Easy Sea Shell Craft With Hot Glue

Alyssa is an environmental scientist who enjoys writing about environmental issues, sustainability, animals, and travel.

Seashell Craft Ideas

Most everyone collects seashells at the beach, but these shells end up lying around the house - not put to any good use. With these easy DIY crafts, anyone can make art from their beach treasures. But before you begin your crafts make sure to thoroughly clean the shells. Organize the shells and rinse with hot water and soap. Proceed to dry the shells in the sun and if necessary, repeat the process.

Seashell Jar Idea

This one is great when you've got a whole bunch of tiny shells. Simply toss the shells in a mason jar for easy décor. If you have plenty of just one type of seashell, make a mason jar of just those. This craft looks beautiful with a jar full of sea-glass if you are lucky enough to find some on the beach. You can find various old glass jars and mason jars at thrift shops and antique stores or buy them new at craft stores or online.

Seashell Wreaths

A seashell wreath is a great craft to hang on the door or in the home. There are many ways to re-create this wreath, but the easiest is, to begin with, a Styrofoam wreath ring, which can be found at most craft stores—using a hot glue gun to cover the entire ring with ribbon, looping it around the wreath. For extra adhesion, use pins to secure the ribbon in place. Next, gather your shells and hot glue them to the wreath beginning with the bigger shells first. Have fun with it and fill the entire wreath with your seashell collection.

Seashell Frames

This is a great way to showcase your seashell collection. Only requiring a shadow box and a hot glue gun, it could not get any easier.

How to Glue Shells

Glue your shells to the back surface of the shadow frame, entirely covering the frame or showcasing just one special shell. In some instances, with enough shells, hot-gluing is not even necessary. Simply pour the shells into the frame and let them fall where they may.

Shell String Lights

Great for outdoor parties, spice up your string lights with some seashells. Using epoxy, place a shell at the base of each light bulb on a light string. Let dry for 10 minutes and hang!

How to Make a Hole in a Shell

Begin by placing your shell on a towel. Next, place a small nail on the point of the shell you would like the hole to go. Gently tap the nail with the hammer until you see a tiny hole in the shell. The key to this is patience and practice!

Wind-chimes and Mobiles

This craft is a bit more tedious but very fun. With a little time, you can turn your seashells into a beautiful wind-chime or mobile to hang outside or even indoors. Begin by making a hole in the shell (if not already there) with a hammer and nail. Once your shells are ready, you can start the wind-chime. Make a base to hang the shells from wood. Glue several pieces of wood together, intersecting in the middle, cut several pieces of string, and attach to the wood. String the shells, securing them with a knot and hot glue to keep them in place. Attach feathers or beads to the end for an added flair.

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Seashell Candles

Simply place a tea light in an oyster shell and light. This simple craft is great for adding a beachy theme to any simple candle.

Seashell Picture Frames

Starting with a plain wooden frame, add a touch of the sea with your shells from the beach. Using hot glue, attach the shells along the frame in any which way you please. Attach just a few starfish on the corners and down the sides, or encase the entire frame with various shells. Great craft for kids!

Ocean Jewelry

This craft has a multitude of possibilities. Using shells with small holes, it is straightforward to string these shells onto hemp or a medium of your choosing. Add craft beads or charms to your jewelry to make it unique. Periwinkles are a great shell to use as they are minuscule and easy to string. Great for anklets, bracelets, necklaces, and even earrings!

Painted Seashells

Acrylic paints plus seashells make for a fun craft great for the kids. Paint the inside of oyster shells or the outside of conch shells—an effortless activity for a summer day.

Upgrade a Lamp

Starting with a plain lamp, hot glue shells to the base of the lamp, or the shade to upgrade your home décor. It is also possible to fill the bottom of the lamp with plenty of your shells. This craft is yet another a very simple craft that can transform any room.

Johan Smulders from East London, South Africa on September 10, 2015:

Great ideas and very useful as I have a lot of shells to work with.

Loraine Brummer from Hartington, Nebraska on October 13, 2014:

Lots of great seashell crafts. I really like the string of lights.

Alyssa S (author) from USA on August 08, 2014:

Thank you!

erinshelby from United States on August 07, 2014:

I love these ideas! Great hub.

Laura Ross on June 13, 2014:

I love sea shells as well and have made a number of the items pictured and discussed here. I want to try making the shell wind chime shown. Its very pretty. Voted up, interesting and beautiful!!

Alyssa S (author) from USA on June 11, 2014:

Thank you so much!

Ann1Az2 from Orange, Texas on June 11, 2014:

Wow, I never realized there were so many uses for seashells. I've been saving mine to use in my 50 gallon aquarium for a saltwater tank, but at the moment, it's a freshwater tank. I haven't been able to afford making it into a saltwater tank, so I have a whole box full of shells gathered from the Gulf of Mexico. I may use some of them for these items! Thanks!

Well done and voted up.

Audrey Howitt from California on June 09, 2014:

This just feels like summer to me! Lovely hub!

Alyssa S (author) from USA on June 09, 2014:

Thanks, surprisingly easy to make as well!

FlourishAnyway from USA on June 09, 2014:

I love those seashell lights! Beautiful and outdoorsy! Voted up and pinning.

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Source: https://feltmagnet.com/crafts/Super-Simple-DIY-SeaShell-Crafts

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