Over the years, I have been asked many questions about my Nantucket Scallop Shell Lights, and believe it or not, I've been asked, "Are these real shells?"   Yes, my Nantucket Scallop Shell Lights are made with real shells!  I get them in our very own Nantucket harbor waters, and I don't "buy" these shell light strands ready-made, I make them myself.  

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I have a Shellfish License, which you need on Nantucket to get scallops.  I "push rake" for them myself, I open them, I eat them (I like to call them, Sea Candy) and then the real work begins!

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You can only use one of the two shells from an original pair of scallop shells for Nantucket Scallop Shell Lights.  When a scallop is in the water, the top shell, or "dirty" shell isn't translucent enough for a bulb to shine through; therefore, I keep only the bottom or "clean" shell for my Nantucket Scallop Shell Lights.  There is an extensive bleaching time (sometimes 2 weeks, sometimes six months,) after which I scrub each shell individually, inside and out, and then allow another week, or more, for "drying time."

 

Since my collection of now ready dry shells is all only one half of an original pair, the time consuming process of matching two disparate shells to make it look as if they were an original pair begins!

 

I glue them and then box them in a sturdy, white corrugated box, decorated with a gold stencil of a scallop shell for easy holiday identification!

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Going through this long, time consuming process, from wading out into the harbor to push-rake for the scallops until the final boxing up of the finished product is all a labor of love.  Making a set of lights makes me feel connected to the island.  And time and again, my clients have shared with me their excitement at opening their box of Nantucket Scallop Shell Lights and feeling their connection to the island, as well.

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Please know, I would never make my Nantucket Scallop Shell Lights with store-bought lights!  I work with an industrial supplier, who guarantees the lights for 3 years or 3,000 hours.  They are commercial-grade, indoor-outdoor light strands; so, if one bulb goes out, they don't all go out.  I always include the extra bulbs and fuses that come with the light strand from the manufacturer. If a bulb does go out, you simply soften the glue with a hair dryer, open the shells, replace the bulb and reglue the shells. 

 

Disclaimer:  I DON'T recommend decorating outdoors with my Nantucket Scallop Shell Lights.  Even though the light strands are commercial-grade, indoor/outdoor lights, the adhesive I use is simply glue-gun glue.  This glue is not guaranteed for changes in outdoor temperature, or wind, rain, snow, sleet, etc.

 

Indoor Decorating Ideas:  1st and foremost- your Christmas tree!  Also, mantels with evergreens, banisters with evergreens, around bedstead headboards, buffet tables, doorways, French doors, bay windows! I've even had a client use them piled into a large crystal bowl as a night light!!!

 

I hope this helps you to understand my process, and the time and detail oriented process that it is.

 

Currently, I make one size of Nantucket Scallop Shell Lights.  They are 50 lights on 25 ft. of green wire. 

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The price is: $199, plus insurance, packing and shipping/postage.

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All Nantucket Scallop Shell Lights are shipped wrapped in tissue paper, with an added layer of bubble wrap inside the decorative, white corrugated cardboard box, complete with a gold stenciled "Scallop Shell" on the top of the box, for easy identification of your Nantucket Scallop Shell Lights during the holidays.  This sturdy corrugated cardboard box is then placed inside a larger shipping box, with packing peanuts for added protection during shipping.

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To place your personal order, I ask that you email me, see "Order/Contact Me."  Once we are in contact through email, more detailed telephone conversations may be required to discuss your order, the state of my supplies, etc.   

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Thank you for your interest!