Shell crafts: tips on choosing ideas for beginners. 80 photos of the best solutions for children and adults

How to make paintings from natural materials

Using shells, you can create unusual paintings or decorations. Doing this is not as difficult as you might think at first glance. You just need to approach the work from a creative side, using your imagination. The main material is shells, which can be bought or collected on the coast. Then they need to be sorted depending on type and size. To create a masterpiece, you will also need the following materials at hand:

• base, you can use plywood, board or thick cardboard;
• frame;
• glue;
• paints;
• beads, twigs, blades of grass, sand, beads and other decorative elements.

The process of creating a picture from shells consists of the following steps:

1. Sketch design. If you are not very skilled with a pencil, find a picture on the Internet, scan it and make an image along the outline.
2. Preparing the base. Thick plywood or a cutting board, such as a cutting board, is best. It is recommended to sand the base and then repaint it. The background can be made with a stain of a suitable color or potassium permanganate.
3. Drawing. If you are working with a sketch, it is better to use a carbon copy to transfer the picture onto the base, or simply create the future picture directly on the board, like a mosaic. You need to paint the material before you start gluing it. It is advisable to use bright acrylic paints. If you are making a flower, it is better to take white or multi-colored paints, but for a panel with a seascape, green and blue shades are suitable, which convey the color of the waves well.
4. Gluing the material. Shells and other decorative elements are well fixed with PVA glue.
5. Framing the painting. Homemade baguettes can transform paintings, but making them will require a lot of patience and skill.

Seashell panel with seascape

This type of needlework will awaken everyone’s creative abilities. A panel with a seascape will look great in the bathroom. It’s not too difficult to make it using a master class:

1. Paint the frame with stain or potassium permanganate and set it aside to dry completely. For a panel with a seascape, use white, blue and green paints.
2. Insert the prepared base into the frame.
3. The background can be made of mesh, sand, fabric or burlap. Cut the material according to the size of the baguette, attach with glue or a special glue gun.
4. Proceed to the next stage - creating the picture itself from shells. Remember that you need to carefully attach each part with glue.
5. Cover the finished panel with acrylic varnish. This will give it a complete look, and the sea will shimmer, as if you were really standing on the shore.

Portrait applique made of seashells

A painting made by yourself will be an excellent gift or decoration in the home. To create a shell applique, you need to have a lot of base material in different sizes and colors. If you are good with a pencil, then making a portrait from shells will not be difficult. The process itself is as follows:

1. Prepare the foundation on which the creation will be located.
2. Draw a sketch using a photo of a person as a reference.
3. Apply glue to the image and immediately lay the shells, not allowing the glue to dry. Elements must be suitable in color and size.
4. If the portrait applique is ready, do not forget to spray it with varnish. This will give it shine and completeness.

Making a flower arrangement from shells

Using natural materials, you can create original interior items. The decor of the room will be decorated with a hand-made flower arrangement made from shells. For production you will need:

• main material – shells (any size);
• frame;
• varnish and paints in cans;
• universal glue;
• piece of film.

A step-by-step picture of flowers is made like this:

1. Use paint to create a background for your future work. Using a spray can for this purpose, you will do everything neatly and without streaks.
2. Start making flowers: wipe off the shells, place them in a row (this makes it easier to take).
3. Place a little glue in the center of the film.
4. Glue the shells one by one in the shape of a bud.
5. Make the core of the flower: glue a small shell of a different color into the middle of the half-opened bud.
6. Make the rest of the flowers in the same way, the quantity depends on your desire. It is worth noting that the flower arrangement will be more interesting if shells of different shades alternate in one flower.
7. Think about where each flower will be located on the base; you can make marks.
8. Glue the flowers and spray with varnish.

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Abstract seashell mosaic

Such paintings will make any interior exclusive. Making a mosaic from sea shells takes a long time, but you will have fun doing it. When creating a masterpiece, an important step is preparing the base. The “weeping” shell is often used. Get started:

1. Draw an even circle on the sink and cut it out with scissors.
2. Glue the shells in a certain order onto a prepared base (photo frame, flowerpot or any other object). Start from the top outline, moving down, from the right side to the left. It is better to attach it with a hot glue gun, applying the composition to the base and to the sink. Please note that the glue strips should be no more than 2-3 cm.
3. When most of the mosaic picture is ready, apply glue only to the shells and carefully insert each one into place, pressing it firmly into the base.
4. Decorate the background with backfill - plastic or glass chips. Apply glue to the required area with a brush, then cover the material in a dense layer and press with your fingers to compact it. Afterwards, turn the picture of shells over so that the excess falls off.

How to use seashells for the interior

A unique apartment interior is an expensive pleasure if you hire a designer. You will have to spend a decent amount of money for a couple of original figurines or crafts if you buy them in a specialized store. Use sleight of hand and imagination to save the family budget by creating a cozy atmosphere at home.

Decorating with seashells is part of the eco-style. Eco-style is popular in the West, but it will never reach us. Be an example for your family and friends. Show how to extend the life of household items: mirrors, photo frames, paintings, empty bottles, jars, boxes, flower pots and other trinkets. Dilute the everyday comfort with bright and colorful elements - updating the appearance of your home will be beneficial. Create a nautical style for your bathroom – classic will never go out of style.

You always need to change something in life. Start with the interior of the apartment.

Large and small shells, pebbles, sand, and pearls are suitable for work. Natural materials do not deteriorate over the years - eternal beauty. This is the perfect gift for a loved one who reminds you of you every day. Please note that the process will not take much time. You don’t have to buy expensive equipment or spend a lot of effort and nerves on work. Everything ingenious is simple.

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Basic instructions for preparing shells

Cleansing

Before you start making crafts from shells, you need to prepare them well.

• If the shells are “dead” and there are no shellfish remains left in them, then you just need to soak them in a solution of water and any chlorine-containing product (for example, bleach, “Duckling”, etc.) in a 1:1 ratio for 30 minutes. If the shells are very dirty or you want to remove the dark outer layer (periostracum), soak them longer. After soaking, brush the shells and rinse in clean water.
• If the shells are “live”, that is, they have the remains of mollusks (even if they died long ago) and have an unpleasant odor, then they need to be thoroughly cleaned. To do this, put the shells in boiling water for 5 minutes, and then remove the remains of the shellfish using tongs, nail scissors, etc. There is a second way: heat the shells in the microwave for 30 seconds, then try to remove the remains with tongs. If unsuccessful, continue heating the shells in the microwave, checking the result every 10 seconds. When all remains have been removed, treat the sinks with a bleach solution according to the first instructions.

After processing, inspect the sinks for chips and, if any, sand them with a sanding block, disc or sandpaper. If desired, you can add shine to them using clear nail polish or furniture polish, as well as using oil or rich cream. True, in this case, before treating the shells with glue, the gluing areas will have to be additionally degreased with alcohol.

Drilling holes

To make some types of crafts from shells (for example, wind chimes, garlands, beads, bracelets and other jewelry), you need to drill a hole in them. This task is quite simple, the only difficulty is that the shells can crack or delaminate at the drilling site.

• Therefore, remember the main rule: the thinner the shell, the smaller the hole should be in it and, accordingly, the thread/accessories of the decoration.

DIY shell panel - happy memories of summer

Of course, many of us have a variety of shells at home as warm and bright memories of the gentle sea, yellow sand and sun. But shells are also an excellent material for creativity. Creating panels in a marine style is a very exciting and quite popular hobby. Today we will tell you how to create a panel of shells quickly and easily with your own hands.

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To make a panel from shells, you do not need any special skills or knowledge. Anyone can create something unique that matches the interior of their apartment. All you need is imagination and patience. We are all different and everyone will create their own work of art. But to make any panel we will need some materials.

Seashell candles

What if you complement a romantic evening or a simple dinner with something unusual and funny? We offer a bold idea to make not just candles, but candles in shells in a marine style.

We will need:

• seashells;
• round candles in aluminum molds;
• a saucepan with water;
• PVA glue.

Remove the wick from the candle (first remove the candle from the mold, then the wick) and insert the candle back.

Glue one wick at a time in the center of the shell with glue. Melt the paraffin. Boil water and lower the molds into it (water bath). Pour the melted paraffin into the shells.

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Leave to dry for 20 minutes. Ready!

Learn how to make a panel of shells with your own hands step by step in a master class

Now that everything you need is at hand, you can get to work. A fairly detailed master class will help you make your first unique panel from shells. So, let's begin.

1. First, you need to carefully select the background for the future panel. Attach the shells to the selected background, try several options. The background should not be too bright so as not to drown out the natural beauty of the shells.
2. Then glue the selected background onto the prepared base (plywood or board). Burlap, fabric, mesh or sisal must be cut to the size of the base (with a slight allowance), stretched and glued to the back of the base using glue.
3. Now - the most interesting part. Directly a process that requires creative inspiration. Each element needs to find its place on the panel. You can glue shells randomly, intuitively creating a harmonious composition. You can make a specific picture: flowers, a tree, a ship, birds. You can draw the image yourself or print the finished one. For beginners, it is better to take simple drawings and transfer them to the base using carbon paper. But this is optional. The finished template or stencil can be secured to the base using masking tape and then outlined with a pencil.
4. We cover the finished panel with acrylic varnish and let it dry.
5. To make the painting look more interesting, you can insert it into a frame matched by color or painted with acrylic paints. Don't limit yourself to the box! Glue the individual elements onto the frame itself.

Here are some more photos for inspiration:

A panel of shells and sand is created in a similar way. Only as a

The background uses sand collected on the beach or purchased. The sand must be washed and dried, painted if necessary. A thick layer of PVA is applied to the board or plywood and a layer of sand on top. The sand mass is lightly pressed so that it sticks better. Now you have to wait a few hours until everything is completely dry. After this, a composition of shells is made and glued to the sand.

Trying to make a sea panel from shells and sand in plaster

An interesting version of a panel of shells and sand can be made if you use ordinary plaster (alabaster). Make a composition in advance of shells and additional elements (starfish, pebbles, bark, corals) on paper. It is better to use natural material of large and unusual shapes. Take a ready-made frame with a back wall or make it yourself - this will be the shape for our panel, like for a cake. Dilute the plaster with water, stirring constantly, until you obtain liquid sour cream. Pour plaster into the mold. Now quickly transfer each element of the composition from paper to plaster, slightly recessing it until the plaster hardens. Sprinkle the surface with sand, also pressing down lightly. Wait until the plaster dries completely. Cover with acrylic varnish. Your painting is ready!

Idea 2. Making a Valentine panel

From a collection of shells of different shapes and sizes, you can make a panel in the form of a valentine. However, you can cut out any other shape from cardboard/plywood, say, the same seahorse or a letter.

Materials:

• Glue gun or any strong adhesion glue;
• Collection of river and sea shells;
• Cardboard;
• Scissors;
• Leg-split.

Instructions:

Step 1. Cut out the base for the heart-shaped panel from cardboard.

Step 2. Using a knife or awl, make two holes for the twine.

Step 3. Start gluing the shells, trying to leave minimal gaps between them. Leave the loop holes open.

Step 4. Cut the twine to the desired length, thread the two ends of the rope into the holes on the back of the panel and tie with double knots.

In the next video you can see a visual master class on making crafts from shells with your own hands in the form of a Valentine panel.

Below are more ideas for creating a shell panel.

Where to look for materials for shell panels: tips for beginners

Every year, citizens go to coastal regions to take a break from the constant bustle of everyday life. You need to take the time to collect the necessary shells. The shape of the latter is chosen taking into account aesthetic preferences. The unusual shape of the shells will add uniqueness to the composition. At the same time, it is worth remembering one aspect: if we are talking about vacation in another country, it is necessary to clarify the legal nuance, is it allowed to export a large number of shells from the country? It is necessary to ask a similar question when entering the state.

In addition, it would be a good idea to do the following:

• Take a dense container for transporting shells;
• Find large and small pebbles deformed under the influence of waves;
• Collect several branches of exotic trees.

It’s easy to find materials to complete the composition in a craft store or at the market. The main thing is to first sketch on paper what you plan to bring to life.

Vase with shells

Even a simple glass vessel filled with seafood will look interesting. Pour some sand into a vase, aquarium or wide glass, add sea pebbles and shells. This decor made from shells is used for table setting for the holiday or simply placed on shelves, cabinets and bedside tables.

This vase will decorate any setting.

Flower pots decorated with seashells from the inside or outside look original. Unusually shaped shells can be placed inside the pot next to the flowers. And if you have many identical shells of the correct shape, then it is better to stick them on the outer walls or rim.

A vase decorated with multi-colored shells will add originality to the interior

How to make a panel from shells with your own hands: secrets and recommendations

To begin with, a rough sketch of what should happen in the end is made. Designers recommend not limiting yourself solely to shells. The panel will be complemented by seeds of cereals and legumes.

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In order to make the composition you will need a large piece of thick cardboard, which is cut into two equal parts. The outline of the future creation is drawn with a pencil on one of the parts. At the next stage, you will need Moment glue or hot melt glue, a brush and decorative materials, depending on your preferences.

The procedure for working with them is as follows:

• Small pebbles are laid out on a sheet of cardboard, according to the previously drawn contours;
• The resulting layer of pebbles is filled with a thin layer of glue;
• After drying, the glue will become transparent, thereby giving a special charm to the composition;
• The glue gains maximum strength within 24 hours, only then can shells be attached;
• When choosing a method for applying seashells, it is not necessary to adhere to the rules of symmetry;
• Moderate creative chaos will give the composition lightness and attractiveness.

After traces of touching the canvas with a glue gun have dried, the resulting voids must be filled with stones with a very fine fraction. Designers do not recommend abusing this element. The shells should not be completely hidden under the layer of filler. The manufacturing process of surface varnish treatment is completed. It will add durability and special charm.

Making a panel ship from shells with your own hands

The composition, unusual in its form, will appeal to those whose hearts have long been filled with love for the endless sea. Making the panel will take no more than 2 days, taking into account the time required for the glue to dry. You will need to find one large shell, which will become the base. Decorative elements are selected taking into account the color scheme of the room where the composition will be installed.

For beginners, there is one good piece of advice - decide in advance on the shape of the vessel. The selection of necessary materials depends on this. If you plan to make the ship multi-level, you will need several small shells.

Step by step instructions

• Glue together the base of the structure from 2-3 rapans; the gluing process takes place on the front part, followed by a revolution;
• Cut 2-3 sticks, the length of which is the same;
• Glue the sticks strictly vertically onto the sink, maintaining an equal distance between them;
• The glue will dry within 4-5 hours;
• Attach a shell to a piece of dense material, the inner side of which faces upward;
• It is allowed to use twine to decorate and strengthen the structure;
• Attach shell-sails to installed vertical sticks;
• It is recommended to place a large shell-sail in the middle, and use smaller shells for the other 2 sails;
• The mast of the resulting ship is decorated with a flag.

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Do-it-yourself paintings-panels made of shells: advice from designers

Those who want to make an original panel with their own hands must remember the need to maintain balance. An eye-catching painting does not contain a large number of elements. That is why it is important to think everything through in advance. For example, a composition of pastel colors looks great in a living room, and warm colors for a nursery. If you don’t have any ideas in your head yet, you can look at a variety of photos of finished works.

When making a composition, it is necessary to take into account the degree of illumination of the room and the colors prevailing in the interior.

Other recommendations include the following:

• Do not overuse glue, otherwise the composition will turn out unaesthetic;
• The elements used must be harmoniously combined;
• To create a visually attractive picture, you will need a frame that differs by 2-3 tones from the main color of the work;
• Thick cardboard or chipboard is used as a reliable base;
• You cannot place the finished composition in direct sunlight;
• There is always the opportunity to attend master classes, where experienced masters will answer all questions.

Mirror frame

For example, you can update the mirror in the living room or bathroom. To do this, you will need to calculate the amount for the entire volume of the mirror frame, clean the base and carefully glue the shells so that there are no empty spaces left. Use Moment, silicone glue or a glue gun. Here you can watch a video of a master class from Martha Stewart and learn how to decorate a mirror with shells.

Before using shells as decoration, you need to thoroughly wash and clean them, and sand the sharp edges with sandpaper. In addition, they can be painted and coated with clear varnish.