Sea Memories

Gather shells on the beach or purchase them from crafts stores -- then use them on curtains, boxes, frames, and mirrors to bring the image of quiet moments and gentle mists into your home.

The fashion of gluing shells to boxes and frames began in the nineteenth century, and has been renewed today. One benefit today's crafters have: Modern glues will help keep the shells firmly attached to your new projects.

• A small decorative chest
• Fan-shaped shells (such as scallops)
• Small shells (such as rose cups)
• Epoxy or hot-glue gun

Choose a small, boxy chest that will not get a lot of hard use -- these shells are fragile. Working on one side at a time, lay out the large shells along the design lines of the chest, spacing them evenly. Glue them in place. Place the smaller shells between the large shells to fill in any gaps.

Living close to a seashore has many rewards, not the least of which is the availability of seashells. Even if you're landlocked, these resources prove shells are easy to find.

• Crafts stores sell small bags of shells in the beading and jewelry-making aisles.
• Internet sites devoted to shells offer armchair purchasing for bulk amounts not available at crafts stores. Type "seashells" into a Web search engine to find dozens of companies.
• If you want to roll up your pants and get your toes wet, communities in Florida, such as Sanibel Island and Lee Island Coast, have renowned shelling. In some parts of the country, however, shelling is illegal. Always check first.