Sailor's valentine

A sailor's valentine is a special type of decoration that used to be popular among sailors who spent long periods of time at sea. It is a pretty design made from seashells that is meant to be a gift for a loved one back home.

Here's how it works: when a sailor was out at sea, they would collect different types of seashells as they went along their journey. They would carefully choose each shell for its color, shape, and length, and then bring them back to their ship. Once they had a collection of shells, they would start to make their sailor's valentine by arranging the shells in a pattern on a piece of wood, like a picture frame.

The sailors would often use designs that symbolized their love for their partner back home, such as hearts, flowers, or a special message in seashells. They would put a lot of care and attention into creating these designs, as they were a way to show how much they missed and loved their loved ones.

Once the sailor's valentine was complete, they would bring it back home as a gift to their partner. This unique and thoughtful present was a way to show their love and appreciation despite being far away for so long.

Overall, sailor's valentines were a way for sailors to express their feelings for their loved ones back home using the natural beauty of seashells. They required skill, patience, and love to create, and were a cherished and unique gift from the heart.