Mermaid Crowns Are the New Flower Crowns: Photos

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Flower crowns, you just got served! Thanks to Etsy designer Chelsea Shiels, the world now has mermaid crowns, stunning headpieces crafted out of seashells and bedazzled from top to bottom.

The regal pieces, which nearly always sell out within hours once she posts them to her Etsy shop, were first made by Melbourne, Australia–based Shiels, 27, to cover up a scar on her forehead. Inspired by a love of "mermaids and everything to do with the beach and the sea," she made the gorgeous toppers using shells from around the world — and the compliments started rolling in. "[That] gave me the confidence to continue creating them for others," Shiels tells Us Weekly.

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The artist, who started Chelsea's Flowercrowns with festival-perfect headwear made from artificial buds, adds, "The shell crowns are completely unique, but haven't been seen as fashionable until now. I guess everyone has an inner mermaid, seeing as our generation grew up with The Little Mermaid. Now everyone can be their own Ariel."

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While Shiels admits that most of her customers purchase a crown — which range from skinny tiaras to multi-tiered diadems — to wear to more whimsical events, "I personally wear them doing the dishes! They can be worn anywhere." She also makes shell-topped bras, for the full mermaid experience. 

And the best part is? Channeling your inner Ariel actually benefits the environment. "I buy from suppliers that only collect shells from beaches overflowing with them," Shiels tells Us. "My main supplier donates 30 percent of proceeds back into a variety of charities, mainly to help preserve the great barrier reef. I love the ocean! And I assure you I have great suppliers and pay lots of money for my shells for this reason."

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