Episode 86: Lighthouse Tinies (Virtual Shelling and scooping tutorial!)

Comment below if you LOVE Tinies!! 💕 It's another beautiful day at Lighthouse on Sanibel! The conditions happen to be perfect to find TINIES, so that's what we'll do! I'll show you what to look for, and some tips and tricks for scooping them out of the break line! PLUS - a special glimpse at what a LIVE Wentletrap looks like! 👍🏻
Be sure to have a great shell bag to keep your tiny treasures safe! You can find them at www.virtualshelling.com
Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and SHARE! Thanks for watching!
Filmed Spring 2022
© The Virtual Shelling Network

[@mariabasham9972]

I've never seen anyone find that many Wentletraps in one video! I'm so happy to hear the Lighthouse is still standing after hurricane Ian.

[@nickyvincent8212]

Laura, I Just wanted to tell you that I recently had the wonderful opportunity to go shelling on Kice Island, and I brought your wisdom with me. I didn’t want to carry an extra container for delicates, but I brought elastics. I found several small sand dollars and a little crab carapace. I did what you suggested and found bigger shells to “encase” them. Then, for me, I wrapped them in an elastic to ensure they didn’t come open. They all made it through the shelling journey and the flight home in one piece. Thank you for that great pearl of wisdom.

[@bonnerdebbie]

Tinies are the BEST!!

[@fredamoore1743]

Awe Laura! Those precious tinies! You know I love them. That baby turkey wing almost brought tears to my eyes! So darn sweet! I remember when I was on tour at Kice scraping up a 2 lb zip loc bag full of small shells and bringing it home. So much fun for weeks going thru and finding tons of tiniest! Loved this video. All the memories of the beach and lighthouse with all the green and trees. I miss it so much!! Xoxo

[@bobbienielsen6860]

This video makes my heart happy!

[@roadking99jokerst60]

Sue had many times sat in a shell pile on south side of bridge to Captiva, finding tinies including wentletrap. Yup, tiny wentletraps ! Problem being the noseeums. I found an Alphabet cone for her many years ago. I like apple murex and Skate egg cases myself. Have fun and be safe.

[@maggieslifeisawildride512]

There is something so satisfying about scanning through a pile of shells looking for the tinies.

[@debbienorrell2483]

Great video!!

[@wendys.miller9807]

I LOVE the tinies that you find, so this video made my morning. That tiny tiny turkey wing was so stinkin cute! I don’t know if it was a wentle trap that I saw around the 25.50 mark. It was in the upper right hand corner almost out of view. Would love to know if these old eyes still have it or not. Please let me know.

[@tonistephic]

The littles and minis are just so cute and sweet looking. Thank you and have a great day.

[@jolynnburns4306]

I love love tinies!! Thank you for the walk. Always fun!! XOXO

[@SherryBaby2003]

Hey girly good to see ya at lighthouse beach!! I have a question …… Can you explain about the coffee ground looking stuff and what it has to do with finding shells?

[@debbiepeck8834]

I do LOVE the tinies! I had hoped to scoop up a bunch to sort through at home over the winter, but I did not get that accomplished on my vacation there back in June. :(

[@amynovitski2659]

Love the tinies. Coming down for a vacation at the end of January and so sad I won’t be able to visit Sanibel. Laura is the coffee grinds thing just for Sanibel tiny shelling? Or can we look for the “coffee grinds” at other southwest Florida beaches?

[@trudymcewen9801]

I buy seashells from the Philippines and on my last shipment he sent me a small container of tinies. There were cowries. Conch, etc. I also have tinies of my own I have found.

[@sharlenehreinson5316]

How did you buy tinies from the Phillipines? I would like to.

[@GrammyPat987654321]

Hi Trudy, I would also know where to buy the Phillipine shells. I’m landlocked nowhere near the ocean, or seas.

[@trudymcewen9801]

@@sharlenehreinson5316 Hello Sharlene. I am Trudy and I get my seashells from all over the world, expensive, rare and common shells. I only get to OBX, NC on vacation. I buy a lot of my shells from Etsy, Ebay and a friend in Florida who sells me gem quality shells. I found the Philippine shells on Etsy a small company. They gave me the tinies free. I also buy them on vacation and find my own. Generally when you order seashells they tell you what country mostly. I have a gorgeous shell on the way to me now from Hong Kong. All the shells from the small shops are excellent. Keep shelling and you will find what you want. Trudy in PA

[@trudymcewen9801]

@@GrammyPat987654321 Hello Grammy. Trudy here. I am a serious collector. I live in PA and find my own shells in NC, OBX when we go on vacation and I also buy shells there too. I have rare, expensive and common shells from all over the world. I mostly buy from small shops on Etsy and Ebay. I also have a friend in Florida who I buy gem quality shells from. Mostly the shops tell where they are and some of the overseas shops do not so you might not know til you actually buy them. I have a shell coming from Hong Kong right now and have also gotten shells from Australia recently. I would not have the shell collection I have if I was not able to buy them. I have other collections too but seashells are my passion because they are made by animals which to me is extraordinary. The colors and designs are endless. Take care and keep your love of shelling. Trudy in PA

[@GrammyPat987654321]

@@trudymcewen9801 thanks Trudy. I have shelled in Atlantic Beach NC and the OBX. My daughter actually lives there.

[@ekcraddock]

Hi Laura. I went to your website to purchase a shelling bag (assuming you ship to Australia?) but it appears they are all out of stock. Is that correct? Thanks

[@dianemaurer5244]

Hi, Laura! How do I purchase a shell bag?

[@virtualshelling]

Hi Diane! Current inventory will be on the website at www.virtualshelling.com I’m low on stock right now but hoping to restock some more bags soon!

[@artanddebearickson9729]

May I make a suggestion, when filming just catch the shells and show them to us later. When you hold out your hand, the camera goes out of focus so we see a whole lot less than you do.

[@bebofrazier5690]

You just passed up a limpid