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.)
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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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!
Very pretty with the blues and grays!
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!
Love it!!! Maybe it is the weather but anything with shells in it, or on it….suits me fine!!!!
What a great idea, I love it!! And I love the burlap ribbon. Martina
Beautiful wreath-different from the usual white ones. I found some dark shells, but only a few. Love it.
I like how the shell shapes mimic the trim on the curtains. Bravo!
Beautiful! And I believe that I have SOCD too!
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:)
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!
Love it, especially with the darker shells!
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!)
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.
Wow, that's very pretty. Very unusual, too. I like it!
Cheers,
Tracy All Thumbs Crafts
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
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.
I love this too! You are so fun!
Love the contrast of the shells and the burlap. Really great!
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!!
Lovely, Beth! I have never seen shells that color before.
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!
Ooooo! I just saw this today! I love it! Now I know what to do the the ka-gillion shels we've collected!
Very cool, Beth
Kathy
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.
This is lovely! I love the simplistic look of it. I would love to have you share this at my VIP party today =) http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/03/vip-party-8.html
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!
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!
love this idea, it would be so cool, even with smooth flat river rocks!