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Home » Repurpose

20 Fabulous Beach-Worthy Projects to Create from Seashells

Modified: Jan 27, 2023 by Vanessa Beaty · This post may contain affiliate links · 17 Comments

DIY SEASHELL

Ah, summer. The time for warm weather and wonderful vacations. If you are planning a vacation to the beach, or if you’re lucky enough to live there, I’ve got a treat for you.

If you’ve ever been to the beach you’re bound to have seen your share of seashells. I mean, they’re everywhere!

seashell-projects

What to do with all those shells, though? You know you bring home tons just dreaming of the things that you’ll create. I’m going to make it easy for you.

I’ve collected 20 fabulous ways that you can put those seashells to good use.

Jump to:
  • Flower Pots
  • Clamshell Centerpiece
  • Shell Bouquets
  • Seashell Shadow Boxes
  • Seashell Night Lights
  • Seashell Candles
  • Seashell Hair Pins
  • Seashell Summer Mason Jars
  • Seashell Garland
  • Seashell Souvenir Jar
  • Sea In a Bottle
  • Mason Jar Seashell Lamp
  • Mini Aquarium
  • Clam Shell Critters
  • Beachy Christmas Ornaments
  • Textured Beachy Wine Bottles
  • Mermaid Necklaces
  • DIY Beach Jars
  • Clam Shell Wreath
  • Shell Path Lanterns
  • Conclusion

Flower Pots

Flower Pots

Use those seashells to really dress up your spring and summer flowers by attaching them to your flower pots.

These particular pots are weathered first, so they have that great beach cottage look, and then adorned with your seashells.

These are so easy and you can just imagine how great they’ll look on your porch or inside your home! Do them in different sizes to really dress up your planting.

Tutorial and Source: marthastewart

Clamshell Centerpiece

Clamshell Centerpiece

Turn those seashells into this gorgeous centerpiece that is perfect for gracing the table during the summer months.

Not only does this help you to use up those seashells, it’s got a beautiful cyclamen plant in it that brings a bit of the outdoors inside.

You just fill a larger clam shell with potting soil and add the plant. Then use the smaller shells for decoration. So easy and yet so beautiful!

Tutorial and Source: coastalliving

Shell Bouquets

Shell Bouquets

If you are planning a wedding this summer, this is the perfect bridal bouquet. It’s adorned with lovely seashells to give it a real beachy look, and what could possibly be better at your wedding than a bit of the beach?

I love the flowers and shells combined.

You could do these in smaller versions for bridesmaids or if you’re not planning a wedding, just make one to sit on a table.

Similar Project:  Upcycled Old Book Flower Ball Decoration

Tutorial and Source: shellcrafter

Seashell Shadow Boxes

Seashell Shadow Boxes

These shadow boxes are not only gorgeous, they’re very easy to create.

You can get most of the supplies you need at your local craft store and if you have seashells already on hand then you’re halfway there.

Just fill your shadow boxes with shells and add in sand or whatever else you want.

Mix up the sizes of your shells to really make them unique.

Tutorial and Source: itsthelittlethingsthatmakeahouseahome

Seashell Night Lights

Seashell Night Lights

Who wouldn’t love a seashell night light? I think this is a wonderful idea for the bathroom, especially if your bathroom has a shell or beach theme.

You could also use these in kids’ rooms if they love the beach as much as you do.

You can use any number of seashells, sand dollars, or just about anything you find on the beach to create them, too.

Tutorial and Source: marthastewart

Seashell Candles

Seashell Candles

These adorable little seashell tealights are so easy to make and best of all, you can fill them with whatever scent you prefer.

You literally just have to clean up your seashells, melt some wax, add the essential oils of your preference, and then fill the shells.

You will also need to add a wick.

Candle making is so much fun and it’s even better when you can display these cute little seashell candles at your next summer get together.

Tutorial and Source: sheknows

Seashell Hair Pins

Seashell Hair Pins

These DIY hair pins are the perfect complement to your summer wardrobe. Why? Because they have seashells, of course!

This is one of the most unique, and yet easiest, of all of the seashell projects. Honestly, you just glue the seashell to a bobby pin and you’re all set.

You could also probably do the same with clip hair barrettes if you want to use them on little ones, so they’ll stay in place better.

Tutorial and Source: blog.swell

Seashell Summer Mason Jars

Seashell Summer Mason Jars

So, here’s a slightly different take on a seashell candle. These little candles are encased in mason jars and the jars are filled, not to the top mind you, with seashells.

Honestly, all you have to do is add a slightly wide taper candle and then surround it with seashells.

Similar Project:  Simple Repurposed Plastic Bottle Bird Feeders

These are great for decorating those summer dinner tables outdoors or just having around to line your porch railing.

Tutorial and Source: confessionsofaplateaddict

Seashell Garland

Seashell Garland

What do you do with a few seashells and some fishing line or twine? You put them together to make this wonderful garland. I love how creative and yet simple this idea is.

You could use this for decorating outside for those summer pool parties, or hang it from your porch if you just want a bit of the beach around when you sit outside. You might even want to string it from the mantel.

Tutorial and Source: funfamilycrafts

Seashell Souvenir Jar

Seashell Souvenir Jar

What better way to remember that wonderful family vacation to the beach than with this DIY souvenir jar?

You literally just choose a jar and fill it with mementos of your vacation. Sort through your seashells and use the most unique or put them all in jars and create a keepsake for everyone in the family.

Label them with twine and cardboard tags to give them a wonderfully rustic look.

Tutorial and Source: carolynshomework

Sea In a Bottle

Sea In a Bottle

I love this idea – in fact, I have one of these! It’s a Sea In a Bottle keepsake and it brings a bit of the beach back home with you.

You’ll need something to keep your portable sea in that won’t leak, and a few seashells and maybe some sand. This is such a great gift idea.

Forget spending a fortune on souvenirs at the beach. Just grab a few inexpensive bottles and bring everyone back their very own peace of the ocean.

Tutorial and Source: childhood101

Mason Jar Seashell Lamp

Mason Jar Seashell Lamp

If you want to really test your craft skills and use a bit more creativity, this mason jar lamp is the perfect craft for you.

You’ll need a lamp kit and a mason jar and then a few seashells to add the decorative touch.

This is perfect for a bedside table lamp, particularly for anyone who really wants to live at the beach.

Tutorial and Source: domestically-speaking

Mini Aquarium

Mini Aquarium

This little mini aquarium is too adorable, and you can decorate it with those seashells that you have left over from other crafts.

Depending on the size of the bowl or glass you use, you could keep a couple of goldfish or betas in here, too. Imagine your kids’ faces when you present them with their very own little aquarium.

Similar Project:  Upcycled Ping Pong Ball Snowman Christmas Ornaments

This is a cute idea and one that will take you about 10 minutes to complete.

Tutorial and Source: arctida

Clam Shell Critters

Clam Shell Critters

Kids will go bonkers over these adorable little sea creatures, made from clam shells. You just have to paint them and then add some small googly eyes.

These would be great as kitchen magnets or you could be really creative and turn them into key chains or any number of other things.

Or just use them for the kids to play with when they really start missing the beach.

Tutorial and Source: freekidscrafts

Beachy Christmas Ornaments

Beachy Christmas Ornaments

Okay, so the last thing you’re probably thinking about during summer is Christmas, but you have to admit that these Christmas ornaments with their beach theme are perfect.

If you’ve ever wanted to dream about being at the beach during the coldest time of the year, especially if you live where it snows during winter, then these are great.

You can find these DIY ornaments at any craft store and then you just fill them with your favorite beach memories.

Tutorial and Source: h2obungalow

Textured Beachy Wine Bottles

Textured Beachy Wine Bottles

Wine bottle crafts are great, and this one is especially great because it also incorporate seashells.

Whether you want to use these bottles to create piggy banks, or you just want to sit them on a table and display them, or even use them as vases for small bouquets, they’re easy to do and so gorgeous when they’re finished.

Empty up those wine bottles and get creative with these textured beauties.

Tutorial and Source: craftsbyamanda

Mermaid Necklaces

Mermaid Necklaces

I love these DIY mermaid necklaces. Just a small clamshell, a glass tone, and a few other craft supplies like glitter and glue, and you have just what you need to make any little girl’s dream come true.

These are so very easy to make and so adorable. Who knows? You may just like them so much you’ll make one for yourself. These would be great for summer parties – you can use them as party favors!

Tutorial and Source: mamapapabubba

DIY Beach Jars

DIY Beach Jars

Here’s another really unique take on a beach jar.

Similar Project:  How To Make a Butterfly Terrarium Jar

These are so easy to make and are perfect for decorating in any room, and bringing a bit of the beach into your décor.

Just choose a really tall vase, glass, or jar, fill about halfway with sand, and then add your collected sea shells or other beach memorabilia.

I love how very simple these are to create and they can be so versatile. Use them for displaying silk flowers or just on their own.

Tutorial and Source: homespunwithlove

Clam Shell Wreath

Clam Shell Wreath

This clam shell wreath is so much different than the driftwood one above. This one is all shells, and put together, they make a stunning statement piece for your entry door or anywhere in the house you want to hang it.

You can form these around a wreath form, and use a collection of sizes and colors if you want, or make them completely uniform to make the wreath a bit more elegant.

Tutorial and Source: marthastewart

Shell Path Lanterns

20-door

Use those leftover sea shells to create a gorgeous path to your front door. Just add them to your path lanterns!

This is the easiest project, yet one that makes such a dramatic statement.

You can use clam shells, starfish, or whatever sea shells you may have on hand. Or you could decorate your lanterns and use them as décor inside the home, too.

Tutorial and Source: betweennapsontheporch

Conclusion

Also, check out how you can turn your cheap sunglasses into designer duds.

From home décor like wreaths and candles to jewelry and just about everything in between, there’s definitely something in this collection that’s going to make you want to head out to the beach and grab a few more shells.

Can’t make it to the beach?

You can also buy seashells at Hobby Lobby and various other craft stores, and they’re really not expensive, so you can do some of these crafts even if you don’t have a collection of your own.

Speaking of beaches, there’s also a really cool way to treat sunburns that you should check out.

Let’s get started crafting with those shells.

Before we’re through, your house will look like it belongs on the beach with the other cottages.

We’ll fill it with beach-worthy décor from top to bottom!

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  1. Willingham_Home stylist

    May 17, 2016 at 7:08 am

    Awesome DIY seashell transformation. From this post I am stealing all the seashell ideas. Seashell centerpiece and bouquet are so adorable. Wide range to start from.

    Reply
    • jserra

      August 03, 2016 at 3:02 am

      these are great ideas, however, not all seashores have free seashells. Any seashore that is on FEDERAL land prohibits collecting of anything unless indicated. As kids our beaches in San Francisco were not federal, and we freely collected shells, etc. then the Golden Gate National Recreation Area was formed and things we took for granted like seashells, driftwood, pebbles, starfish, sand dollars, etc, are now protected. So before you got out on a collecting adventure, check to make sure you can legally collect.

      Reply
      • Lisa Parkhurst

        August 07, 2019 at 3:10 pm

        Not true at all National Beaches. North Carolina Outer banks you can collect whatever you find. Many miles of beach are National Park beaches. I vacation there almost every year, this time three times and three different beaches along their coast. Spent the last one on Ocracoke and the others at the northern beaches (Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills) went beach combing on Coquina beach. Shells are always free and accessible there

        Reply
        • Anonymous

          March 01, 2020 at 1:35 pm

          The true part is to inform yourself on local laws concerning the removal of sea shells. Better to be informed than ignorant of the law and face penalties.

          Reply
        • Bets

          June 15, 2021 at 9:42 pm

          Our "go to " beach is Coquina. Are you talking about Coquina in Florida or is there a Coquina beach in Cali?!

          Reply
  2. Kristie Woszczyna

    June 08, 2017 at 6:18 pm

    Hello, I recently featured a link to this article on A Girl in LA's Summer Bucket List. 🙂

    http://a-girl-in-la.com/2017/06/07/bucket-list/

    Reply
  3. robin

    June 15, 2017 at 2:34 pm

    simply amazing!

    Reply
  4. Elizabeth Roberts

    June 28, 2018 at 6:35 am

    Sea shells kill goldfish because shells are salty

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      June 28, 2018 at 8:14 pm

      You boil them first

      Reply
    • Kayci

      July 08, 2019 at 6:50 am

      Oh come on there’s always gotta be a you in the group. Jeez.

      Personally, I appreciated the share very much.

      Reply
      • Zoey

        October 06, 2019 at 12:14 pm

        Me too

        Reply
      • Brianna

        May 24, 2020 at 8:54 pm

        If it’s true... I can’t really get mad at them for sharing info that is potentially life-saving to someone’s little pet goldfish. I probably wouldn’t have thought about it, or that they should need boiling. Some stones and rocks explode if you boil them.

        Reply
  5. James

    July 12, 2018 at 8:27 pm

    Love these simple and easy ideas! Do some more cute little crafts like these!

    Reply
  6. Arpan Kumar

    September 06, 2018 at 3:47 am

    wow

    Reply
  7. Arpan Kumar

    September 06, 2018 at 3:50 am

    Nice

    Reply
  8. diane ruby

    May 27, 2021 at 9:21 pm

    I love the ideas. Dollar tree and other craft stores sell fake shells at cheap price for all those afaid of killing gold fish or stealing from the beach 😆 you can still create with them without any problems

    Reply
    • Tracie Brysch

      August 25, 2021 at 8:09 pm

      Very true. U can buy them cheap from Walmart, Dollar Trees and many places as well as online. Thank u for letting these others know, that seem to think beaches are the only place u can get shells. I'm sure they're trying to be helpful with their info but always a Debby downer somewhere. This posted great ideas and projects I wouldn't have thought of.

      Reply

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