The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1903-09-19
row TIE FAD.



No psafi-croWned mermaid Of fairy
tales ever delighted more ia her she'll
treasures chan the summer girl Of to-
day whose happy lot lands her at the
seaahore.
Each ebb tide leaves new wonders IN
its wake. and the decorative and useful
possibilities of these kisses az the sea-
aB 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 9 shell dado
for the den In 3 summer cottage. Putty
will do as a foundation. One girl who
had no chance Of securing it simply used
a heavy coating OF glue on burlap. ia
harmonious tint is chosen, the effect Is
good, although the glue is not 20 DUR
able as the putty. Picture molding will
do as a finish for top and bottom and.
also form a supporting frame for the
putty. After laying in q surface Of this
to 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 ana picturesque, as well as
permanent.
To q girl who has any taste for model
ing, the same idea may be carried out in
vases. a shell-incrusted t%ardiniere
makes q unique ornament for a summer
porch, and even a cigar box may be
transformed with q thin coating Of put
~ and a mingling Of small scalloped
shells and periWinkles into anything
from a work box to a hairpin tray
The p%eriwinkles make the prettiest
chains and can be pierced with a COM
mon needle for stTinging. BY alteTnat-
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. 1t is as delicate and dainty as a
baby's nail. and shades from a deep pink
to orange and a pale green.
It can be used in all manner Of ways
where the heavier shells are imprac-
tlcable. One Of the simplest uses is to
string them for p0rtieres, the same al
bamboo curtains are made. One girl
made belts Of them for herself and heE
friends by overlapping them like scales
and using two rows for each belt. Worn
with one Of the popular linen suits, the
eject was charming.
The best she'll souvenir to take home
to father, brother or the beloved one il
q paper weight. After a heavy sea
fragments Of green-stained rocks, with
all shapes and sizes Of oysters fastened
to them, are cast up from the oyster
beds. II left in the sun the oysters dry
out and the shells can be hand-pafnted
d left natural, as preferred. A gOoC
idea for receptacle for stamps or loos,
pens is to drill holes in a blue pOin
she'll and hinge the two parts together
Even II one has not the knack Of con.
struction there is still the shell cabine
which, every seaside girl should possess
in which to exhibit her trophies whel
the days grow chill and summer bird
fly home. A few small shelves. stainet
dark and hung or fastened in any cor
ner, will do, with a bunch Of seaweet
trailing down from the top and a few
crabs dangling of the edges. The fill
ing Of the shelves should be a matter o
individual taste and selection.