Message Boards

Today we went to the museum to see a Degas exhibit. However the thing that impressed me the most was this shell dress they had on the fourth floor.

The body is made entirely of mussel shells over a wire hardware cloth (small gauge) and then some kind of clay-y looking fixative. It was absolutely stunning. . . but then I love shell work!

I know Joy Luck and maybe Mary Ruth and I have all done this kind of work but this is the most remarkable piece I have ever seen IRL. It is by a Maine craftsperson named Brian White.

Think it's about a size 10 LOL

Interesting. Here's more of Brian's shell work including a wedding dress and check out those pumps!
http://hillcountryhouse.blogsp...ne-artist-brian.html

Thanks Froo, his work is really incredible isn't it? Many years ago I saw a bureau in a shop window all covered in shells and I happened to have my movie camera with me, got to watch that one again!

Wow!

I saw a photo of this once and thought this was fun!
I like the dress, so well done!

And this photo which I scanned from an older magazine... The whole room is filled with shells!

Check out the shell architecture, etc. here. I was left SHELL SHOCKED!

http://www.csseashell.com/architectural.html

All beautiful. I love this type of art, made from unusual things.

Frou,interesting but whoa, the prices.

My favorite part of project runway is when they have to make an outfit out of unusual items, like things from a pet store. That's when the creativity flies.

Ouch! Doesn't look like a very comfortable dress to wear! JK It's a real work of art. TFS

As many here know I am more than a little enamored of shells and shell work. I love looking at it and doing it altho it's very time-consuming which accounts somewhat for the high prices some charge. When I sold my mirrors framed with shells I couldn't possibly have recouped labor costs so I made them for fun and mine were priced to sell. I was told they were a real bargain by those who knew. I'm no longer making them to sell but hope to make one more for me.

Here's a pic I've saved of a bed corona embellished with shells. While it's not as difficult a project as the clothing or large furniture pieces I thought it was very pretty with the abalone shells.

Now that's the kind of stuff I like....different and unique...wow, everything is so beautiful.. Love the dress and the bed corona.

Joy, ever since seeing the dress yesterday I have been wracking my brain trying to think of a surface to cover.

Your shell corona will fit the bill! Not only is it one of my favorite decorating devices but it is a do-able project. Of course you would want it securely fastened as the shells would add a lot of weight!