The tradition goes on. This is the time of year when it's hard to resist collecting shells and dried pieces of bone and driftwood at the many island beaches. Many people are using natural materials as the basis for a craft project. The natural colors and textured material suggest serenity and reminds us all year long of Nantucket. Crafting with natural materials has become increasingly popular.
Crafters enjoy the versatility of multiple shades of natural colors and textures.
One of my most successful shell projects is combining a shell stencil with real shells on a wooden box. For another project, paint a box with a sponged faux finish background and then decorate the top with shells and other found objects from the beach, such as seaglass. To create an underwater effect on the box, paint the background with white acrylic paint. Then, using a pale blue paint and an inexpensive sponge brush or natural sponge, dab the paint over the background for a mottled effect. You might then paint the inside with a contrasting color or line the box with pretty paper.