Painting seashells is such a fun and relaxing hobby. I enjoy sitting down and letting my creativity flow. This arts and crafts project is inexpensive to make! You only need a few basic supplies to make them. If you don’t have access to clam shells seashells…you can replicate the designs on smooth river rocks. This project is great for those of you who are participating in Kindness Rocks or Paying it Forward with Painted Kindness Seashells.
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Here’s the supplies that you’ll need:
3″ to 5″ wide Clam Shells
BETEM Acrylic Paint Markers (dual tips) (see note below)
Clear Mod Podge Sealer
Foam Brush
White Acrylic Craft Paint
Paint Brush, Paper Towels and Water Dish
Pencil
Wash the seashells in warm soapy water using Dawn Liquid Dish Soap. Dawn is fantastic in removing sand, debris and fishy odors. Rinse with clean water. Let dry overnight.
Base coat the seashells with 1-2 coats of white acrylic craft paint allowing for 30-45 minutes of drying time between coats.
Use a pencil to lightly mark out the design. You want to make various sized squares, rectangles, triangles, etc. to represent quilting blocks. Vary the sizes, the shapes and the angles. You want it to represent a handmade quilt.
I like using BETEM Acrylic Paint Markers to color in each shape first. Try to pick colors that work well together. Once they’re dry…use fine-tip markers to add a simple design inside some of the shapes. Once you’re done with the design work it’s time to outline all of the shapes using a white or black fine-tip paint marker.
Note: I use BETEM Acrylic Paint Markers with dual-ended tips. One tip is a medium and one is a fine tip. These paint markers require no priming, never clog, don’t drip and have no foul paint odors. Plus, they dry quickly!!!
Once the paint is dry…you need to seal-in the design. Brush on 1-2 light coats of Clear Mod Podge Sealer with a Glossy Finish. If you’re doing 2 coats…allow for 45-55 minutes of drying time between coats. This will help to protect the painted finish. Let dry.
You can display the painted seashells inside or outside of your home. They look beautiful in shell gardens, displayed in flower beds, around a swimming pool area, etc.
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