Seashell Souvenirs

Seashell Hanging

Hang a little bit of summer by attaching shells to lengths of ribbon with a glue gun and hanging the ribbons in a window (figure A). Here's how:

1. Place a tension rod in a window frame to measure the correct length. Remove and set on a flat surface.

Lampshades are an easy and fun place to display shells. Here's how to make a necklace for one.

Materials:

power drill
very fine bit
seashell
ribbon

Steps:

1. Carefully drill a hole into each shell, using the lowest speed possible to protect the shell.

2. Thread ribbon through the shell and tie a knot.

3. String along enough shells to encircle your lampshade.

Make a garland with soft ribbon or seam binding (which is very soft and available in many colors) by simply stringing the ribbon through the center hole of sand dollars. Use a drop of hot glue to secure the shell to the ribbon. Hang carefully.

Floating Seashell Centerpiece

Make a centerpiece with some floating candles, a large, flat bowl of water and some seashells (figure C).

To keep shells from sinking to the bottom of the bowl, cut a wine cork into rounds about 1/4 inch wide. Attach a piece of cork to the bottom of the shell with hot glue (figure D).

* For dozens of other project ideas, check out Beach Crafts.