From the rocky beaches in St. Joseph, Michigan to the sugar sand shores of Southwest Florida, I’ve always collected shells. Which means I’ve ended up with a LOT of them over the years- especially during my post-college internship. And while I keep a lot of them stored in pretty bottles, I’m always looking for new craft projects with shells. And in case you are, too, I thought I’d gather some creative ideas for your seashell collection.
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.
Coastal Wall Decor
Image credit: H2O Bungalow.
Pressed cane has come back in style in a big way which makes this beachy decor idea perfectly timed. Thrift store frames get a seaside makeover and seashells and beach treasures are mounted on pressed cane. Such a perfect idea for that beach cottage vibe.
Beach-Inspired Mini Zen Garden
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Usually when you see a mini Zen garden, it’s made in a rectangular box and uses smooth stones as soothing elements. But what if you created one that was inspired by the coastline instead? Playing with sand, touching smooth shells, and listening to the sound of waves sounds awfully soothing to me…
Summer Wreath with Shells
Image credit: Lora Bloomquist.
Here’s a great way to craft with a lot of shells all at once. This DIY wreath is not only a pretty way to decorate your front door, but it’s a great way to use up broken shells, too. I love all the different colors, shapes, and textures of the shells used in this craft project.
Beachy 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.
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.
Gilded Shells
Image credit: Atta Girl Says.
If you love to incorporate metallics in your decor for pops of glam, then this craft project is for you. Look how fabulous these gilded shells look after their metallic makeovers…
Beachy Basket
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.
Christmas Ornaments
Image credit: Dukes and Duchesses.
Here’s a fun way to commemorate yearly beach vacations each Christmas. DIY ornaments filled with smaller shells (and sand, if you want) are a great way to put those itty bitty seashells to good use.
Shadowbox Table Display
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.
Art with Shells
Image credit: Petticoat Junktion.
This craft project is simple, but it’s awfully pretty. And it’s great if you have a handful of similarly colored shells, too. Turning them into flower petals like this is a sweet way to upcycle your scallop shells (or other petal-shaped shells).
Mason Jar Lamp
Image credit: Domestically Speaking.
The magic of lamp kits is that you can turn almost ANYTHING into a lamp. And glass jars are no exception! In this case, the mason jar was filled with shells, but you could definitely use other beachy items, as well.
Bottles and Shells
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Antique bottles are such a fabulous way to achieve that beachy decor look without doing anything to them. Many of them are already blue-green in color and have this cloudy, weathered look- as if they’ve tumbled on the ocean floor for a few decades. But here’s a fun twist to amp up the beachiness: topping them with shells you bring home from a seaside getaway.
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.
Shells on Picture Frames
Image credit: Our Southern Home.
Here’s a fun way to spruce up a thrift store picture frame into something display-worthy at home. Flatter shells, like scallops, are ideal for lining a picture frame like this. And I love how the larger shells are used in the corners with small versions lining the sides.
Concrete Tray
Image credit: Domestically Speaking.
Here’s a fun craft project with shells that also involves cement, if that intrigues you. Create a coastal inspired tray with cement and embellish with shells and nautical rope handles. Perfect for setting out cold drinks on a hot summer’s day!
Shells with Potted Succulents
Image credit: Petticoat Junktion.
When I create planters with faux succulents, I usually use aquarium gravel or dried lentils as my “potting soil”. But I absolutely ADORE this idea with shells instead- they pair up so well with faux succulents, don’t they?
Shell Jewelry
Image credit: Lovely, Etc.
As someone who loves to make DIY jewelry out of all sorts of things, it’s surprising that I’ve never used shells. But this idea is a great way to turn a mediocre shell into something fabulous enough to wear.
Coastal Collage
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.
Craft Projects with Shells
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
If you’re disappointed in your beach treasures after a vacation, don’t forget about thrift stores. While I’ll never purchase shells from a tourist-trap shell store (because they’re live caught), I will absolutely buy them at thrifts! Especially since thrift stores might have shells that are from corners of the Earth that I’ve never traveled to. Either way, I hope this collection of craft projects has inspired you to play around with your collection of shells- in new and creative ways.
Craft on!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
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.
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