The Mermaid Behind Chic Shell

Helen Hawn started Chic Shell out of her garage in 2003 in Naples,FL with a hot glue gun and a box of shells from a recent trip to the Bahamas. It was only meant to be a hobby or sometimes she might admit it was a good way to keep her mind off of the stressful contstruction of her new family home. She started designing and hand making mirrors for friends as gifts, and soon word got around town. She started making items to sell at a local boutique as well as taking orders from friends and family. If keeping up with four daughters, a house under construction, and her own busy schedule wasn't enough, she was now spending more and more time in the garage with "her shells". In 2012, with all of their daughters off to college, Helen and her husband, George, decided to downsize. Moving, remodeling, and helping plan two of her daugthers' weddings left Helen with little time to devote towards Chic Shell. Now with the "chaos" behind her, Helen has decided to revamp Chic Shell! As her daughter, I am so excited she has chosen The Landlocked Mermaid as her new platform for Chic Shell. Read below to find out the inspiration behind Chic Shell and how Helen herself, fell in love with mermaids!

Q: When did you first fall in love with mermaids?

A: I fell in love with and have been fascinated with mermaids since I was a child. My fascination has rubbed off on my daughters.

Q: Where do you get the shells that go into your work?

A: I collect most of my shells from trips to the Bahamas and the beaches here in Naples. I buy some hard to find shells from shell outlets.

Q: What inspired you to revamp Chic Shell?

A: I have missed "my shells". But my daughter & my a designer friend have urged me to continue & I am excited about that!