How to Make a Shell Craft Tea Light Candleholder

Learn how to make a shell craft tea light candleholder. Use it to decorate your home or give it out as a gift to family and friends.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Glass Votive Candleholder
• seashells
• sand
• glue
• rhinestones
• hobby brush
• polyurethane high gloss clear coat

1. Clean the votive glass. I use soap and water, rinse well, then dry with a towel. This will remove any grease and help everything stick together better. You may want to place some paper (newspaper?) under your work, especially when working with the sand.

2. 
   shell craft tea light candleholder with seashells, sand, and rhinestones

   Select a seashell and glue it to the glass. Let it set in place. Select another seashell and glue it in place. Take a look at the photo for an idea on a pattern you can follow. Continue placing and gluing seashells until you are satisfied with the pattern the seashells make on the glass.

3. Add a few rhinestones. Place them in-between the seashells. The color doesn't matter. Just make the color one that you like. On this shell craft, I used green rhinestones. See the photo.

4. Apply glue to the glass between the seashells and rhinestones. Use a hobby brush to spread the glue over the glass. It's like painting the glass with the glue. While the glue is still wet, sprinkle sand over it. The shell craft should now be covered completely (except the bottom) with either seashells, rhinestones, or sand.

5. Let the shell craft dry completely. Once dry paint everything except the rhinestones with polyurethane. The poly will protect the seashells and sand and bring out colors on the seashells.

Tips & Warnings

• Select small seashells. Try dry placing them on the glass first.
• Apply the glue to the seashell, then place the seashell on the shell craft.
• Allow time between gluing to make sure the seashells and rhinestones don't move on you.
• Patience is a virtue with this shell craft. Take your time.
• Use only tea light candles with this shell craft candleholder. They have metal or plastic protectors under them.
• Do not leave unattended. Take care with children and pets. Do not burn candles near flammable items.

Resources

• Shellcraft-Guides

[GreenMomma]

on 6/5/2009 That's a nice idea for a gift!

[compgeek]

on 6/3/2009 Nice little craft you can even have fun with kids with.

[pep1player]

on 5/30/2009 very good article

[westernmom]

on 4/13/2009 Beautiful! I keep telling my hubby we need to move to a tropical island, he can go find the shells and I will make something to sell! I think we have found our craft! Thanks for sharing. 5*

[Belafan]

on 4/7/2009 I missed the stars. Sorry.