Every year we tote home a bag or two of treasures — seashells, pebbles and sea glass — from our New Jersey beach vacation. It’s just part of the annual tradition as much as playing in the surf and building sand castles.
Once we’re at home we keep the beach memories alive by displaying our newly found finds. It keeps everyone talking about the beach long after the vacation is over.
Big white clam shells line a side of our deck. Sea glass fills a glass hurricane candle holder in the dining room.
We’ve made wind chimes out of seashells and layered colored sand in empty, cleaned out peanut butter jars. Of course, there are plenty of photographs. One of two sandy boys and a sand castle hangs in our bathroom .
So, if you’re back from the beach and pining for those sunshine filled sandy days, keep those memories alive by exhibiting your treasures and pictures. Here are a few ideas:
For the Kids
Kids can paint shells or larger pebbles. Use them to decorate planters or garden beds.
Make a jingle wind chime out of seashells. You’ll need is one foot long stick, some twine or string and seashells with holes. String and tie shells onto three or four pieces of string. Vary the lengths of the string. Tie each piece to the stick. Attach another piece of twine to make a loop to hang the wind chime.
Kids can make a display of beach finds in an empty egg carton. Fill each egg carton hole with a different treasure and label it for an instant seashore treasure chest.
Take an empty plastic jar such as a peanut butter jar with a lid. Use food coloring to dye sand in different colors. Layer the colored sand in the jar, making sure to press the sand down with the bottom of another cup. Seal the jar with the lid and have a paperweight.
Make seashell rubbings. Take flat shells and tape them to a work surface such as a table. Cover with paper and hold tightly. Rub a crayon on the paper. Make bookmarks, pictures or greeting cards with the shell motifs.
Glue googly eyes to shells to create creatures or people.
Tie several shells together on a piece of decorative string to make necklaces.
In the Home
Fill glass vases and containers with seashells, pebbles or sea glass and add votive or taper candles. Use the candleholders to decorate outdoor spaces.
Fill a decorative tray with sand and shells. Add several different sized pillar candles.
Decorate back yard patios and decks with random shells. Fill a terra cotta pot with your finds for display.
Purchase magnet strips from a craft store. Attach to shells to make magnets.
Use hot glue to attach seashells to terra cotta pots to make planters.
Drill holes into shells. Dust with glitter, preferably two similar shades. Fasten with metallic cord to make Christmas ornaments. (For more instructions, go to www.marthastewart.com)
Photos & More
Glue small shells onto a wooden picture frame and use for prized picture from the beach, preferably a family portrait.
Frame several photos and display together.
Purchase shadow boxes at a craft store. Fill with shells and/or photos.
Make a scrapbook and include photos, ticket stubs and restaurant menus.