Naples retiree Doris McGuire has found joy in giving and doing something she loves. She hosts and teaches classes on the pleasure of turning a beach find, a humble oyster shell, into a decorative object through the art of decoupage. Since last March, Mc-Guire has conducted 20 classes for 200 people at venues in Collier County, Bonita Springs and Fort Myers.

She insisted she does classes for fun and not for business.

“I want to keep it a fun project for me and others. If anything, I like giving them away as random acts of kindness, and I offer classes as a silent auction donation,” McGuire said.

The repurposed shells can hold small trinkets or rings or be hung as ornaments. However, McGuire’s classes are not just about an art technique, but about building camaraderie among like-minded individuals who can express their creativity.

McGuire said no formal training or art background is needed; anyone can do decoupage.

“When you receive a finished shell, it makes you happy, so imagine the joy if you made your creation,” she said.

Originally from northern Virginia, McGuire and her husband Steve, a retired judge and author, have lived in Naples since 2020. Her background is eye-popping: She was one of the first female corrections officers in an all-male prison facility in Tallahassee, then a special agent for the federal government. Most recently, she worked for IBM. She is a Greater Naples Leadership 2023 graduate.

And she is a volunteer instructor. McGuire first saw the shells at an art gallery and started collecting them.

“Then, I got the idea to do a class with girlfriends. A friend gave one of her shells to a woman at a residential community, then the woman called to ask if I’d do a class for the residents,” she said. This rest is history.

On a recent dreary afternoon, McGuire brought her sunny disposition and warmth to a class of 17- to 20-year-olds at Youth Haven, which serves youth ages 6-21 from families in crisis with temporary housing until a foster care family or kinship placement is identified.

This was going to be more than a class on decoupage. McGuire aimed to present the technique as a vehicle to uplift the teens’ spirits and to bring a small respite from the otherwise consuming burden of personal and familial issues. That day, she conducted two classes of 20 participants, one with teens and another with the youngest at age 11.

“This activity brings joy, increases self-confidence, allows them to be in the moment and have a chance to be creative in a non-judgmental activity that allows them self-expression,” she said.

McGuire deftly highlighted the values each participant could cultivate as she instructed the class in the process. Fostering empowerment, she asked each teen to relay their dreams. They responded with aspirations such as joining the Marines or pursuing criminal justice, aviation, search and rescue — “all achievable goals,” she added.

The process

Much of the work happens before her classes as McGuire preps the oyster shells. After the “meat” is cleaned and the shells rinsed, they are bleached for 24 hours and rinsed again, and again if needed. Shells are sun-dried for at least 48 hours — usually laid side-by-side on the pavement around her home pool, with additional dry time until the “fishy smell is gone.” Shell interiors are pre-painted with white acrylic gesso, and the exteriors are sprayed with metallic gold or silver spray paint.

At class time, participants chose two empty shells, selected a holiday-themed or ornamental cocktail napkin and cut it to fit the shell’s interior. A thin layer of Mod Podge (a glue and sealer) was brushed over the napkin and allowed to dry. A final layer was applied, and after drying, acrylic paint was carefully applied to the outer shell edges.

gem is created,” she told them.

Drawing on her travel experiences in Japan, she relayed a blueprint for her life garnered from a philosophy called “ikigai” that involves finding one’s purpose and meaning in life relative to one’s talents and passions.

“It’s believed that finding your ikigai can lead to a more fulfilling life and increased longevity. I discovered that I’ve always had a passion for volunteering and helping people because it makes me feel good,” McGuire explained.

The class listened with interest. McGuire relayed a second Japanese concept — “kintsugi,” which means “join with gold” — that hit the mark with this group who have experienced shattered hearts. She described kintsugi as the Japanese art of repairing broken objects, often pottery or glass.

“When most people break an object, they usually throw it away. In Japan, gold lacquer is used to piece the seam or the shards together, creating a more beautiful thing through breaking and repair rather than breaking and discarding. It’s your shell. Make it as you wish,” she said.

In this way, McGuire promoted a “you be you” attitude and gave the teens a sense of control and ownership.

One teen’s perspective

Her advice especially resonated with Theo, a full-time 18-year-old Youth Haven resident.

Theo exuded positivity and a measure of maturity beyond her years.

“I loved the class. Doing art is relaxing and a way to deal with stress. You can let everything go, which calms you down. Youth Haven offers many activities like this, and I learn new things, talk to the guys and hang out with friends,” Theo said.

Theo attends Florida South-Western State College and plans to pursue psychology and become a therapist “to help other kids.” With encouragement from Youth Haven staff, she is a testament to the rehabilitative, therapeutic programs and classes like the one McGuire conducts.

Sharing personal insight

McGuire injected personal insight to keep the teens interested while the class worked.

“A pearl starts with an imperfection, and grit gets into the shell, but in the end, a beautiful gem is created,” she told them.

Drawing on her travel experiences in Japan, she relayed a blueprint for her life garnered from a philosophy called “ikigai” that involves finding one’s purpose and meaning in life relative to one’s talents and passions.

“It’s believed that finding your ikigai can lead to a more fulfilling life and increased longevity. I discovered that I’ve always had a passion for volunteering and helping people because it makes me feel good,” McGuire explained.

The class listened with interest. McGuire relayed a second Japanese concept — “kintsugi,” which means “join with gold” — that hit the mark with this group who have experienced shattered hearts. She described kintsugi as the Japanese art of repairing broken objects, often pottery or glass.

“When most people break an object, they usually throw it away. In Japan, gold lacquer is used to piece the seam or the shards together, creating a more beautiful thing through breaking and repair rather than breaking and discarding. It’s your shell. Make it as you wish,” she said.

In this way, McGuire promoted a “you be you” attitude and gave the teens a sense of control and ownership.

One teen’s perspective

Her advice especially resonated with Theo, a full-time 18-year-old Youth Haven resident.

Theo exuded positivity and a measure of maturity beyond her years.

“I loved the class. Doing art is relaxing and a way to deal with stress. You can let everything go, which calms you down. Youth Haven offers many activities like this, and I learn new things, talk to the guys and hang out with friends,” Theo said.

Theo attends Florida SouthWestern State College and plans to pursue psychology and become a therapist “to help other kids.” With encouragement from Youth Haven staff, she is a testament to the rehabilitative, therapeutic programs and classes like the one McGuire conducts.

Shell classes

What: Public shell decoupage classes with instructor Doris McGuire

When: 

• 5-7 p.m. Nov. 7 at Center for the Arts at Marco Island (registration required); marcoislandart.org

• 6-8 p.m. Dec. 12 at Naples Art Institute (holiday-themed, registration required); naplesart.org

For more information: mcguiredoris704@gmail.com