Simply SEAsational! or SEASHELLtional!

Yesterday I said I'd show you something that you can do. There are lots of simple glue on seashell projects to do.

Just because I've been wanting to do it, and Laci hasn't been with me at the craft store to tell me not to buy things, I went ahead and made some coasters. (Laci has talked me out of buying these cork rounds for a year!) And they are CHEAP!

I bought the cork rounds, they also have squares with rounded corners. I wanted round.
I already had the glue (I like Quick Grip) and some small shells (I already had these!) and Viola (vwallaaa!) we have coasters.

Easy breezy! I would have done a whole tutorial, but it's really just gluing shells around the edge. I used a toothpick (okay, more than one, there ARE 6 coasters!) to spread the glue around the edge of the shells. Just place your shells around the edge first before you start gluing to make sure they will fit. I also didn't want to get glue on the camera, cause I somehow always get glue on my fingers! Even when using toothpicks. 

I am working on a custom order, and a really cool statement necklace....and looking for my next crafty thing to make ;)

I'm really looking forward to the weekend though! How about you?

Seashell Saturday

It's Seashell Saturday! Everyday is a seashell day for me. Not a single day goes by without me touching a shell, or two...or twenty! I'm always playing with something.

Today I would like to share my shelling bags with you. A little tutorial, or DIY, on how to make your own.

I collected mesh bags from cherry tomatoes, spiral cut hams, and turkeys. Wash the bags before you begin.

Fold the top over about half an inch.

Then weave the plastic lacing through the mesh.

Continue until it meets where you started.

Using craft wire, (it comes in many colors) attach a shell to the bottom of the bag to give it some weight. This will make it hang nicely, instead of blowing around, until you find some shells to put in your bag.

I drilled this shell to wrap the wire around the shell.

I do have some that didn't need to be drilled. The shape of the shell made it easy to wrap and keep in place, or they already had natural holes in them.

I love my shelling bags! They are a shellers best friend!

My favorite shelling bag is the red one from the cherry tomatoes. It is a fine mesh bag, and perfect for collecting mini's!

This is so easy, and you are keeping something out of the landfill. Great for the planet, and great for us shellers!

Before your next trip to the beach, make some shelling bags to take with you! I keep mine in my beach bag so I always know where they are, and they are sure to make it to the beach with us.

Enjoy your Saturday! Make some shelling bags!


Del

Seashell Saturday

I used to have a collection of various shells, and shell fragments in baskets along the wall at the entrance to my home. All of them found a new home last week when I had the "kids" dig a hole in the front yard for my pond.

The pond is in

and then the fish

I know running water, and fountains are good Chi, and was told to have the water flow coming towards the house, to simulate money flowing in, not out.

the water runs down the big rock

Louisiana Iris and mini Cattails are on each side of the big rock

My mermaid gazes longingly at the fish in the pond

around the base of the mermaid, Florida shells, Oregon sand dollars, and Gulf Coast sponges, and a sea tossed coconut

more shells, another coconut, and one of my sea turtles

a stepping stone to get over to the pond. I want to make a more natural one......

I arranged, and rearranged shells, hubby stacked the Florida limestone rocks, and made the waterfall. I have another iris, and a white waterlily trying to grow in the pond. We still have little touches to see to, and the grass needs to fill back in, but we like it. I'm excited to see the mini cattails. Oh! and the mermaid....now that's another post! She has a little story behind how we came to have her.

I enjoy hearing the water trickle into the pond when the door is open. It's so peaceful. Love it!

Have a wonderful Saturday!

Del