My name is Pam, and I work at home full time running my online business at Zazzle where I use my seashell and floral photography (along with some artwork) to create unique items for sale online. But in my spare time I like to write about my seashell collection and share the knowledge I have about tropical (and sometimes not tropical) shells.
I lived in Florida for over 25 years where I spent a lot of time near the ocean, either fishing boating, swimming, boogie boarding, or just walking the coastline in search of treasures. Although the east coast (where I hung out most often) didn’t have many shells, there were a few small, pretty ones to collect, but the Gulf coast was the place to do some serious shelling. Sanibel Island was where I found most of the shells you’ll see pictured on this blog.
Now I live in New Hampshire with my kids and my cats, and I haven’t been to the beach in years. It makes me appreciate my shell collection.
I hope you will enjoy them too.
Thanks for dropping by.
Oh wow!!! I didn’t think I’d find a blog about shells on this site! I think that your shells are beautiful
I am also a shell collector, who lives on the gulf side of Florida 
Hernando County to be exact. About twice a month, I go to the beach with my mom and friends, and we get as many beautiful shells as our Walmart bags can carry lol. But I’m pretty picky when it comes to shells, however I think all shells are beautiful in their own way. I use the shells that I get to make jewelry. My mom makes clay jewelry so she’s giving her input and knowledge in the art of jewelry making. I’ve only made three pieces, (one at which I am keeping 
) and I sell them online. I don’t know very much about shells, but thanks to your blog I can learn about them a bit better 
I also had a question.. I picked up my first Fighting Conchs a few weeks ago (which made me very happy lol) but they smell like some sea creature died inside them… I don’t think there’s anything in there… We had them soaking in Mr Clean for like a day and a half but it still stinks like fish B.O. The Lightning Whelk that I got stopped smelling already so… Do you know any way to take the stink away? Also one last question (sorry for babbling X_X ) Why do seashells turn a pasty white when they’re dry? Not all of my shells do that, but the Lightning Whelk and Fighting Conchs do.
Thanks for your time!
Thank you for the visit to my blog. I don’t know much about cleaning shells, since I collected mine so long ago, but I plan to blog about it soon. As far as the pasty white appearance of your shells, I would say that maybe the substance you used to try to rid them of the smell possible damaged the shell. It’s just a guess. When cleaned correctly the shells will should look beautiful.
The shells were already that pasty white before I used the cleaning products. A lot of my shells don’t look their true colors until you get them wet.
It’s possible that your shells were worn down by the ocean or sand and / or bleached by the sun before you found them. If they started off that way, it could be the reason. Some shells are just not as shiny as others to begin with also.
Dear Mill Hill,
first did i get your name right? second i have some questions i would like you to awnser.
hi, i am a student at the Walden School. i am doing a project for class on SHELLS! if you could just awnser a couple questions that would be great. some are REALLY BIG! so if you don’t know thats ok, but please try to awnser them. i know this is really really last minute but if you can get this to me by tonight or the latest tomorrow morning,the 19th.
1.What is the rarest shell known?
2.what is your favorite shell?
3.where is the most common spot shells are found?
4.what’s an overlay?
5.How are shells made?
6.how old is the ooldest shell kown?
7.if a shell was to be put in a pool what would happen?
8.whats the hardest shell to break into?
9.is there a difference between how a land shell and a sea shell is made?
10.how big is the biggest shell known?
thoese are my question’s. please reply soon.
thank you VERY VERY much for your time
Brooke Ely
Hi Brooke,
I sent you an e-mail with some answers. Best of luck with that (fun sounding) project!
thank so so so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are very welcome.
Hi Pam, nice to read about you, I am also a shell collector and I make shell art.
I am from Norway and live in Oslo.
I will write to you on Facebook.
Best reg. from Lise.
Hi Lise, thanks for visiting my blog. I’d love to hear about the shells you collect and the art you create.
Hi! I enjoyed your site, and just used it as a source for an eHow.com article. It’s a small thing, but I thought you might find it neat.
http://www.ehow.com/how_7514563_identify-types-shells.html
Thank you for that. It’s a nice article.
Hi, nice to meet you !
Hi Pam,
Thanks for stopping by Flandrum Hill. I do share your love of seashells. The ones we have here in Nova Scotia aren’t as colorful as the gorgeous ones found in warmer waters, but they can still be pretty interesting.
I’m more into drawing than photographing shells. Your photographs are lovely.
If you are on facebook, there is a group for shell lovers called Juntando Caracoles/ Picking Shells that has some videos you would probably enjoy.
With all best wishes,
Amy-Lynn
Hi Amy-Lynn,
Thank you for the nice comment. I draw too, but have never drawn shells. I am on facebook and will look into
that group for sure.
I visited Nova Scotia when I was a kid (that was quite a while ago!) and I don’t remember much about it except that I thought it was beautiful.
I’m glad you left this note.
I’ll be back to check on your blog too.
All the best,
Pam
I love the cutting boards and coasters.
I love them too. Printfection. They would make nice gifts….pass it on!