Sometimes the prettiest pieces of shell that catch your eye on the beach turn out to be just that--pieces. There's no reason to just toss them back, though--little pieces of pretty things are a great excuse to make a mosaic. It's fun to see guests look twice to see that those aren't tiles at all but pieces of seashells.
When you've chosen the item you want to mosaic, start picking out the pretty pieces of shell you want to use. We chose to mosaic the top of a papier mache box with broken cockle shell pieces in pretty sunset colors of rose, red, orange, rust and brown, as well as a few pieces of white and gray scallop shells and sand dollars (figure A).
Materials:
a box or other item to cover
Plaid Make-it Mosaics white sanded tile grout
pieces of shells, etc.
an old bowl to mix grout in
a plastic knife or spatula for mixing
paper towels
sponge or old rag
craft glue or other adhesive
Steps:
1. First, glue the shell pieces in place and allow them to dry completely (figure B). We used a simple craft glue, but if you are using smoother or heavier materials, a stronger adhesive might be better.
2. When the glue is dry, mix white-sanded grout according to the instructions on the package and smooth it over the shells with a spatula, plastic knife or your fingers. Make sure you press the grout into all the cracks and crevices.
3. Allow the grout to dry about 15 minutes or according to the manufacturer's instructions. Then use a damp sponge or towel to wipe the grout off, uncovering the shells but leaving grout between the pieces. Continue to rinse and wipe until the shells are clean and the grout is smooth between them.
4. Allow the grout to dry completely, overnight or as recommended in the package instructions. Buff the shells with a soft cloth or paper towel.
Resources Shell Chic: The ultimate guide to decorating your home with seashells
by Marlene Hurley Marshall
Storey Books, 2002
Order this title from Amazon.com.
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