This is what a Sanibel bicycle should look like!
Martine (Quebec) loves to ride her bike to the beach to collect shells on Sanibel as a sort of therapy. She says when she is on the beach she gets into a ZEN type feeling that clears her mind like cultivating a bonsai tree. That’s so true, isn’t it? After she returns to her little piece of paradise in Periwinkle Park, she cleans up her treasures to add them to her bike with clear silicone. There’s even a JUNONIA on there!
And to her planters…
And to her “welcome” sign (heehee)…
She organizes some her shells in the trays you get for veggies and party platters. Great idea!
Martine also introduced me to her Canadian friend Lucienne (Ottawa) who loves shelling. Shelling Sistahs!
I will show you some of the FREAK shells that Lucienne and her husband Ron found on my next post so stay tuned! Until then, I’m thinking I need to add shells to my bike basket too. Thank you, Martine, for a lovely morning in the park.
WOW!!!
Amazing !
Martine personifies the Sanibel lifestyle. I use the GE Silicone II from any hardware store for all my shell & glass projects. It sets up fairly fast but once it dries (in about 4-6 hrs) it holds tight. It is especially good for outdoor projects because it is mildew resistant.
Is it water proof as well?
Yes, The silicone I use is “construction” strength. It’s for sealing windows and showers so it’s waterproof. I did have some trouble with one of my shell mirrors one time though with the silicone. Don’t know why but it popped off like hot glue does some times. I think the shell was too heavy so I used e6000 after re-siliconing it as a double whammy. I’ve been daydreaming about shell crafting since I met Martine- Ive got to get back to shell art!
Cute bike – I’d like one of those!
The pleasure and honor was mine. I did not beleive that I would meet Pam in person since at home I am with her every morning having my coffee reading her blog on I love shelling. What a coincidence!!!!!!
Thank you Pam for all you are giving me
Thanks so much for sharing this story about my good friend, Martine. She truly is an island girl. Thanks again!!
I ♥ This!!
Love that the Junonia is front and center on her bike basket! Like good china, it should be seen and used everyday! You only live once!
Love it – it’s so pretty!
That is one of the cutest bikes I’ve ever seen!! Love the other crafts too!
Love it!!!!!
The bike basket is really a great idea. And I love the “Go to Shell” sign too! Martine really knows how to showcase her best shells. They are very well arranged to show their beauty.
so sweet! Thanks for sharing your bike basket shell collecting story, Martine and Pam!!! also like the idea of the clear veggie tray for separating, and using construction strength clear silicone for crafting with shells!! ! tahnks all… what an amazing community!!!
Very cool!
Periwinkle Park is so nice. That is where we have always stayed when we came to the island. It will be a first for us this year to say at Mitchell’s Sandcastles. However, we will be stopping by most afternoons to see the birds. I was allowed to hold and rub the head of one of the big Macaws last year and it was such a treat. I don’t know if you will still be there in 3 weeks when we arrive Martine, but I’d love to stop and say ‘Hi” and see your bike first hand. It sure puts my bike basket to shame.
Tomorrow at this time we will be on Sanibel. Will be my first time to attend the shell show. :-)
Nice bike basket! Great idea along with Martine’s other artful ideas! Hmmm…does give one pause don’t it? Happy Shelling!
That is just too cool! I have a bike…now I need a basket! ♥
I know its slightly off topic since Martine’s bicycle and other crafts are so pretty, but for my shells at home that I sort WHILE i plan their crafty fates, i love boxes like these ( not an endorsement of Amazon, just shown as example)…http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045LCTF4/ref=asc_df_B0045LCTF41907645?smid=A3TGC5XRRCX4P2&tag=nextagusmp0399911-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B0045LCTF4…. Thank you Martine for your inspiration!
There was an amazing shell pile/shell wash on Blind pass Beach yesterday! I was there with my cousin who was visiting from Georgia and we found lightning whelks, fighting conchs, a King’s Crown,a paper fig, pear whelks, banded tulips, true tulips, a horse conch, and apple murexes. I found the best pear whelks I have ever collected! There were also sevrall lightning whelk egg cases and tulip egg cases strewn amongst the beach bling. It was a glorious day!
Wow…….so beautiful…and I agree that is how sanibel should ride in style:) Very creative…
I just love love the shell bicycle basket!