Sailor's Valentine

click on the photo to enlarge it 
merchandise with this image avail in our Goodbye Lie Shoppe

 

You'll need: 

• Small, colorful shells (use only non-endangered shells, please)

• Bleach

• 7 inch heart-shaped or round wooden box with lid (any small box will work, of any shape)

• White acrylic paint

• Pastel paint

• Gold paint (optional)

• Clear drying glue (not hot glue because it might show between the shells and it can be brittle)

• Clear lacquer

Soak the shells over night in three parts water and one part bleach to kill any bacteria.

Sort your shells according to style and then color.  Place them in paper cups or zip lock bags (once they've dried) so they don't get mixed up again.

Paint the outside of your box a base coat of white, letting the paint dry completely before putting the lid on the box so it won't stick shut. 

Since many of your shells may have a pastel or iridescent tint, paint the box with a light coat of pink or other pastel color paint.  It's okay if the white base coat shows through a bit.  It adds depth.  You may also want to lightly spray the box with gold spray paint for extra sparkle, but this is optional.

Draw the outline of the lid onto a piece of paper.  Begin laying out your shells in the pattern of your choice making a border, flowers, hearts, etc.  You may want the top and bottom of the border to have different accent shells.  Try various ideas.  Keep the shells close together because you don't want much of the box lid to show through and you do want your design to look full.

Once your design is pretty much set, begin gluing the border onto the box lid, again, keeping the shells close together.  Have extra shells on hand because you may need more to fill in any blank areas.  When the top of your lid is covered in a pretty pattern, let the glue dry for several days. 

Cover the finished lid with clear lacquer spray, giving it at least two light coats.  Allow the lacquer to dry between coats.   

Be sure and sign your name or initials and date on the bottom of the box!

Give this very special gift to your sweetheart for Valentine's Day or for a special occasion.  Remember, Victorians prized their Sailor's Valentine's and your loved one will as well.  If it's handled carefully, you'll be able to pass it down through the generations.  Antique Sailor's Valentines can be worth thousands of dollars. 

To keep the dust off, display in a cabinet, under a glass dome or in a large glass jar with a clear lid for viewing.