Loraine loves arts and crafts and used to volunteer at an elementary art class. She loves sharing fun and easy craft tutorials.

When by the Sea...

Whether you write them as seashells or sea shells, they are a treasure to find. I don't live near the ocean, but I have a sister who has given me many finds from the ocean. I think these projects would be delightful to make for yourself or to give away as gifts.

To make the pretty candle holder above, go to A Sign of the Times.

FYI: Know the requirements or limits about collecting shells, etc. from the beaches you visit since it's often illegal or at least highly discouraged to take shells and such from beaches.

1. Seashell Decorator Ball

This seashell-encrusted ball is the perfect accent for your decorating needs.

2. Mosaic Tabletop

Whether you purchase the sea glass or gather it from the beach, it'll be a beautiful supply to put together a mosaic tabletop.

3. Sea Glass and Driftwood Art

It would be so easy to find an appropriate place to hang beautiful art like this sea glass and driftwood project.

4. Seashell Wreath

This is a beautiful wreath that would make a great addition to your home. It would also make a much-appreciated gift.

5. Garden Ornament

This garden ornament made out of gorgeous sea glass is so simple, yet so very pretty.

6. Seashell Door Hanger

This beautiful seashell heart door hanger is easily made and fun to display.

7. Magnolia Flower

8. Windchimes

The different shapes and sizes of seashells make these windchimes play different sounds. Do you think you'd be able to hear the ocean from them?

9. Candle Glass

This is really a neat looking craft project that would be easy the kids to make and elegant enough to display.

10. Mermaid Spoons

These mermaid spoons look like a fun project. I love the idea of custom making the wire handles.

11. Golden Shell Angels

Here is another shell angel project that is so stunning on its own.

12. Wire Wrapped Pendant and Earrings

13. Sea Glass Candle

14. Seashell Mirror

If you have many seashells in a variety of shapes and textures, you may want to make a beautiful mirror like this.

15. Seashell Pendant

Help your little ones make one of these unique pendants to give as gifts.

16. Sea Glass Wreath

Make this outstanding sea glass wreath to hang in your nautical-themed rooms.

17. Mosaic Candle Holders

These mosaic candle holders are a beautiful way to use sea glass.

18. Picture Frame

Choose this frame project to display your collected shells.

19. Crushed Shell Frame and Candle

Creating a crushed shell frame and candle are great ideas to use cracked and chipped seashells you don't want to throw away.

20. Napkin Holders

This napkin holder project is easy enough for the kids to make, and you'll also love using them.

21. Sea Glass Windchimes

I really had to search to find this sea glass wind chimes project. I hope you enjoy creating it and listening to it clink in the breeze.

22. Shell Candles

A beautiful arrangement of seashell candles would be appropriate for any beach or seaside-themed room or party.

23. Mason Jar Lantern

24. Sea Glass Jewelry

Pendant jewelry is just one of the many ways to use the precious sea glass pieces. How would you wrap the wire and create a piece unique to you?

25. Mosaic Tray

Go to SAND & SISAL to make this beautiful sea glass mosaic tray from a recycled tray. Outstanding!!

26. Sea Glass Circle

I can imagine this sea glass circle hanging in a window giving off a stained glass look. Marvelously Messy shares easy instructions so you can make your own.

27. Beachy Candles

Whether indoors or out, it is so satisfying to have a nice simple arrangement to finish a table setting. These beach-themed candles are the perfect solution!

28. Shell Stoppers

Wouldn't glass bottles topped with these shell stoppers look beautiful on an end table or mantle?

29. Magnets

These magnets are really cute and would make a nice gift to give at any time of year. Although there is no tutorial for this project, hot glue a button inside the shell and glue a magnet to the button. Use markers or paint to decorate them. I think this idea could also be used to make a necklace by gluing a small ring, or a loop of wire or ribbon to the shell.

30. Christmas Ornaments

Although I'm sure these ornaments will look great hanging on the tree, I think I'd want to make them for display in a glass bowl or a basket all year round.

31. Photo on Sea Glass

Learn how to transfer photo images onto sea glass. Anyone who makes sea glass jewelry will probably enjoy trying this method.

32. Wire Wrap Sea Glass

33. Bracelet

This is such a simple but elegant bracelet. I absolutely love these bracelets, and since I have some sea glass on hand, I'll have to make a couple of these for myself or to give as gifts.

34. Fish Magnets

The kids will really enjoy making these fish magnets to put on the fridge. It's perfect to give as gifts for any ocean lover.

35. Beach in a Glass Coastal Ornament

Hang these beach ornaments on your Christmas tree if you are longing for warmer days during the winter months. You'll find the instructions on how to make the ornament at My Pinterventures.

36. Shell Rose

Depending on the size of the finished rose, it could make a beautiful brooch or knob for a jewelry box.

37. Shadowbox

This shadowbox looks a lot harder to make than it actually is. I love this project!

38. Chargers

It's so easy to make these Pottery Barn-inspired chargers. I think it's a beautiful addition to any table setting or centerpiece.

39. Window Well Covering

Try creating this covering to make the window well more attractive. Imagine all of the other projects that can be made using this method.

© 2012 Loraine Brummer

Seashells Are One Of Nature's Gifts - would you craft with them?

Robin Carretti from Hightstown on December 13, 2017:

Wow, just some crafty hands with a little ingenuity you could make amazing things these pictures are breathtaking. How they blow me away but please don't blow the masterpiece away I can stay with it forever what work

Reshel from Sierra Nevada ~ Reno on March 29, 2014:

Oh so many ways to display seashells, love this lens. Well done!!! Will reference this throughout the summer with my grandchildren. I have a very large tub of seashells and make wind chimes, but now I'll expand and do more with them. Thank you for a great lens.

Ilona E from Ohio on March 13, 2014:

Lovely -both the crafts and the lens! I'm going to make little sailboats with my grandkids, it's such an easy and cute idea.

Pat Goltz on January 24, 2014:

Such a fine collection of pretty pictures; a real idea place. What I would like to do is get a fancy fishnet and put some seashells and some spherical floats in it, and drape it on the bathroom mirror. Of course, it would be a nightmare to dust!

steadytracker lm on August 30, 2013:

Wow, these offer some great ideas. My daughter has collected boxes of shells from the beach near our house.

clevergirlname on June 14, 2013:

I've been trying to think of something to do with all my extra sea shells and glass from my beach trips. Now I know!

Heidi Vincent from GRENADA on June 13, 2013:

I love sea shells and these are some lovely sea shell craft ideas.

Virginia Allain from Central Florida on June 13, 2013:

You have some nifty ideas here. I also have a page on decorating with seashells. They are so pretty.

Virginia Allain from Central Florida on June 13, 2013:

You have some nifty ideas here. I also have a page on decorating with seashells. They are so pretty.

MariaMontgomery from Central Florida, USA on April 04, 2013:

This is a beautiful lens. I have been collecting seashells as long as I can remember. You have inspired me -- I may have to make a lens about my seashells...

anonymous on March 26, 2013:

I have crafted with seashells, but what I've done is pretty basic compared to some of the ideas you found. Good ideas!

getupandgrow on February 11, 2013:

I love all your ideas, but especially the thought of putting tealights in seashells. So simple and something I'll definitely try with our (very large) shell collection. Many thanks!

tfsherman lm on January 29, 2013:

I DO live next to the beach, and I can't wait to try out some of these. Thanks!

WBJanitorial LM on November 11, 2012:

My youngest is creative. I'm always looking for things like this to do together. Thanks for the great ideas.

anonymous on October 31, 2012:

Great ideas for shell crafts

Echo Phoenix on August 03, 2012:

Squidtastic! I love the napkin rings, they are so delicate, and the seashell angels are divine:) thank you for sharing this fab ideas for seashell crafting!

CoeGurl on April 29, 2012:

These are great ideas for seashell crafts. I especially like the seashell candles.

anonymous on April 20, 2012:

Oh yeah, I remember making Seashell Arts & Crafts in Elementary School; Sometimes I Really miss those Fun Days!!!

MartieG aka 'survivoryea' from Jersey Shore on April 17, 2012:

Love the wreath and napkin rings - I live at the beach so this might be a fun summer project with the grandkids! :>)

anonymous on March 14, 2012:

unbelievable.. these are amazing! thanks for sharing.

TennesseeWoodShop on February 19, 2012:

neat idea on the koalas

anonymous on February 17, 2012:

Such a pretty article, and dang it ... I miss the beach now! *blessed!*

curious0927 on February 14, 2012:

Wonderful, just wonderful! I love sea shells, made the Shell Angel Ornament, mine were really detailed. Sold them and gifted them. Think I still have the supplies! I know I have enough to make a few of these projects! Thanks so much for sharing this information, a joy! and of course, Blessed!

andreablogger on February 12, 2012:

Thank you for this lens. You just gave me an idea for my wedding.

andreablogger on February 12, 2012:

Thank you for this lens. You just gave me an idea for my wedding.

crstnblue on February 12, 2012:

Wonderful lens for seashells lovers and anyone passionate about art crafts.A real pleasure to read it and see all those nice photos posted here. :)Thumbs up to you & thanks for sharing!

Delia on February 11, 2012:

Oh boy this is a lens I have to come back to! I have a bag full of shells that I collected during my December vacation in Florida...I made some Xmas ornaments and now see many ideas to empty my bag of shells...thanks for sharing! a ~d-artist Squid Angel Blessing~ on this lens

IngridA1 on February 07, 2012:

I love your lens! Being from around a beach area I've got tons of shells that I don't know what to do with. You've inspired me to get my glue gun out and create something pretty!!