Shell-f Collection

I have a large collection of shells. I am also a fan of the laser cutters at the Design Lab at UCSD. I have taken inspiration from letterpress drawer displays, and I have laser-cut custom shell boards to give each and every one of my shells a home. Box frames from iKea provide the rim. I have used ____ and _____ to classify and tag most of the shells. Most were found by me; however, a select few were found and gifted by close friends. I derive immense joy from building these miniature cabinets of curiosity.

The collection of shells includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Kellet’s Whelk, Angel Wing, Lister’s Tree Oyster, Californian Bubble, Flat-Tipped Piddock, Chestnut Cowrie, Angulate Periwinkle, Giant Rock Scallop, Atlantic Moon Snail, Mask Limpet, Northern Green Abalone, Knobbed Whelk, Wavy Turban Top Shell, Incongruous Ark, Cut-Ribbed Ark, Californian Tagelus, Common Sand Dollar, Calico Scallop, San Diego Scallop.

In terms of the ethics of collecting shells, I am aware and sensitive to laws and regulations that are put in place to protect natural environments. The shells I collect do not come from such restricted areas, nor do I ever evict sea life from their homes.

Miniature Models

I use the laser cutters to build miniature models, exploring the relationship between digital design and physical construction. This birdhouse and cuckoo clock were each constructed from over 100 custom small wooden pieces. Working in 3D is a way to humble one’s confidence in a given design, as tangible construction can be less forgiving than moving pixels on a screen. The birdhouse is a replica of one of my favorite buildings near the UCSD campus. The cuckoo clock is inspired by traditional German cuckoo clocks.