Shell Frame Tutorial & Tips {Handmade Gift}

Need an idea for all those shells you collected?  This is one of my favorite ways to use shells!  These shell frames make wonderful handmade gifts for anyone on your list.

Here’s a little project that would be great to do yourself or with your children over the summer. What a wonderful way to remember a day at the beach!

These shells were found on the beaches of Captiva, Cayo Costa, and Sanibel.

Living in Florida and boating on a regular basis, we get to go shelling a lot! I love it! It’s one of the most relaxing things in the world…just strolling along the beach with the sun shining down, the waves lapping against the shore, and the birds flying overhead. All the while looking through piles of shells on beautiful white sand. Always looking for one more shell before stopping to turn back to the boat.

Have you noticed all the shell home decor in the stores? Well, I’m going to show you how to make your own shell frame today! This can all be done at a fraction of the price you would pay in a store, and you’re being so creative!! That’s a good thing!

I keep clean shells in boxes so I can start a project with shells without having to wash and dry them. These have a thin coat of clear on them already.

Here’s a quick how-to on cleaning your beautiful shells…

• You never want to bring home shells {like conchs} with live or dead animals in them.  This is a bad idea!  Even if the shell is beautiful…leave it!
• Start by rinsing all the sand off your shells
• Then add a few teaspoons of bleach to a fresh bowl of water and let you shells soak overnight
• Lay them out to dry
• Spray them with clear spray paint
• Let them dry…you want them super dry so they don’t stick together in a box.
• That’s it!  The clear spray brings out the color in the shells and they’ll stay beautiful until you’re ready to use them.

You can purchase shells, but just make sure you get plenty. It takes quite a few shells to make this frame. I always end up using more than I planned on when I started. Good thing I’ve got boxes of them!

First, you start with a frame. A large flat surface works best. Remove the glass until you’re finished.

It’s best to find shells of a similar size for the base row. This can be done with all white or whatever shells you have. Just try to keep a uniform look on this part.

Use a hot glue gun to secure them to the frame. You could stop right there and call it a day. It’s a nice shell frame already. But to make it extra special, let’s add more.

Start by finding shells to fit in the empty spaces. Don’t glue yet, just move them around until you have about 10 or so in place. Go ahead and glue them down before you knock them off and don’t know where you had them. {That’s never happened to me…I’m just saying.}

It takes time to find a shell to fit just right in each spot. It’s kinda like a puzzle. Keep working on it until you love it! Add one here and there. Then check it from all angles to see what it looks like. When you’re done, you’ll know it!

When you are finished spray it will a clear glaze. {The glaze is thicker and has more of a shine than regular clear spray.} This will bring out all the colors in the shells! It also hides some of the extra glue that you might see. Let it dry. Add a photo!

Not too hard, but it does take a little time. Enjoy creating something beautiful!

Looking for more shell projects?  Check out this tutorial for shell candles…

DIY Shell Candles

Do you have a collection of shells?

~Kim