What to Do With All Those Collected Seashells

I have always wanted to fill glass table lamps with seashells.  I have not purchased table lamps like these... yet... but one day.  

Fillable, transparent bases can be filled with anything, but seashells would look just perfect inside.  In fact the description of these lamps claims that they come with shells!

The link below goes to a set of lamps, but there are other single lamps, in varying shapes and sizes, to buy as well.

I live on a strict budget and I love the fact that I can find beautiful shells along the seashore, and use for free, to decorate my home.  A big shell, placed on a shelf, table or windowsill, costs nothing.

After learning a big about seashells, and writing my seashell blog, I know which shells to look for and which are rare finds in my area.

From large shells like the Florida horse conch to tiny dwarf olives and juvenile shells, they all pique my interest.  

Sometimes I only take a photo and leave the shell where it is.  This is always the case if the shell is inhabited by the snail, or mollusk, or has become a home to a hermit crab.  

NEVER collect living seashells.  

Another easy way to show off a seashell collection is to use a shallow, decorative platter or bowl.  Search the dollar stores or yard sales for something plain and simple if you can't find something beachy.  After all, the shells will be the main interest, not the bowl.

I have a big round shiny blue-green bowl where I put my shells once they are rinsed clean and dried.

The platter below, which is sold through Amazon, is the perfect example.  Deep bowls, unless they are made of transparent glass, will hide most of the shells.  A shallow tray can also hold a candle in the center, or put a large shell in the middle and surround it with smaller ones.

In my photo here you can see that I use the half of a giant cockle shell as a holder for some smaller shells.

Grape vines grow in the woods all around me in Florida.  I could go out and pull them down and make myself a base wreath - if I had the ambition.  

Coco fiber comes from the husk of the coconut, and willow is of course from the willow tree.  Begin with a natural wreath form, such as these, for best results.  When using natural fiber, the entire wreath doesn't need to be covered.  

For wreath design inspiration, look around on the Pinterest site or check on Etsy.  Search for "seashell wreaths" and the results will amaze.

Use a glue gun or wire to attach shells and other items.

Additional items can be added along with the seashells to enhance the tropical design.  Items such as fish netting, tumbled beach glass, and fun signs with beach sayings, will add to the tropical theme of the craft project.

The old time sailors valentine was purchased by traveling seamen during the 1800's as a gift to bring home to a sweetheart.  While sailing in Barbados sailors would buy boxes that were decorated with local shells.  Usually they were covered in glass within a box to keep them safe for the long journey.

Today there are talented crafters who make seashell art which they call sailors valentines as they are made in similar fashion.  The link in the section below will take you to my article where you will see some of the newer versions and meet the artists who make them.

You've probably seen wall mirrors with seashells glued all around the border.  They are stunning, but could be a challenge to make and hang.  Also the mirror itself would not be cheap to buy.  Lots of seashells would be needed to create such a project.

Glue a bunch of tiny shells to a special box.   One big shell could be used as a handle to open the box.  

Glue the most beautiful shells to bureau or vanity handles.

A single shell with a large aperture (opening) can hold q-tips or cotton balls in the bathroom (see my photo above).

Scatter shells around the top of house plants to hide the dirt and pretty up the plant.

I add large, broken, and not-so-pretty, but definitely interesting, shells to my outdoor flower beds.

Small seashells can be stored in plastic craft boxes with clear lids.  Whenever a craft requires organization of small items, such a box would be very helpful.  

The glue gun can't be beat when it comes to wreath making, and it's use doesn't stop there.  Glue guns don't need to be expensive.  They all melt glue sticks and personally I don't see the need to pay a lot for one.