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While I was dusting my tables at the beach house last weekend – always a labor of love – I marveled at the exquisite sea forms in this arrangement of sea souvenirs and photographed it. Most of the shells on this table are abalone shells. I purchased these here and there. It was only last year that I found one myself while I was beach combing in New Zealand. Abalone is common in New Zealand; it is popular as a food and the polished shells are used frequently in their traditional jewelry designs.

Two of the three large abalone shells are antique ink wells from the late 19^th century. I am always on the lookout for antique shell objects. There are many varieties of  vintage shell finds like shell sewing accouterments, shell ships and the classic shell cameo, to name a few.

I enjoyed adding some other beach finds, like the odd shaped flat rocks, Japanese floats and several odd shells. In addition, miniature antique books create some interest and make a great little background for found-object arrangements.