How to Make a Sentimental DIY Seashell Wreath
how do I make a seashell wreath? These simple tips will show you how to make an easy DIY seashell wreath that you can enjoy in your decor.
Who else has gathered shells on a special vacation and then let them sit unused for years? I’m guilty of leaving several trips-worth of seashells (and memories) in the basement, never enjoying their natural beauty. We were so excited about them when we scoured the beaches. What could I make to relive those memories and enjoy their beauty everyday? Hopefully today’s project will inspire you to do the same! Here’s How to Make a Sentimental DIY Seashell Wreath to savor your travel memories.
Today’s project is part of our monthly Pinterest Challenge, organized by Cindy at County Road 407. Each month Cindy chooses an inspirational pic that a group of creative bloggers design around. If you’re visiting from Thistle Key Lane, I’m sure you enjoyed Michelle’s ideas for styling a boxwood wreath; I love her style. I’ll have links to the rest of the ideas at the end.
Pinterest Challenge Inspiration
This month’s inspiration pic comes from Creek Line House. Courtenay shows us how to craft an easy DIY boxwood wreath. She uses clippings from her yard which makes her wreath an easy and affordable decor project. Look how cute and fresh it looks for summer on her porch!
If you’ve got boxwood in your yard, this is a pretty and easy project. I unfortunately don’t have any. So…my creative ideas needed to think how I could do a “Boxwood Wreath” challenge without any.
With Cindy’s permission, I went off the rails on this one;)
My out of the box ideas for this challenge:
- Like Courtenay, I was wanting a summer wreath for a specific spot in my home. I’ve been decorating the living room with a travel theme, focusing on a coastal vibe.
- I wanted to use something that I already had to make this project inexpensive (aka, cheap).
- I wanted this wreath to be made from organic material, so it would give my decor a natural, summery style (like a handmade boxwood wreath would;)
The answer was to use the several buckets of seashells our family had gathered from quite a few trips to the coast. The last trip was in 2012…and the sand was still in the bottom of the ice cream buckets. For you that live near the ocean, shells may be ho-hum. But for us northerners, these beauties are pretty special. We ooh and aah over all the intricate details. and colors. I wanted to create a sentimental wreath to savor those shell-finding days when the kiddos were little.
If you’ve got a stash of sentimental shells hiding in your home somewhere, here’s how to make a pretty wreath you can enjoy in your decor for the summer, or anytime!
How to Make a Sentimental DIY Seashell Wreath
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First, Look at Seashell Wreath Ideas
There are so many different ways to make a seashell wreath. To gather inspiration and ideas, I first checked Etsy, where creative entrepreneurs sell their handmade creations. To peak your ideas, I created a Seashell Art Favorites board to inspire you; find it HERE. (and follow me while you’re there;)
I decided I wanted my seashell wreath to be a very full-looking collection of a wide variety of shells, all overlapping each other like they do in nature. I probably need to admit that I think I picked up some fancier shells at a church sale sometime. Someone else’s vacation stash that they never used. They even wrote on a few to remember;) I love these little glimpses into history.
Clean and Dry Your Sea Shell Collection
Before starting to create, wash and dry your coastal finds. We’ve had these so long, there was definitely not anything still alive left in them. I simply washed them with dish soap in the sink and placed them on paper towels on cookie sheets. I let them air dry overnight.
How to Make a Seashell Wreath
To create a full-looking wreath, I used a white styrofoam wreath form like THIS.
First, create a hanger on the back of the wreath with strong floral wire.
With a hot melt glue gun, adhere “regular” shells around the outside and the inside perimeter. These will act as a base for the rest.
Glue the Seashore Finds On
Glue the flatter seashore finds on first. Then add other larger specimens. Have the insides of some shells showing for a nice variety of color and texture.
The largest, spiral and thick varieties should be glued on last.
Fill in Gaps in Wreath
To almost completely cover any styrofoam, hot glue small shells in all the spaces. Use broken pieces, too, which will look like the natural ocean floor. Have some showing their insides, too. And some sticking out for added depth.
Work around the whole outside and then then stand wreath to work on the inside perimeter.
Melt Glue Strings
When you’re happy with how it looks, finish by melting any glue strings with a hot hair drier.
Decorate with your DIY Seashell Wreath
A sentimental, hand crafted seashell wreath is perfect to add to your summer or travel-inspired decor. Our living room is sporting a coastal vibe this summer, inspired by last year’s Alaskan cruise. I strung travel postcards we picked up into a simple banner and hung them above and below the seashell wreath. Ah, great memories!
Seashells have such amazing natural beauty. I love to enjoy God’s creation as decor, especially in the summer! This was a fun, easy project and a great way to enjoy sentimental family travel memories in our home.
My “Boxwood Wreath” theme definitely took a different turn this Pinterest Challenge round. I will probably have the only non-green inspiration for you today! But that’s what these challenges are all about-making them our own:)
For more ideas, visit Kim at Cottage in the Mitten next; you’ll love how she styled her boxwood wreath.
If you love our Pinterest Challenge series, check out more HERE.
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I always LOVE your tutorials, Lora, and since I live in Florida, this shell wreath is a perfect DIY for me!
Don’t forget to join us over at the Creative Crafts Linky Party every Wednesday through Sunday.
Followed and Pinned!
Creatively, Beth
I didn’t realize you lived in FLA, Beth! I will certainly have to pop over and include it in your party; thanks for the invite!
Glue strings made me chuckle. I remember doing crafts with my 6 year old daughter. She called them “Glue Boogers!”
Glad it inspired cute memories, Susan!
Lora, your seashell wreath is lovely! I am so excited to feature it at this week’s Tuesday Turn About link party. Thank you so much for sharing!!
I appreciate that, Lynne; thank you!
This is so perfect for me right now. I was just looking for some ideas to use my over abundant supply of shells for. Your creation is just perfect. At the same time, we are about to go on an Alaskan cruise in a few weeks and love your post card idea!
So glad it was good timing, Dana. Have a wonderful trip; you’ll love it!
Such a lovely keepsake you have created, Lora! I love the variety of shells you used. The colors and textures in your wreath are so beautiful. It is always fun to hop with you!
Yes, seashells are so beautiful; I could look at the details all day. Thanks, Lynne!
Lora, I love your seashell wreath! It turned out great!! Isn’t it wonderful to see these shells again and remember those trips? Just lovely and perfect for summer!!
Yes, Barb, I remember how excited my then little kids were to find each one;)
This is awesome. I love it. You are so creative, my friend.
It’s nice on a hot day to sit in the A/C and just create;)
This turned out so amazing Lora! I’m kicking myself that I got rid of my buckets of shells when we moved! I love the full look and how you used such a variety! Something to enjoy for years to come!
That always happens to me, Cindy-just when I decide to get rid of something, I see an idea I wanted it for!
Very unusual but beautiful, thank you for this post. It is a wonderful way to use what is picked up from trips.
Thanks, Marlene! I love the combination of beauty and sentiment in decorating:)
Lora, your seashell wreath is so pretty! I made one years ago, and I really mean years ago with the shells we picked up on our honeymoon. I love that some of yours have dates. Melts my heart!
I’m so glad you made something with them, Michelle! You were way ahead of me. Yes, I love the little notes on a few of them;)
Your seashell wreath is so pretty and perfect for summer! You have quite a large collection and this was a great project to use your lovely shells.
I still have so many more, yes! Now my brain’s thinking on more ways I can create with them:)
I’ve never really looked at sea shells so closely before. I love the colors and intricate designs on them. Was it heavy? Looks fantastic but heavy. Anyway, love what you’ve done. Great job! pinned
Yes, I figured it was going to be pretty heavy; that’s why I put a strong hanger on it. Yes, the variety and coloration are so beautiful on each one; God’s handiwork, indeed!
Wow, you do have a huge collection of seashells. I love your wreath. It is stunning. Great tutorial too.
Thanks, Marty! Yes, several trips-worth and maybe a couple church sales-worth;)
I LOVE it, Lora!! What a fun way to use all of those seashells!! That sand dollar right on the front is perfection. I feel like I can’t sit still on the beach because I always want to be looking for pretty shells 🙂 Pinned!
I have a hard time sitting still on the beach, too, Rachel-I get too hot. I only had 1 sand dollar, so it needed a center spot, for sure:)
For me the beaches and water are pretty to look at and gather shells but that’s about the extent of it. I’m not the kind that can go to the beach for vacations, I’m more of a mountain person who loves the rivers. Seashells however, are awesome! I’ve collected many myself as a child and a mother of three. I absolutely love what you did with your shells! Your wreath is beautiful and looks to be manageable. Like so many I’ve seen are so big they usually end up taken down never to be seen again..lol…yours looks just the right size and I just love it!
I’m with you, Shirley-I much prefer big forests and rivers-more to look at, I think. I get hot baking in the sun at beaches and get a little bored;) Seashell hunting is fun, though, especially when you can do it with kids! So glad we can enjoy this sentimental wreath and enjoy the memories!
Lora, your wreath is stunning. You certainly have the eye. I love how full you made it and that your shells are up and down—some showing their bellies and some showing their backs.
It’s high-end, not touristy at all!!
Thanks, Diane; I appreciate that! High-end, yet handcrafted sounds perfect:)
I LOVE this wreath! I have buckets of shells and this is truly a perfect seaside accent.
Yes, enjoy them in your home decor! Thanks, Laura:)