Turtle Shell Mosaic Sconce

 by bajablue
Featured
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My husband and I share a love of nature... most especially the ocean.  When it's too windy to fish, we often go beachcombing for treasures together. 

On one of our treks, we discovered an aged, weathered turtle shell washed ashore.  I loved it's natural form and decided to give it new life as a Wall Sconce for our casita in Baja. 

Since I tend to be the creative/artistic half of our relationship and my husband is the practical/technical half, our collaborations (usually ;-) work out perfectly.  

Here is our most recent project, from start to finish.  It was easy, fun  and inexpensive to make.  We hope it inspires you to think outside-the-box and create something uniquely your own.        
 
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Step 1: Artist Tools and Materials:

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Tools: 
  • Dremel Rotary Tool
  • Dremel Diamond Cutting Wheel
  • Dremel Drum Sander
Materials:
  • Turtle Shell
  • Pencil and black sharpie
  • Masking Tape
  • Black Spray Paint
  • Polished Craft Seashells (purchased from Michaels Craft Store)
  • Gorilla Wood glue
  • Dry Lentils (really)
  • Black Spray Paint
  • Black and Champagne Acrylic Paint
  • Artists' paint brush
  • Clear Gloss Spray Paint
  • Wood wall plate
  • Light Socket and Cord
  • 40 watt Appliance Bulb
  • Wood wall plate and screws
  • 2 small Eye bolts
  • Picture frame wire
Tarun Upadhyaya says: May 1, 2013. 10:35 PM
How did I miss this one? This is absolutely stunning. Thanks for sharing.
bajablue (author) in reply to Tarun UpadhyayaMay 2, 2013. 5:11 PM
What a nice thing to say! Thank you!!!
PrairieAir says: Mar 21, 2013. 5:40 PM
This is very similar to what I have been thinking of doing. I thought a Dremel tool might be the way to do it, but I wasn't sure since I don't have any experience with them, so I decided to google and see if anyone else had tried something like it. Thank you for posting this. I'm excited to give this idea a try now!
bajablue (author) in reply to PrairieAirMar 23, 2013. 3:11 PM
Thanks for commenting, PrairieAir. I'd love to see a picture or Instructable of you finished project!
bajablanca says: Mar 13, 2013. 7:18 AM
This is absolutely gorgeous ...
marcellahella says: Aug 8, 2012. 5:52 AM
is sooo beautiful! I hope to find one shell in the fly market . or may be I try with a pumpkins...but may be is too transparent...but now I really want one!
bajablue (author) in reply to marcellahellaAug 8, 2012. 5:56 PM
Thank you for such a nice comment, marcella.

A dried gourd might be pretty!
sunshiine says: Jul 29, 2012. 11:45 PM
Wow! Wow! Wow! This is beautiful!
Sunshiine
Penolopy Bulnick says: Jul 11, 2012. 2:30 PM
Beautiful! Very decorative :)
bajablue (author) in reply to Penolopy BulnickJul 12, 2012. 11:37 AM
QQQQQQQQQQ= TenQ Pen!
scoochmaroo says: Jul 11, 2012. 2:36 PM
Wowee!!
bajablue (author) in reply to scoochmarooJul 12, 2012. 11:36 AM
Zazowee? ;-D Thank you Scooch!
iceng says: Jul 11, 2012. 4:50 PM
Supreme Art.

A
bajablue (author) in reply to icengJul 12, 2012. 11:35 AM
You're so nice... Thank you, A!
kz1 says: Jul 11, 2012. 7:10 PM
That really is beautiful! Nice work but to really appreciate it one should be in Baja standing within a couple feet of it........I'm free in November. :>) Seriously , it is gorgeous! Pretty work and what luck finding that shell, eh>
bajablue (author) in reply to kz1Jul 12, 2012. 11:35 AM
I couldn't agree more. We head back "home" to Baja in August... and that's not soon enough. ;-) Thank you for commenting!
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