Through the years Bill's life took many interesting twists and turns. He became involved in local government, serving on planning boards and received the Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation Award, as well as the Pembroke Historical Commission Citizen of the Year Award. But he never forgot his first love, working with wood.

In 1992 Bill's passion for woodworking sparked in him a fascination with Shell Art and the octagonal wooden display cases which are a hallmark of the Sailor's Valentine. Bill began handcrafting his own line of authentic wooden display cases made from some of the very same woods as used in the original designs from the 1800's. The signature octagonal shape of the box harkens back to the original designs as well, as sailors (artisans) would use compass boxes to house their Shell Art creations. Today, discriminating shell artist prefer to house their shell art mosaic masterpieces in Bill Jordan's Sailor's Valentine cases, to not only protect and preserve the fragile designs, but to add yet another dimension of fine craftsmanship and beauty to their own work.

Now, in addition to his wooden Sailor's Valentine cases, Bill has added his own unique shell art interpretation to his collections with his exquisitely detailed shell mosaics which are encased within antique pocket watches. These works of art can be displayed and are often worn as pendants. Click here to view the gallery.  Bill Jordan's Shell Art Pocket Watch Pendants have won many First Place awards at such prestigious shell shows as the Sanibel Shell Fair (Sanibel, FL), Sarasota Shell Show (Sarasota, FL) and Philadelphia Shell Club (Philadelphia, PA). The Sanibel Shell Fair is touted as one of the largest shell exhibits  in the U.S. and holds one of the country's most prestigious juried shell art show.

Bill's work is now featured in the Four Winds Craft Guild located next to Sylvia Antiques, a purveyor of nautical antiques on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts since 1927. They carry a wide selection of Ships Figureheads, Paintings, Furniture, Antiques Ivory, and Carved Oddities. They have collectors items from all parts of the world, many coming from old island homes. Sailors brought them back at the height of the whaling era.

Four Winds Craft Guild has the largest collection of Bill Jordan's Shell Art Pocket Watch Pendants on public display and for sale in their shop. Next time you're in Nantucket stop by and see this amazing display of Bill Jordan's Shell Art Pocket Watch Pendants. The intricate detail and fine quality of the work is best represented up close and in person in order to gain a full appreciation of the art!

Bill Jordan's work is also featured at Kindred's Antiques & Folk Art in Cape Cod, MA and  will be featured at Shaw Contemporary Jewelry Gallery in Northeast Harbor, MA in the spring of 2008.