Every year the first week in October we head down to the Jersey Shore. We specifically go to North Wildwood in New Jersey. For almost 24 years we’ve been going down there several times a year. It’s our happy place and in 3 years we will fully be there once hubby retires.
As a shell collector and crafter…I find that the first week in October is typically a GREAT TIME to go shelling. I often find the best seashells that week. October 2023 we once again were there for that entire week. Gorgeous weather…still in the 70’s and two days we hit 80 degrees. Majority of the tourists are gone. Yay! So…we hit the beach!
Twice a day we walk the beach specifically during low tide. Why low tide? It’s the best time to find the BEST shells! When collecting seashells we ONLY take uninhabited shells. Any we find that still have living animals inside we put back and highly recommend that you do the same. Getting a seashells that still is being used by a living animal isn’t worth killing that animal. Please put those back!!!
On this particular 1 week trip to the beach we filled a large foam cooler (one that we ONLY use for shelling) and 6 netted bags. We got several channel whelks, knobby whelks, a few sand dollars, numerous moon shells, slipper shells, angel wings, etc. The thing we were MOSTLY looking for were large Clam Shells and Oyster Shells. I paint on them for craft projects and WOW did I make out good! Over 500+ large clam shells in total.
Looking to paint Clam Shells? You’ll find over 150+ painted seashell designs on the TCC blog. Looking to use seashells in various craft projects like windchimes, candle holders, napking rings, Christmas ornaments, etc.? We have oodles of those type’s of craft projects on the TCC blog too!
Low tide is an amazing time to be at the beach. You really had a good haul and I am appreciative of your advice to never take an inhabited shell.