Robin eggshell inlay

When I am lucky enough to find robin eggshells or when someone shares there finds with me they first get a soaking in alcohol.  Then they get a longer soak in very hot water with the goal to peal away only the teal shell.  It is a bit of a long and tedious process but the out come is so beautiful to me and celebrating there creations such a joy.

They are determined and offer us the fist hope of spring sometimes nesting to early with the unusual and confusing weather not always surviving.  So I wish to celebrate there determination, beauty and love. 

Once have the shells cleaned I crush them and then sift them through a fine sifter to get a higher concentration in colour for the inlay.