People – particularly children – love to collect shells and sea glass, but often, never do anything with the shells. The shells end up stuffed in a bag and shoved in a closet, or worse, lost forever in the basement. If you happen to run up on that bag of shells why not let the kids create some quick and easy crafts? They can make new things for their rooms, or for the house, and it’ll cost you little!
Use identical pieces of wood to display your favorite shells. Hot glue works great for attaching the chosen shells to the wood. Attach a piece of hardware to the backside so you can hang it. Make a bathroom set by gluing two identical shells to two identical pieces of wood. Use a larger piece and attach a small mirror instead of shells. Hang the trio in the bathroom or another room. This makes a great gift that costs little. Don’t have any wood? Cover a piece of thick cardboard with fabric then attach the shells and mirror.
Use a piece of wood – or covered cardboard – to create something completely different. Glue two clam shells to the wood, at the hinges of the shells, but leave the mouth of the shells open slightly. Glue a clam shell half, with concave side upwards, to the wood. The two clam shells make a great note holder while the half-shell is perfect for holding coins or jewelry. Glue on a cockle shell, if you want, to create a fun pen holder.
Use a clear vase to make a seashell centerpiece for Mom. The vase should be kind of short but somewhat large in circumference. Place a candle in the center bottom of the vase. Surround the candle with seashells, pebbles, sea glass and small starfish. Some of the shells or starfish can be painted to add a splash of color here and there. The simple but elegant arrangement looks great in the bathroom, too! Add shell or sea creature-shaped soaps to the bathroom design.
Tack a piece of netting up on your bedroom wall. Glue or otherwise attach shells, starfish, wooden lighthouse shapes and similar items. This look can be created for the bathroom, too. It’s fun and easy to do. The netting doesn’t have to be heavy fishing nets. Purchase something much more lightweight at a fabric store.
Glue shells all over the light switch cover in your bedroom. Small shells work best and hot glue holds them perfectly. Make matching decor pieces by gluing the shells on to bedroom picture frames, hand mirrors, and even a tissue cover. Glue a round of small shells around the top and bottom of the lampshade. Or, glue them around the top and bottom of a small waste can.
Use an ivy bowl – or another clear, glass container – to make an easy decor piece. Place small shells and sea glass in the bottom of the container. Snip several pieces from a nearby houseplant. (Get permission, of course). Fill the container two-thirds of the way full and place the vine or other plant pieces in the water. If you want, you can purchase a beta fish to swim around in the container. The plants will grow roots and stay alive, and the fish will be happy in his or her surroundings. These are perfect for a kitchen, bathroom or bedroom.
Glue a button magnet or small, square magnet onto the backs of several larger shells. Use these to create a seashell theme for the kitchen. The magnets will stick to the refrigerator, toaster and other metal surfaces. You’ll find small, assorted shapes of magnets at any craft store.
Make a pencil or pen holder by using a cardboard tube. The tube may be an empty bathroom tissue roll or the cardboard from a roll of tape. Glue a piece of felt, fabric or paper to the inside, then cover the outside with small shells. Cover small cardboard boxes in the same manner to create a desk piece that will hold scissors, ruler and more.
What’s more fun than collecting sea shells? Crafting with them! Kids – and adults – will have fun creating any of the above crafts and will thoroughly enjoy displaying their creations. Make similar sets for family members and friends who will fall in love with yours as soon as they see them.
