Craft Project: Painted Valentine’s Day Seashells

Every time we go on vacation down to the beach we collect seashells from the beach. We ONLY pick-up shells that have washed up onshore and/or where the animals are deceased. If you ever find one that is still occupied with a live animal, please put it back where you found it!!!

For this quick and easy craft project we used large clam shells that measure at least 5″ wide. You can use smaller ones if you prefer, but we like to paint on the largest ones that we can find. You’ll want to wash all of the sand and debris from your shells and let them thoroughly dry overnight before painting on them.

Craft Project: Painted Valentine’s Day Seashells

Large, Clean Clam Shells
Red Acrylic Craft Paint
Paint Brush, Water Dish, Paper Towel
Medium-Point White Paint Pen
Clear Acrylic Spray Sealer
Pencil

Protect your work surface with a sheet of bubble wrap, an old plastic tablecloth, drop cloth, etc. We recommend plastic that way your wet seashells won’t stick to the surface.

Use your paint brush to give the outside surface of your clam shell two heavy coats of red paint. Let dry.

Following the directions on the paint pen…shake thoroughly before each use. Decide which word(s) you want to write onto your seashell. We chose the word “Love” and lightly penciled it on. We then used the medium-tip white paint pen to write the word “Love” onto our shell. To add more interest to our design we added white dots around the perimeter edge of the seashell and a small heart with arrow. Let dry for several hours or until the paint is no longer tacky.

Take your painted shells outside and give them 1-2 light coats of the clear acrylic spray sealer. This will protect your painted surface from chipping, crazing, cracking or the colors from fading. Once dry, you can display them inside or outside your home.

Fun Valentine’s Day Words to Consider: Happy Valentine’s Day, Love, Cupid, Cupid’s Arrow, XOXO, Hug Me, Kiss Me, Love You, I Love You, Love 4-Ever, Forever Love, etc.