Introduction

Design Resource

Seashell Craft - Panaji, Goa

Creative Exploration of Seashells

Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C. S., Harsha Kumar N. L. and Vijay G.

NID, Bengaluru

Introduction

Image Source: Google Images

Seashells are the external skeletons of a class of marine animals called Mollusks. Human beings have skeletons inside the bodies, likewise mollusks have the shell on their outside body. Seashells are primarily made of calcium, a hard mineral, as our own bones contain. When a mollusk dies, is shell is left behind, just as land animals leave their skeletons behind. Sometimes the shell is taken and used as a home by other sea creatures, such as hermit crabs. When a hermit crab outgrows the shell it has borrowed, it abandons it and finds a larger one to use.

Univalves just have a one-piece shell, usually a spiral-type shell, often looking something like a larger, stronger and more elaborate snail’s shell. Examples of univalves would be conch, whelks, nautilus and similar shells.

Image Source: Google Images

Image Source: Google Images

Shells are collected for their beauty and displayed as art objects. Collecting is a pure treasure hunt as one walks along beaches, clambers over rocks, wades in the shallows at low tide-always looking for the unusual shell, for a flash of color, a different shape. And then, the quick scooping up of the shell from sand or water-the excitement and triumph of a new possession. The loot depends on the beach location, the time of year and the tide, and expedition becomes a new experience.

Seashell art and crafts are one of many ways to use natural treasures you find on the beach and add charming and unique accents enhancing your interior decorating. You can create seashell ornaments and seashell crafts for accent wall decor or design amazing seashell decorations for your party table. Chandeliers and table lamp shades, furniture and shower curtains, wall shelves and mosaic tiles, flowerpots and door wreath created or decorated with sea shells look fabulous, enriching home decor with unique shapes, beautiful colors and a natural feel. Seashell crafts offer endless ideas for interior decorating, from making unique lighting fixtures to furniture decoration with seashells and creating stunning accent walls with sea shell mosaic. All lighting fixtures, furniture and decor accessories in our homes can be adorned in seashells.

Goa is probably, India’s most popular tourist destination, which is popular with domestic as well as international tourists. Goa is loved for its white sandy beaches, palm trees, and sparkling water. It is the place that people visit again and again. Goan Handicrafts is an awesome place to pick up fascinating souvenirs. The products here would act as wonderful remainders of Goan culture and craft.

The artisans apply their art on the simple looking seashells, converting them into extraordinary pieces of work. Seashell craft is a major art form of Goa. Converting them into extraordinary pieces of work. Shells of various sizes, shapes and shades are used in the making of ornaments like necklaces, rings, bracelets and brooches. The product range also includes decorative cum utility objects like ashtrays, lampshades, coasters, chandeliers, curtains, pot hangers, tablemats, clocks and mirror frame and even tooth picks have been designed to perfection with a simple collection of shell.

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References:
[1] MARLENE HURLEY MARSHAL (2002), (The ultimate guide to decorating your home with seashells), Sfera international Italy, ISBN 1-58017-440-X

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Seashell Craft - Panaji, Goa