About Shellamps
About Us
Hello! We’re David and Fraser, the creative minds behind Shellamps.
We both grew up on the stunning beaches of Sunshine Coast, QLD and fuelled by our shared love for surfing, we channel our passion for the ocean into our unique creations.
We both live an active lifestyle and starting Shellamps has not only given us an opportunity to dive into our creative side, it also gives us the freedom to enjoy our favourite hobbies which include surfing, camping, fishing and playing mediocre music.
Our Beginnings
Drawn to the timeless charm of the nautilus shell, often described as a “living fossil”, because it has remained largely unchanged for over 500 million years, and inspired by Renaissance Europe, where whole shells were often mounted on silver or gold to create intricate goblets and decorative objects, we embarked on a creative journey.
In June of 2023 our sister saw some vintage shell lamps online but couldn’t find anywhere in Australia to buy one. She asked Dave if he could make her one and while it was a bit rough around the edges, the idea was born.
We trialled many lightbulbs, 12V vs. 240V, wood vs. stone bases, different angles the shell could sit, power cords that just weren’t right. Through much trial and error, we settled on 12V LED bulbs to ensure we kept the integrity of the shell intact. We designed and ordered our own power cords, to ensure all Australian Safety Standards were met. We started drilling out our own bases from slabs of travertine to give our lamps a sturdy base and modern design.
Fast forward to 2025; we have a manufacturer to cut and drill our bases exactly as we would like, a local shell supplier that has committed their nautilus shells to only us, an incredible
amount of support from our family, friends and community. We now have everything we need to create unique pieces of art, intricately handcrafted to seamlessly merge seashells with functional lighting.
A Note on Sustainability
The nautilus has been listed under CITES Appendix II, which regulates international trade to prevent over harvesting. In some areas, populations have declined due to demand for shells and habitat loss. For this reason, it is essential to source nautilus shells responsibly, ensuring that they are collected legally and ethically.
Collectors, artists, and businesses can help protect this ancient species by supporting sustainable practices and avoiding suppliers who exploit endangered populations. Respect for the nautilus ensures that its spiral legacy will continue for generations to come.
We absolutely do not endorse the irresponsible collection of nautilus shells. Our own chain is very small. It starts with fishermen Indigenous to the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia who our local shell supplier has contact with. They receive the nautilus and have agreed to exclusively supply them to us (Shellamps), to ensure the demand does not overtake the supply. We then turn them into our special family heirlooms, and you (our customer) are the final link in the chain.
The indigenous fishermen do not take more than they need, ensuring the nautilus population has enough time to regenerate before fishing for them again. They also use the mollusc as a food source, often made in to dishes such as calamari. This simple act ensures the shells are the by-product and not the sole purpose of harvest. This ensures the taking of live animals is not purely for a decorative purpose.
