How to Paint a Clam

You can decorate clam shells using craft materials.

If you enjoy collecting fresh clams from the beach to cook in a stew or chowder, you may simply throw out the used clam shells in the trash. However, if you wash off the clam shells, you can decorate them using different paints and craft materials to turn them into beach-themed accent pieces in your home. This can allow you to make use of an object that would ordinarily be tossed in the garbage.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Clam shell, clean and dry
• Acrylic paint
• Paintbrush
• Acrylic glaze
• Glitter glue
• Plastic jewels

Instructions

1. Cover the area where you will be working with newspapers or another covering. This will keep the art materials from damaging your furniture. Place a clam shell on the newspaper. Make sure that the clam shell is scrubbed clean and dried.

2. Paint the entire shell with a solid color of acrylic paint. Allow the paint to dry for 10 minutes. Paint on a second layer of paint if the first coat was too thin. Allow the second layer to dry for another 10 minutes.

3. Paint the entire clam shell with a coat of clear acrylic glaze. This will both protect the paint from chipping and create a shiny top coat. Allow the glaze to dry for 10 minutes.

4. Squeeze tiny dollops of glitter glue around the scalloped edge of the clam shell, and press small jewel beads onto the glitter glue dollops. This will make the edge look artistic and sparkly.

5. Squeeze lines of glitter glue around the top of the shell in different patterns, such as swirling or spiraling lines. Allow all of the glitter glue to dry for 10 minutes. Repeat the entire process to make as many painted clams as you need for your decorating project.