I thought it might be a good idea to post some general info about my shell goodies and how to make them last a long time.

Most of the shells I use have been cut to expose the inner chambers, and while this looks really cool, it also compromises the strength of the shell. The shells can be pretty brittle and will break if "sideways" force is exerted on them, meaning if you went to break it like you would break a pencil in half, on the other hand if you were to try to stab one of the spiky ones point first into something it wouldn't break until you bent it to the side. It's just how the shells grow that gives them more strength from one direction but not so much the other, if they were whole they would be very strong all around though. The only time I've ever broken one of mine is when I put it in a bag on top of some veils and then put something hard and heavy on top of them, the squishy base of veils allowed the point to snap off of one but I hot glued it back on and all was good. The moral of the story here is to never put them anywhere where something will get put on top of them, get a separate case for them, like a small Caboodles or something, and they will be quite snug and happy! I've run them into a wall, the top of my truck while getting in, and hit other things with them while wearing them and never had a problem with breakage or anything else bad, just don't get someone in the eye!

I use high temp hot glue for a better bond and I use quite a bit of glue to reinforce the contact points and make sure they don't come apart, after over a year of making these I've never had any of them come apart so I think what I'm doing is working. :-) For the 5 spike sets I also reinforce the attachments with carpet thread so there is something other than just the glue holding everything together. I don't think it would ever get so hot in a car as to melt the glue but I would say don't temp fate and just keep them in a safe cool place at all times, the trunk or back seat floor should be fine.

To clean them just use warm soapy water and a soft toothbrush, this applies for painted sets also just don't get too carried away with the scrubbing.

That's about all I can think of right now but I'll add more if I think of anything else. If there are any questions please feel free to post them in this thread!

Oh, don't drop them either.....