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How to Make a Shell Wreath {wreath}

Last week while on vacation at North Carolina’s Outer Banks, I collected a ton of shells.  I just adore shells.  I think they are wondrous little free gifts!  There were hundreds and hundreds of these blue shells for the taking—-so I took.  I had no idea at the time what I would do with all of them, but I was confident I’d figure something out.
Yesterday, I bought this wooden 18″ wreath form at Michaels and with my free Valspar paint sample and kit, I painted the form in Valspar’s Sea Spray to disguise any part that might show after I attached the shells.

Next, I did a test run with the shells before gluing to see if I had enough to cover the wreath.  Phew!  It was really, really close!

Then I just glued, glued, glued until the entire form was covered!  I chose to create a symmetrical pattern with my shells but you could go all willy nilly with this if you’d like.  (My SOCD (symmetrical obsessive compulsive disorder) keeps me from going all willy nilly.)

To hang the wreath, I cut some strips of burlap to and tied a knot at the top.

I love the subtle color variations in the shells.  The periwinkles, blues, purples, and gray make it so beautiful and interesting to look at.

Right now this wreath is hanging in the dining room, but it will move to my front door once it’s a bit closer to summer.

Oh warm weather, please come soon!  I’m so ready!  Have you made anything fun with shells before?  Let me know.  I have a ton more to craft with!

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  2. Absolutely STUNNING! And love not only that it was AZ, but that you used the shells you collected – which gives it a "story" and a life! =)

    Thanks for sharing your savvy seshell style! (lol – say THAT 5xs really fast!!) xo yesterday I brought out the totes and started layering our collected shells around our home. Love when the warm weather comes around again!

    😀 Lynda

  3. I saw you on TT&J and just wanted to stop by and say hello and tell you your wreath is really very cute! I love how "beachy" it is!

    I am having an "every crafty blog" linky party and would love for you to come and join!

  5. spotted you at tater tots.
    at first i thought maybe you misted the shells to tint them. isn't mother nature artistic? thanks for sharing your tutorial.

  7. Ooooo! I just saw this today! I love it! Now I know what to do the the ka-gillion shels we've collected!

  8. Lovely girlfriend… just like everything you do! I love covering photo frames in shells too.. and mirrors… I just love shells.. I generally break them out after EAster. I love being near the ocean!

  10. I love shells and have quite a bit from a trip last year to FL. Mine are all lighter in color. I did a couple shell trees (you can see them on my blog) and have been collecting ideas on what to do with the rest. I just haven't gotten around to it yet. But, I might be trying this wreath version soon. Thanks!!

  13. I love this! Those colors are so cool. When I read the title for a shell wreath, I was picturing white shells so this was a nice surprise! Totally unexpected. 🙂

  14. It's beautiful, Beth! Like everyone else, I love that the shells are such interesting colors of blue and gray. Must be the particular species of critter (which, as we know, is the exact scientific term!)inhabiting the shells are native to that part of the world. It is a great variation of the white and beige shells we see so much of. I also like the burlap hanger.

    So THAT is what you call my affliction – SOCD! I knew there just had to be a clinical term for it! I am also very much attracted to classical symmetry and balance, it just seems so much more pleasing to the eye.

    Best,

    Kimberly

  16. So, funny. I was loving the wreath and then I thought, oh no, not the bow, and scrolled down just past that and saw you agreed, no bow. 🙂 I love the simple beauty of your wreath.

  17. Beautiful wreath, but… I feel I should warn you that hot glue and shells don't last. I covered a wreath and frame with shells and after about a year they started to come off. As they were indoors I doubt the weather had anything to do with it. I'd suggest using a Gorilla Glue-type product or epoxy if you want to keep this for years. Then again, once they start to peel off, you can recycle the whole wreath into something new! In the meantime, enjoy your beautiful wreath! I love that color and don't see it often out here on the Oregon coast (on shells, that is – see it all the time in the sky!)

  19. Love it! The beachy look is so great! I always wonder if I could pull it off, living where I do. I love the burlap with the grey shells. Lovely!

  20. Beautiful! I love the burlap bow:) I'm in process of gluing a bunch of shells onto a straw wreath…I ran out so I'll have to wait on another beach trip to finish it:)

  23. Beautiful wreath-different from the usual white ones. I found some dark shells, but only a few. Love it.

  25. Love it!!! Maybe it is the weather but anything with shells in it, or on it….suits me fine!!!!

  26. Last summer I collected a few bags full of shells with the intention of using them for decorating. Your shell wreath may just be the inspiration I need to get going!

  28. I love that! I love that they are the blues and greys. It is so different and will look so beachy on the door! Gorgeous!

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