‘The Blessed Isle’: Third Pawleys Island Shell T-shirt hits the shelves at the Original Hammock Shop
Anyone searching for the perfect present for someone who loves Pawleys Island has no further to look than the Original Hammock Shop on the Pawleys Island mainland.
For the third year in a row, Alora Baver, the manager of the Original Hammock Shop, and Vida Miller, an artist and longtime resident of the area, have teamed up to create a unique T-shirt design featuring the Pawleys Island Shell, an elusive beach treasure that has become a symbol of the island. This is the third in a series of five shirts.
(Photo courtesy of The Original Hammock Shop)
The latest design features three Pawleys Island shells with the words “The Blessed Isle” above them and “Pawleys Island, SC,” befow.
Miller, who painted the main part of the design, said she didn’t set out to paint three shells for the third year, but she is glad it worked out that way.
“Alora asked me to paint several shells this time, and I decided to use three shells in the design,” she said. “Three shells for the third year. It’s perfect!”
Baver said she knew the design was a winner as soon as she saw it. Then, she was looking for a slogan to go along with the shells when she read the tag that comes with every Pawleys Island Shell T-shirt, which tells about Miller and the shell, and saw, “The Blessed Isle.”
“I thought, ‘That’s it,'” she said. “That’s something we haven’t done before, and it is something that will really resonate with people.”
She said she has already heard many people say “The Blessed Isle” slogan is what makes the shirt so attractive, along with the colors. The T-shirts are available in both short and long sleeves and in sizes Small to XX-Large.
“We have gone back to some traditional colors from our first line, which sold really well, so we are expecting to have another successful year,” Baver said.
For decades, visitors and residents of Pawleys Island have been intrigued by the Pawleys Island Shell, a rare and beautiful shell with distinct markings. Although this shell can be found in other areas, it is predominately found – and definitely beloved – on Pawleys Island.
(Photo by Clayton Stairs/Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce)
“It has become such a Pawleys Island tradition to collect these shells,” Miller said. “The shell is unique and is an icon for the island.”
There is a legend that anyone who finds a Pawleys Island Shell is blessed by the island. Baver said there is a special tag on each shirt that shares this legend in Miller’s own words.
“Every T-shirt comes with one, along with her signature,” she said. “We are so excited to offer this unique T-shirt design for all those who love the Pawleys Island Shell.”
A fun symbol of Pawleys
Miller said the Pawleys Island Shell has meant a lot to her over the years and she has painted it in oil, acrylic, and watercolor.
“It’s just a fun symbol of Pawleys Island,” Miller said.
She said searching for the Pawleys Island Shell on the island’s four miles of beach is like an Easter egg hunt.
“The Pawleys Island Shell is something everyone can relate to, and people have fun looking for them,” Miller said. “It makes you feel good when you find one.”
She’s found a few herself over the years.
“They are not usually right there out in the open for you to pick up,” she said. “Sometimes they are, but that is rare.”
(Photo by Clayton Stairs/Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce)
Baver and Miller urge anyone who loves Pawleys Island Shells to purchase T-shirts, or Pawleys Island Shell Jewelry for themselves and others this holiday season.
“Get yours and one for everyone on your list before they sell out,” Baver said. “They make the perfect Christmas gift.”
Miller said she plans to get one for each person in her family.
“If they don’t get one for Christmas, they will get one for their birthday,” she said with a chuckle. “I know everybody is watching their budgets this year, but the Hammock Shop has made this so affordable that it’s not a budget buster like some big-ticket items. It’s so affordable, it’s so Pawleys, and it’s just such a local thing.”
The Original Hammock Shop is located in the Hammock Shops Village at 10880 Ocean Hwy, Pawleys Island. For more information, call (843) 237-9122 or visit the website here.
By Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce