About

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Tess Morley comes from a creative background. The daughter of two painters, she was brought up living in Suffolk. Working with collected shells from an early age seemed totally natural and Tess made shell boxes which were given as presents to friends. After studying fine art at Brighton she returned to her passion of making shell encrusted, three dimensional objects.

Tess made shell masks, to which the response was so encouraging she decided to turn her meticulous eye to other objects. Obelisks, mirrors, caskets, nautilus shell- cups and chandeliers, sailors’ valentines and even humble salt cellars. Her work is internationally known and is highly prized in both America and Europe.

Tess’s restoration of grottoes brought the attention of The National Trust and English Heritage. She has worked on the Goodwood Shell House ( probably England's finest), the Shell House at Hatfield Forest and The Long Water Grotto at Valentines Park. A grotto has a timeless quality which is reflected in her exquisite work.