Thursday, March 4, 2010

Mon Petit Coquillage

Ever since Maya over at Completely Coastal did a post about the art of attaching shells to objects entitled It's Called Coquillage, I was anxious to find an object suitable to use with my collection of tiny shells.





Most of these shells were given to me by a little neighbor girl named Jewelia, when she moved away a few years ago. See that tiny little starfish in the center? I just found that in this collection today, and it's a wonder how it survived in one piece with all the others.



I started on this project right after dinner last night, and added the tiny starfish when I came across it today.




I only added shells to the areas that you would not need to grab when installing this sconce.





I thought about adding some wired sea glass to hang down from the lights, but I had some extra chandelier pendants that were a lot quicker to hang.






Although this sconce is still wired for electricity, I just tucked the wires into the back and hung it on my wall.





This is what the sconce looked like before, when I found it at a local thrift store for just $2.50.






All I did was coat it with a layer of creme colored latex paint and as soon as it was dry, I applied just a few shells with a hot glue gun.


In case you want to do this too, it only took me about 5 minutes to paint, and about 30 minutes to apply the shells.



I bet it would take longer to have it installed to use with electricity though, so I'm calling this one complete as is.

12 comments:

Sandy, Sisters of Season said...

Hi Lili,

This is gorgeous . . I love the idea, so pretty. No way here in California would I be able to find something like this at thrift shop for 2.50, amazing. Good job!

Teri said...

Now how cool is that!? Love it!!

GailO said...

I have boxes of collected shells that I never know what to do with...now you have me thinking...

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

What a transformation. Just lovely. This weekend we are going searching the thrift stores for end tables for the living room - hope they don't need too much re-doing.

Gigi Thibodeau said...

Lovely! I often pick up vintage pieces of coquillage, and one of my friends makes amazing pieces, but I've never done it myself. Yours is wonderful, and I love that little starfish!

Fabulously French said...

Bonjour Lili, it looks fabulous, tres, tres joli.

A bientot,

Leeann x

Ange said...

Lili that would look wonderful in anyone's seaside home. It's gorgeous! I paint sconces too but haven't thought of adding my collection of shells to them yet. One I will keep in mind...

Queenie said...

As usual, you have outdone yourself. Now I will be scouring thrift shops and yard sales for a similar sconce. You are so inspiring!

Anonymous said...

Love it, love it!! And I hope you don't mind if I'm going to feature that on CC too!!! Now you inspire me to (blog less) and do a little coquillage myself!!!!!

Have a wonderful weekend Lili, and thanks so much for the link. I love your blog!!

Completely Coastal said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Maya said...

Oh gosh, got it wrong..., the Anonymous is me, Maya!

Lamp Tramp said...

Lili, this is just amazing. I love it. That tiny starfish is so adorable. I'm kicking myself since I had a pair of brass sconces like yours and I think I got rid of them. I'll have to check my attic!