Lafayette doctor adds touch of gold and glue to oyster shells to create art, jewelry dishes

Dr. Julie Broussard works 60 several hours some weeks, heading back again to the hospital at night or on weekends when on-call, but other times, she can be identified in a back place of her property, listening to showtunes and painting oyster shells.

“I go to function a ton of times with gold paint on my fingers,” she mentioned with a snicker.

Broussard, 46, is chief anesthesiologist for the Ochsner Lafayette Common Health and fitness Process and a mom of two youngsters. She lately added the title of maker of exceptional gold-gilded oyster art to her resumé.

Just before Xmas, as Omicron was surging, Broussard was at the hospital and noticed ceramic oyster artwork from New Orleans on social media. She informed the nurses she worked with that she was likely to make them for Xmas gifts.

“Like everybody else, I YouTubed it and went to a craft store,” she explained.

They loved the provides and she liked the time expended earning them. They inspired her to make an Etsy keep, and Gold and Grit Patterns was born.

“It’s enjoyable to do one thing different,” she stated, “and with COVID, issues have been so significant for so long. It can be great to have something light.”

Making Gold and Grit Types

Now she has “probably 500” oysters piled up in buckets, ready to be painted in her craft area. Her household orders a dozen uncooked oysters every single time they go out to try to eat and just take the shells residence in a to-go box.

“My young children are tremendous embarrassed,” she said. “They stink.”

She uses bleach to cleanse them at house and then leaves them out in the sunshine for a week to further bleach them.

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Then it can be time to paint. She makes use of a metallic paint with flecks of gold to paint the outside and rims of the shells. That’s how she came up with the name “Gold and Grit.”

Broussard uses ornamental paper napkins to use designs to the within of the shell, securing it with Mod Podge. The liquid serves as glue and sealer in a person, leaving a apparent end over intricate floral and chinoiserie patterns.

Tale proceeds

Most of the oysters conclusion up as ring dishes or wall artwork, some in the form of crosses, but she’s also begun to department out. On her Etsy retail outlet you are going to find oyster shells keeping air crops or decorating the sides of larger planters.

“It is really enjoyment coming up with new suggestions,” she mentioned. “We are going to put an oyster on everything now.”

The Carencro native has been pleasantly shocked to find there’s a sector for what she’s making. She’s experienced large orders, like a bride who gave them as bridesmaid presents, as well as person purchases on the net and in-human being at area markets and pop-ups.

“Today with all the things mass generated, individuals like things that is handcrafted with some heart and soul,” Broussard explained. “Individuals want to guidance persons who are right here.”

Meet up with extra Acadiana Makers:

Contact kid’s difficulties reporter Leigh Guidry at [email protected] or on Twitter @LeighGGuidry.

This write-up at first appeared on Lafayette Each day Advertiser: Louisiana doctor turns oyster shel
ls into artwork with glue, gold: Acadiana Makers