She Sees Sea Shells…A Tribute to Carolyn Voss

With providential intersection, the life of Carolyn Voss has unexpectedly blessed mine. A few months ago, I received an email from her daughter, Kathleen. “My sister-in-law gave me your name after seeing your designs at an
Atlanta art show. My mother was an avid shell collector and artist…made many shell crafts and collected seashells from all over the world; she even has a shell named after her.” Carolyn’s scientific collection was donated to a university after her passing in 2007, but Kathleen had a large number of shells that “she would love to give an artist that can use them. My mother spent countless hours collecting, cleaning and sorting these shells. I am located in the Nashville, TN area… Would you be interested?”

As quickly as my fingers could type… “I would be delighted and honored to receive whatever is available. Interestingly my son lives in Nashville and we have a trip planned in two weeks.”

Our Nashville meeting was nothing short of phenomenal. Kathleen lovingly told stories of her parents’ adventures snorkeling and shelling around the world. She showed some of her delicate, beautiful shell designs as well as a large, framed newspaper article “She Sees Sea Shells” and the discovered Chicoreus (Siratus) carolynae shell. We carefully opened, lightly unpacked and repacked every box and plastic crate. Each one contained a cornucopia of shells sorted in individual plastic containers, tissue wrapped, or scientifically identified and mounted. The Voss family schedule often centered around the tide and the best time to go to the beach. Fascinating stories filled the afternoon about the sand, mud flats, and countless hours of collecting shells from the rivers around Memphis, TN to the beaches of Texas and on to Madagascar, Bali Island, Palo, Belize, Australia, Scandinavia, northern Italy, and southern Argentina.

Soon the entire back of my SUV was full. There are no words to adequately describe my appreciation and joy. Carolyn Voss collected ocean treasures all her life. Sound familiar? Her stories and well-traveled treasures have now found a new home in my heart and designs.