Years ago, I saw an exhibit of antique Sailor's Valentines on display and was utterly captivated by their romantic history ...and the exquisite artistry that went into each vintage framed piece.

I thought, "I just want to take one of those seashell flowers and WEAR it!"...
and so after much research & consulting some modern day Sailors Valentine artists, I began creating Mermaids Baubles for my own enjoyment.

Admiration by close friends, family & strangers alike (such as being asked while shopping, "Is that flower made of REAL seashells?", "Where can I get one?") led to me opening my very own Etsy shop in 2009. It was the perfect place to display and offer some of my unique, hand-crafted Seashell Blossom accessories. I called my creations "Mermaids Baubles" because they are frivolous, fanciful things...feminine sea-inspired baubles even the most discriminating Mermaid might wear!

Something about the Sea has always called to me, calmed me and rejuvenated me.

Since I was able to toddle, I have collected sea glass (ie: Mermaids Tears!) and seashells. Perfection & symmetry, they are one of God's amazing creations!
To me, seashells are the most fascinating of all art "mediums".

I tend to believe that it's something in my genes...
Giving proof to that theory is something that happened a couple of years ago. My mother was going through some of HER grandmother's craft boxes and came across a flowered wreath that her Meme had made with wire, silk leaves and blooming with, YES you guessed it, seashell flowers! There was even a pair of scrollwork embellished tweezers packed alongside it.

Sometimes when I'm working, I like to think that my great-Meme used those very same tweezers to also painstakingly form flower blossoms. With a fabulous pair of tweezers (and more than a little bit of patience) it's possible to create flowers using even the tiniest of seashells!

It makes me incredibly thankful to be doing something I absolutely love...something that allows me to work from home, raise and homeschool my 4 children and gives me permission to indulge in one of my favorite pastimes entirely guilt-free:
Beachcombing!