New Crafts: Shells: 25 Practical Projects Using Shapes and Textures of Natural Shells - Hardcover

This title features 25 practical projects using shapes and textures of natural shells. It includes the wonderful shades, shapes and textures of natural shells celebrated in inspirational and practical designs. You can complete step-by-step instructions for 25 superb projects, including a seaworn mobile, a limpet lamp, a scallop sconce and a grotto frame. It features a gallery of exciting shell designs from contemporary leading craft artists. It is a comprehensive guide to working with shells, including everything you need to know about materials, equipment and basic techniques. This is the definitive approach to one of the oldest crafts. It features over 300 specially commissioned photographs, which clearly show each step. The use of shells for both practical and decorative purposes is one of the oldest and simplest arts. The variety of textures, shapes, sizes and shades found in shells made them a popular medium for decoration, particularly in Victorian times when shell grottoes and embellished boxes were fashionable. This appealing book presents 25 exciting projects that make use of natural shells, each accompanied by step-by-step photography. The easy-to-follow format allows you to create beautiful and functional objects, from a simple necklace of small shells and a shell-and-driftwood mirror, to a grand chandelier and a child's playhouse. Following an introduction to the history of shells as a craft medium and an inspiring gallery of contemporary shellwork, the next section describes the basic materials, equipment and techniques that you will need to make the projects. With its achievable projects, this book is the perfect introduction to a fascinating craft.

Mary Maguire studied Fine Art and Textiles at Goldsmith's College, London, and gained an M.A. at the Royal College of Art, London. Since then she continued to develop and exhibit her own work in various mediums. Mary has written several books, and is establishing an Art and Craft School.