Beach combing on Martha’s Vineyard for me started in 1990. Just on the island for the weekend, I went to a beach on Chappaquiddick and saw a Wampum Shell for the first time. I was just amazed at the stripes of purple and white.
It wasn’t long after that I made Martha’s Vineyard my home, and I am still dazzled by these shells.
This unusual hard shelled quahog clam, can be found in very few locations on the shores of the Northeast Atlantic Oceans beaches. Brought in and dropped off by the waves.
Beautiful stripes of purple, ranging from lavender to violet purple, with streaks of white highlighting natures design.
Beads and Carvings made from this shell date back to the 15th & 16th centuries. Hundreds of years and hundreds of people have been enjoying collecting, creating and sharing their love of these beautiful shells. It’s symbolic for many people in this area, for their love for Martha’s Vineyard.
I am hoping that by creating wearable pieces of wampum, anyone who is not on the island, that longs for it, will have a piece of the island with them.
Available for more photos and information on https://www.facebook.com/originalcynjewelry
And available for Purchase on https://www.etsy.com/shop/OriginalCynMV
