Lucie de Moyencourt is a talented artist, painter, and ceramicist whose creative journey led her to found Shellegance, a stunning collection of hand-painted ceramic shells. Inspired by her deep love for the sea and a lifelong passion for collecting shells, Lucie channels her artistic vision into each unique piece, blending nature’s beauty with exquisite craftsmanship. Her work is a fusion of fine art and ceramics, where each shell tells a story of coastal inspiration and meticulous handwork.

Growing up with a profound connection to the ocean, Lucie’s art is rooted in her experiences by the shore, capturing the delicate details and textures of seashells in a way that makes each one feel timeless. Her ceramics are not just decorative pieces, but expressions of her artistic journey, created with an eye for elegance and a reverence for nature. Shellegance is a tribute to Lucie’s lifelong love affair with the sea, where art, nature, and personal passion come together in perfect harmony.

We sat down with Lucie to learn more about her journey as an artist and entrepreneur. From the pivotal moments to the insights she’s gained along the way, here’s what she shared about creating Shellegance and her artistic evolution.

1.⁠ ⁠What inspired you to start your business?

Haha I don't really think of my artworks as a business, it's more of a calling! I have always loved seashells so much and collected them on every holiday, today I enjoy making 'shells' out of clay and painting them I see it as repopulating shells in the interiors space and reclaiming shells for decoration in a chic and 'SHELLegant' way but yes it has over the last 8 years turned into a little business which I adore nurturing and populating with new Shelley products 

2.⁠ ⁠What challenges have shaped your business?

Our main challenge has been load shedding because this affects all our firing to devastating effect. I am lucky my sales have always been smooth and easy with shells shelling out at every sale for the last 8 years so I consider myself verrrrry lucky.

3.⁠ ⁠How have your struggles made your business stronger or more unique?

Loadshedding and irregularity with firing has resulted in even more variations and colour variety which makes each shell even more unique! This is actually good for me, I try to make each shell as unique as possible

 

4.⁠ ⁠How do you stay passionate during tough times?

I stay passionate by looking around at all the beautiful things we have created and invented over the last 8 years, looking back is always inspiring to see how far we have come.

 

5. Is there anything new we should be on the lookout for?

At the end of the year I always have my Cape Town mega sale! This is a super fun day of bargains and SHELLSHOCKED pieces with lots of small Christmas goodies!

I am also working on a beautiful carpet collaboration with coral and hive which I cannot wait to bring out

 

Her chosen Black Betty Flawed Diamond? The Dual Faceted and Asscher S&P Diamond Ring.

"This piece just really spoke to me. I usually do not look at my hands but this ring looked invisible. I usually pick up shells and make my own jewellery. The demure, simplicity beauty I like."

Click here to shop this beauty.

If you’re drawn to art inspired by the sea, you’ll fall in love with Lucie de Moyencourt’s world of hand-painted ceramic shells. Her Shellegance pieces are playful, elegant, and truly one-of-a-kind. Follow her on Instagram and explore her work at luciedemoyencourt.com.