Have you found one yet? Maybe you’ve hidden one yourself. It’s like the painted rocks craze, but here in SW FL painted seashells are the trend.
Here’s what you do.
Find some large shells on the beach. Look for ones with a good surface for painting and writing a message. Large sturdy bivalves are good candidates for painted seashells because of their semi-smooth surface on both sides. I like to pick up ones that are already beached almost white. Shells that no one else wants are very good candidates!
- Southern Quahog
- Elegant Dosinia
- Sunray Venus
- Surf Clam
- Atlantic Cockle
- Calico Scallop
- Ponderous Arc
- Turkey Wing
- Angel Wing
- Buttercup Lucinia
- Don’t overlook large gastropods which might offer prime canvases for painted pictures and messages:
- Florida Fighting Conch
- Alphabet Cone
- Lettered Olive
- Shark’s Eye
- Junonia (gasp!)
- Remember: collect only empty shells. Check for hermit crabs in the gastropods too. No live shelling !
- Clean them up, and plan your design and message while they dry. You could use Sharpie markers, craft acrylic paint, nail polish, alcohol inks, food coloring, Ritz dye, watercolors.
- Or you could decoupage a colorful image onto your shell.
- Extras: Add a message if you’d like. Add optional embellishments like glitter, seed beads, colored sand. Finally, coat with clear sealant to help waterproof them. Choose spray or brush on.
- Have fun! Find your creative side with these painted seashells. Dig through your shell box for extra shells you didn’t know what to do with.
- You could gift your painted shells, tie them to a wrapped package or gift bag, a bottle of wine, or your rear view mirror. Why not make some to hide in a public place for someone else to find, as an act of kindness.
- There’s a Facebook group called Sanibel Shells that is dedicated to this cause. Check them out and ask to join their group. Their rules are common sense and have best practices to follow.
Can’t think of how to decorate your shells?
Check out these amazing ideas! Some people are very creative with their painted seashells. Source links are included. Be sure to check out their posts and instructions:
