A smooth, shining iridescent substance forming the inner layer of the shell of some mollusks, especially oysters and abalones, used in ornamentation.


How incredible is Mother Nature? Every time I am on a beach, anywhere in the world, I revert to childhood and stuff my pockets full of treasure, like Bobby Brady!

When I empty them out, it is bits and pieces of foremost, sand!?! Then pieces of shells...they have always inspired me to decorate, or create a line of linens with shell patterns that are indicative of larger animals...small spotted shells that harken larger creatures, like tigers or leopards or snakes, oh my!

When you turn that shell over and find the mother-of-pearl iridescence that artists drive for in glass or glaze... it is a find!


Mother-of-pearl inlay on furniture gives an ethereal, exotic to Morocco, the Caribbean, anywhere!

- Blythe Knapp

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