Decoupage

Learn the basics of decoupage and apply the technique across a range of small, functional pieces. Create trinket dishes, holiday ornaments, magnets, spoon rests, soap dishes, napkin rings, keychains, tote bag charms, and wine glass charms.

This process is simple and adaptable, allowing you to work with different papers, patterns, and finishes. Each piece can be tailored in color and style, making it easy to create coordinated sets or one-of-a-kind items. The result is a collection of handmade objects that are both decorative and practical.

Shelling Excursions

Looking for shells is as much about timing and attention as it is about the find itself. The best moments are often tied to the tide—walking the shoreline as the water recedes reveals what has just been uncovered, a fresh layer of shells and fragments waiting to be noticed. 2-3 Hours before low tide tends to be the most rewarding, when the beach feels undisturbed and the details are easier to see.

There’s a rhythm to it. You begin to notice shapes, subtle curves, and variations in color that stand out against the sand. Some shells are immediately visible, while others require a slower eye—tones that blend in, edges that catch the light just enough to signal something worth picking up. Over time, you learn to look not just at what’s on the surface, but what might be just beneath it.

It’s also a process that asks you to be a little less careful. You have to be willing to get your feet wet, to follow the waterline, to step into the tide pools where the best pieces often settle. And more often than not, the most interesting finds come from digging—moving through small piles of shells, sifting through the mix, taking the time to search a little deeper.

Shelling is not rushed. It’s patient, observant, and a bit instinctive. And when you find the right piece, you know—it’s something you’ve noticed, chosen, and carried with intention from the shoreline.