Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-11-26
sEAsHELLs NOW THE FAD.
Many odd Ways of Using Them to
Decorate the Rooms IN
Summer.

| No pearl-cTowned mermaid OF IalF9
tales ever delighted more in her shell
| treasures than the summer girl OF To-
day whose happy lot lands her at the
/ seashore.
Eaeh ebb tide leaves new wonders IN
1 its wake. and the decorative and useiul
| possibilities Of these kisses OF the sea,
| as some one has called them, are almost
startling when evolved from the clever
brain Of some original girl, says the
Washington Star
one OF the oldest ideas is shell dado
for the den IN a summer cottage. Putty
will do as a foundation. One girl who
had no chance Of securing it simply used
heavy coating Of glue on burlap. II
harmonious tint is chosen, the effect Is
good, although the glue is not SO dur
Gble as the putty. Picture molding VIII
do as a finish for top and bottom and
also form a supporting frame for the
putty After laying in surface OF this
70 work on, add the shells the same as
in mosaic designing. Clam and oyster
shells will do for borders, and the more
fancy varieties can be used in all kinds
of fantastic patterns for the center. The
putty will harden readily, and the result
is striking and picturesque, as well as
permanent
To girl who has any taste for model
ing, the same idea may be carried out In
vases. A shell-incrusted jardiniere
makes a unique ornament for a summer
porch, and even cigar box may be
transformed with a thin coating Of put
ty and a mingling Of small scalloped
shells and periwinkles into anything
from a work box to a hairpin tray,
The periwinkles make the prettiest
chains and can be pierced with a COM
mon needle for stringing. By alternat-
ing the pink and white variety with the |
dark and only choosing the smallest |
ones, a necklace can be made that would |
grace the throat Of a Lurline.
There is a small oval shell found |
along rocky coasts that is like a crys-
tallized rose leaf in thinness and color
ing Il is as delicate and dainty as a
baby's nail, and shades from a deep pink
TO orange and a pale green.
1t can be used in all manner Of ways
where the heavier shells are imprae-
dcable One Of the simplest uses is to
string them for portieres, the same as
bamboo curtains are made. One girl
made belts Of them for herself and her
friends by overlapping them like scales
and using two rows for each belt Worn
with one Of the popular linen suits, the
effect was charming.
The best shell souvenir 20 take home
10 father, brother or the beloved one is
/ paper weight After a heavy sea,
OF green-stained rocks. with
All shapes and sizes Of oysters fastened
70 them. are cast up from the oyster
,eds If left in the sun the oysters dry
tut and the shells can be hand-painted,
Or left natural, as preferred. A good
dea for a receptacle for stamps or loose
pens is to drill holes in blue point
she'll and hinge the two parts together.
Even II one has not the knack of con-
Itruction there is still the shell cabinet
which every seaside girl should possess,
n which to exhibit her trophies when
he days grow chill and summer birds
iy home. A few small shelves stained
lark and hung or fastened in any cor
Ter, will do with bunch of seaweed
railing down from the top and a few
'rabs dangling OF the edges. The fill
ng Of the shelves should be matter of
Individual taste and selection.