How to Design a Shell Hairpiece
Design your own nautical-inspired hairpiece, such as a barrette, using your seashell collection. You can make your own shell-encrusted barrette using a few basic craft items. The hairpiece will cost you under a dollar to make, but will appear as though it came from a beachside boutique. You can wear a handmade seashell barrette during an island-themed wedding or special event or simply as casual summer wear. Creative shell barrettes also make thoughtful gifts for beach lovers.
Things You'll Need
- Metal barrette
- Small seashells
- Acrylic paint and small paintbrush (optional)
- Hot glue gun
- Tweezers
- Accents pieces such as sea glass
Instructions
-
-
1
Buy a plain gold or silver-tone metal hair barrette featuring a smooth, flat top. Choose a medium or large barrette depending on the desired look.
-
2
Cover the top of the plain barrette with a layer of hot glue from a hot glue gun.
-
-
3
Pick up small seashells with tweezers and press them onto the hot glue. Apply the largest seashell first and fill in the rest of the barrette with progressively smaller shells for a decorative look; completely cover the surface of the barrette with seashells. Paint all or some of the seashells with vibrant acrylic craft paint and allow them to completely dry prior to using them if you desire a colorful look.
-
4
Accent the barrette with decorative pieces. Apply tiny, intricately shaped seashells on top of the seashells lining the barrette using dabs of hot glue. Use small, vibrantly hued pieces of sea glass to finish the beachy style.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit seashell image by Leonid Nyshko from Fotolia.com
