I’ve been collecting seashells for 40+ years and have collected over a dozen large boxes full of shells. I use them to decorate the inside & outside of my home and in various home decor projects. When picking up seashells off of the beach, you ONLY want to collect unoccupied shells.
If you enjoy painting on seashells or crafting with seashells…you’ll find over 70+ seashell craft projects right here on the Two Classy Chics blog! We will be sharing more seashell craft projects in the future too!
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Crab shells are plentiful on most beaches and I love to collect them. With that said, they do take some work when it comes to preserving them for years to come.
The first thing you want to do is to remove sand and debris. I then like to remove the legs, the insides, etc. right on the beach and then rinse the shell in the salt water. The seagulls and other animals will feed on the “insides” that you’re leaving behind.
Once you’re back in your hotel room you’ll want to prepare them for the ride home. Rinse all of your crab shells with clean tap water until that water runs clean. Lay them out onto a towel to air dry. I like to put a towel into the bathtub just for this purpose.
When packing for your trip home you’ll want to wrap your shells in paper towels (not newspaper) or paper/plastic bags to help to protect them. I then slide them into “old socks” which I bring along. Pack them into your suitcase, travel bag or whatever you have on-hand.
Within 2-3 days of arriving home you’ll want to unpack your shells. I recommend rinsing them under cool tap water AGAIN and laying them on a cotton towel to dry. I typically will take mine outside and let them air dry in the sun. Once they’re clean and dry, you’ll move onto the next step.
Mix together 4 tablespoons of Mod Podge Gloss with 1 teaspoon of tap water. I find it best to “water down” the Mod Modge with a little bit of water. Use an old paint brush and brush a coat of the Mod Podge Gloss all over your seashell. Lay them on a sheet of aluminum foil to dry. Once dry, flip them over and coat the other side. I like to add 2-3 coats of Mod Podge, depending on the crab shell. Let thoroughly dry.
Your new crab shells are now preserved and you can display them, store them in your collector’s box or use them in various coastal themed craft projects.
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This really explains how to preserve crab shells. I can see that they are fragile.
That is some work but well worth it. I wish I lived near the coast. I would just like to walk on the beach and relax.
I had no idea you had to preserve crab shells like this. I assumed they were just like sea shells but I had never collected the crab shells.
Yup and they’re very fragile too! The sooner you preserve the better. I often break them just trying to get them back home which is where I preserve them. They’re fun to use in craft projects & home decor. Most people just let them lay on the beach and only collect seashells. I’ll collect both when I come across nice specimens to use in my projects.