If you've ever collected shells from the beach and are wondering what to do with them, why not create trinket dishes to gift for Christmas? They're incredibly easy to make and are not only a fabulous way to preserve precious memories from your seaside holidays, they're also a beautiful, thoughtful gift. You just can't beat a handmade Christmas present!
What You'll Need:
Large shells - scallop shells are ideal
Decorative papers - wrapping paper/ decoupage paper/ serviettes and/or pieces of vinyl transfers
Air Dry Clay and/ or Casting Resin
Chalk Paint - white
Paint brushes
Step - by - Step:
Choose the shells you're going to use ensuring they're big enough to hold items such as your keys or jewellery.
Wash your shells in warm soapy water and allow them to dry.
Gently sand away any rough edges.
Paint the bowl of the shell with the white paint.
When the paint has dried, choose some paper or some small pieces of a vinyl transfer and apply to the painted surface.
Seal the surface.
Make some castings from silicone moulds using either air dry clay or resin.
Glue the castings to the back of the shell.
Paint the castings and the edge of the shell with metallic paint.
If your trinket dish is unstable make some little feet using small balls of air dry clay and glue them to the bottom of the shell. You can paint the feet using your metallic paint.
Stand back and admire your beautiful trinket dish!
Making your own trinket dishes from sea shells is such an easy way to repurpose something from nature into a beautiful keepsake. They make ideal Christmas gifts so don't forget to keep collecting shells next time you're on the beach!