Sea Shell crafts

[VeganCupcake]

HI! I have 2 big buckets of shells, stones, etc from a September trip to Sanibel , and as part of my New Years res, I must stop procrastinating on things I say I want to do! I want to use these for some sort of home decor crafts, any ideas???

 

[DeborahA]

Oh MY Yes. I just live minutes from Ft. Myers Beach/Sanibel. I love to make things with my shells. I have made sailor valentines, barrettes,& picture frames. I have a larhe glass jar with a glass lid. I put a 3 in. layer of sand and put a large candle in it and then surrounded the candle with shells. It sits on my DR table.

 

[VeganCupcake]

I just live minutes from Ft. Myers Beach/Sanibel.

Wow how cool for you! The only thing better would be living a few minutes to Disney World!

What are sailor valentines? The picture frames are a good idea as is the candle! Thanks!

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Something like a shadow box/framed piece can be nice. If you get a piece of matte board and place the shells like
X|X|X
X|X|X
X|X|X

that, then put glass over it and a frame, like a shadow box, it's a nice way to display the shells without going too...beach kitsch?

 

[Earstou]

I'm like you, have a collection of shells I keep saying I'm going to use and haven't!
My goal is to frame a mirror with the shells. Saw some in a shell shop in Florida and fell in love with them, but they were too pricey for me.

Here's one example: http://www.shellhorizons.com/details.asp?ProductID=MM1-30&Page=1

Anyone know the best glue to use for shell crafts?

 

[DeborahA]

sailor valentines were gifts-sort of souvenirs- brought back home to loved ones from the sailors travels. go to www.sailorsvalentinestudio.com and look in the gallery. There are some beautiful examples there--mine are much simpler in design. Make them in a shadow box style. If you ever visit Sanibel again you should visit the shell museum there--amazing examples.

 

[DeborahA]

forgot to add--I use E 6000 glue on anything that is heavier and a glue gun on lighter things.
I have also added little shells around a lamp shade-around the top and bottom.
To Earstou--You can buy mirror blanks and make your own. I saw them at a craft store on Sanibel. Three Crafty Ladies, they do have a website.
You could make your own very easy. It was basically a piece of thin plywood cut
3 inches larger than a plain mirror. the mirror was glued in the middle...

 

[Maddie2]

I second the endorsement of E6000! Best glue out there. We live in a cold climate and sometimes the hot glue lets loose after a while. I find e6000 in Walmart - under $3.

 

[VeganCupcake]

you guys are all so sweet!~Thanks for the tips! Are any of you on Etsy or another site selling your crafts? Love the link for the sailor valentines as well! Thank you thank you thank you!!!

 

[Earstou]

Thanks for the E 6000 glue recommendation.
I worry that the shells will just pop off with a glue gun, so wanted to use something else. Now just to get motivated!!