Shells everywhere…
These shells were found on the beaches of Captiva, Cayo Costa, and Sanibel.
Living in Florida and boating on a regular basis, we get to go shelling a lot! I love it! It’s one of the most relaxing things in the world…just strolling along the beach with the sun shining down, the waves lapping against the shore, and the birds flying overhead. All the while looking through piles of shells on beautiful white sand. Always looking for one more shell before stopping to turn back to the boat.
Have you noticed all the new shell home decor coming out in the stores? Well, I’m going to show you how to make your own shell frame today! This can all be done at a fraction of the price you would pay in a store, and you are being so creative!! That’s a good thing!
I keep clean shells in boxes so I can start a project with shells without having to wash and dry them. These have a thin coat of clear on them already.
You can purchase shells, but just make sure you get plenty. It takes quite a few shells to make this frame. I always end up using more than I planned on when I started. Good thing I’ve got boxes full!
First, you start with a frame. A large flat surface works best. Remove the glass until you’re finished.
Make sure all your shells are clean. Now, it’s best to find shells of a similar size for the base row. This can be done with all white or whatever shells you have. Just try to keep a uniform look on this part.
Use a hot glue gun to secure them to the frame. You could stop right there and call it a day. It’s a nice shell frame already. But to make it extra special, let’s add more.
Start by finding shells to fit in the empty spaces. Don’t glue yet, just move them around until you have about 10 or so in place. Go ahead and glue them down before you knock them off and don’t know where you had them. {That’s never happened to me…I’m just saying.}
It takes time to find a shell to fit just right in each spot. It’s kinda like a puzzle. Keep working on it until you love it! Add one here and there. Then check it from all angles to see what it looks like. When you’re done, you’ll know it!
When you are finished spray it will a clear glaze. {The glaze is thicker and has more of a shine than regular clear spray.} This will bring out all the colors in the shells! It also hides some of the extra glue that you might see. Let it dry. Add a photo!
Not too hard, but it does take a little time. Enjoy creating something beautiful!
Giveaway!!!
Would you like to make one? How about having the frame and shells delievered right to your door?
Here’s a frame just like the one I used above. A large bag of shells with way more than enough for the frame. This will give you lots of shells to pick from. All these shells were picked by me!
To be entered in the giveaway just leave a comment.
To be entered a second time just sign up for our email or RSS and leave another comment to let us know. {This makes it easier to figure out later!} If you already subscribe, that counts!
To be entered a third time just tweet about the giveaway on Twitter and leave me another comment.
I hope all you crafty bloggers enjoy this! I know there’s lots of ya’ll out there!
wow, I just might try this! I love the ocean and I saw your comment over on completely coastal. very nice tutorial.
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Just wanted to let you know I mentioned this post on my blog today!
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I love the shell frame tutorial and the shell frame!
I wish that I had kept all the shells that I collected over the years…but when you move every 18 months, it is hard to…and I really miss it. I have a lovely box that a roommate brought me from CA years ago that is covered in shells…really pretty. I am wanting to incorporate more shells in decorating this spring/summer…no idea for fall!
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This is so cool!! What a great gift for someone. Thanks for the giveaway and if I don’t win, I’ll definitely try my hand at making it myself!
Awesome giveaway! The frame looks fabulous! I know my kids would LOVE to get busy making this! I would love to as well, but I would totally let them make it with assistance! Thanks for the contest!
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I would love to win this! I used to do “crafty” things and this would be a perfect first-in-a-long-time project to get me back in the crafty groove.
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I’d love to win! I live in FL too.
Hi Kim, That’s beautiful! I made a frame similar a few years ago, I bought an unfinished wooden frame and spray painted it purple, then added my shells with the hot glue gun. I didn’t put a picture or anything in it and hung it as if it were a wreath – - I loved it. The shells started coming off, I figured my glue wasn’t good or the right strength, then finally decided that maybe I should have sanded the frame before gluing the shells – what are your thoughts?
I grew up at the beach (Charleston, SC) and have always been a shell collector. I could stay out 24/7 ~ it’s my idea of heaven. I live in Charlotte, NC now and hate being landlocked! I’ve always wanted to go to Sanibel.
All great things for you, Katy
Sadly, I know live in Charlotte, NC aka “asphault city”. Being landlocked has really taken a toll on me ~ maybe the future will take me back to the coast.
I love seashells so much that I named my only daughter “Conchita” which means little conch. I live in West Texas so shells are not common. We do have a type of mud pearl called the Concho Pearl but with the development around the lake the beds are being disturbed and there are fewer of them each year the outside of the shell is not very pretty, but the inside has various shades of purple that is really pretty. There is a jeweler here “Holland’s” that is known for making some fabulous jewelery out of them if you would like to see what they look like.
I love these! It makes me long for summer. I think I’ll check my closet and see what craft projects I haven’t finished yet.
Thanks!
I have always wanted to make a shell frame. Thanks for the information.
Wow, I love it.
We go to the beach every year – I need to try to find shells to use !
i just started this note on facebook that whichever 5 people respond to 1st, I will give them a gift I make. All they have to do is copy the note and also post it for their own giveaway. I was thinking shell frames and homemade candles would work well for shipping… your site has been very helpful!
Wow, this would be so much fun to make with my 8 yr-old daughter this Summer! (And maybe even put in a photo of us making it together!)
Did you have a problem with the shells coming off? I’ve heard the hot glue doesn’t hold up well…I want to make one and I’m not sure whether to buy epoxy instead? Thanks!
Love the idea thanks, i am going to do a white mirror for my bathroom, going to Whidbey Island this week to beach comb and get white ones to make it uniform and then fill in, im excited to do this project, i love the beach , seashells of all kinds, and being creative , thank you for your site and info.
Have a Blessed Year~!!!
OMG, just found your blog. I am in Pensacola right now collecting shells before I return to Texas next week. I can hardly wait to try your frame tutorial. I just wish I could find the shells you show in your photos! Awesome. Thank you for sharing! Pamie G.
.-= Pamela Graham´s last blog ..American Girl Skirt =-.
What a great Craft Idea .. and so well described. My great granddaughter will love making this … and I’ll enjoy helping her. Thanks so much!
I made one and love it!!!!!
A great tutorial! One of my great granddaughters is anxious to make a shell frame to hold a picture of her (8) and her brother (5) riding boogie boards in the surf at North Myrtle Beach, the first week in June. They had never seen the ocean, so the good times they had were precious. If you’ve still got a contest going on, please put my name in the hat. Thanks!
Great pictures and nice instructions. I will be making one! Thanks
I love your shell frame. Live in Toledo Ohio and can only collect small shells with all the same color or tiny muscle shells that are ugly on the lake. I do have a collection of different colored cone shaped small shells though. Would love to be able to collect the beautiful shells you have rather then just buying them. They are more special knowing they were collected directly from the beach and not retailed from the beach. Please enter me in the drawing to win the beautiful shell collection and frame to be able to make my own. Thanks for sharing the tutorial also. Deb
I love your frame! I collect shells from all over so I don’t have to “SHELL” out any money for making family gifts…I will have to try this one…thanks..
This was a chance happening to end up on your site. I see the dates so I don’t know if you are still doing the give away or not, but I wanted to let you know I enjoyed reading about you and your project. I am new to miniature dollhouse building and decorating. I have a Beach House I am ready to start on. I got on here to do a little research and I’ve ended up here:) We used to camp at Presque Isle,Erie, PA.One of my favorite activities was to collect periwinkles (I was told that was what they were) wee little shells, and colored glass. Thanks for the helping me recall those days. It is nice you are willing to share your likes and artistic knowledge, keep up the good work!
Perfect tutorial for beginners like me. Thanks you for the blessing.
I am going to do this. You made it look so simple. I have been collecting shells from all over. I really have always wanted to make a shell frame and also would like to try making a mirror w/shells around it.
Thanks,
Carolyne
Thanks for the tutorial. My Sunday School is always looking for fun projects. We live near the ocean and this is most economical and fun collecting as well as being creative.
Love the frame. I glue shells onto everything and love it. I have shells from Sannibel (the best for shells). Also other parts of Florida and Mexico on the gulf coast.
Thanks for the additional ideas!
I have lots of shells and think I’m going to make a picture frame. Great with a summer beach photo. Thanks for the idea.
Good afternoon,
This is the first time I have come across your website and particularly enjoyed your Seashell Frame project. I visited Tentsmuir Forest in Fife on Sunday with my sister and elderly mother and picked up some beautiful white shells from the beach. I have been wondering what to do with them so am looking forward to finding a frame to try out your project.
I would also love to be entered for your free giveaway of a frame and seashells so that I can practise some more.
Kind regards,
Avril
.-= Avril Philip´s last blog ..Free Stuff to Do This Weekend =-.
I had no idea how to apcproah this before-now I’m locked and loaded.
Wow! I am impressed. I was looking for a project for my 8 granddaughters and this is perfect. Spent the last 10 days collecting shells in Myrtle Beach but they are not as beautiful as the ones you used.
I signed up for your email and look forward to more great ideas.
Beautiful. I have always wanted to make one of these.
Thanks for your inspiring photos. 
Thank you so much for your website and the idea! I was looking for ready frames decorated with shells for purchase, but I could not find anything appealing. And then I found your site by accident. I love it! And finally I am inspired
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Thank you so much! I hope to hear from you
I love it….so easy
Beautiful! Awesome!
Just what I have been looking for to decorate my bathroom.
Thanks for the wonderful idea.
Thanks for the instruction it looks faboulous!
My husband and I went to Gulf Shores and I have so many shells I was not sure what to do with them so thank you so much for this idea. I had never been to the beach and it was for my 42nd birthday so now I will be able to make things to remember all the memories.
Thanks again.
Shelley
I love your ideas and you make them sound so easy. Will be heading to the shops tomorrow to by some glue etc and give this a go…thank you so much. Lorraine
i love the shell frame i love making projects with shells my whole house is decorated in the beach like with shells and starfish.
i love the work
What a gorgeous frame. I’ve been wanting to make a shell picture frame for ages with all the shells the children & I collect here in Queensland but never seem to get started. This has motivated me! I do have one question though. What do you use to clean the shells with? I usually use dishwashing liquid but I saw a website today whilst looking for ideas for shell craft that recommended using bleach – what are your thoughts? Thanks for motivating me!!
Loved your site..can”t wait to make my shell frame..I did one before but only did the corners…made me excited to do it again..hope to fine prettier shells like yours!!!!
I love collecting shells and have started to look for projects – I love this and can’t wait to make it!