My favorite activity at the beach is collecting shells. I am always amazed at the variety of shapes and colors that these natural wonders come in. Each time I visit the beach, I come back with two or three big Ziploc bags full. I always keep some and give some to friends.
If you enjoy sea shells too, here are 5 inexpensive ways to decorate that will remind you of the beach year round:
1. Put your shells in clear mason or canning jars and display. I like to do groupings of two or three jars filled with a mix of shells and sand dollars (See above).
2. Scatter seashells of varying sizes in your flower beds. People will wonder how these shells washed up in your yard. So fun and kids love discovering them in the flower beds.
3. Create a sea shell shadow box. I have one that my mom made for me that has shells mixed in with sand. When I move the box from side to side, it shows a new mix of shells in the sand each time. Mesmerizing! Have a look at these Simple SeaShell Shadowboxes from It’s The Little Things That Make a House a Home.
4.Make yourself a shell wreath. Busy Kids=Happy Mom demonstrates how to make a stunning Bleached Shell Wreath. You can use the same concept to build a wreath with unbleached shells for a multicolored display.
5.Let the kid’s help make seashell refrigerator magnets. Maggie Woodley at Red Tart Art shows you how on a Sea Shell Craft Ideas Video. Also, as a bonus, she has several other folks show simple sea shell crafts for the family.
Sea Shell Jar Display
For more beach tips and ideas:
Tips for Standout Beach Photography
40 Things Under $10 for Beach Gift Baskets
Sarah, We are on the same page–just picked up some great shells at a yard sale I plan on adding to my summer decor! Thanks for sharing! Blessings, Cecilia
Amazing the variety of things for crafting that can be found at garage sales. Love you site by the way.
I love these ideas Sarah! We are having a beach themed week, and have some fun seashell activities to share, love the magnet idea… I will definitely be trying that with the kids.
So glad to help out with ideas for the beach-themed week.
Is there anything better than sea shells for summer and pine cones for winter to decorate naturally with?
Your shells are so pretty, love them. When I think of all the shells I threw away when we lived in San Diego. When I picked them up had good intentions of decorating with them but then never did. Shame on me. Wish I had them now. Your ideas to decorate with shells are great, always like new ways to use them.
I’ve bought sea shells at thrift stores, bought any I could find, love them all but they’re getting harder to find. I have shells glued to 3 square canvases painted light aqua now in attractive arrangements on wall and have them in mason jars, anywhere they looked pretty in our newly decorated living room. Made all the art myself with things I had, have a pretty garland with star fish and other shells hung between, so glad I have that and could find it when I wanted to use it. I’d love to buy more star fish but they’re a bit pricey for me even with a coupon at Michaels. I’ve pretty much exhausted my collections decorating in our l/r after we painted our walls a lovely light gray. We have couple shades of aqua, light and shade darker gray and just a little bit of coral.
I Love decorating with beachy things, sounds like many others do also. Happy week
Your canvases and garlands sound so lovely.
Great ideas and it is definitely the right time of year for them…. Bravo! Just popping in from Whimsy Wednesdays Link Party!
Best,
Brooke
Thanks so much!
Very cute ideas. These really do bring the beach ideas to you. Thanks for sharing with Creative Style!
Another great idea! Thank you for linking up this week at the Merry Monday linky party!