Not shellfish, 4th-grader gives painted sea shells as gifts
Kidsday reporter Tatiana Andino and her shell collection. Credit: Tracey Kramer
I started collecting shells when I was 7.
I find shells in many different places. For example, one time I collected them on a private island my uncle brought me to on his boat.
All the other times I collected the shells on the beaches of Long Island. I sometimes put the shells in my pocket or in a bag.
When I am done picking my shells, I wash them in the sink. After the shells are dry, I put them on a wooden table. I use different paints like water color and acrylic to paint them. I sometimes use thin brushes or thick brushes. I think of different designs in my head to think what type of design I want. I use a lot of different colors for my base coat and for my designs.
I keep my shells in a special bucket. I give my shells as gifts to make people happy. I am working on a new project to donate them to a children’s hospital.
