Many beach lovers drag home full buckets of seashells, then leave them sitting in the garage for months. You can easily turn those finds into custom home decor and thoughtful gifts without spending much cash.
Grab your glue gun, wash off the salt, and try these 27 shell crafts that will inspire your next DIY beach project.
1. Decoupaged Oyster Trinket Dishes
Turn large oyster shells into jewelry trays using decorative paper napkins and Mod Podge. Peel off the white backing layers from the napkin, brush the glue over the clean inner shell, and press the patterned layer flat. Paint a thin gold line along the scalloped edges to complete the piece. These make thoughtful gifts for creative women who want custom dresser trays.
2. Coastal Clam Shell Tea Light Candles
Deep quahog and clam shells hold candle wax well. Melt soy wax flakes in a double boiler, stir in several drops of scented oil, and glue a cotton wick to the bottom of the shell. Pour the warm wax inside and let it set overnight for a beachside glow.
3. Bohemian Drilled Shell Wind Chime
Bring relaxing coastal sounds to your front porch. Drill small holes through flat bivalve shells using a 1/16-inch masonry bit, then thread them onto sturdy hemp cord. Knot the cord under each shell to hold it in place, then tie each strand to a piece of driftwood.
4. Gilded Edge Salt and Pepper Cellars
Add practical coastal style to your dinner table. Brush metallic gold paint along the outer rims of two deep scallop shells, then seal the surfaces with food-safe resin. Set them on your dining table with tiny wooden spoons to serve sea salt and ground pepper.
5. Mosaic Seashell Picture Frame
Upgrade an inexpensive wooden frame with coastal texture. Sort your coquinas, tellins, and small spiral shells by size, then glue them along the wooden border in overlapping layers using E6000 adhesive. Place a vacation photo inside to keep your beach memories on display.
6. Shell-Encrusted Terra Cotta Planter
Give standard flower pots an organic update. Spread waterproof tile adhesive over a terra cotta pot, then press flat clam shells into the wet paste. Plant a trailing succulent inside once the adhesive dries.
7. Minimalist Hanging Shell Garland
Make a clean, Scandinavian-inspired wall hanging in one afternoon. String white cockle shells onto thick macrame cord, alternating the shells with raw wooden beads. Hang the garland across your fireplace mantel alongside other summer DIY decor ideas.
8. Crystal-Clear Shell Resin Coasters
Preserve fragile shell pieces and sea glass in clear epoxy resin. Mix a two-part epoxy resin, pour a shallow base into silicone coaster molds, and place your small beach finds on top. Pour a final clear layer over the shells to seal them into durable drink coasters.
9. Grand Coastal Shell Wreath
Build a full wreath for your front door using your largest shells. Glue rows of white clam shells around a flat wooden wreath form, then glue smaller augers and snails over the exposed spots. Always follow sustainable shell collecting practices and take only empty, uninhabited shells from the shoreline.
10. Scallop Shell Ring Bearer Dish
Drill two tiny holes near the hinge of a clean white scallop shell to create a ring bearer dish for a beach wedding. Thread a narrow ribbon through the holes to tie the wedding rings down before the ceremony begins.
11. Shell-Topped Wine Bottle Stoppers
Make custom wine stoppers by mounting thick murex or turbo shells onto tapered corks. Dab two-part epoxy onto the top of the cork, set the base of the shell into the glue, and let the adhesive harden completely. Give one away with a bottle of wine as a quick dinner party gift.
12. Twinkling Shell String Light Garland
Upgrade standard string lights with matching pairs of small clam shells. Sandwich each tiny LED bulb between two shells and secure them together with hot glue, leaving space for the wiring. Hang the string lights across your patio to illuminate summer evenings.
13. Cowrie Shell Bobby Pins and Hair Clips
Make easy hair clips with smooth cowrie shells. Attach the flat backs of the shells to metal alligator clips or bobby pins with industrial glue. Wear them in braids or updos during warm weather.
14. Specimen-Style Coastal Shadow Box
Organize your favorite beach finds in a clean shadow box. Line the back panel with linen fabric, then mount your shells in neat rows using double-sided foam tape. Write the common or scientific names underneath each specimen to finish the display.
15. Seashell-Adorned Match Striker
Glue small, ridged cockle shells around the sides of a small ceramic pot while leaving the bottom striking area bare. Store long matches inside the cup and keep it near your fireplace or candle collection.
16. Sea Glass and Spiral Shell Wind Spinner
Build an outdoor spinner with sea glass and spiral auger shells. Wrap thin copper wire securely around each piece, linking them together in a long strand. Hang the finished chain from a porch hook or garden branch to catch the wind.
17. Modern Shell-Embellished Round Mirror
You do not need to buy an expensive boutique mirror to get a coastal look. Glue matching clam shells in concentric circles around the border of an inexpensive round mirror. Coat the shells with matte white spray paint for a clean, uniform finish.
18. Clay and Seashell Ring Cones
Organize rings on handmade clay cones topped with pointed shells. Roll polymer clay into cone shapes, press small cone shells onto the tips, and bake the pieces in your oven. You can find more clay inspiration in our guide to oven bake clay ideas.
19. Hand-Lettered Shell Place Card Holders
Personalize your dinner table with shell place cards. Scrub flat clam or oyster shells, then write your guests’ names across the smooth inner shell with a fine metallic marker. Let guests take their shells home as party favors.
20. Coastal Shell Drawer Knobs
Replace standard cabinet hardware on a dresser or bathroom vanity. Pack epoxy putty into the cavity of thick turbo shells, then sink a machine bolt into the center of the putty. Once the putty cures rock-hard, screw the new knobs directly into your drawers.
21. Weighted Seashell Bookends
Hold your favorite books upright with heavy shell bookends. Paint two sturdy wooden blocks with chalk paint, then glue a heavy conch or murex shell to each base using industrial adhesive. Place the pair on a bookshelf or desk.
22. Jute-Wrapped Shell Napkin Rings
Make simple napkin holders in just a few minutes. Wrap plain wooden craft rings with natural jute twine, securing the ends with hot glue. Glue a single white tellin or lion’s paw shell onto the top of each ring.
23. Scallop Shell Christmas Tree Ornaments
Use seashells in your holiday decorating. Paint the inside of large scallop shells with pearlescent craft paint, seal the surface with clear varnish, and glue a velvet ribbon loop to the hinge. Hang the finished ornaments on your Christmas tree.
24. Chunky Seashell Tassel Keychain
Make your keys easy to spot in a large tote bag. Drill a small hole through the tip of a thick cowrie shell, connect it to a split keyring with a jump ring, and add a colorful thread tassel.
25. Clear Melt-and-Pour Shell Soaps
Set out coastal soap bars for your house guests. Melt a clear glycerin soap base, pour it into silicone soap molds, and drop clean, sanitized miniature shells into the liquid. The clear soap suspends the shells cleanly inside each bar.
26. Statement Tiered Shell Chandelier
Build a cascading shell fixture for a dining nook or covered patio. Drill small holes through slender auger shells, then tie them along concentric metal macrame hoops with clear fishing line. Suspend the hoops in tiers to create a layered pendant piece.
27. Seashell-Topped Cork Bulletin Board
Brighten up your home office with a framed cork board. Glue rows of small clam shells and sea biscuits around the outer frame with hot glue. You can also glue tiny shells onto the heads of standard thumbtacks to pin up notes and reminders.
Pro Tips for Prepping Your Seashells
- Clean them thoroughly: Soak your shells in a solution of equal parts water and bleach for an hour to remove algae and eliminate odors.
- Restore the shine: Rub a small drop of mineral oil or baby oil onto dry shells to bring out their natural color.
- Drill in water: Submerge shells in a shallow bowl of water while drilling to avoid cracking the shell and to keep dust out of the air. You can find detailed drilling techniques over at The Spruce Crafts.
You do not need to spend big money to bring a beach house feel into your home. With basic craft glue, a few simple tools, and shells from your last trip, you can make unique accents for every room. Pick a project, unpack your shell bucket, and get started.