Beach Art: How to Use Seashells in Your Craft Projects

What to do with all the seashells you have collected?  Use them in craft projects to extend your beach decor collection and add to your beachy theme at home.  Look for shells in bulk, shells with pre-drilled holes and even those luscious specialty seashells online.

How to Use Seashells in Your Craft Projects

By Tricia Deed

There are many seashell craft projects. Getting started is the first hurdle. Gather supplies from other arts and crafts projects that you may have in the home. Select a time slot that is convenient to work on your project.

Why do people use shells in craft projects? Because the finished products will be memorable, unique, original, and different. There are no limits to using shells for any personal, household, or outdoor projects. Anyone can do seashell arts and crafts.

Seashell Idea List:

1. Artwork such as shadow boxes, wall hangings, collages.
2. Amusing toys such as clam-shell critters.
3. Beach themes for parties, graduations, weddings, and other events.
4. Bouquets, trees, corsages
5. Broken shells as filler on dirt roads
6. Candles
7. Shell collection displays of wall art, home decor
8. Decorate any object such as flower pots, bottles, plates
9. Furniture enhancement
10. Garlands for seasonal changes and everyday use.
11. Hair ornaments for daily use, special events, costumes
12. Jewelry and buttons
13. Miniature, fairy, and hanging gardens.
14. Large shells make excellent centerpieces.
15. Lamps and lanterns, night lights, garland lights
16. Needlework such as knitting, crocheting, and weaving.
17. Notebooks
18. Picture or photo frames
19. Storage of small items
20. Tree ornaments for Easter, Christmas
21. Utility items such as candles, soap dishes
22. Wind chimes
23. Yard decor or lawn care

Anyone can make seashell projects. Start with your current arts and crafts hobby. As you progress your creative genius and imagination will unfold and there will be an endless list of other projects that you will want to do.

Different types, shapes, and colors of shells help to determine their best use. I enjoy beading jewelry. I may use small and colorful shells to make rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Sometimes, I may use a monochromatic theme or I may combine a variety of sizes, types, and colors with matching plastic or acrylic beads. These same small shells are easily stitched to garments using sewing techniques of crochet, knit, or weaving.

A large fishing net will hold large shells and other sea creatures for a wall hanging behind a bar or for beach-themed parties.

Other fastening products such as glue, Plaster of Paris, concrete, thread, yarn, rope, leather, wood, chain, and metal may be used to create pieces of art for viewing or to make utility type objects for practical usage. Various types of shells may be used alone or mixed with broken glass pieces, marbles, or other objects that are viewed as essential or add to the aesthetic value.

Natural shells or artificial shells may be used in arts and crafts projects. Often the object and its use will determine shell preference.

Using Natural Shells:

1. Soak in a 50/50 solution of bleach and water to rid odors
2. Remove barnacles and other undesirable objects
3. Wash with soap and water
4. Use mineral or baby oil and buff till shiny

Using Artificial Seashells:

1. Ready to use
2. Optional drilled holes
3. Glossy finish

Enjoy experimenting with different seashells in different arts and crafts projects. There are many objects combined with your creativity and imagination that are waiting for your skills and talents.

Read more about shells at https://hobbylark.com/collecting/The-Hobby-of-Collecting-Sea-Shells. Do you have an interest in other hobbies and interests? Visit https://www.triciadeed.com and review the hobby list.