DIY Framed Shell

My good friend Diane’s birthday is just a few days after mine. She gave me this cute framed shell as part of my birthday gift.   Diane used similar framed shells as part of her table decorations for her poolside birthday lunch.  I thought I would share it because it’s easy to make and the possibilities are endless.  It’s also a great way to use any shells you might have been lucky enough to collect from a beach.  If you are landlocked like I am, there are always stores like Hobby Lobby which sell shells.

You only need four items for this simple craft.

1.a frame

2.paper (or if your frame comes with pretty paper you don’t even need that)

3.a glue gun to apply the shell or a heavy duty craft glue like E6000

4.a pretty shell

Cut and apply paper to the frame backing and glue a shell directly on the paper.  If you aren’t using a shadow box frame, you obviously won’t be able to use the glass from the frame.  Lay the frame flat to dry for a few minutes before propping it up.

I placed the framed shell with a few of my other shells. I love to break out shells from various beach vacations and display them in different places around my home during the summer.

Diane is super creative and came up with this clever idea to wrap the framed shell.  She used a piece of fisherman’s netting which you can buy at craft stores to wrap the frame.  She then took some ribbon and a string of mother of pearl beads to tie it together.  When it comes to wrapping gifts, Diane runs a close second to Candy Spelling.  I have read that Tori’s mother, Candy, has her own wrap room.  I thought this was a cute and simple way to wrap any summer themed gifts.

In the above photos you can see how Diane used the framed shells on her beautiful table setting.  I hope this post inspires you to display any shells you may have hiding in boxes.

Linking to:  somewhat simple blog party, Ladies Only Blog Share, Inspire Me Please, Create and Inspire Link Party