Simple DIYs using SEA SHELLS!
Do you have a stash of old sea shells you’ve been collecting? Yes? AWESOME! Grab them, let’s get to crafting! No? NO WORRIES! Head to Dollar Tree! They have an amazing selection of sea shells in a variety of styles and sizes. Also check the small bottles that look like decor and pop the corks off, these are great mini shells to use for crafting too!
In the video I’ll link at the bottom of this post you’ll find a video tutorial version of SEVERAL seas shell project you don’t want to miss! There are nearly ten different projects! I thought it would be fun to share at least one project from that video with you here, in blog form.
What is our project tutorial today?
DIY Resin Sea Shell Tray
SUPPLIES:
–Dollar Tree sea shell plastic tray
–Sea Shells
–Resin
–Gloves
–Mask
–Resin Mixing cups
-Popsicle Stick
You’ll need to grab this plastic iridescent tray from Dollar Tree. Right now they have a great selection of coastal and tropical themed items to choose from. However, check in their floral section for bags of sea shells that they carry year round. This tray is about to get a really great upgrade!
We will be using a two part resin to transform this tray. Have you ever used resin before? It’s so fun if you haven’t! If you have, then you already know how fun it is! It’s also easy too. You can find the resin I’m using HERE on AMAZON.
MUST DO: Wear a mask and gloves when working with resin! Also protect your work surface, I like to put down cardboard (thank you Amazon boxes). It’s thick and you can toss it when you are done.
How simple is resin? So easy, let me show you. You’ll need either a disposable container or a silicone reusable container and you’ll mix equal parts of the two part resin together and stir.
Example: I mixed 1.5 oz of the liquid hardener to 1.5 oz of the resin to a silicone measuring cup and used a popsicle stick to stir them together.
TIP: work in smaller amounts, if possible, if you are first getting started. Once you mix the two parts together, you create a reaction and the resin will start to set up. You’ll have limited time to work with the mixture, so like I said, smaller amounts in layers, works best for smaller projects.
Once you’ve mixed your first 3 oz. of resin together, pour it into the Dollar Tree sea shell tray. This will create a nice base layer for our tray.
Now resin is fun to work with but now is the really fun part. You’ll now get a chance to place all your embellishments inside the tray and inside the resin.
For this tray I used ALL Dollar Tree accessories: starfish, variety of sea shells, glass beads, and pearl beads.
It was fun to arrange all of the pieces within the resin till it looked good in my eyes. You get creative and add your own favorite elements to the resin to make it your own!
When you are finished adding your treasures, you’ll pour more layers of resin on top until everything is covered. Just make sure you don’t over fill the plastic shell tray or it will come spilling over the sides, and that’s not fun to clean up.
This is our finished tray, 48 hours later! The resin turns to a clear hard plastic. It does take at least 24 hours for the resin to cure and harden so just check it before actually using it. Mine, I let sit a good 48 hours just to be sure all was good.
Now how do you use your new tray?
Idea #1: (shown above) Use it as a collection tray! It’s perfect to drop your keys or extra change near an entry way.
Idea #2: Use it as a candle holder!
*WARNING* – Do NOT place a flame in direct contact with the resin, that is a big fire hazard
I would suggest a contained candle – like my favorite candle in a mason jar shown above – Antique Candle Co candles
-or-
An even better idea would be to use a battery powered LED candle instead. Very little fire hazard there.
See MORE Sea Shell DIYs and Idea in the video below
