She doesn’t know I’m thinking about this, but there’s one very good thing about a friend + co-worker relocating to San Francisco later this month: I’m going to have a direct supplier for starfish and sea shells, and a dependable one at that. I visited the city last fall, and in addition to doing work-related-conference stuff, I made my way to Fisherman’s Wharf, where I ate ice cream, cruised under the Golden Gate and also scooped up 3 perfectly dainty starfish.
I know I wrote on Wednesday about the beach glass and mentioned that I don’t want to see my house transform into a beach house, but then I got to thinking that I go against that mindset, sort-of, by having this obsession with the darling starfish which are perched happily around my house.
They weren’t from an overpriced boutique on Pier 39, but from a little shop off the beaten path for 50-cents to $1 each. EACH! I would have bought more if I could have fit more in my luggage (and actually, they ended up being carefully tucked into my carry-on along with this poster, out of paralyzing fear of having a TSA employee ransack and possibly destroy my fragile goodies).
Aren’t they pretty? I love the detail. Varied shapes, sizes, colors, and so, so… lean-able. I move them around the same way I move around other decor, so while they’re stationed in the bathroom and bedroom right now (you can see them on the mirror in this post), they make their way around the house, occasionally landing on the mantle, shelves, and windowsills.
I even have a decor-related crafty project in mind when I track down the right materials. Yes, that’s right, I said I was going to be crafty; I’m certain you’ll like it. Check back for more on that.
7 Comments
Love the starfish! The bumpy white one is my favorite! I’m planning a vacation to Sanibel Island, FL this fall and my main reason is for all the shells and “other goodies” I hope to collect there! So, I totally understand where you’re coming from! It’s fun to incorporate nature in decorating, isn’t it?
Sanibel’s my FAVORITE! You’ll find some great goodies between those beaches and the shops – I’m so envious! I love the little bumpy one too, mostly because I had never seen one before and didn’t have any idea that they existed. Even though it’s so fragile, I like that it’s just a little less expected than the normal starfish.
Thanks for stopping by, Mindy!
Emily, My parents live in Sanibel! My mom says that all the locals call it “Sanibel Stoop” because people are always stooping to pick up all the beautiful shells. These are lovely finds!
Ahh, Amber you’re so lucky to have a built-in family beach home! I was there for a day two years ago (Grandma lives in Ft. Myers, so it’s convenient). The beach was pretty combed through, but I sat by the lighthouse and saved a few tiny shells. Cashmere sand. I need that right now!
Oh! I forgot to tell you, I asked Ryan about the project you asked me about, and our best idea (so far) was a wax setting and then maybe soldering to cover the wax. I have been meaning to try a few test runs for you (there are mounds of starfish for sale around here, as you might imagine). Other than that, I will keep thinking.
THAT is a good idea. I gave that project a whirl over the weekend using my favorite hack product, Sugru. I’ll post about that soon but I’m going to test the wax/soldering idea too just to see if I can get a finished product with metallic detailing too. Thanks for sending that idea my way!
You’re welcome! Hope it works out, can’t wait to see the results!