Love dogs or know someone who does? Looking for something handcrafted and unique to give to that dog lover in your life? These hand painted clam shells seashells make the perfect gift for anyone on your list! They can be used a decorative art accents in the home, as a paper weight on a desk or place them outside in your garden as yard art. All 4 designs are easy to make and require no artistic skills!

** Post contains affiliate links.

You’ll need to collect 4 large clam shells from the beach. We used 4″ to 5″ wide clam seashells. Wash them with Dawn Liquid Dish Soap (let soak in the soapy water for 30 minutes) and then rinse clean. Let air dry. Why Dawn? It does the best job at removing debris, sand and fishy odors.

Base coat the clam shells in the desired color. You can copy our designs or add your own unique twist. We used 2 coats of acrylic paint for the background allowing for 30 minutes of drying time between coats.

Now it’s time to decorate them! I recommend that use you Acrylic Paint Markers. My preferred inexpensive brand is BETEM Acrylic Paint Markers. They require no priming, no drippy messes and no foul odors! Plus, the acrylic paint dries quickly which is always an added bonus!!! Don’t use children’s markers which run and bleed!

Dog Sayings We Used:

My Windows Aren’t Dirty that is Nose Art
This Home is Full of Wags and Wiggles
Love has Four Paws
Live Love Bark

Use the acrylic paint markers to add the wordage first. Then add the decorations around the words. You can add hearts, paw prints, bones, etc. Decorate them however you like. My photos will give you some great guidance. Let all of the paint dry overnight.

To protect the painted surface you need to brush on 1-2 coats of clear Mod Podge Sealer. I used one that has a glossy finish which I really like the shine that it adds to the shells. This will help to protect the painted finish. You can display them inside or outside once you’ve sealed them (seal both sides of the seashell if displaying them outside). Let dry overnight.

Love painting clam shells or crafting with seashells? We have over 100 seashell arts and craft projects on the TCC blog. Check them all out while you’re here!

* This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may or may not receive a small commission which helps to support this site. Thank you!

During the summer season I enjoy decorating my home with seashells. They’re easy to incorporate in just about any home decor style. If you don’t decorate for the summer season throughout your home…you can add just a few accents in a bathroom or place them outside on your front porch, back deck or around a swimming pool.

In this blog post I’ll be sharing 10 hand painted beach themed seashell designs that are perfect for summer. You will need to collect shells from a beach or purchase them from Amazon. The designs are easy enough for older kids to do and perfect for adults who don’t consider themselves to be artistic.

First photo shows the sun, a pair of flip-flops and a beach ball. No pattern or template was used. You’ll need to base coat each clam shell with 2 coats of acrylic craft paint. Once dry, use a pencil to lightly sketch on the design which is made by using simple shapes like circles and peanut-shapes. Then color in the design using Acrylic Paint Pen Markers. I personally use a set that I purchased from Amazon. Don’t use Sharpie markers or cheap kid’s markers!!!!

Second photo shows the beach hair, red crab, and a whale design. Again, you need to base coat the shells with acrylic craft paint. The whale design was done on a natural shell (no base coat). Use the Acrylic Paint Pen Markers to paint the design. All are simple and easy to do, nothing elaborate here!!!

Third photo shows an ocean design, a tropical fish, and a beach with a palm tree. The first two were painted on large clam shells. The palm tree was painted on a broken piece of a whelk shell. Hey…even broken seashells are perfect for painting on! The ocean design was made by my 14 year old granddaughter along with the tropical fish. I made the palm tree. We used Acrylic Paint Pen Markers for the design work.

Fourth photo shows a green turtle design and a red crab. Two iconic animals you often find at the beach. Use Acrylic Paint Pen Markers for the design work. If you want to outline the design or write wordage onto the seashell I suggest using Fine Point Acrylic Paint Pens. Don’t use Sharpie Markers!!! Those will run when sealed and don’t do well over time. Invest in Acrylic Paint Pen Markers and you’ll be happy with the results.

Once all of the painted seashells are done drying take them outside. Spray each side of the shell with 2 light coats of a Clear Acrylic Spray Sealer allowing for 1 hour of drying time between each coat. The sealer will protect the painted surface. You can then display them inside or outside of your home.

* This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may or may not receive a small commission which helps to support this site. Thank you!