For full details, please check out the “How it Works” page. I offer readymade and custom options so please make sure you read the information to find out what’s right for you!

If you have purchased a readymade piece, I will dispatch your order within 7 days of your order. If you have purchased a custom order slot, I aim to complete and dispatch all orders by the end of the calendar month. I only post by tracked service, though the delivery time will vary depending on where you live and the size of the order. Please be patient with me - I am a one man band with a toddler and a baby on the way!

The cost will vary depending on your location, the size and value of the piece. Shipping is calculated at checkout. For your benefit and mine, I only offer tracked services which fully cover the value of the piece you are buying.

I collect the majority of the shells I use myself and now have a relationship with a local restaurant, who allow me to utilise waste Cornish mussel shells from their customers. The rest are collected with help from family and friends, are kindly sent from other Cornwall-based makers, or are the customer’s own shells for use in a bespoke piece. Unless otherwise stated, all of the shells in my artwork are from Cornish beaches. I have family in Devon, so occasionally I’m lucky enough to beachcomb there too! If I use any Devonian shells in a piece, this will always be stated.  

Absolutely! I love working with customers’ own shells and I’m so proud of the pieces I’ve made in the past – it’s an honour to create artwork that will hold a special memory for someone. I am happy to discuss your preferences with you with regards to composition and design, though the number of shells I have to work with will likely determine the size of the piece. If you’d like to get in touch to enquire about a piece of artwork with your own special shells, please pop an enquiry through on the contact form!

I have a great frame supplier who uses sustainably sourced materials wherever possible. The frames I purchase are made to order in the UK, using solid wood and a glass front.  

I always check nobody's home. If they are, no matter how beautiful the shell, they are left on the beach in the same place I found them. I take only what I actually need. I could walk past 300 yellow periwinkles but if I know I have a good stock already, I will not take them. I take broken shells where possible - especially for gastropod species (the twirly ones!), as hermit crabs and other marine animals can re-use the shells. I collect from the top tideline where possible - these shells are much less likely to find their way back to sea than those on the lower tideline - thanks to Shannon at Sea Salt & Surf for this tip! The majority of shells I use are mussels and I now have a relationship with a local restaurant who serves Cornish mussels - I am utilising their wasted mussel shells in my artwork, alongside the handpicked shells ethically collected from the beach. 

I try to be as eco-conscious as possible, from the collecting of the shells, to sourcing my frames, down to the packaging materials I use. The majority of shells I use are mussels and I now have a relationship with a local restaurant who serves Cornish mussels - I am utilising their wasted mussel shells in my artwork, alongside the handpicked shells ethically collected from the beach. 

In the unlikely event that you are unhappy with your Lily & Sea piece for any reason, please contact me at hello@lilyandsea.co.uk within 14 days of receiving your artwork. I will accept returns but please note that the cost of postage to return the item must be covered by the customer. Unfortunately, returns are not possible on artwork that has been personalised.