When I found out we we’re headed to the beach for our first vacation as a family I wanted to do something to mark the occasion.

Has anyone else found themselves since having kids wanting to turn everything into a tradition or huge monumental memory moment? “Oh my goodness. We must take a picture. This is the first time he’s ever been in Toys R Us!” That’s how I am.

So since I’m now on these new ‘I want to be a crafter kick’ (in fact my first sewing class is tonight) I decided to make a seashell wreath.

Here’s what you need:

12 inch styrofoam wreath
Floral Wire
Ribbon (I used about 3 rolls!)
Glitter
Glass marbles (same or similar color to ribbon)
Glue Gun
Shells (I collected mine from the beach because I wanted them to be “authentic” from our vacation. But you can buy them too of course)
Starfish (bought from OBX gift shop)

Step 1: If you use shells from the beach I would give them a good rinse first. I dumped mine in the bath tub (not a great idea) and let them soak in cold water to get all the dirt and sand off. Then dry them on a big towel.

Step 2: Wrap ribbon around the wreath and glue the ribbon to whatever side you are going to use as the back.

Step 3: Wrap the floral wire around the wreath a couple of times because the shells are heavy!

Step 4: Start gluing sea shells. I used mostly big ones to fill the gaps and then used small ones to fill in irregular spots the big ones couldn’t cover. This part requires you to be a bit creative in how you place the shells so it stays secure to the wreath. So just play around with positions of the shells.

Step 5: Use glass marbles to fill in any other gaps not filled with shells.

Step 6: Spray wreath with craft bond (do this outside because it is super sticky!) and then immediately after spraying with glue shake the glitter onto the wreath

Step 7: Glue starfish to wreath. Mine has actually fallen off because there’s no real flat place on the star. So I think I’m going to poke a little hole and thread fishing wire through and then then thread the fishing wire through the big mountain of hot glue it fell from and then tie to the back of the wreath.

Step 8: Take an extra piece of ribbon and glue to the back of the wreath so it will hide the floral wire hanger.

And you’re done!

I loved the way it turned out. I had this wreath in my head the whole time sitting on the beach and I really wanted it to remind me of our vacation and I think it does! And you don’t need as many shells as I have. I got a lot because I wanted to make one for myself and my mom.

So tonight is my first sewing class. I’m nervous that I’ll have to take this Sewing 101 more then once, but super excited.

Shawn surprised me last week with a sewing/craft table and it now sits in our bedroom. But as soon as we gebt back to our own place I plan on getting my own little craft room.

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