Something for Everyone at Sea Shell ProgramBy Anne McKay Garris
Bette Failor of Clearwater Beach watches as Jackie Sandkuhl, visiting from Spencerville, Ohio, gets one more handful of the "sticky stuff" to cement the shells on to the tissue holder she is decorating at the first session of the All About Sea Shells program, held Tuesday afternoon at the Clearwater Beach Recreation Center. "This is a busycom contrarium," said the speaker, holding up a large, white shell, "but most people call it a lightning whelk, or a left handed whelk." She continued to tell the audience about the idiosyncrasies of the seashells to be found in the Clearwater area. Following the talk about shells, Helen Rosbolt talked about how she got started in making decorations out of sea shells as an assistant passed around a tray full of the colorful and attractive ornaments. One lovely conch shell held a bouquet of red berries. Slices of shells formed a circle to highlight a rose bouquet of another. Following Mrs. Rosbolt's presentation, Pat Murphy explained the basics of enhancing everyday articles with shells designs. She offered suggestions on the kinds of glue to use, local places to purchase shell supplies, and how to place the shells artfully on the surfaces of everyday objects. Her examples of shell framed mirrors, shell decorated boxes, and even a lovely purse, had the audience anxious to try their hands. For the last part of the program, shells and items to decorate were distributed and everyone went to work on a treasure to take home with them. Several collections of shells were spread out on a table for participants to choose which they wanted to use for their artwork. The second session of All About Shells will be held at the Recreation Center, next Tuesday, March 23, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cost of the program is $15 and proceeds will go to benefit the projects of the Friends of the Clearwater Beach Library and Recreation Center. Once again there will be shells and instructions on how to make your treasure to take home.
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