Grand Strand Shell Club

Since Paul and I have been spending our winters in South Carolina, we joined the Grand Strand Shell Club here in Myrtle Beach.  Last weekend Paul and I went to the Springmaid Beach Christmas Craft Fair and stopped at the display set up by our Shell Club.  It was nice to see the members again and we look forward to the Christmas Party and monthly meetings coming up.

 

Shell Club member, Pete Brimlow, designed and hand-crafted a jean jacket to donate to our Club as a fundraiser. 

 

The lucky winner will be named tonight at our Christmas Party.
Wonder if Paul or I will have our ticket drawn?  Hoping so...

 

 

 

A sample of some of the crafts made by the Shell Club for sale at the Craft Fair.

 

This shell-covered box was on display only and made by our President Laura.
(Laura said she uses it at home to hide her supply of chocolate as no-one else is to lift the cover for fear of breaking it. 

 

 

Shell Crafts - Grand Strand Shell Club

 

At the March meeting of the Grand Strand Shell Club, one of our very crafty members brought along some of her craft items that she made for us to see.  She also gave a talk on Sailor's Valentine and later gave a craft lesson in how to make shell flowers and butterflies.

 

Here is a sample of some of the flowers and butterflies that Sue Ann made.

 

Her display gave us ideas of what to do with the flowers we made.  She had various size boxes and picture frames.

 

My friend Irm, who is an expert in making shell crafts, is helping me with my shell flowers.

 

 

I did manage to make two flowers and a couple of butterflies.  I think I need a little more practice  and I will keep at it.  My flower has the little red centre.

 

No, I did not make this wonder tabletop.  The is a sample of the shell crafting that my friend Irm produces.  I am very fortunate to own two pieces of Irm's work - a shell box and an awesome shell wreath.  To own one of her tables would be PRICELESS to me.

 

Paul and I always look forward to being part of the Grand Strand Shell Club when we are in Surfside Beach during the winter months.  We have met some very nice people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treasures from the Beach

Scallop shells are my favourite to collect, especially the red coloured ones

 

Even a piece of seaglass today

 

I was so happy to find this sea urchin as they are a different colour than the ones we find at home. 
 
Well,  when I got it back to the condo and started to clean out, what I thought was sand inside, I realized that there was a small live crab trapped inside.  Being a lover of the ocean and nature, I decided to bring the crab back to the beach, but fearful that it would fall prey to the shorebirds.  I tried to free it without breaking the urchin, but I had no luck.  After carefully cracking the shell with a pair of kitchen scissors, I put the sea urchin in a plastic bag and set out for the beach.

As soon as I stepped onto the sand, the seagulls swarmed me.  How did they know I was carrying something they might eat?  I had to scare them away and walk quite a ways north down the beach before I could find a small wet spot to free the crab.

As I walked away I saw a seagull walk toward the area where I released the little crab, but I did not look back as I wanted to think that the little crab was safe. 

Mission accomplished...

 

 

Shells & Seaglass from New Brunswick

 

 

Paul and I are members of the Grand Strand Shell Club here in Myrtle Beach.  Each year in February, the Club holds an auction to raise money for the Club and the members bring along items to auction off among themselves.  We decided to bring some shells and seaglass from our area of New Brunswick.  I wasn't sure if anyone would be interested in bidding on these items but I took a chance.  Well, surprising to us, the three baskets of shells and the four small bottles of seaglass raised more than $25. 

Not that Paul and I need an excuse to go beachcombing, but we will now have to go looking for more treasures to bring along for next year.
  

 

 

 

 

 

Seaglass

 

Paul helped out with the auction procedures this year

Come on folks, do I hear a higher bid?

 

Paul and I have been "snowbird" members of the Grand Strand Shell Club for four years now, and we have enjoyed the shell trips.  It's a great way to get to know the area and meet the local people.

 

 

 



 

 

Sea Shell Crafting

Earlier this week, I was invited to lunch and an afternoon of sea shell crafting with Irm and Susan.  Irm first treated us to her homemade butternut squash soup, which was absolutely wonderful, and definitely worthy of a second serving.  I actually didn't make a craft but picked up valuable tips on how to start a project and work with the glues, etc., from my two experienced crafting friends.



These are the shells that Susan collected on a Florida beach that she brought along to use on the picture frame she was making.  I am happy to say that she was kind enough to give us a baggie full for a future project. 

Here is Susan busily working on her project, which will be a gift for her friend.  I realized when I got home that we were so busy chatting and admiring all the shells, that I did not get a photo of Susan's finished project, a shelled-covered photo frame.

This centrepiece on Irm's table is one of her earlier creations.  The vase is full of some very interesting shells, sea urchins, sand dollars, etc.  I fell in love with the shell ring at the base of the vase.  I hope to attempt to make one, but I know mine will not be as beautiful as this one.

Each time I visit with Irm, I am amazed by her latest creation, like this fish.  She designed and created this piece of art from coloured beer caps.  It was so interesting.

I now have to go to the local craft shop to get my glue, wreath ring, etc. so I can get busy with my project once I am back in my craft room.  I hope I remember all that I was taught.

Grand Strand Shell Club

Paul and I have been members of the Grand Strand Shell Club in the Myrtle Beach area for the past three years, while being snowbirds here.  The Club holds a meeting on the second Thursday of each month (except July, August and December) in the meeting room at the Tupelo Bay Golf Club at 7 p.m.  This month the Club celebrated its 22nd Anniversary as a Club.

We have met a very nice group of people and enjoyed great shelling trips to a couple of local area Islands.  We hope to enjoy many more years with the Club.  Happy shelling...

An Evening Stroll

It was such a nice evening that Paul and I decided to spend a little time strolling Beresford Beach. Here we are, well at least our shadows.


Here's Paul enjoying the sound of the waves lapping the shoreline.


And what would a stroll on the beach be without a little beachcombing. Today we both found a piece of blue seaglass which is a rarity for this beach, along with several other nice pieces. We were also picking up these small yellow shells. We refer to them as Irm shells as we are collecting them to our Carolina friend, Irm, who owns a vast collection of shells, and these will be a nice addition.

The ducks were also enjoying the beach today. They were playing in the water and when Paul went to take their picture, they thought he had food for them so they all marched out of the water and started to follow us down the beach. They soon turned back when nothing was offered.

50th Annual Canadian-American Days, Myrtle Beach

Last week (14-20 March) was the 50th Annual Can-Am Days Festival sponsored by the area Chamber of Commerce and RBC Bank (Royal Bank of Canada), in the Myrtle Beach area. This is a week that we have been enjoying for the past three years and always look forward to.



On Monday afternoon we went to the Inlet Square Mall in Murrell's Inlet to enjoy a concert series featuring The Top Hat Marching Orchestra and No Strings Attached from Burlington, Ontario. There was a great turnout and the music was very enjoyable.

Then we enjoyed a little local flavour with the Mixed Creed Gospel Quarlet. Another very enjoyable performance.

On Tuesday evening we went along to the Beach Church to hear a little east coast and Irish music. We were first entertained by The Beaton Family, with Andrea Beaton, her Dad Ken and Mom Betty Lou, from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Joining them was Kimberly Fraser, also from Cape Breton, but now living in Boston. It was a great concert with lots of great fiddle music, toes tapping and hands clapping.

Searson, an Irish band from Ottawa, Ontario followed. Another very lively performance. Maybe a little too lively for the older folk in the audience...

Wednesday was the 17th Annual Wildlife and History Day at Huntington Beach State Park. Since we are "snowbird" members of the local Grand Strand Shelling Club of the area, we offered to help in the morning with our shell display at the Park.

Not only do we display shells, from the local area and worldwide, but some members bring along their display of sharks teeth.

Our friend Irm, always has such lovely displays. She is such a creative person. Here are several of her new displays, featuring all local beach treasures.

Crab Shells

Star Fish

Sea Urchins

There were other activities on the grounds of Atalaya, including music by a local musician, Wendell Matthews.

This year Park Ranger Mike needed bird decoys painted so people were asked to volunteer to paint. These decoys are put in the north end of the park to entice birds to nest in the area. It was nice to be able to help out. Paul was very quick to paint several rows of decoys.

Here we have a local Park Ranger doing her part.

And then our friend Irm, stepped in to do her part.

It was a fun week and we enjoyed meeting and chatting with people. The dates are marked on our calendar for next year.