Sandis Shellscapes

Bad Bad Blogger

2010-12-30T16:12:00.002-05:00

Wow - so it's been exactly a year since I blogged! I had decided it was just not for me but since a new year is starting and I really want to do some tutorials on how to create seashell items I'm going to try again.

Was busy last night creating a new seahorse with a vintage pearl bridle. Think she turned out pretty cute!

2009-12-30T14:03:00.003-05:00

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION - I WILL BLOG...and will do more original artwork as I did on this box!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Froggie Puzzle

2009-10-23T08:42:00.002-04:00

Here's a puzzle for you ... can you find the real frog in the picture? This little guy appeared in my frog birdbath and sat there calmly while I photographed him.

Cinnamon scents...

2009-10-23T08:37:00.002-04:00

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=89534 This treasury reminds me of going apple picking up north and then going home and baking apple crisp - could never get the hang of pie crust or it would have been apple pie! Cinnamon was a main ingredient so was pleased to have my box included this treasury on Etsy. Enjoy your fall!

A sad time...

2009-09-01T11:17:00.002-04:00

Can't believe how lax I have been on my blogging. My only excuse is that my beloved mother in law Glo has tragically died after some time in intensive care and surgery. She never came to after the surgery and died last Friday. We are headed up to MN from our home in FL tomorrow to celebrate her life.

On a lighter note I got featured in two treasuries on Etsy today - one of them picked two of my mermaids to include which is a first!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=79393

It's been a while...

2009-07-10T15:13:00.003-04:00

This blogging thing just doesn't seem to be me - was inspired though recently by some people who included some of my seashell things on their blogs...http://www.shopindieonline.com/blog/ for example.

Thanks Chris!

Also did another seashell person - I call her Seashell Diva!~

Fish Lips

2009-06-27T18:58:00.002-04:00

Sort of forgot about my blog here -been so busy creating and working in one of the shops that sells my creations. We just opened up a new section of the shop right on the road to the beach in New Smyrna Beach Florida which should bring lots more traffic.

Here's my Fish Lips mirror...

An early Katherine Hepburn???

2009-04-24T12:53:00.002-04:00

So here I am with another "wig bust" from my customer BJ of the aforementioned "death mask". I decided it needed to look like an old time movie star so gave her a black abolone "hat" and shelled her in strawberry blonde whelk shells. The picture was taken way before she was completed and then like an idiot I got in a rush to get ready for a show last weekend and never took a picture of the finished bust. It did turn out quite striking though and was purchased right away by some interior designers so thank you Gribble Interiors!

If anyone out there has any great ideas I have two more busts left to do!

A Death Mask???

2009-04-24T12:20:00.002-04:00

This was an interesting commission. A really nice woman named BJI met at an art show had this "death mask" done for her by lying on a kitchen counter with straws in her nose and her husband standing by holding her hand until it dried. Once she got it done and air brushed she wasn't sure what to do with it until she met me at the art show and saw a seashell bust I had on display. She happened to be the former owner of a wig shop and had some beautiful busts so brought me one and I attached the mask of her face and shelled it. It turned out quite beautifully I thought and somewhat regal so I named it "Princess BJ". When I delivered it she was laid up in bed with a very serious foot surgery so I wish her a speedy recovery and thank her for the extra busts she gave me. Check out my next blog for what I did with one of them!

The luck of the Irish...

2009-03-31T13:33:00.002-04:00

Like just about everyone these days we are scrimping to get by - but I told my husband the other day that I felt our luck was going to be changing - with a little hard work by us. Went out to check out the new veggie garden we have planted and the following picture is what I saw!

Right after that got a call from one of the shops that sells my seashell artwork and they sold a whole lot of things for me plus I got a commission of a bust to be shelled. I'm passing the four leaf clover on to all who read this blog and wish you a lot of luck in the coming months!

I'm in another treasury on Etsy!

2009-03-13T08:57:00.002-04:00

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=46384 Thanks to Marcy of www.studiomarcy.etsy.com for including me in her seashell related treasury. It's always so much fun to see what people put together for a treasury...one of these days I need to try creating one myself. It's on my TO DO list which just keeps getting longer and longer.

It's another beautiful day here in Florida ... hope it's the same wherever you are and best wishes for getting well soon to my Dad who's in the hospital!

2009-03-09T10:51:00.002-04:00

Wow -I'm embarrassed to have waited so long to update this blog. I can only blame it on spring in Florida which when you are from the north (MN) leads to lots of house guests. Also lots of spring art shows. I did so well on the New Smyrna Beach Art Fiesta which really surprised me considering the economy. Never give up!! Now Easter is closing in so I've been working on some jewelry cabinets with vintage Easter images and of course lots of seashells and coral. Happy Spring!!

There's hope...

2009-02-13T12:58:00.002-05:00

I've been keeping busy creating new items for an art show in New Smyrna Beach coming up soon...but have been depressed everytime I look out at my pool area because the cold snap has killed just about everything. Today we uncovered the pool to clean it and I was checking out the gardens and lo and behold the dill was blooming! I got so excited I had to pick the bloom and then thought I need some more flowers to fill the vase. In the 5 years we have lived here in Florida I don't think I 've ever NOT been able to find plenty of flowers in my garden but was so unhappy this time to find not a one. Went to let our cat Sami out in the front yard and couldn't believe my eyes! Our beautiful pink azalea was blooming like crazy ... and the ferns along the front walkway were doing great as well. I filled my small vase and hope was restored... it is always springtime in Florida!!!

What happened to the picture??

2009-02-04T15:59:00.002-05:00

baby it's cold outside!

2009-02-04T15:49:00.002-05:00

We moved to Florida to escape the snowy MN winters but the last couple days and a couple to come are way too cold for me. When my husband calls and tells me to leave a note to remind him to turn on the pool at night and to drain the water from his motor on his boat I KNOW it's cold outside!! To compensate I made a Beach Cottage sign - to remind me that the warmth of sunny FL will return...

As usual, a computer mistake by a novice!

2009-01-30T13:05:00.003-05:00

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=36573 Here's the correct link to the Treasury my seashell cross is in ... still learning this computer stuff!

Thanks for the exposure Jennie!

2009-01-30T12:08:00.002-05:00

Jenny at www.busybeeworker.etsy.com has included me in her latest treasury which is always much appreciated for the exposure it brings. Be sure to check out Jennies Croison Pony stuffed animals at Etsy - they are so cute and come complete with saddles etc. The treasury link is http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=36573

A Sad Assignment

2009-01-29T18:17:00.003-05:00

I haven't blogged lately because I was spending every waking (and not working at my two day a week job) minute completing my latest job. I was asked by the owner of one of the shops that carries my work to do 7 seashell encrusted boxes to hold the ashes of her beloved Dad. When she asked me to do this he was still alive but in hospice - then the day her and her Mom and sister came to my house to discuss the job their eyes looked really red and puffy and I knew he was gone.

Sitting for that 45 minutes or so and discussing what he loved - the ocean, pelicans and collecting sharks teeth on the beach - was really difficult for all of us. Having lost my little brother to a motorcycle accident years ago I know firsthand how sometimes sympathy given can cause your emotions to overflow when you least want them to so I was torn on whether to hug them or just be businesslike. We all got through it but as I worked on those boxes I couldn't help reflecting on just how lucky I am to still have both of my parents alive and well.

I'll attach a picture of one of the boxes - see if you can find the pelican and take a minute to tell someone you love how much they are appreciated.

I'm included!

2009-01-12T10:45:00.001-05:00

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=32959

It's always such an honor to be included in a Treasury on Etsy.com!

Error!

2009-01-07T00:22:00.002-05:00

Sorry Sheree I got your site wrong - the heart tiles are found at www.firedandfused.etsy.com.

Hearts and Seashells

2009-01-07T00:06:00.003-05:00

I have started to dream up ideas for Valentine's Day gifts - was inspired by some beautiful pale pink ceramic hearts made by Sheree at http://www.fireandfused.etsy.com/. She makes the most gorgeous pieces. Here's a pic of a cross I just put on Ebay.

Here's my thought for the New Year...

2008-12-31T16:48:00.002-05:00

I was reading junk mail today on my way to the bank and a multitude of other errands when

I saw this quote from an old Finnish proverb ... "Happiness is a place between too little and

too much." I had been feeling badly that we were making too little money and spending too

much and how were we going to get out of this cycle - a cycle that I know is being shared by

so many of us in this scary economy. The quote made me realize that I was happy and that

while we may not have a lot it is still not "too little" and that sometimes having "too much" just

leads to gluttony and overspending. So I am determined to enjoy what we have, try to do better and life and love will prevail. I am attaching a picture of some letters I encrusted with shells to remind me of this ... HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2008-12-24T20:18:00.006-05:00

I wish you all much peace and happiness in the coming year.

HAPPY 83RD DAD!

2008-12-23T10:35:00.000-05:00

It really is true what my 90 year old Grandma told me years ago...the older you get
the faster time does fly by...now today we are going to celebrate my Dad's 83rd
birthday. He's a very talented and helpful Dad and worked hard his whole life at
a job he really didn't love to support our family until he was able to retire. Now we get
to have him and my Mom down here in Florida 6 months of the year and they spend
the other 6 up north in MN where my brother and sister live. Funny how life works
out and great too! Happy Birthday and we love you Dad!

Mirror for your Mom?

2008-12-21T16:45:00.000-05:00

Hi- I found the picture but couldn't get it in my email from Picasa so am
putting it in the blog instead - like I said I it's in a shop in New Smyrna Beach
where I work and I think it's about the size you are talking about. I'm off to my
husbands Christmas party but will call you tomorrow.

2008-12-21T08:54:00.002-05:00

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=28151 So excited I got included in this great Treasury on Etsy.com - what could be better for the first day of winter than a link to the beach. I am lucky enough to live by the sea in sunny Florida but my family and friends up in snowy, COLD Minnesota are suffering right now so check this out for a little cheer! Enjoy the day...I'm off to work at my favorite shop here in New Smyrna Beach, FL called "Gyftz" - the owner carried a little bit of a whole lot of unique gifts -of course I'm not prejudiced cuz my stuff is included!

Mermaid fever

2008-12-20T17:36:00.005-05:00

"Cinnamon" the pensive mermaid has finally been finished. I struggled with her face and just couldn't get her to really smile so finally accepted that she was pondering the ocean deep and left it at that. I have a red haired collector who has purchase three of my red haired beauties on Ebay so decided to put this one on Etsy instead to see if anyone else is interested.

My poor husband has been hinting that we should start dinner but I got so involved I'm afraid I ignored him so now I'm off to my wifely duties!

Timothy Adams rocks!

2008-12-20T00:31:00.002-05:00

For any of you Etsy people who are new to this blogging thing like I am I highly recommend checking out www.timothyadamsdesigns.blogspot.com - he seems to be an expert in all things Etsy. Ever since I started this blog I have been trying to figure out how to put an Etsy mini on my blog - just checked out his site and he actually has made a short video of how to do it!!
Of course it's late and I'm going to bed but will try this out first thing tomorrow and I'm betting it will work just fine. good night.

WOW THAT WAS FAST!

2008-12-18T18:09:00.003-05:00

I just posted a picture of my seashell seahorse and he has already sold! Guess it's time to buckle down and make some more seahorses and mermaids - they seem to be my best sellers -along with my mermaid jewelry boxes - just got one of those done and put it on Ebay - my seller name is millefleurs 1 if you want to check out my Ebay site. There's not a

whole lot on there after the Christmas shopping flurry but much more to come - as soon as I tear myself away from this computer and get to work!

PC111692

2008-12-17T00:03:00.001-05:00

PC111692
Originally uploaded by johnston.sandi

He's such a cute little (actually kind of big) seashell seahorse just lookin for a home - his sea urchin spine fins a quiverin...

Flickr

2008-12-16T17:00:00.001-05:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

I did it!

2008-12-14T00:01:00.000-05:00

I have been wanting to do this ever since I heard about blogs but just get so busy with the day to day creation of my seashell art that I don't ever want to take the time -but got so inspired by reading blogs of other Etsy artists that I decided if they can do it so can I - now it's getting close to midnight so I'll just quit here - but yay for me!!