So, you know that I have a love affair with the beach. Myrtle Beach, in particular, but anywhere there’s sand and ocean will do. And like any good beach lover, I can’t help but look for interesting seashells each time I visit. Now I have another little pair of eyes and hands who enjoys doing the same thing, so it only stands to reason that we have multiple ziploc baggies containing really cool shells we don’t know what to do with laying around collecting dust in the craft room. Sooo…I’ve been on the lookout for {cheap} projects I can do to put some of thesm to good use. Here are a few I’ve whipped up for around the house:
BEACHY BATHROOM DECOR
This was super easy and super thrifty too; I just got a glass vase from Michaels {$3.99} and filled it with my favorite shells. I started with large ones on the bottom and filled in the center with big broken pieces that wouldn’t get seen anyway. Then, I went around the edges, placing the shells where I wanted them. The basket was around $5 at Target, the starfish and burlap were a gift from my {wonderful, sweet, talented} friend Sabine, and my mom gave me the sand dollar because it was collecting dust at her house.
Total cost of shell vase: $3.99
Total cost of entire thing: about $9
Here’s a broader view of how it looks in the powder room. Hello!
I also did a similar version as a centerpiece for the dining room table a few months ago, just in a larger vase, and added a candle in the center. Easy peasy.
BEACH IN A JAR
You may remember from my “Life’s a Beach” series that I fell in love with this idea from my crafty bloggy buddy Carmella over at Creative Carmella.
Before I show you mine, you have to hear my story.
I really wanted to make my own, but I forgot to bring sand back from the beach. Boo.
So, on Monday I was at a playgroup with Little Crafter and the hostess, Erin {who is quite the artsy mama herself}, called me into the bathroom saying, “You inspired me!”
I was a bit curious…I, um, inspired you in the bathroom?? But what she meant was that she’d made a beach in a jar and had used it in there for decor. It was super duper cute, but I didn’t take a picture for you for two excellent reasons:
A. I forgot to take my camera to playgroup {fail, because the kids are really cute}
B. I thought it would just be too high on the weirdo-stalker-meter to start snapping pics in someone else’s bathroom…
Anyway, I pouted a little to her about wanting to make my own but not having sand, and you know what she did? Handed me a huge bag full of it. Her mom had brought a bunch back for her from Ocean City so she could do the project and it was way more than she needed. Woo, free sand! Thanks Erin, Thanks Mrs. Ginny! This called for a trip to Michaels for another $3.99 vase. I printed a photo, added sand and shells, and
ta-da!!
Total cost: $3.99 {well, unless you count a piece of photo paper and the ink to print it…but still, cheap!}
Now I just have to find a spot to display it where Little Crafter and his slightly more rambunctious friends won’t knock it over. Don’t want to have to vaccum that up…
SOUVENIR ORNAMENT
I came across this awesome idea for a beachy ornament at How to Nest for Less and instantly knew we had to make one. Little Crafter helped me with all but the ribbon tying and hot glueing.
Here’s what you need:
STEP 3: Hot glue the ornament top back on! The sand is heavy and otherwise, you’ll undoubtedly have a mess under your tree!
I’m loving it.
Total cost: about $1.
The shells and sand will shift around in there {especially if when a 3 year old violently shakes it for fun, but the shells will naturally return to the top…whew}.
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I am so excited to finally have some good, practical uses for these great shells! Hope you’re inspired too.
Terry says
Looks great and it’ll keep the beach in your mind all dreary winter long. 🙂
Jaime Lyn at Crafty Scrappy Happy says
Oh my gosh! I am so SO glad you shared this I am going to have to pin this and show it to my sister….!!! She is getting married on the beach this winter and I think she is going to love the idea of grabbing some sand and shells to make an ornament like you did! I just know she is going to love that idea! I LOVE link parties! I get so darn inspired I learn so much and I have “direction” because I am not always great at keeping up with each post sooo when you link up certain ones I get to “catch up” Thank you so much for linking!!!
Carmella says
Great job!! I love the ornaments too….I’ll be keeping that one in mind for sure, they turned out so pretty!
andie jaye says
i love the idea of the beach in a jar! what a great way to commemorate the trip!
Amy says
Love your blog. I’m your newest follower!
Maiden of Nature says
This is such a brilliant idea! I love the beach decorations! 🙂
I would be thrilled if you checked out my blog
http://maidenofnature.blogspot.com
-Kelsey Coghill says
I will 100% be making those Christmas ornaments this year! LOVE IT! thank you for sharing!
Chef in Training says
i LOVE this! What a great idea! I would love it if you would share this and/or any other projects you have been up to at Tuesday Talent Show at Chef In Training Tomorrow! Thanks so much and I hope to see you there!
-Nikki
http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/
Kristin says
I absolutely LOVE the ornament! What a special way to save your memories!
Just Jaime says
Love all these ideas! I have a beach theme in my bathroom too, with shells my husband and I collected from our honeymoon and other beach trips. Thanks for sharing!
Krista says
Just wanted to let you know I will be featuring this at the next link party. Thank you for sharing. I’m a total beach fanatic. I love the beach in a jar and the ornament. Come grab a featured button if you want one. Hope to see you this weekend!
Krista @ While He Was Napping
Camille says
I need to go to the beach and get some shells!! I love the beach theme in your bathroom- it is so cute! And the picture in the vase is such a cute idea!! 🙂 Thanks so much for linking up to Strut Your Stuff Saturday! We would love to have you come back this weekend and link up more of your great posts!
Camille @
SixSistersStuff.blogspot.com
Aimee from Classified: Mom says
That is such a cute idea- I need that to hang in my house all year long! Thank you for linking up to The Sunday Showcase!
Jami says
Your beach decorating ideas are the best! I really love that ornament! Thanks so much for linking it up to the Tuesday To Do Party! Can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to this week!
Smiles!
Jami
http://www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com
Felicia says
Thank you sooo much for sharing your idea, I did see it also one other blog, but I really loved your extra touches! In fact I loved it so much not only did I make it as a Christmas gift but I also had to share a link to this off of my blog – http://diy4mommies.blogspot.com/2011/12/diy-christmas-gifts.html
Thank you, again 😉
michaelfagig.blog.com says
Heya just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let
you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading properly.
I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same results.
Deirdre says
Beach ornament is lovely. I have plenty of shells my grandson collected. Now we need the sand and shall make this.
Thank you for a great idea Deirdre
Susan says
Love to use shells when ever I can. Have filled plain class table lamp bases,jars,clear wine bottles never thought of an ornament will be doing one this year. Thanks for the idea.