A snail shell picked up from the forest floor is usually quite dirty. You'll find soil, plant debris, and maybe even the remains of its former inhabitant. That’s why the first step is: into the water it goes.
First, I give the shells a rough cleaning in the garden, then it's off to the sink. They get a thorough scrub with an old toothbrush and some of my mom's handmade natural soap.
After that, they head into the pot. I let them sit in bubbling, boiling water for several minutes. That’s the only way to be completely sure they are free from bacteria, parasites, or other pathogens.
Afterwards, they get to dry for a while on a soft bed of paper towels on the windowsill, before they are finally brought upstairs to the studio.
