Craft Project: Seashell Crabs Yard Art

I enjoy taking long walks on the beach and collecting seashells, drift wood and sea glass. I’ve amassed a large collection of beach found goodies over the years and I enjoy incorporating those found objects into some of our craft projects.

Today’s project is one that will cost you very little money! Matter of fact, you’ll just need a few basic craft supplies to make these adorable Seashell Crabs! Once they’ve been completed, you can use them to decorate inside and/or outside your home. I have a few of them sitting around the swimming pool and on our back deck. In just one afternoon, the Princess and I were able to make 6 of these adorable crabs!

Looking for more painted seashell designs? You’ll find a ton of them right here on the TwoClassyChics blog!!!

Craft Project: Seashell Crabs Yard Art

Large Clam Shells
Red or Dark Orange Pipe Cleaners
Red, Orange, Black and White Acrylic Paints
Paint Brush, Water Dish, Paper Towels
Newspaper
Clear Acrylic Spray Sealer, Glossy Finish
E6000 Adhesive Glue

Cover your work surface with a few sheets of old newspaper.

We used large clam shells that measure 5″ to 6″ in width. You’ll want to wash them and then let them thoroughly dry before starting the project.

Mix together the red and orange acrylic paint until you come up with a shade that resembles the color of a crab. We did this on a disposable plate. Paint the outside of the clam shell with the paint, let dry for 20 minutes and then add a second coat of paint. Let dry.

Time to make the eyes! Use white acrylic paint to make the outer portion of the eye. Let dry. Dip the end of a paint brush into black acrylic paint to make the inner eye. Let dry. Dip the end of the paint brush into white acrylic paint (or use a round toothpick) to make the white inner pupil. Let dry.

Take 2 sheets of newspaper and your painted seashells outside. Lay the clam shells on top of the newspaper and lightly spray them with the clear acrylic sealer. Let dry for 1 hour and then spray them with a second coat. Let dry.

You will need to “judge” the length you’ll need in regards to the pipe cleaner legs, which will depend on the size of your clam shells. For most of our’s, we cut them into thirds. Turn the shells upside down. Use the E6000 glue adhesive (have an adult use the glue) and glue the pipe cleaner legs onto the crabs. See photo for placement. The adhesive takes a few hours to dry. Once dry, bend the end of each leg into an “L” shape. That’s it, you’re done!

Note: If you plan on displaying your adorable crabs outside, you’ll want to spray the legs (pipe cleaners) with clear acrylic spray sealer too!

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