National Seashell Day

National Seashell Day has been observed every year since 2016 on the first day of summer (in the Northern Hemisphere). Since the date of the June solstice occurs at the exact instant of time when the Sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer, instead of a specific calendar day, it can occur sometime between June 20 and 22.  This year, 2023, the Summer Solstice and National Seashell Day will be celebrated on June 21st. 

History of National Seashell Day

Founded by Fort Myers and Sanibel Island, Florida, National Seashell Day was started to celebrate seashells and the extraordinary shelling found in Southwest Florida. We lived in this area in the early 1960s when Sanibel Island was little known and seldom visited. I can attest to the fact that the 'shelling' found there is outstanding. 

Source: Pixabay

Today, the beaches of Sanibel Island & Captiva Island on the Gulf Coast of Florida are ranked tops in the world for shelling.  This is due to geography. Sanibel Island is shaped in a curve along the coastline among a string of other more orderly, straight-and-narrow islands. The east-west torque of Sanibel’s south end acts like a shovel scooping up all the seashells that the Gulf imports from The Caribbean and other southern seas. 

All of the Gulf-side shelling beaches in this area, from the Lighthouse to North Captiva, are excellent places to shell. With hundreds of thousands of shells, the beaches are nearly inexhaustible sources of every type of shell; and are constantly being fed from the Gulf & Caribbean. People come from all over just to gather shells, and seashells are the dominant motif in island décor and boutique gifts. 

Shell Craft Ideas

The ideas below show you some craft ideas you could do with the seashells you collect. Or you could purchase one like these featured on Etsy if you do not have access to a shelling beach and wish to have some beach home décor. 

Seashell Letters

These Stand Alone Letters are made with sea glass and sea shells collected on the beaches of Manasquan NJ and specifically selected for each letter. These letters can be created with any letter in the alphabet and the "&" sign as well! 

Sand and Seashells Centerpiece

Bring a touch of the beach to any room in your house with a sand and seashell glass centerpiece from Jack and Emmy Studio!

Each centerpiece contains beach sand and a handful of shells sealed within the glass. 

A Beachcomber's Guide

Available on Amazon

Prepare for your seaside shelling adventure by acquiring a guide to Seashells. There are somewhere between 70,000 and 120,000 species of shell dwellers around the world. But since this article has concentrated on mainly the Florida seashells, which include about 287 species, this Florida's Seashells: A Beachcomber's Guide would be perfect for your next Florida or Caribbean beach vacation. 

This book showcases the diversity of Florida's seashells and presents them in the way they come to us on beaches. The guide will help you know the names, stories and appearances of seashells for easy identification of those that are common to the southeastern United States and the Caribbean.

Source: Pixabay

National Seashell Day

Date: Yearly, on the Longest Day of the Year

Related Articles:

• How to Make a Sailors' Valentine Tutorial  (a special shell craft) by Sylvestermouse Cynthia. 

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