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    25+ Gorgeous Seashell Crafts To Make This Summer

    Crafting, Holiday & Seasonal Crafts, Summer Crafts

    oyster shell candle with a text overlay
    bowl of regular and gilded seashells
    collage photo of oyster shell candles, oyster shell ring dishes and gilded seashells titled seashell crafts
    collage of three different oyster shell and seashell crafts
    collage of different seashell crafts you can make

    If you’re planning a beach trip this summer, be sure to bring back a bucket of shells so you can try your hands at one of these gorgeous, easy seashell crafts.

    There’s really no limit to what you can make from shells. Artwork, home decor items, jewelry. chandeliers. monograms, shadowboxes, wreaths, candles and more — so many seashell crafts for you to try.

    collage of seashell crafts you can make this summer

    I’ve been a busy little beachcomber scanning my favorite blogs for the coolest, most creative and prettiest seashell crafts around. Once you check out all these projects, you’ll want book a trip to the beach.

    This post may contain affiliate links. AttaGirlSays.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Read my full disclosure policy here.

    Seashell Crafts

    Whether you’re looking to decorate for your home, accessorize your outfit or find a use for all those oyster shells leftover from your seafood dinner, you’ll find lots of beachy inspiration. There are even seashell crafts for kids.

    I’ve used a lot of these projects in my own home, especially in our coastal-inspired guest bedroom that is designed to feel like a seaside resort.

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    collage of home decor items and crafts made from seashells

    Keep scrolling to see all the projects or use the table of contents to navigate to a particular section.

    Table of contents

    1. Seashell Crafts for Your Home
    2. DIY Seashell Wreaths
    3. Seashell Artwork
    4. Oyster Shell Crafts
    5. Seashell Jewelry
    6. Frequently Asked Questions
    7. Shop for Seashells

    Seashell Crafts for Your Home

    Give your home a beachy or coastal vibe with these easy seashell crafts, including wreaths, tabletop items, shell mirrors, DIY seashell picture frames, vases and other keepsakes of your vacation.

    Click on each project for more information and the full tutorial.

    Make Your Own Gilded Seashells
    Make Your Own Gilded Seashells
    Gilded seashells take the beachy glam look to the next level. You’ll never guess how easy it is to make these. Learn two different gilding methods.
    Read more
    Pottery Barn Knockoff Shell Chargers
    Create chargers for a coastal tablescape using seashells. These DIY plate chargers were inspired by ones from Pottery Barn.
    Read more
    Beachcomber Seashell Candleholder
    Make a Pottery barn knock-off seashell candleholder with seashells, pearls, and iridescent glitter for an elegant finish!
    Read more
    Simple Summer Table With A Seashell Candle DIY
    Everything looks better by candlelight as it casts such a warm and inviting glow. Learn how to make beautiful candles in seashells.
    Read more
    Shell Lamp
    Turn an old or thrift store lamp into a one-of-a-kind seashell lamp.
    Read more
    Seashell Candle Holder Centerpiece
    Perfect for a beach house! Give a glass and willow vase beach house vibes by adding seashells to it.
    Read more
    Simple Summer Decorating – Beach Garland
    Summer and beach style decorating doesn’t need to be complicated – this simple beach garland can be made it just a few minutes with just a few materials.
    Read more
    DIY Coastal Tic-Tac-Toe
    Add a bit of the beach to your home with a DIY Coastal Tic-Tac-Toe board, complete with starfish and sand dollars for X’s and O’s.
    Read more
    Easy-to Make Decorative Seashell Bottles
    Who doesn’t love making great DIY beach decor? You can spruce up any space with this easy-to-follow seashell bottle home craft.
    Read more
    DIY Seashell & Bead Wind Chime
    String seashells and beads together to make a unique wind chime for your patio, deck or porch. Hang it at your beach house or at home to remind you of vacation memories.
    Read more
    Starfish Garland Vignette
    Learn how to recreate this easy DIY starfish garland and set up a seaside vignette for a coastal decor bedroom.
    Read more
    Patriotic Nautical Flags
    Stars and stripes meet sand and surf ! Make these patriotic nautical flags decorated with seashells for July 4th and leave them up all summer.
    Read more
    Beach Inspired Mason Jar Craft
    Decorate mason jars with broken seashells to create a beautiful beach inspired mason jar to use as wedding vases or luminarias.
    Read more
    Restoration Hardware Inspired Shell Stands
    Showcase special shells, starfish and other beach finds on wooden stands. This easy DIY project was inspired by a Restoration Hardware item.
    Read more
    Sisal & Seashell Decorated Basket
    This DIY seashell basket planter craft is easy as pie to make. Who doesn’t have seashells picked up on beach vacations?
    Read more
    Ocean View Shadow Box
    Display your vacation and summer memories all year long with this ocean view shadow box that is simple and easy to make but still beautiful.
    Read more
    How To Make Crystal Seashells With Borax
    A fun summer science experiment that is pretty, too! Use a borax solution to grow crystals on seashells.
    Read more

    DIY Seashell Wreaths

    These DIY seashell wreaths and door decor can be hung indoors or out. A shell wreath is great for a beach house or to hang on your front door during the summer months.

    How To Make a Beautiful Seashell Wreath!
    Enjoy a little bit of the summer any time of year by making a beautiful coastal seashell wreath you’ll be proud to display.
    Read more
    Seashell Heart Door Hanger: How To Craft With Shells
    Celebrate summer with a Seashell Heart Door Hanger! This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to cover a wood heart with shells, pearls, and rhinestones.
    Read more
    Summery Pier 1 Inspired Seashell Wreath
    This copycat craft is made using a sunburst grapevine wreath and assorted seashells. So pretty to hang on your front door in the summer.
    Read more
    How To Make An Easy DIY Seashell Wreath
    This easy DIY seashell wreath is made with seashore finds on a natural rustic base. This shell wreath perfect for your beach house or nautical decor—or to bring coastal charm to your home.
    Read more
    A Coastal Inspired Shell Wreath
    Enjoy a seafood dinner, then use what’s left for crafting. This blogger turned mussel shells into a shell wreath that reminds her of a shimmering school of fish.
    Read more

    Seashell Artwork

    Create beautiful custom seashell art for your home with these tutorials.

    Make Art : Upcycled Window Frame
    Make your own art using an upcycled window frame, modge podge and some shells. A easy DIY project for some unique home decor.
    Read more
    Thrift Store Upcycle – DIY Aloha Seashell Pineapple Sign
    Use an old cabinet door to create a DIY Aloha Seashell Pineapple Sign for an island style wall art. Full tutorial on how to #repurposeit
    Read more
    Seashell Monogram
    Create a one-of-a-kind mongram using seashells, a thrifted frame and other vacation keepsakes.
    Read more
    Inexpensive DIY Seashell Artwork
    Inexpensive DIY Seashell Artwork
    I love this seashell artwork for a coastal bedroom! You won’t believe how easy it is to make. Who wants to join me at the beach to look for seashells?
    Read more
    DIY Giant Seashell Seahorse – Coastal Beach Wall Art
    Create this DIY Giant Seashell Seahorse wall art that’s perfect look for coastal or beach decor. Can easily be adapted to create any sea creature shape.
    Read more
    Seashell Flower Art
    Combine seashells with barn wood and sisal rope to create pretty floral artwork for your home.
    Read more
    Vacation Memories: Seashell Specimen Art
    These pretty “butterfly” specimens are made from butterfly seashells. This is a great keepsake from a trip to the beach.
    Read more
    DIY Seashell Seahorse Craft
    Easy, cute and nautical DIY Seashell Seahorse Craft. A fun project to make with this great tutorial to add beachy summer fun to your home decor.
    Read more

    Oyster Shell Crafts

    Oyster shells are abundant. In fact, many restaurants give them away for free.

    blue and white chinoiserie oyster shell jewelry dish with gilding

    The shells can be used to make all kinds of crafts, including jewelry dishes, oyster shell mirrors, necklaces, salt cellars, candles and DIY oyster shell chandeliers.

    DIY Black Oyster Shell Mirror
    Learn how to make this easy DIY layered shell mirror using foam and oyster shells from our vacation!
    Read more
    DIY Oyster Shell Jewelry Dishes
    DIY Oyster Shell Jewelry Dishes
    Turn plain seashells into luxe jewelry storage using liquid leaf and metallic fingernail polish! What a gorgeous way to showcase your favorite rings and jewelry
    Read more
    Decoupaged Blue and White Chinoiserie Oyster Shells
    Decoupaged Blue and White Chinoiserie Oyster Shells
    Don’t throw away those oyster shells! You can use them to make gorgeous chinoiserie jewelry and trinket dishes that look hand painted. A touch of gilding around the edges makes them so luxe!
    Read more
    DIY Oyster Shell Chandelier
    Learn how to make a chandlier using oyster shells.
    Read more
    Oyster Shell Candles
    Learn how to make these DIY candles in oyster shells. Perfect for a beach wedding or a romantic dinner. The fragrance will remind you of a trip to the beach.
    Read more
    Colorful Oyster Shell Mirror
    Create a one-of-a-kind mirror for your home using painted oyster shells.
    Read more

    Seashell Jewelry

    Learn how to make all kinds of seashell jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, bracelets and hair clips. You’ll be amazed by all the things you can make with shells from the ocean.

    DIY Seashell Hair Clips for Total Mermaid Vibes
    Looking for a pretty accessory that’s beach perfect? Make these DIY Seashell Hair Clips for Total Mermaid Vibes!!! Craft tutorial by Pop Shop America.
    Read more
    Alcohol Ink Oyster Shell Necklace
    Alcohol Ink Oyster Shell Necklace
    Talk about coastal chic! These alcohol ink oyster shell necklaces are gorgeous! Use small shells for pendants or larger ones to make jewelry dishes.
    Read more

    DIY Seashell Necklace
    Not sure what to do with all those shells you collected from vacation? Pick one of your favorites and turn it into a DIY seashell necklace!
    Read more
    DIY Dangle Cowrie Shell Earrings
    Simple trendy earrings made in minutes using mini cowrie shells!
    Read more
    Charming DIY Seashell Bracelet
    Love collecting seashells? This DIY seashell bracelet is such a fun charm bracelet is super simple and the perfect accessory for those beach days and a great way to use those collected shells!
    Read more
    DIY Seashell Ring
    Turn some of your favorite seashells into jewelry with this easy DIY seashell ring tutorial.
    Read more
    DIY Mermaid Jewelry Dish
    Make your own DIY Mermaid Jewelry Dish made of resin to display your favorite pieces of jewelry and hang your rings on the mermaid’s tail!
    Read more
    Make This Simple Shell Jewelry
    Is it just me, or has shell jewelry made a major come back? From a cowrie bracelet, to a shell statement necklace, read on for some very simple ideas!
    Read more

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Have a question about crafting with seashells, where to find seashells for crafting, how to clean shells and the best kind of glue to use with shells. Find the answers below.

    Leave your questions in the comments, and we’ll try to find the answers.

    What is the best glue to use on seashells?

    As you visit the links for these seashell crafts, you’ll see that the bloggers use a variety of different glues for their projects.

    Hot glue is popular with crafters because it sets and dries quickly, but it’s not always the best choice when working with shells. The bond may loosen over time and the shells may pop off, especially if you’re gluing shells to a surface like glass or porcelain.

    You’ll have the best results and a permanent bond using E-6000, Gorilla Super Glue or Weldbond. You can also buy a specially formulated seashell glue that bonds to wood, metal, ceramics and other surfaces.

    What kind of shells work best for crafting?

    As you can see from these projects, pretty much any kind of seashell works for crafting. The type of shell really depends on the project.

    For projects where you’ll be gluing shells to another surface, pick ones that have a large, smooth surface area for best adhesion.

    Cowrie shells, scallop shells and cockle shells are good for making jewelry.

    I really enjoy crafting with oyster shells. They’re good for making candles, oyster shell mirrors and ring dishes.

    Whatever type of shell you’re working with, make sure they are clean and dry before crafting with them.

    How do you clean seashells and get the smell out of seashells?

    If you’re crafting with seashells you found on the beach, you will probably want to clean them first to remove any grit and to ensure they don’t stink.

    Soak shells in a 50-50 solution of bleach and water for an hour or longer. You may also need to scrub them gently with a brush. Rinse with soap and water to remove any bleach residue and remaining dirt and grime.

    You can also clean seashells by adding 2 Tablespoons of baking soda and a dash of salt to 2 cups of hot water. Allow the seashells to soak to remove the grime.

    Where can I find seashells?

    The best place to find seashells for crafts is the beach! They’re free and abundant.

    But if you need a large quantity of shells or a certain type, you can also purchase them. I have included some shopping links below. When buying seashells, make sure they have been legally and ethically sourced.

    Shop for Seashells

    Need a specific type of shell for a craft or a large quantity. If you can’t find what you need at the beach, don’t worry. You can purchase seashells in bulk.

    collage of different seashell crafts you can make

    More Beachy Inspiration

    If you enjoyed these seashell crafts, you might want to check out these other coatal and beach-inspired ideas.

    • Sand Dollar Soap
    • Maritime Blueprint Chest
    • Nautical Bathroom Ideas
    • Backyard Beach Party
    • Summer Days Homemade Coconut Lotion
    • DIY Nautical Picture Rail for Vacation Photos
    • DIY Bowl Flip Flops

    Pin This! 25+ Gorgeous Seashell Crafts

    bowl of seashells with a text overlay

    Filed Under: Crafting, Holiday & Seasonal Crafts, Summer Crafts Tagged With: coastal decor, decorating with seashells, nautical, seashells

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Judy

      May 30, 2018 at 5:47 pm

      I love ideas.

      Reply

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