Every year we take our 2 grandchildren down to the beach for a summer vacation. It’s a family tradition that started after they were born. Every time I see them or talk to them on the phone we always says “Love You to the Beach and Back”. It’s such a cute way to show affection and love towards one another when it comes to kids.
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I decided to sit down and paint 2 large clam shells seashells that convey that message. Something they can keep forever. Matter of fact, both grandchildren have the shells displayed on a little easel sitting on their desks. I’m so glad that they love looking at the clam shells that I made for them.
You’ll need 4″ to 5″ wide clam shells collected from the beach. Wash them in warm soapy water using Dawn Liquid Dish Soap. Why Dawn? It does the best job at removing sand, debris and fishy odors. Rinse with clean water and then let them air dry overnight.
To get started you’ll want to paint the background using acrylic craft paint and a paint brush. You’ll paint the lower 1/3 of the shell with a sandy color of paint, the middle 1/3 with a medium blue color of paint and the upper 1/3 with a light blue color of paint. You may need 2 coats of paint to get the needed coverage. Let dry.
The rest of the design work was made using BETEM Acrylic Paint Markers. I buy them from Amazon. They’re inexpensive, dual-ended tips (medium and fine tips), no priming is needed, no drippy messes and they dry fast. Oh yeah, no foul paint odors either!
Decorate them however you like. I added wordage, hearts, a palm tree, seagulls, white cap waves, clouds, etc. all using the BETEM Acrylic Paint Markers. Let dry until the paint is no longer tacky.
Seal the painted design with 1-2 light coats of Glossy Mod Podge Sealer and a foam brush. I like to swipe it across both sides of the seashell. Let dry for several hours or until it has dried clear.
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