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.
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