How to Make a Night Light Out of Seashells
Trips to the beach often result in great seashell finds. They are popular souvenirs, whether you buy them in a gift shop or find them in the sand. Shells can also be purchased at craft stores. You can use seashells to create picture frames, lamps, candle holders or even flower pots. They add a touch of a seascape to any room. One easy project is a seashell night light.
Things You'll Need
- Small bucket
- Bleach
- Epoxy
- Night light clip
- Drill
- Christmas light strand
Instructions
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Single Light
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1
Collect a number of seashells so you will have choices. Choose flat shells so you will be able to glue each one to a separate night light clip. Your best choices are scallops, sand dollars and sea biscuits.
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2
Rinse the seashells in clean freshwater. Then fill the small bucket with water, add two capfuls of bleach and soak the shells. The bleach will turn the seashells white. Once this happens, remove the shells and rinse them again in clean water. Let the shells dry overnight.
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3
Apply a small amount of the epoxy to the night light clip. Press the back of a shell against the clip and hold it in place for 30 seconds to allow it to start to dry. Let the epoxy dry for several minutes before using the night light. Repeat for each night light you want to make.
Light Strand
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4
Collect at least 20 shells for a string of night lights. Choose hard shells, such as a scallops. Thoroughly clean the shells by soaking them in freshwater, then in the small bucket, filled with water mixed with two capfuls of bleach. Rinse the shells in freshwater and allow them to dry overnight.
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5
Use the drill to make a small hole in each shell and place the bulb of a Christmas light through each hole. If a hole is a little too large and the bulb isn't snug, add epoxy around the hole to hold the bulb in place.
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6
String the lights around the room on the Christmas light strand.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Don't press to hard with the drill or you will shatter the shell. It's always best to collect a few extra shells as backups in case you break a few.
