Since then, Blott has gone on to create breathtaking shell interiors across the globe. Bathrooms, powder rooms and washrooms have become her signature canvases, each one a richly detailed world of texture and surprise. I had the privilege of stepping into her bathroom at her Norfolk home ‒ a space shimmering with mussels, pearls, exotic birds and unexpected whimsical details. It was magical.
Blott did what all great artists do- she made something extraordinary out of very little. (Image: Supplied)
But her work extends far beyond bathrooms. Blott is now an internationally recognised shell artist, with commissions ranging from Ballymaloe in County Cork to Daylesford House, Eaton Hall for the Duke of Westminster and Abington Hall Gardens. Her creations have adorned roundhouses, hallways, cottages, ceilings, croquet sheds, waterfalls, cabins, shrines ‒ even French grottoes. Each project is as imaginative as the last, blending craftsmanship with a deep sense of storytelling.
In between these large-scale commissions, she turns her attention to smaller, intricate works. Her studio is a treasure trove: shelves lined with jars of every conceivable shell, each one waiting to be transformed. From these, she creates exquisite wall pieces and beautifully clad pots. During my visit, she showed me three boxed artworks from her 31 Weather Areas of the Shipping Forecast series ‒ delicate, intricate sculptures composed of thousands of shells. Most had already been snapped up, so I felt especially lucky to see the few that remained.
Interestingly, Blott’s materials come from both humble and far-reaching sources. While she uses mussels, scallops and other by-products of the food industry, she also works with specialist shell dealers from the UK and abroad, ensuring she has exactly the right shell for each detail. At the time of writing, she has been immersed in a project in Dorset for the past nine months ‒ another testament to her dedication and meticulous approach.
The shelves of her studio are lined with jars of every conceivable shell, (Image: Supplied)
What struck me most, however, was her commitment to community. One project took place at Ffynnon Antwn Sant ‒ St Anthony’s Well ‒ in Carmarthenshire, Wales. This wasn’t just an artistic commission; it became a shared local endeavour. A box for shell donations was placed in the village shop, inviting contributions from residents and schoolchildren alike. Together, they selected a design ‒ a Celtic Cross ‒ from around 75 postcards, using only locally sourced shells such as cockles, mussels, otter and razor shells. The result is beautiful and meaningful ‒ a piece of art rooted in place and people.
Shell grottoes themselves have a long and fascinating history. First popular on the Continent, they appeared in Britain during the 17th century, thanks in part to the French landscape artists Salomon and Isaac de Caus. These visionary brothers transformed English parklands with elaborate water gardens, fountains, cascades and enchanting hidden features. Grottoes, along with follies and fanciful garden structures, became spaces of intrigue ‒ often lit by candlelight and used for late-night gatherings and quiet revelry.
Blott’s work feels like a modern continuation of this tradition ‒ breathing new life into an art form that is both historic and wonderfully eccentric.
Blott is now an internationally recognised and innovative shell artist, (Image: Supplied)
She is also a passionate supporter of the Glandford Shell Museum, a place close to many hearts. To help raise funds, Blott will be giving a talk about her work, followed by a mussel or vegetarian supper and a glass of wine from Burn Valley Vineyard. The event will take place at The Little School of Needlecraft on Thursday, July 9, from 7pm-9.30pm. Tickets are available via the school’s website.
If you find yourself inspired to explore shell artistry further, there are several enchanting grottoes and shell rooms to visit across the UK ‒ from the mysterious Shell Grotto in Margate to the whimsical A la Ronde in Exmouth. Each offers a glimpse into this shimmering, otherworldly craft.
Blott Kerr-Wilson’s work reminds us that beauty can be made from the simplest of materials ‒ if only we look closely enough and imagine boldly..
Her studio is a treasure trove: (Image: Supplied)