Sandbarshellart

07/09/2026

Meet the boring piddock… which, incidentally, is what my friends have started calling me since my shell journey began! 😂🐚

But piddocks aren’t boring at all. They’re extraordinary little bivalves that use the rough ridges on their shells to slowly drill into firm clay and soft rock, creating a snug burrow where they may spend the rest of their lives.

I’ve seen them living inside their clay burrows, with just the very tips visible. You can find evidence of them on the Sandbar at Hayling Island and among the exposed clay at Bracklesham Beach at low tide.

Safely tucked away, the piddock extends its long siphons into the seawater. One draws in water carrying oxygen and tiny particles of food, while the other sends the filtered water back out again — a rather clever built-in feeding and breathing system!

There are several species of piddock, and their long, beautifully sculptured shells are sometimes known as “angel wings.” Delicate, brittle and absolutely exquisite, their fine ridges really do resemble the feathers of a wing.

Some empty piddock shells may also have a tiny, almost perfectly round hole in them — evidence that a predatory sea snail once drilled through the shell to reach the animal inside. Beautiful, but a little brutal!

If you spot a living piddock tucked into the clay, admire it where it is and leave it safely inside its remarkable little home. 🤍🐚

Definitely fascinating. Definitely exquisite. And definitely not boring!

05/09/2026

As you walk along Bracklesham Beach at low tide, the evidence is everywhere—ancient fossil shells scattered across the sand, exposed clay beneath your feet and curious holes in pieces that have broken away.

This looks like a stone… but watch what happens when I crumble it! 👀

Beneath Bracklesham’s sand and shingle lie beds of ancient, fossil-rich clay. As the sea erodes them, pieces break away and wash up among the pebbles, looking remarkably like stones until you pick them up.

And some of those holes provide a clue to one of the beach’s most fascinating little creatures: the piddock. These unusual shellfish quite literally bore into the clay!

More about these brilliantly named “boring piddocks” coming next… 🐚

05/09/2026

For years, sea swimming has been one of the most restorative parts of my life.

All year round and in all weathers, with the beach hut waiting as a cosy place for tea afterwards. Whether in the sea at Hayling or wild swimming in the Yorkshire Dales, the water has always been my place.

Wide-open space. No streetlights. No noise. Just the simple rhythm of the water—and, whenever possible, the sunrise.

Ironically, since starting SandbarShellArt, it has slowly dropped away. Life became busy. I prioritised everything and everyone else, and very rarely myself.

Everyone knows me as cheery Lou. At a time when I needed space to breathe and process things the most, I held my head high, kept smiling and carried on. But there can be destructive consequences when we continually deny ourselves the space we so desperately need.

But now it stops.

This morning, I was in the sea by 6am—watching the sun rise and letting the waves lift me up and gently lower me again.

And it felt so good.

This is me finding my way back to the water. Back to breathing. Back to myself. 🌊

04/09/2026

A private shell-decoupage party with your favourite people 🐚🥂✨

Such a lovely, relaxed evening filled with creativity, laughter and gorgeous finished shells—each one completely unique!

Perfect for birthdays, hen parties, get-togethers or simply an excuse to gather your friends and do something different.

I bring everything you need, so you can relax, create and enjoy yourselves.

Fancy hosting your own private shell-decoupage party? Send me a message for details and available dates 🤍

03/09/2026

03/09/2026

After what’s been a turbulent summer, for many reasons, I’ve come away for some very necessary R&R. A few days of sea, shells and taking very, very deep breaths 🌊 🩵🐚

03/09/2026

Get this date in your diary! 📔
It’s one not to miss ❤️

02/09/2026

Introducing Bob Dog 🐾🤎

We weren’t planning on getting another dog, but sometimes they simply find you.

After being taken to a rescue centre—having apparently been bullied by an elderly chihuahua—Bob quite literally turned up at my front door. He looked up at me with those big, doleful eyes, and I just knew he belonged with us.

He may look like a wise little old man, but he is actually only 17 months old… and we’ve very quickly learnt that he is still very much a puppy!

Things he has pinched and proudly run down the garden with so far:

🩴 Flip-flops
🩲 Beau’s pants
👙 My bras
🐚 Shells—of course!

Food he has stolen straight from the kitchen worktop:

🍩 Doughnuts
🍰 Cheesecake
🌮 A taco
🍞 Toast

Yes, we have some training to do! 😂

But he is the sweetest little angel. And for those of you who knew Cooper and Healey… well, it feels as though they’ve both been sent back to us, wrapped up together in one mischievous little dog.

Welcome to the family, Bob Dog. I think you and your underbite were always meant to find us. 🤎

01/09/2026

Tell me you have a new puppy without telling me you have a new puppy… 🙄 👓