By Susie Secondo

July 3, 2024: After a long career and leaving the corporate world of advertising, I decided to do something creative using my hands versus a keyboard. 

Designing shells became a natural transition because of my love of seashells, cocktail napkins, and painting.  I love the finished product and think they enhance any home.

Susie Secondo displaying some shells

Designing shells can take several days, including collecting, cleaning, sterilizing, painting, designing, gluing, and glossing several times.  I also keep inventory of different designs on hand if someone needs something quick - cocktails, flowers, beach, holiday, dogs and more!

Our dining room is now a "Shellsbysusie" art studio, with shells in all stages of the process. This makes for a good excuse for going out to eat in Bronxville!

With trial and error, I figured out what paints, napkins, and gloss work best for a finished clam or oyster shell.

I am enjoying creating these shells, especially the whimsical designs. Except for some donations from wonderful Bronxville neighbors, all of my clam and oyster shells are from the Rhode Island coastline. 

After receiving positive feedback on my creations, I started an Instagram page, shellsbysusie, in March of 2023.    One of my first clients chose several shells for her daughter's wedding party and her friends and I created a custom design using her daughter's wedding cocktail napkins. 

I always try to include fun backgrounds and music with my Instagram photos, and I would love for everyone to see the page. 

My shells have made their way to bachelorette parties, golf outings, rehearsal dinners, ladies get-togethers, dog groups and birthday parties.  Over the holidays, both my Christmas oyster ornaments and Christmas shells could be seen at our fabulous local store, Mano a Mano.  I've also participated in two Newport events where a portion of my profit goes directly to an adult special needs center. 

I hope my shells bring a smile to everyone's face and make their home a little more special.  In addition to Bronxville, the Metro area, and the Northeast, you can find my shells relaxing in homes in Florida, Ohio, Missouri, Arizona, Wisconsin, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania.