwennie (Beyond the Picket Fence) & I are working on introducing an all natural facial scrub into the range of products featured at the the shop.  Beyond The Picket Fence creates small batches of product so they are always fresh & recommended to use within 1 year.  Hence why you won't find chemical preservatives.  Big companies use all those toxic preservatives for years of shelf-life.  And as far as all those chemical emulsifier stabilizers??...pulleeze, if any separation ocurrs between oils & creams all you gotta do is shake the jar!  Really?  It's as simple as that FDA?? oh boy.

Our new facial scrubs will be packed with great grains, herbs & essential oils.  Can't wait!!!

Stay Tuned!!

  

TOXIC Mouthwash!

Active Ingredient: Sodium fluoride 0.02%
Inactive Ingredients: water, sorbitol solution, alcohol (21.6%), hydrogen peroxide, flavors, poloxamer 407, saccharin sodium, phosphoric acid, dibasic sodium phosphate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sucralose.

Sorbitol Solution: a hyperosmotic laxative
Alcohol: 21.6%?? eek.
Poloxamer 407: an additive necessary to allow the solubility of mint oils in water
Saccharin Sodium: (SIDE EFFECTS)
Phosphoric Acid: a chemical known to remove rust! In soda it causes tooth enamel erosion!
Dibasic Sodium Phosphate: sodium salts of phosphoric acid
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: a foaming agent known to cause skin/eye irritation
Sucralose: a synthetic sweetener made by adding chlorine to sugar

Best Homemade Mouthwash Recipes

1: Water, rock salt, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and mint juice (mint leaves juice concentrate).
2: Water, ground oregano leaves, rock salt
3: Neem oil &  warm water. You can also replace neem oil with clove or olive oil
4: Green tea, licorice, echinacea and tea tree can also make the best mouthwashes.
5: Sesame seed oil is also used as a natural mouthwash with warm water


You can also explore your local health market for alternatives...so guess where I am headed??
THE MARKET, Greenport

TOXIC Toothpaste

NOTHING TO SMILE ABOUT!

Continuing with my goal for healthier living..this may be the most eye opening or perhaps I should say mouth dropping information I have seen!!!  I have been using this product for years...oh boy.

Active Ingredients: Sodium Fluoride (0.24%) (Anticavity Toothpaste)
Inactive Ingredients: Sorbitol, Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate), Water, Hydrated Silica, Glycerin, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Flavor, Sodium Saccharin, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Titanium Dioxide

Okay, breaking this down now...

Sodium Fluoride: The number one active ingredient in almost all toothpastes!
(SCARY FACTS) (MORE SCARY FACTS)  WTFudge?
Sorbitol: a sugar alcohol whose main use is as a laxative.
Baking Soda: Sodium Bicarbonate used as a mild cleanser & whitener
Water
Hydrated Silica: used as an abrasive, noted to breakdown tooth enamel
Glycerin: used to make paste creamy & to sweeten
Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate: removes calcium and magnesium from the saliva to prevent them from calcifying on teeth.
Flavor: ?
Sodium Saccharin: (SIDE EFFECTS) 
Cellulose Gum: used as a thickening agent
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate: a synthetic surfactant (foaming agent) used as a detergent in car washes, as garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers & 90% of personal care products.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: a foaming agent known to cause skin/eye irritation
Titanium Dioxide: used as an opaque pigment. Currently under research as a possible carcinogen that causes respiratory/lung damage.

This is RIDEEKULOUS!!!

So today's alternative?? Baking Soda & Peroxide, an old fashioned & might I add extremely cost effective cleansing solution.  I am however looking into other alternatives to flouride-free all natural toothpastes.  Tom's of Maine & Burt's Bees look promising!

Toxic Bath: BOO!

Well a red flag should go up when you can't even pronounce an ingredient in your bath & body products, much less two thirds of them.  So here is a little self education on this morning's daily routine:
St. Ives Collagen & Elastin Shower Gel:
Ingredients:
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulphate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Glycol Stearate, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Chloride, Hydroxypropyl, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-7, PPG-2 Methyl Ether, Phenethyl Alcohol, Methylisothiazolinone, Fragrance.

Really?? Methyl-what?  Poly-who? Sulphate-say what?
So I am going to break this down...

Water: Ah yes water, well thank goodness we can recognize that one.
Sodium Laureth Sulphate: an inexpensive foaming agent & known skin/eye irritant.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine: a synthetic foaming/lathering agent & known skin irritant.
Glycerin: Okay so we can pronounce this one: it attracts moisture to the skin therfore making it soft.
Glycol Stearate: Used to "pearlize" the liquid.
Hydrolyzed Elastin: for skin moisturization & conditioning. Can be extracted from plant or animal.
Hydrolyzed Collagen: increases skin's firmness & elasticity (hooray!) however like gelatin, it is made by extracting the substance from by-products of beef, pork, and fish production, including the skin, bones, and connective tissue. (Boo! and totally gross I imagine.)
Sodium Chloride: NaCL, do we remember this from science class?  It's Salt! and the only reason I can find to why it is present in cosmetic products other than making it taste good (heehee, just kidding) is to thicken the water content of the product.
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride: a chemical derived from guar gum for its conditioning & thickening properties.
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose: a plant based thickening agent & foam stabilizer.
Citric Acid: acts as a natural preservative created through a fruit fermentation process.
Polyquaternium-7: known for its antistatic properties, used mostly in hair products for creating a film or sheen.
PPG-2 Methyl Ether: used to dissolve other substances
Phenethyl Alcohol: a natural ocurring rose-like fragrance
Methylisothiazolinone: a synthetically made preservative WARNING: A known neurotoxin easily absorbed into the skin that can cause damage to the nervous system. Possible interference with the body's estrogen receptors.
Fragrance: There are no FDA regulations for companies to list the ingredients that make up their fragrance.

SOoooooooooooo, that is just one of the products used today.  I am interested in finding out what else I bombarded my system with today.  uh-oh

Solution to this problem?? All natural artisinal soap currently available in my shop created by Gwen Neucall of Beyond The Picket Fence.
Ingredients?: Distilled water, Sodium Cocoate (coconut oil), Sodium Palmate (palm oil), Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Lavandula Officinalis (essential lavender oil).
Done!!!

Eau Naturale!!

These days there is an increased awareness of what we put in our bodies when it comes to food choices and how the use of pesticides & preservatives can negativity affect our health.  However, there is less focus on the kinds of products that we put on our bodies. The skin's main functions are to protect our bodies from harmful pathogens, regulate body temperature & prevent water loss.  It also acts as a gateway absorbing vitamins & excreting toxins as well as the reverse.

Would you knowingly ingest a plateful of harmful chemicals & contaminates?  Probably not if you knew what you were eating.  So you probably wouldn't want to purposely spread similar properties all over the largest organ of your body, knowing it will be absorbed???  Ironically those products designed to improve the condition of our skin are made up of the very toxins & chemicals that damage our bodies.

What's wrong with this picture???  Well we all have the ability to inform ourselves on the dangers of such ingredients & healthier alternatives.  This year one of my personal goals is infuse healthier choices into my life for my body/mind/spirit as well as my home.

Beyond The Picket Fence

Meet artisan Gwen Neucall, owner of Beyond the Picket Fence all natural bath & body products.  I "virtually" met Gwen while recruiting her for a Holiday Bazaar I was planning.  While we never ended up meeting face to face, we have remained online friends for a few years now.  A gal after my own heart, Gwen is all about pure & natural ingredients, even scouting some of those ingredients from local farmer's markets.  LOVE THAT!!!  Her products are blended with some of the purest essential oils used in natural bath & body products:  Lavender (my fav), Palmarosa, Sweet Orange, Rosemary & Clary Sage to name a few. 

I am impartial to The Working Woman's line of products.  While you will certainly become addicted to all of her products, it is the Working Woman's line that speaks to me.  After all, a gal who sews, paints, crafts & gets a little crazy with power tools needs the extra boost from the hand & body cream.  Then again, the lavender soap is divine, as are the Twisted Lavender & Sweet Citrus bath & body oils. Anywho...you can see for yourself as I have featured a small sampling of her indulgences here at the shop.

And YET, just when you thought she couldn't develop her skin care line any further, she busts out with an all natural laundry soap & dryer ball line!!!

Even more new scents!!

These 2 new scents are going right into our main line.  I am not making this easy for you soy candle fans to have just one favorite.  These make the perfect gifts all year long, even if that gift is for yourself! ;)

Sweet Olive is a culturally complex aroma of tart Japanese grapefruit, Fresh Osmanthus, and dew-covered watercress; followed by middle notes of rose, jasmine, and cassis while resting on a dry down of fresh amber and myrrh.   

Sun Ripened Avocado fragrance is a rich creamy blend of fresh avocado with orchard fruits & berries combined with bountiful garden florals of honeysuckle, lilies, gardenias ; grounded with the earthy, woody floralcy of violets and sweet balsam.

Wedding Vow Magnets

Another creative gift not just for those brides to be or newly-weds.  Sometimes couples could use a little reminder of these desciptive words to celebrate their relationship.  This business card sized tin comes with 9 magnets: Love, Honor, Adore, Kindness, Patience, Loyalty, Respect, Devotion & Cherish.  Each magnet is made from a 1" glass bead..those used in  floral vases.  Custom words are available.  Just drop me a line!

Beach Pebble Jewelry

The North Fork has such beautiful beaches both on the shores of the Sound as well as the Bay.  The bay side is where I find oodles of oyster, whelk & scallop shells, but the sound side has the most lovely pebbles.  Ranging in sizes from grains of sand, to jelly beans, to nuggets, to new potatoes, to baked potatoes..(uh someone must be hungry)..to gigantic boulders.  Anywho..for over a year I have wanted to learn how to bead around a component, but never took the time to learn, especially when I dislike reading instructions. Typically a cabachon gemstone is used as a centerpiece, but that can get expensive, especially when I am trying to teach myself how to construct these types of pendants.  So while scouring for driftwood last week (Sound side) I started to look at the plethera of pebbles differently.  Long story short, I collected as many perfected round & oval stones to try my hand at this beading technique.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOO, a stitch here a stitch there & voila!! I am so excited to be making these.  I have so many seed beads and now I have a new outlet for collecting & beading! Yay me...and yay you too since you get to wear them when I finally cord them.  Fun Fun Fun!

Life is good. ;)

Soy Candles: Update

There is something to be said for sticking to your guns!  I have always been a fan of the herbal, fruit & floral scents whether it come in the form of bath & body products or home fragrances.  So when I decided to make some seasonal scents, I let my stomache do the talking.  A stomache that was apparently deprived of cookies, cake &  pastry!  This is why we like to do a test run of new scents to see how well they are received.  The result of our Pumpkin, Almond Rum & Walnut Maple Fudge was proven in how many people wanted to eat it rather than burn it. 

So I have gone back to the drawing board & will be introducing "my" kind of fragrances. 

Soooo, I have just put a test run of the following candles on the shelves:
White Gardenia...Guava Fig...Lemongrass Kiwi Cassis.

The White Gardenia is a classic soft floral.  We have received a few requests for this fragrance so we whipped up a small batch.  It is mild, not perfumey & really smells exactly like a fresh picked gardenia.

The Guava Fig is very interesting! It begins with top notes of Fuji apple slices, French cassis, and Kaffir lime leaves; followed by middle notes of Anjou pear, Rio red grapefruit, and sweet Valencia; sitting on bottom notes of Mediterranean fig, guava nectar, and Tahitian passion fruit. It is sweet & tart, but sophisticated.  We'll see what y'all think.

The Lemongrass Kiwi Cassis is my new favorite & will definitely be put into our main line! It's a refreshing and uplifting fragrance that begins with top notes of fresh lemon pulp, orange rinds and tropical kiwi; middle notes of eucalyptus, cassis, green tea, and bamboo; well-rounded with base notes of cedarwood and vanilla. 

I know you will love this one as much as I do...in a word, it's RidEEKulous!!!

Hand Painted Console Table

I picked up this little gem from one of my favorite resources in Greenport.  Honestly it was beautiful as is, but of course I needed to transform it to work with my little white weathered boutique.  And so began the transformation.  I knew I wanted to make this piece look like a European aged fresco.  Off I went to White's Hardware in town to get some good ol' Benjamin Moore Paint.  Beach Glass & Winterwood.  My techinique is actually taken from an old water color class in highschool.  The "dry brush scumble"...my favorite.  Basically you barely dip your brush in the paint & wipe off any excess.  Then you lightly drag the brush 

across the surface...almost like you a buffing on the color.  I "dry brush" painted the piece in Beach Glass & then literally "slapped" on some Winterwood in random areas.  The less you try to paint, the better the application.

After the Beach Glass & Winterwood paint layers were applied, the console looked like a faux finished cloudy sky.  A little too much color for the weathered gal.  And then my signature technique which is to apply Minwax Stain in Ebony to "gray it down".  The result is a richer aged patina that looks old world instead of painted.  I chose these colors to go with my seaside decor, but you could do a combination of many other colors depending on your decor.  Enjoy!

Oyster Shell Mirror

While shell encrusted home decor is not a new concept, this was the first time I have had such a vast array of seashells at my finger tips.  There is a small little beach on the bay here in Greenport that is a treasure trove for oyster shells. In mid-summer, you couldn't take one step without stepping on an oyster shell.  So I started to squirrel them away in hopes to do something creative with them.  So one day while rummaging through a thrift store I found an ordinary mirror.  It was the perfect size for my first trial.  (Meanwhile, may I interject for a moment to mention that this was my first & last project of this kind *).  As I digress...

First I painted the mirror white & then loaded my caulking gun with some "liquid nails".  Not only does "liquid nails" provide the strongest adhesive for this project but it is beige in color & blends in wonderfully with the shells so it doesn't look like exposed glue.  Keep in mind that while your original mirror may weigh roughly 10-15 pounds, the more shells you add, the heavier the end result. 

And away we go... First I randomly adhered the oyster shells around the edges of the mirror.  There were definitely going to be gaps in between the shells so one by one I glued a whole mess of teeny shells (from another beach excursion) into those spaces.  In the end, you have a mirror encrusted with seashells for your seaside inspired home.  * So why was this the first & last project of this kind??  Countless hours of work, from picking the shells, to scrubbing them, to waiting overnight for each section of "liquid nails" to dry.  It's a bit tedious, a little messy, & you need adequate space & time for drying.  Soooo doing this all behind my little cash wrap was a little difficult.