Seashells can be painted in a variety of ways for craft projects.
The wide variety in shape, color and size of seashells makes them popular objects for craft projects. Although stores sell them, it is much more exciting and fulfilling to collect shells along the beach yourself and turn them into an artful display for your home. Before starting, rinse the shells with water and let them air dry. Painting is an excellent way to enhance their beauty.
Shell Paintings
Use a seashell as your canvas. The crafter first coats the underside with white acrylic paint. Once dry, an outline is sketched on top with pencil and is then painted. Capture seascapes, flowers, animals or anything you desire. Finished paintings should be sprayed with an acrylic protective coating. Display your artwork in various ways. Adhere a magnet to the back for your refrigerator, or glue a painted shell at the corner of a wooden picture frame, surrounded by smaller, unpainted shells. Small easels or display stands can hold shell paintings, or stand them in glass containers filled with sand. Don't overlook shells with holes. Paint them and turn them into Christmas-tree ornaments by slipping ribbon through the hole for hanging.
Imprints
Showcase the artistic shape and texture of ridged shells with imprints. For this project, the crafter cuts light tan-colored fabric to fit inside a horizontal, solid black picture frame with white inner mat board. A shell is then painted a bold color with fabric paint on its ridged side, using a sponge brush. The crafter lays the painted shell on a table, carefully places the fabric on top and gently rubs her fingers across the entire outer shell. The fabric is peeled away to reveal the imprint. Once dry, the process is repeated with different shells and colors. Create a collage of imprints or space them horizontally across the fabric for a simple, yet elegant, layout. The finished piece is displayed inside the frame.
Name Wall Hangings
Make a decorative wall hanging, displaying the name of a child or family. The crafter first gathers the same amount of shells as letters in the name and paints the undersides with white acrylic paint. Each letter is painted on a different shell in a different color. The crafter then glues the shells across the center of an unfinished wooden plaque to spell out the name. Decorate the surrounding area with coral, smaller seashells, a painted background or other design. Consider painting the front sides of other shells and gluing them in bunches at opposite corners. Paint the American flag, colorful stripes, solid colors with white dots or other patterns. Finished wall hangings should be sprayed with protective acrylic coating.
Centerpieces
Enhance any table with a collection of colorful seashells. The crafter gathers enough shells to fill a glass candy dish, jar or fish bowl at least halfway. Before being placed inside, each shell is painted on both sides with gold, silver, glitter or metallic spray paint. Spray one side and let it dry before turning it over to spray the other side. After all shells are completely dry, the crafter pours sand along the bottom of the container and places the shells inside, mixing the various colors together. A solid-colored bow matching one of the colors is tied around the container. Place finished centerpieces on top of ornate doilies for additional elegance.
