Creating Seashell Mosaics
I’m just getting started on a few more shell mosaics. Went to IKEA and they were sold out of the large frames! So I’m doing four little guys. And I’m gettin’ smart after a couple of these…
• …purchased shells in bulk from a fossil / shell shop (it’s apparantly illegal to collect shells here in Australia, oops!)
• …now cut down the illustration board (which I glue the shells to) to the dimensions of the matte…that way I don’t have to afix a smaller piece to the matte. (shells can get heavy, so having a larger piece spreads out the weight over more surface area)
• …bought a glue gun to use instead of white glue (was only $13 for the one with the lowest voltage,) a good investment I think, as I won’t have to wait for the shells to dry in place overnight between sessions, I can glue them down all in one sitting
• …use the matte to trace the window lightly with pencil onto the illustration board where the shells need to be glued within
• …used the scraps from the illustration board to make a paper frame to help keep the shells from slipping outside the window area before the glue dries
To see some examples of the finished product, check out :
