Be whisked away to beautiful sandy shores without leaving your craft room with these handmade seashell crafts for adults!
Recently I wrote about ocean crafts for kids and adults and I was really inspired by all of the seashell ideas. Because shells come in so many different shapes, sizes, and colors there are tons of ways they can be used in crafting. So, I thought I would write again to share some of the amazing ideas I found so you can be inspired as well!
Where can you get seashells to use in handmade crafts?
“But where do I find these magical seashells?” you ask. I know that many people never get to enjoy the coastal beaches in person so they don’t have the pleasure of finding their own shells naturally. But, don’t worry
Craft stores often carry a variety of shells; and you can always find them in online stores. If you do visit a beach, explore the shoreline to see what you can find. Just remember to respect nature—only gather empty shells, please!
How to prepare your seashells for crafting
If you’ve purchased your shells, they are good to go! However, before you craft with any shells you’ve found on the beach, you’ll need to make sure they are ready to use. First, give them a good rinse to get rid of any sand or salt.
Then use a soft toothbrush soaked in vinegar to gently scrub the shells and hopefully remove any ‘bits of nature’ that are lingering. You may need to do this a few times to get rid of everything. Then you can wash them using a mild dish soap and water.
Now that you’re armed with clean, beautiful seashells, get ready to turn them into stunning creations. So, pull up a beach chair, grab a tropical drink, and check out these cool craft ideas!
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www.countryhillcottage.com
Seashell Serving Tray
Enjoy tropical drinks at home served on a seashell serving tray that reminds you of your trip to the ocean. Turn a plain tray into a beachy design element that does double duty as a drink carrier!
Celebrate Christmas with a bit of a beachy vibe this year! Or, remove the starfish and keep this out as decor year-round. I love the use of the netting!
How adorable are these ice cream cone DIY ornaments? You'll use sea urchin shells and cone-shaped shells along with a pom pom 'cherry' on top! There is also a tutorial for another cone ornament using those shells you see in the upper right-hand corner—you have to check them out.
Claire created a few different scallop shell ring holders. She painted the top, decoupaged napkins on the bottom and added little plastic sea creatures to hold some rings.
Learn how to decoupage seashells with pretty napkins and then use them to make a beautiful piece of DIY wall art. I love the addition of a bit of sparkle in this piece using diamond dust!
It is amazing that something so simple could look so beautiful! Turn a cheap plastic planter into a one that looks like this with just some glue and shells.
Preserve your memories of the beach with these super simple framed seashell art pieces. I love that just one shell is featured in each one. It really highlights the beauty of the shell!
I would never consider putting succulents in a seashell—until I saw this post! The two combine quite nicely and are perfect for beachy or ocean themed decor.
Make your own mini hoop sea shell wall hanging using any special shell you like! I love the use of rope for this, it adds to the nautical feel of the piece.
Here is another idea for using decoupage on shells to create fun trinket dishes. Claire chose images to print on tissue paper and then used Mod Podge to add them to the shells. There really is no limit to what you can do using this method!
Looking for your new favorite bracelets? Make your own funky summer bangle bracelets using found shells, coral, and resin. You'll want to wear them with everything!
If you want something a little special for summer, what a perfect time to accessorize your hair with some DIY hair accessories using seashells and starfish!
Resin is great for preserving something delicate in a way you can still enjoy it. If you've ever found sand dollars on the beach, you know they can be quite fragile. These DIY coasters allow you to enjoy the sand dollars every day!
Create a beautiful marbled look on your shells using nail polish. I love the use of the greens and blues—it reminds me of the ocean.If you enjoy marbling with nail polish, try these marbled mugs as well!
When you're on your next beach vacation, collect a bit of sand and some shells to make these awesome candles. You'll use clear gel wax so it looks like everything is under water!
