How to Make a Seashell Wreath With Sea Glass

Shells can bring back memories of the sand, sea and sky.

Nothing delights a beachcomber more than uncovering an unusually shaped shell or a frosty pebble of sea glass. These treasures of the deep capture the colors of sand, sea and sky, and taking them back home as souvenirs is almost irresistible. Turn your collection of sea glass and shells into a wreath to remind you of those days by the ocean. If your collection is small, you can augment it with bags of colorful sea glass and shells from a local craft store.

Things You'll Need

• A beveled polystyrene foam wreath ring, 12 by 1 3/4 inches
• Hot glue gun
• Glue stick
• Seaside novelties, such as sand dollars, seahorses and starfish
• Sky blue ribbon, 4 inches wide, approximately 12 inches long

Instructions

1. Gather the seashells and sea glass and rinse them carefully to remove any residue of salt or sand. Pat dry.

2. Separate the shells from the sea glass and group by size, color and shape.

3. Arrange shells on the front surface of a polystyrene foam ring with a flat back and a slightly beveled edge. Begin by randomly positioning large- and medium-sized shells. Allow them to overlap and turn them askew. Fill in any gaps and spaces with smaller shells. Hot-glue them all into place.

4. Glue large- and medium-sized sea-glass pieces around the circumference of the polystyrene foam inner and outer circles. Arrange so the beautiful green, blue and white colors are displayed to full advantage. Glue smaller pieces of glass along the sides of the inner and outer circles.

5. Glue on sand dollars, starfish or seahorses purchased from the craft store for added texture and to cover any gaps or spaces still appearing in the wreath.

6. Loop a 4-inch wide sky-blue ribbon around the ring and tie to hang.

Tips & Warnings

• For a polished finish, paint the flat back of the foam ring with sea-green acrylic paint before attaching shells and glass.

• For a collection with heavy pieces of sea glass or shells, use industrial-strength adhesive glue to fasten.

• Use a hot glue gun with caution and according to manufacturer's directions.

Resources

• Saveoncrafts: 16-inch Stryrofoam Wreath Rings Thick Beveled