Discarded lobster, mussel and clam shells usually end up in landfills. But now a creative artisan from Maine turn them into unusually beautiful serving pieces and tabletops. She makes them by crushing shells into a composite-like material and layering them to create beautiful and unique items.

Tamra Philbrook started the business as an artisan of handcrafted pieces. She hand-picked the 100% natural materials from the shorelines of Maine, and created a patented process that allowed her to utilize them for dishwasher-safe tableware. Glenn Philbrook joined his wife to head up finance and operations for their company: Artful Wares. Now, the pieces are manufactured in Cutler, Maine, utilizing shells that have been reclaimed via a unique partnership with seafood processors.

The handles of flatware are made from 100% regenerated Maine Seashells,They are then topped with an 18/10 stainless steel implement. So whether you’re enjoying a family gathering, getting together with good friends or looking for the perfect gift for someone special, Artful Wares combines serving essentials with style. It’s tableware for the environmentally conscious!

The cutlery are made using a patented process to combined scrapped lobster, clam or mussel shells (or a combination) to create astonishing handles for flatware and serving tiles. All the pieces are dishwasher safe and the glass-topped platters are heat resistant. Their products are well received and the company is in the process of scaling up to meet demand.