[Nfb-krafters-korner] Two Simple Crafts with Shells

[Henrietta Brewer]

Hi,
This sounds like fun. It is an interesting post and I enjoyed reading it.

Thanks so much
HenriettaAt 12:49 AM 7/27/2010, you wrote:
>Hi again,
>
>   I've begun collecting the shells from when I eat clams.  Of course,
>I wash them carefully with soap and water but I figure why waste them
>when I can turn them into wonderful crafts?  So I want to share with
>you two easy crafts that I've done in the past with shells.  The first
>won't work with clam shells, either the large or the small but may
>work with the baby ones that are too small to eat.  Regardless of
>which kind you choose, you need really small ones unless you have a
>very large mirror and cardboard.  Note that these are my directions
>and were not found online.  So if something is unclear, please tell
>me.
>
>1.
>Shell Mirror
>I made this in high school and Mom loved it.
>
>Things you'll need
>1 piece of oval-shaped cardboard
>1 flat oval mirror, about half the size of the cardboard.
>enough shells to cover cardboard with mirror in center.
>1 stick or bottle of glue.
>
>Directions
>1. Add some glue to center of cardboard.
>2. Place mirror ontop of glue.
>3. Allow to dry.
>4. Add glue all around edges of mirror, so that rest of cardboard is covered.
>5. Apply shells to cardboard.  Use whatever designs, colours or
>textures come to mind.  Be sure that there are no shells hanging off
>the edges of the cardboard, since they could break off.
>6. Allow to dry.
>7. Enjoy for yourself or give as a gift.
>
>2.
>Shell Box
>I did this a few years ago while at the Diamond Spring Lodge, a
>wonderful place in NJ from the AFB.
>
>Things you'll need
>1 plain wooden box with hinged cover.
>enough shells to cover box.
>decoration for top of box. (optional) Can be anything from an old pin,
>to a stone, to a textured design.
>short fringe or beed to go around box. (optional)
>textured lining for box. (optional) Felt or velvet is nice.
>1 stick or bottle of glue.
>
>Directions
>1. Be sure box is closed tightly so that no glue enters it.
>2. Add glue to top of box.
>3. Place ornament on centre of box top.
>4. Start placing shells ontop of box.  Be sure that none hang off the
>edge as they could break off.
>5. Allow to dry.
>6. Add glue to sides of box, being sure to leave room for fringe if
>desired by not placing glue on that portion.
>7. Add shells to sides of box.  If you have any more ornaments such as
>beads or flowers you can add them here as well if you desire or you
>could just use the shells.
>8. Allow to dry.  You may proceed to next step without drying but this
>can be messy and you don't want the fringe itself to get glue on it.
>9. Add glue to bare portion of sides of box.
>10. Add fringe to sides of box so that it goes around the box like the shells.
>11. Allow to dry.
>13. Open box.
>14. Add glue evenly to inside of box. Be sure to add only the needed
>amount so that it doesn't run onto the fabric.
>15. Place lining inside of box.  Be sure that it's even.
>16. Enjoy for yourself or give as a gift.  These make great jewellery
>boxes, or for those like me who aren't into jewellery, can serve for
>keeping little nicknacks like keys or pins.
>
>   I hope everyone enjoys these crafts as much as I have.  If you can
>think of any more involving shells, please let me know.  I've got
>large and medium ones (the latter are the ones most often used in
>clams cassino if that helps.  I'm thinking of creating a necklace with
>a single shell for my grandmother because she loves the colours of one
>of them.  I might also make her a bracelit, since I have another that
>looks almost the same.
>
>Take care,
>Eleni
>
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Henrietta
~I wish you enough~