Twig Murray Creative

Boxes

I believe I first saw the work of Tom and Kathy Wegman and Betsy Youngquist at the Smithsonian Craft Show. They used beads to make average objects extraordinary and their works stuck in mind as a kernel of an idea I wasn’t sure what to do with.

Then, it came to me. I had a cigar box on hand, some vials of beads, masses of sea shells I’d collected over a life time and it just made sense. All of a sudden I was obsessed.

I start with a wood box which I sand and paint inside and out. Then I develop a general plan of action based on whatever key components I have selected - shells, sea glass, rocks, coral. It brings me great pleasure to take an old, weathered shell and bring out the beautiful subtle colors by selecting an interesting mix of Japanese and Czech seed beads. I string the beads and lay them down on a line of glue in short sections, pulling out the string once the beads are in place. Then I wait until the glue dries. Lather, rinse, repeat. Sometimes the lines follow the shapes of the shells, sometimes I make geometric patterns. When the box is fully encrusted I add finishing touches of pearls, more shells or sea glass. Then I line the inside lid with a bit of an antique map of the area where the shells were collected or a vintage post card. Felt goes on the inside and outside bottom of the box.

If you’d like to see more photos of unsold boxes and to see additional available boxes, please contact me or visit my Etsy shop. Measurements are listed by width, depth and height.