Mardell Witham
Starshells
Sea Shell Home
Accents Contact
Information:
mardellwitham@msn.com
Shells have been part of
Ms. Witham's world since as far back as she can remember. She collected
shells, fossils, and crystals with her family for many years, and after
her own children had grown she started creating beautiful handcrafted
items for the home from her huge collection.
Using natural elements like pine cones, seeds, drift wood, sea glass,
crystals, and fossils, Ms. Witham shares her love for the sea and
textures and patterns found in the individual elements. With great
precision and a
myriad of techniques, glues, and custom-made bases, she arranges
detailed
mirrors with beveled glass, shell wreaths, candlesticks, ornaments,
soap dishes, frames, and starfish wall sculptures. She especially
enjoys grouping common colors and subtle tones together for a very
natural
effect. An additional layer of sensory input is added with the
intricate textures.
She has taken geology, sculpture, and pottery classes to enhance her
designs. "Each of my designs is special to me, because in some way they
reflect the life and energy that was once a part of each element. I
take great care in placing each element within the design to create a
'seamless' look that can be enjoyed for many years to come." Even
though she enjoys all of the varieties of shells, horn coral is one of
her favorite fossils - it's found only in two places in the world.
Born and raised in Washington, Ms. Witham has spent most of her life on
Bainbridge Island. She continues to search for new shells by
beachcombing
the many shores in the Pacific Northwest. She calls her home business
Starshells, and was previously a partner in an exclusive shop that
featured handcrafted items. She currently participates in local gift
shows, and is excited to be sharing her work at the Verksted Gallery in
Historic Downtown Poulsbo, Washington.
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Large Wall Mirror
Ornament
Shell Dishes
Ornament
Ornament |
Ornament
Ornament |
