How to Preserve Seaweed & Shells

Seashells you collect yourself can easily be preserved as souvenirs.

Preserving seashells is a simple process. Preserving seaweed is a more complicated and delicate task. A simplified procedure can give you good results with seaweed. The best delicate, artistic mountings of finely filamented seaweed samples is an art form that takes practice and patience.

Things You'll Need

• Bleach
• Mineral oil
• Photo processing tray (or similar shallow, square pan)
• Mounting paper
• Newsprint
• Wax paper
• Corrugated cardboard, sized to mounting paper
• Wooden board, sized to mounting paper

Instructions

Seashells

1. Make sure that there are no living creatures in the shells you collect.

2. Soak the seashells in a mixture of half water and half bleach for several days. Thoroughly rinse and dry the shells in sunlight.

3. 

   Mineral oil adds luster to your finished shell.

   Apply mineral oil to give the shell luster. You may use either a small brush to apply the oil or dip the shell in a container with mineral oil.

Seaweed

1. 

   Preserving seaweed is a delicate, artistic project.

   Place mounting paper in processing tray and cover with 1/4 of an inch of sea water. Center the seaweed sample on the paper and use tweezers to position the fronds as you want them.

2. Remove the mounting paper carefully from the tray and place on newsprint or blotting paper to drain. If you have trouble removing the paper without dislodging the sample, try draining the sea water out with a turkey baster before removing the mounting paper.

3. Cover the mounted seaweed sample with waxed paper, corrugated cardboard and the wooden board. Add weight to the top of the board, such as books or bricks, to press the seaweed sample.

4. Check the press daily and add fresh, dry newsprint or blotting paper beneath the mounting paper until it is completely dry. Then carefully remove the wax paper and apply glue to secure any parts of the sample that are not firmly attached to the mounting paper.

Tips & Warnings

• If you intend to use shells as part of a larger display, use shellac instead of mineral oil to give the seashell its final luster. Mineral oil will make shells hard to glue. A kitchen cutting board is sized properly and will work well for pressing seaweed.

• You should transport seaweed in sea water. Placing it in fresh water can cause discoloration.

References

• Caribbean Imports: Cleaning and Preserving...Seashells
• Shellcraft Guides: Preserve Seashells you Find or Buy
• Mimis Cloud: Shell Seekers
• Cryptogamic Botany Company: The Guide to Pressing Seaweed