Summer is the perfect time to get a jump on my holiday crafting.
Especially when I can spend time on the beach, collecting seashells for a beautiful coastal inspired Christmas wreath ornament.
It's my all time favorite place to be.
It's actually the reason why I've been dodging all things computer and blog related.
I'd much rather spend my days in the sunshine, staring at sand and sea, instead of a screen and I highly doubt I'm the only one.
However, this craft was just so cute, I had to log on and share it.
So here I am, typing away, on my sunny patio, with a crafty little beach tale.
It's Christmas crafting in July!
You see, it all started a few months ago when I was on vacation, visiting another beach when I saw the sweetest seashell Christmas ornament for sale. I was smitten right away.
But, I didn't buy it, because...well, DIY.
Unfortunately though, the shells at my beach looked like this...
To be honest, I've lived my whole life surrounded by the ocean and no matter what beach I've been to, I have never seen shells like the one in that shop wreath.
They definitely came from some tropical island far, far away. And a shop.
Real shells with all their scratches, scuffs and imperfections.
My new plan was to go for an "inspired by" look instead.
So, I sat in my backyard, playing with shells for a while until I came up with something I liked. It was decidedly more rustic Christmas, but I liked its salty, coastal, natural style.
First, I glued all the spaces between the shells from the top...and I used a lot of glue. It covered well and it dried clear. Perfect.
Here, I was even more liberal with the hot glue, since no one was going to be looking at the back.
I added a gingham ribbon to the bottom for a little coastal cottage flair and another to the top, so I could hang it on my tree come December.
And I was done!
It's not secret that I'm a very lazy crafter and sometimes in my feverish haste I omit steps that perhaps I should not.
Like washing the shells.
I found these shells and low tide and trust me, from many years of experience, I can tell you that it may not be noticeable at first, but after a day or so, that low tide scent will make itself quite known.
So I highly recommend washing your shells before you start glueing. Then you won't have to wash your pretty ornament after...which is a not an easy task.
Trust me.
Update: Too pretty to just hang on the tree, so it's been hanging on the knob of one my kitchen cabinets for years.
Now I get to see it every day, just like my beloved beach.
Not to mention that I will literally have a homegrown Christmas shell ornament on my tree this year.
And that makes me as happy as a clam.
Are you a beach lover?
RELATED CHRISTMAS CRAFTS
BABY SOCK ORNAMENT
DOLLAR STORE GLITTER CANDLE
DOLLAR STORE VILLAGE MAKEOVER
STARFISH CHRISTMAS TREE
Happy Christmas Crafting, Friends!
Hi Kim,
ReplyDeleteI like yours better it is more realistic and you can tell your shells actually came from the beaches. Very cute. Happy Saturday. Enjoy all these beautiful summer days.
Hugs,
Kris
Thanks Kris! I really do like it…so much in fact, I think I’m going to hang it in the window until it’s time for the tree. Enjoy the weekend! Hugs to you!
DeleteLooks just fine to me . . .
ReplyDeleteI love the natural touch . . . I
Think Summertime Wreath . . ,
No way can I think Christmas crafting yet . . ,
Haha!! Lynne, I think that's a lovely idea...summertime shell wreath. Mine is hanging up in the kitchen right now. I agree with you...no need to rush Christmas!!
DeleteThe one in the store looks like manufactured shells....they are too perfect. Yours is way better, naturally beachy looking and just plain perfect! I am mesmerized by your xoxo ring. Is it your wedding band, or can I buy myself one??!!
ReplyDeleteHey AnnMarie! Thanks so much. I really do prefer my wreath, too. And that ring was a Christmas present a few years ago. I wear it now with my wedding band more than I wear my engagement ring! It’s the Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Paloma Picasso XO Hug and Kisses Ring. I’m not sure if they still have it, but you’re so shopping savvy, I bet you could track one down! Let me know if you find it. Happy Weekend!
DeleteWhile the store bought one is pretty, I MUCH prefer the "real life" looking ones! That's why I use them when I make shell wreaths ~ they really remind me of walks along the shore!
ReplyDeleteGood job!
Thanks Bobbie! I was really smitten with that one in the shop, but now that mine is finished, I have to say, I agree with you. Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Have a super weekend!
DeleteLOL!!!
ReplyDeleteI have done that too usually. I think they call it the cart before the horse. I get all excited and then remember things like fish smell! fish smell! ahem. I mean wonderful ocean smell! wonderful ocean smell!
seriously. YOUR wreath is beautiful. and real. give me real any time. I don't know! but I just like yours better. xoxo
Ha! Yes...that "lovely" scent of the shore can be quite pungent at times! I almost forgot that...oops! Thanks for the sweet words, Tammy. I really do like what I ended up with...xo
DeleteI too love the beach and always collect a few shells to bring home. Then they end up in the attic! You have inspired me to "try" to make something out of them. Since I love Christmas ornaments maybe I'll try your idea. I have some lovely shells that ought to have a better use than catching dust in my attic!
ReplyDeleteCheri, for years I have done the same thing...walked, collected with high hopes and then they sit. They usually end up in my garden, but this year I was determined to make that ornament. I guess all I needed was a little inspiration! Have fun with your shells. I hope you'll share what you create!
DeleteHi Kim, both of the wreathes are beautiful and I can see the store bought one on one type of tree, maybe one with lots of other white and glitz. But it would always be a purchased ornament. Yours is not so sterile, with warm colors and a bit more of a rustic feel and you will have the memories of collecting the shells and assembling the wreath. You did a great job and I am also so impressed with your pretty bow. I couldn't tie a nice bow to save my soul. Hope you are having a great week and weekend.
ReplyDeleteYou are right about the memories, Lorri. My daughter and I combed the beach one sunny afternoon, collecting, laughing and talking. Then we sat together in the yard, as I pondered and played with the shells. While the store ornament would’ve reminded me of a wonderful family vacation, these memories are much more precious. And you totally could make a bow…I made that one just like I was tying my shoe! Super simple. Hope your weekend has been fabulous!!
DeleteWell-Aren't you ahead of the game for the year? LOL What a great idea. You have always been clever when putting things together like this. I have a ton of shells that I need to do something with here soon. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteThanks Diana! The only crafting with shells I have ever done is making painted ashtrays out of huge clamshells when I was a kid. Ah the 70's!! I thought it was time to make something a bit more creative...and healthy! Ha! 😉
DeleteI really like your wreath Kim, it reminds me of the year I made my table top tree all beachy. I glued ribbon onto different shells and hung them then topped it with an angel shell ornament a crafter had mads. I think I will make one for my kitchen window. I love the beach too. Daytona Beach doesn't have a lot of shells except for periwinkles but I have visited enough beaches that have an abundance. My favorite of course is Sanibel Island.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I have read your comment over and over again, picturing your sweet tree in my head. I would love to decorate one that way this year. Thank you for the inspiration. And I have never been so Sanibel, but I hear it's beautiful. I have been to Daytona...lots of fun for sure!!
DeleteYour wreath is perfect and it's actually real, so that's much better in my opinion. :) I always forget about washing the shells too. Once, my son collected a bunch of shells and didn't wash them and stored them in his closet. Ugh...what a nice scent that was when I found them. Ha!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Lisa. I really do like it, but yes, washing them was a necessity. Oh my goodness, I could not deal with that scent in my house...in your closet? Yikes!!
DeleteWe are trying to have fun in the sun here, Teri! I hope that you are too, and thank you for the kind words. I always smile when I see your name in the comments. Enjoy the day!
ReplyDeleteKim, yours is so much more beautiful and it has that "loved" look. Not such perfection that makes it look manufactured, but perfection nonetheless. Do you have enough shells to make more? If not you are going to spend a lot more time on the beach. What a shame!..Happy Hunting!..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteThank you, Judy!! If something doesn't have to be perfect, then I am your girl!! Ha!
DeleteIt's those imperfections that give your pretty wreath so much more character than the store one. It's a dear little wreath, Kim! And now you've got me thinking about Christmas trees.
ReplyDeleteAm I a beach person? I'm much more of a mountain girl!
Thanks Dewena! I've been thinking about Christmas a bit now, too!!
DeleteSo sweet. I love the beach and I have an area in our home, my reading nook decorated in a feel the sea way. I have a lighthouse my grandpa gave me, shells, rocks, driftwood and other nautical items. I LOVE your idea and will make one too, I think I will be using Lake Superior Driftwood.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds awesome, Carla!! I love the idea of a nautical little nook filled with special treasures. And a driftwood wreath..you have me thinking now!!
DeleteSo cute Kim! Now I know what I can do with all of those shells I've collected. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a little obsessed, Kristi...been making and collecting all summer.
DeleteAwww Kim, that turned out so lovely and I'm with you on the rustic naturalness of your ornament. Each shell tells a rough and tumble story of it's own. And yes, I'm most definitely a beach person. Can't wait for it to get warmer here in South Africa so we can go visit our little cottage by the sea
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle. It's hanging up in my kitchen right now and I plan to leave it there all fall and winter to remind of the warm beach days. I hope it warms up for you soon!!
DeleteKim I know all about that tidal smell. I actually like it although it can be a bit overpowering at times. I think this is really pretty and so unusual for an ornament. It would look really great if you had the whole tree full of them.
ReplyDeleteIt so can, Mary!! I love the beach and the aroma of salt air and sand...but low tide is not an odor I want hanging around my Christmas tree!!
DeleteI love the shell wreath - you've inspired me to get off the computer and go for a walk on the beach while the sun is still shining on this lovely Monday. See you soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Yes, nothing like a walk on the beach...my absolute favorite place in the world. xo
DeleteI love it, Kim! I think your wreath is just perfect, and will definitely be cute on your Christmas tree!
ReplyDeleteWarm hugs,
Carol
Thanks so much, Carol. I am really looking forward to putting it on my tree...just not quite yet.
DeleteI love your shell wreath ornament you made Kim. My mom and my sisters and I used to collect so many shells from the beach too and we would spend hours painting different scenes on them. I will have to make a wreath like yours. :) Yes I LOVE the beach!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week
Julie xo
Thanks Julie! I am a huge shell collector. For years I have just kept them in a cup or I have peppered them around my garden. This is a much better way to display them. Enjoy the beach!! xo
DeleteDo you know five months today and it will be Christmas Eve!!!
ReplyDeleteAlways lovely to see your ideas, thank you so much for this post.
All the best Jan
Thanks for that timely reminder, Jan!! You just made me smile...and want to start making more shell ornaments. All the best to you, as well!
DeleteCount me in as another who likes yours better. That cute ribbon is the perfect touch.
ReplyDeleteSo maybe someday we can be neighbirs? Lots of shells with your name on them down here ;).
Lots of shells, almost no snow and you, of course…very, very tempting!
DeleteKim, I've made some coastal ornaments before, but not a wreath. Yours is just darling!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cecilia! I've wanted to do this for a long time.
DeleteThis is so pretty! You found what I love!
ReplyDeleteThanks Maria! I am super happy with it.
DeleteI can promise you that if I made this, I'd skip the washing stage too. I'm bad about skipping steps.
ReplyDeleteLove the way your ornament turned out and that it has meaning for you. :)
I am such a lazy crafter, Stacey! Normally it's not a problem, but this could be very stinky! Haha!
DeleteThe shells on our beach are not pristine like in the shops, but they are REAL and so I love them.
ReplyDeleteI love your little wreath.
Thanks Carol...I really like the real feel of my wreath, too...
DeleteYou are always very clever and this was no exception :)
ReplyDeleteDeb, you are always, always so kind. Thank you.
DeleteI think they look beautiful KIm and such a great idea! You could also hit them with a blast of spray paint too!
ReplyDeleteI need to try that this year, Susan...gold or silver maybe??
DeleteLove your wreath. How did you get in such a perfect circle?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I just kind of winged it and kept moving the shells around until they looked perfectly round...or as round as the shells would allow. However, you could draw a circle (trace a small tupperware or tea cup saucer) on a piece of wax paper then gently tack the shells together on the the paper and peel it away when dry. Then add more glue to make sure they're really stuck together. I used that technique when I made my puzzle piece banner.
Deletehttps://www.exquisitelyunremarkable.com/2014/01/puzzle-piece-love-garland.html
Hope that helps!