Who designed Shell Love Bug?
Pam Rambo of iLoveShelling.com is the artistic and creative force behind Shell Love Bug. She conceptualized the idea, the design, identified specific shell species for the background layers and featured components, and created paper patterns to guide placement of shells for the Sailor’s Valentine heart and individual seashell art pieces. There are 3 areas on the sculpture where Rambo painted shells to create a ladybug on the rear bumper, monarch butterfly on the dashboard, and Shell Love Bug front plate. She put her signature Worm Shell design on rearview mirror to top it off. She gratefully credits friends for their talents, time and hard work in helping to collect, clean, sort and glue shells which brought Shell Love Bug to life. She gives special recognition to members of Sanibel Shell Crafters who donated shells and hours of glueing. Several of these talented ladies worked closely with Rambo to assemble the featured heart and seashell art. (Volunteer pictures link here)
How many hours were spent sorting and adhering shells?
Rambo and the volunteers dedicated over 1,200 glueing hours to the project, which was completed in 34 days.
How many shells are on Shell Love Bug?
Over 20,000 shells adorn the beetle, all of which are native to Southwest Florida beaches.
How many species of shells does Shell Love Bug feature?
67
How are the shells attached to the car?
Over 100 tubes of Shoreline Marine GOOP, 3.7-Ounce, Clear were used for the shell application process.
How much do the shells weigh?
The combined weight of the glue and shells is over 200 pounds.
Can Shell Love Bug be washed?
Yes, the car can be hosed off with fresh water and soap, using a soft brush for details.
Who owns Shell Love Bug?
Pam Rambo of iLoveShelling.com owns Shell Love Bug!
How can I see Shell Love Bug?
Following its debut in 2016 on Good Morning America, Shell Love Bug will appear at designated locations to be announced. Check the Calendar of Events (CLICK HERE FOR link) regularly for updates.
Some day, Pam, can you give us really, really, close up’s of the “Shell Bug”? I and those of us unable to see it in person would really enjoy close up’s of the shell groups on the car. I did see some under the pictures on the web, but beg for more.
Barb
Sweet Barb, yes I will. I think I totally exhausted my being right now. I’m so sorry but I need a couple of days/weeks/months to get back to my regular life of sharing our shelling adventures. Thank you for your note and your support xo
Pam, Is the Shell Lovebug on display now? I would love to see it. You did a fantastic job. Thanks for sharing it. Kim
Is the shell lovebug on display for the public anywhere in Florida??
I Love your work. we are in Sanibel in March.5 . can i see with my Mom (70.Birthday)your Car ?
I am in charge of our Christmas parade for our community in Rotonda West. Your Love Bug is amazing and was wondering if you would like to be a part of our annual parade this year.
It is Saturday December 2 rain date Sunday the 3rd . It would’ve be an asset to our parade. Please consider if at all possible.
I can be reached at 941-662-8750 or [email protected]
Thank you
Susan
Community Relations RWA
Hello Pam,
I work at Cape Coral Arts Studio, part of Cape Coral Parks and Rec. I am wondering if you could be a guest speaker and bring the Shell Love Bug for our Fine Arts For Kids Camp? Who should I contact to try and set this up?
Thanks,
Sam
We will be in Sanibel from September 4 -9. 2017. Will the Shell Love Bug be anywhere close so we can see it?
It should still be in the airport when you arrive 🙂
How do we contact you to have you come to an Event?
Hi, I am currently staying in Sanibel. Is the Shell Love Bug on display anywhere for the public?
Dear Lee County Commisioners,
I’m not able to quantify how many tourists and, more importantly to you and to the Lee County’s Tourism Development Board, how many tourist dollars Pam and Clark Rambo have brought to Lee County and the Sanibel Island communities over the years through the “I Love Shelling” website and Pam’s “I Love Shelling” blogs. I would venture to say it would far outweigh the depreciated value one older model Volkswagen Beetle has on your books by a very, very large margin.
I can say without reservation that neither I, my extended family nor the many friends I have shared Pam’s blog with every year would have ever visited or considered investing in property in Lee County had I not been reading and following Pam’s “I Love Shelling” blog and using Pam’s website as a valuable reference tool to gain more knowledge of your area and of shells all these years.
We had never heard of Sanibel Island except in passing as a rather overpriced tourist location until I read Pam’s blog.
We would yet be unaware of your beautiful beaches with their shelling treasures from the sea had we not seen her beautifully crafted videos.
We would also have known nothing of your yearly Shell Festivals and the many opportunities for shelling vacations and trips available in your area had Pam not made them known and easily accessible to us as her readers.
I believe if you will consider all of the above points, weigh them against the bad publicity your county commission and your area is currently receiving due to this controversy you might find writing this depreciated asset off to public relations and signing the title and registration over to Pam Rambo would have a much more positive economic effect than the current value of the asset.
Without Pam’s incredible artistic talent, her and her many volunteers’ dedication, generosity and hard work, the donation of shells from Pam’s prized, private collection and the donations of so many fellow shellers of their “prized shells” from their personal collections this vehicle would not be worth much on the open market.
The “Shell Love Bug” can however continue to act as a good-will ambassador for your county in Pam’s possession.
Please act responsibly in this matter by carefully weighing the economic effect of your decision on the outcome.
Respectfully yours,
Trudy Wright
Hello Pam. I’m fairly good at identifying shells. However I picked up a shell at a thrift shop in Texas, where I live on land now, and I cannot identify it. I’m hoping maybe you can help. It looks like a member of the bonnet family, but it has pronounced raised vertical ridges on top of a beautiful caramel-colored and white plaid background. The outer edge is not as pronounced as that of a bonnet shell. Thanks.
I
Please send me your email news updates
Is Pam still operating the I Love Shelling website? Haven’t seen any posts in quite a while. I miss them.
The Bonita Springs Shell Club would like you to come back for our show January 31 – February 1st. How can we contact you?
Hi, I will be in Florida for the month of July, and will be in Sanibel the beginning of July. How can I see your beautiful car??