Nautical Nonsense

By Lisa VanWilliams

Whether you grew up by the ocean, have a love for the ocean, or like to visit the sea, here's a great way to incorporate some items into your home to remind you the deep blue sea is never far away.

John F. Kennedy spoke at the Dinner for the America's Cup Crews in September of 1962, and he stated, "I really don't know why it is that all of us are so committed to the sea, except I think it's because in addition to the fact that the sea changes, and the light changes, and the ships change, it's because we all came from the sea. And it is an interesting biological fact that all of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea - whether it is to sail or to watch it - we are going back from whence we came."

Sometimes it can feel like coming home when you hit the shore, and here's a great way to showcase your finds in your own home - bring the ocean to you when you can't be at the ocean.  Above we used an old wooden bowl with some driftwood then you can add things like shells, ocean rocks, or sea glass to the bowl for a great display or center piece.

Here's a little shell tray I use for rings, earings, and other small pieces so they don't roll away. 

Light switch covers for my daughters mermaid room that I found at a local festival. 

Cast iron mermaid, and I will use Christmas ornaments to hang in small nooks or to decorate. Glass bottles with corks, look like messages in a bottle.

Pictures and canvas paintings I found at stores like Burlington, Marshall's, and Home Goods. 

Jewelry Box

Craft Market find

Boutique find in Cape Cod

Ships Ahoy!

Wood burning from Provincetown, MA  Pier

Fish and sailboat collection from travels

Mermaid and her pirate. I found this card in a Cape Cod Boutique and put it in a rustic frame.

Wood burning from local Craft Market