# Shellcraft

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A sailor's valentine from circa 1870

**Shellcraft**, also known as **shell craft** and **shellwork**, is the [art](/source/Art) and [craft](/source/Craft) of making decorative objects, and of decorating surfaces, using [seashells](/source/Seashell). It is a form of [folk art](/source/Folk_art) and [decorative art](/source/Decorative_arts). The craft includes the design and creation of small items such as [shell jewelry](/source/Shell_jewelry) and [figurines](/source/Figurine) made from shells; middle-sized objects such as boxes and mirror frames covered in shells; [sailor's valentines](/source/Sailor's_valentines);[1] and larger constructions including [mosaics](/source/Mosaic) and [shell grottos](/source/Shell_grotto).

Some shellcraft is done as a hobby for enjoyment and making gifts. Among [Aboriginal Australian](/source/Aboriginal_Australians) and [Torres Strait Islander](/source/Torres_Strait_Islanders) communities, shellwork is an important traditional art, including [Bidjigal shellwork](/source/Bidjigal#Shellwork). Pieces are held in art galleries and museum collections. In some parts of the world, including the [Philippines](/source/Philippines), it is a business.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-fondas_1-0)** Fondas, John. *Sailors' Valentines*, Rizzoli International Publications, 2002

- [2010 article about shellcraft by Janice Light](http://www.conchsoc.org/node/2028) on the [Conchological Society](/source/Conchological_Society) website

## Further reading

- Logan, E.D. 1974. *Shell Crafts*. Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York. 214pp.

- Toller, J. 1969. *The Regency and Victorian Crafts or The Genteel Female – Her Arts and Pursuits*. Ward Lock Ltd, London. 96pp.

- Virginia Fowler Elbert, 1993. *Shell Craft* 288 pp. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0486277305](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0486277305)

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