So, you’re a beachcomber and you’ve gone for a walk that resulted in handfuls of coastal treasures. Seashells, driftwood, sea glass, and more. Perhaps you want to craft with them or find ways to display them in your home. If that’s the case, you’ve come to the right place with plenty of inspiration for all of your treasures.
Displaying Beach Finds in Jars
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Creating memories from your beach vacation is as easy as this. Adding sand, shells, and other beach finds in mason jars is a great way to recreate the beach you visited! Labeling the jars with the beach name and location would add a special touch, and aqua tinted mason jars add even more coastal appeal.
Sea Glass and Shell Windchimes
Image credit: Hearth and Vine.
Smaller seashells and pretty pieces of sea glass are ideal for creating something whimsical for your porch, such as windchimes like this. The light catches the colors of the glass and you’ll be reminded of that beach vacation everything you walk through the door.
Decorating a Basket like a Beachcomber
Image credit: Petticoat Junktion.
A storage basket in your home is a great element to decorate with seashells and beach treasures like this. You could paint it first or leave it natural, whichever looks best in your home. Adding handles or extra embellishments with rope gives it an even more coastal or nautical look.
Trinket Dishes from Shells
Image credit: Pillar Box Blue.
Larger shells are perfect for painting or decoupage, and adding a cute figurine (like this penguin) turns them into a functional ring dish, like this fun craft idea. Not only is it easy to personalize, but these make a great DIY gift idea, as well.
Starburst Driftwood Wreath
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Find a bunch of pieces of driftwood on your beachcomber adventures? They can be bundled together as an interesting beachy element for your bookshelf or mantel. Or if you want to craft with them, a starburst wreath for your front door makes quite the statement.
Beachy Style Candleholders
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Plain glass candleholders, either from your cupboard or a thrift store, are easy to elevate into stunning pieces with a beach house vibe! Especially if you incorporate seashells or starfish that you found on your beach walk.
Beachcomber’s Succulent Planter
Image credit: Postcards from the Ridge.
There is something so eye-catching about colorful succulents planted in a neutral piece of gnarled driftwood, isn’t there? Not only is this easy to make with larger pieces of driftwood, but it’s such a gorgeous piece of decor to display in your home.
Decorative Beaded Garland
Image credit: Our Crafty Mom.
Garlands made with wood beads have been popular in home decor for a while now. Incorporating your beach finds, such as oyster shells like this, into a handmade garland is a great way to give it a coastal, summery touch.
Christmas Ornaments
Image credit: Charleston Crafted.
The beach might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think Christmas, but these DIY beach ornaments might just change that. Look how perfect they are for a coastal-themed tree? Such an easy and ideal craft project for your itty-bittiest shells, too.
For the Traveling Beachcomber
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
If you love to visit different beaches and take home some sand from each one, then you definitely need a way to display your collection! A vintage spice rack with clear glass bottles is a delightful (and compact) way to show them off. It’s quite marvelous to see how sand varies from beach to beach, around the world.
Seashell Art
Image credit: Domestically Speaking.
Small and tiny shells might not catch your eye as much as the larger ones. But a good beachcomber may take a couple of handfuls of small shells home anyway. Which is a good thing because they are perfect for collage projects like this seahorse.
Driftwood Collage
Image credit: Domestically Speaking.
Finding driftwood in various sizes and shapes makes displaying it more difficult. But using those sizes and shapes to create a meaningful collage is a fantastic way to show it off with pride!
Message in a Bottle
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
That empty wine bottle in your recycling bin is exactly what you need for this romantic craft project. Making a “message in a bottle” display is a unique way to put the beach sand you took home to good use. These are great for budget-friendly beach wedding decor, too!
Displaying Shells in a Shadowbox Table
Image credit: Our Crafty Mom.
For your best shells and beach treasures, a shadowbox table like this is an excellent way to display them. They stay protected from dust and curious paws, but are on full display for everyone to see.
Beachcomber Jewelry
Image credit: Dukes & Duchesses.
A memorable beach vacation can be even more memorable with this DIY jewelry idea. With the right jewelry-making supplies, you can make all sorts of pendants, rings, earrings, and more with beach sand collected during your coastal getaway.
Christmas Decor for a Beachcomber
Image credit: Petticoat Junktion.
File this idea for coastal Christmas decor for a later date! The starfish you find on the beach are a great way to add beachy elements to your Christmas displays. And all that chippy wood background gives it that wonderfully weathered look of a seaside home.
Beachcomber Crafts with DIY Candles
Image credit: Pillar Box Blue.
Oyster shells aren’t known for being the prettiest shells available, but they’re easy to find and there are lots of ways to craft with them. And in this case, they are given a flashy makeover and transformed into beachy candles.
Simple, Classic Tray Decor
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
If crafting isn’t your thing, then simply displaying your beach treasures on a nice tray is a classic way to incorporate them in your home. Coastal decor is always in style, no matter where you live and no matter what the calendar says. And seeing the shells you collected on your vacation might just lift your mood, spirit, and your smile.
Beachcomber Crafts
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Hope you’ve found some inspiration here to put to use after your next beach trip! Heck, even just displaying them is a favorite of mine. This is a water-fill jar of water I keep my beach glass collection in. I picked up the pieces in St. Joseph, Michigan when I was a little girl. Sometimes, it’s as simple as putting your treasures in a jar!
Craft on!
S
Want to be notified when I publish my next upcycling project tutorial?
Join me on Social Media:
PIN ME!
Image credit: Shutterstock via PicMonkey.
Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
Have a question or like what you see? Please let me know!