Joanne Gregory
shells, sealife, & glass beads
SAILOR’S VALENTINES AND BEAD EMBROIDERED SHELL ART AND JEWELRY
Joanne Gregory
Seascape Studio LC
Joanne Gregory has been designing and creating sea-inspired art since 2015. She trained under the guidance of Sandy Moran, an award-winning shell artist, until Moran's passing in 2020. Joanne specializes in both traditional and contemporary Sailor’s Valentines, intricate shell mosaics that pay homage to a maritime art form with deep historical roots.
Each Sailor's Valentine begins with a carefully planned geometric design, precisely fitted into an octagonal wooden box crafted from fine woods such as maple and mahogany. The design is then meticulously filled with an array of tiny, colorful shells and sea life fragments, each placed individually to create stunning visual compositions. Her finished pieces range from 1 ½ inches to 17 inches in diameter and can take up to six months to complete.
In 2020, Joanne expanded her artistic repertoire to include bead-embroidered art, integrating larger shells with fine glass beads to craft sea-inspired wall hangings and jewelry. This intricate process involves using a needle and thread to stitch shells, sea life elements, and beads onto fabric, suede, or leather, producing richly textured and detailed artworks.
Her work has been exhibited at the Bristol Art Museum, Brownell Library, Little Compton Community Center, and Westport Art Group. Dedicated to preserving and sharing her craft, Joanne teaches the vintage art of Sailor's Valentines at the Handicraft Club in Providence, RI. She is an active member of South Coast Artists and the Westport Art Group, continually contributing to the regional art community.
seascapestudiolc@gmail.com
401-662-3925
Studio Address
37 Grange Avenue
Little Compton, RI 02837
Mailing Address
PO Box 1022
Little Compton, RI 02837
Compass Rose, 7" x 7", traditional Sailor's Valentine
Mermaid Treasures, 9" x 9", contemporary Sailor's Valentine
Mermaid Treasures (detail), contemporary Sailor's Valentine
Happy New Year, bead embroidered shell collar
Jelly, bead embroidered abalone shell necklace