Mandalas are Buddhist devotional images which symbolise an ideal universe and come in many different forms. The word is Sanskrit for ‘circle’ or ‘completion’. When somebody creates a mandala, it becomes a window for exploring one’s inner self. Nowadays, it is very common to find Mandala colouring books for relaxation, it allows you to concentrate on a task and be aware of the current moment.

This week for Design Threads, we have explored our own take on ‘meditative painting’ on scallop shells…

Painting and colouring can be so therapeutic, which is why I have included some colouring exercises in my new book Design Secrets, which will be published in May 2021. I wanted readers to have some fun by colouring schemes that we have put together over the years, creating their own favourite combinations.

During this cold weather, the UK is blessed with excellent seafood, including Scottish scallops. Their shells are beautifully sculptural, so we decided to add a touch of colour.

We used colourful acrylic paints, simply following the shape of the shell. The results are so whimsical and fun.

We love to use these decorative shells to add a touch of colour to a bathroom, as extra decoration on a wrapped present, or even as a ring dish.

Tag us on your own designs on Instagram with #designthreads and @kitkempdesignthread. We can’t wait to see what you get up to.