Learn at your own pace!

This workshop includes pre-recorded video lessons as described in the curriculum below. Once purchased, you will receive the kit shown below and can take the workshop on your own time. You'll have six months to watch the video lessons as many times as you'd like whenever you'd like. And while you're learning, you can reach out to us anytime at [email protected] with questions or comments.

Course curriculum

    1. About this workshop

    2. What is a sailor's valentine?

    1. Unpack your kit and prepare your workspace.

    1. Let's begin with a symmetrical design.

    2. Try an asymmetrical design.

    3. Finishing up

    1. Additional Resources

About this course

  • $225.00
  • 7 lessons

Materials Included

You will receive a kit with all the materials necessary to create this sweet sailor's valentine ornament.

  • Handmade 3" octagonal cherry box with glass lid

  • Tacky glue & applicators

  • An assortment of shells to create your design

  • Shell flowers

  • A selction of small items for flower centers and design details

  • Tweezers

  • Foam sheets for shell sorting

  • A few large shells to use as a focal point

  • Sailor's Valentine Ornament Kit

Instructors

Mary Emery Lacoursiere graduated from Pratt Institute with an M.F.A. in printmaking and painting. She had a studio in New York City for fifteen years, specializing in hand-painted sisal rugs, murals, and restoring historical painting. A member of the Historical Society of Early American Decoration since 1978, Mary has been a contributing artist for Lifetime Television and Hearst Entertainment. She is now the Director of Education at the Nantucket Historical Association. In addition to overseeing this department, she serves as curriculum coordinator for NHA’s decorative arts programs, developing and teaching classes in a variety of subjects. She had also designed and created a number of products available through the NHA Museum Shop.

Mary is also owner and principal designer of Emery Design on Nantucket, her full service design studio for interiors and fine art.

Mary Emery Lacoursiere

NHA Peter M. and Bonnie J. Sacerdote Chair
of Education and Community Relations

Instructors

Suzanne Marie Dietsch is a multi-time first place and best-in-show recipient in the most competitive shell competitions in the country: Philadelphia, Sarasota and Sanibel. She is known for her creative, three-dimensional approach to this craft. Her goal is to honor the nautical folk-art history of Sailors Valentines while creating a more personal, contemporary spin to this treasured 1800’s art form. Suzanne has a deep appreciation for nature’s artistry and enjoys the intricate, mosaic expressions that can be created with seashells. She is self-taught and creates each design one tiny seashell at a time. https://www.seashellvalentines.com

Suzanne Dietsch

Master Artisan