16 Candles You Can Make With Shells From The Beach

Beaches are a great place to collect shells, but it’s not uncommon to find them covered in sand, seaweed, or other debris. Cleaning shells can be a tedious task, but it’s worth it to have beautiful, clean shells that you can use for crafts or display in your home.

Here are the steps to clean shells from the beach:

Rinse the shells in warm water to remove any sand or debris. Use a soft brush to gently scrub away any stubborn dirt or algae.
Soak the shells in a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar for a few hours. The vinegar will help dissolve any calcium deposits and other hard-to-remove debris.
Rinse the shells thoroughly with water and let them dry completely. You can speed up the drying process by placing the shells in a warm, dry spot.
If the shells still have a strong odor, you can place them in a plastic bag with a few drops of essential oil and let them sit for a few days.

Now that your shells are clean, you can paint them to create beautiful decorative pieces.

Here are the steps to paint shells:

Choose the type of paint you want to use. Acrylic paint is a good option because it’s affordable, dries quickly, and comes in a wide variety of colors.
Choose a small paintbrush or a sponge brush for larger shells.
Paint the shells with a base coat of paint. You may need to apply several coats to achieve the desired color.
Once the base coat is dry, you can add designs or details using a smaller brush. For example, you can paint stripes, polka dots, or other patterns.
Let the paint dry completely before handling the shells.
To protect the painted shells, you can apply a clear coat of sealant. This will help prevent the paint from chipping or fading over time.

When my children were little we would always collect a few shells as we walked along the beach, they would always end up in pockets, in the washing machine, or next to bedside tables displayed like treasure. I never threw out the shells, instead, I began collecting them in a large vase.

Fast forward 10 years later and I am not left with quite a few shells, and whilst the kids have moved on from the attachment to the shells, I have been looking up ways to use the shells in some DIY projects to keep the memories alive a little longer for me.

So here are 16 projects that show you how to use seashells in candle making. I love the single shell candles, but I do not have any shells large enough for that, so I am going to make the Keepsake Seashelle pillar candles. I am planning on making a few extra candles to gift to the grandparents too, as some of those beach days were spent with their grandparents walking along the beach and camping in tents.

Such fond memories, but a vase of shells serves no purpose, right?

When I make my own candles I always use a soy-based wax, as it is easy to work with.

But do you know how much wax do you need?

You will need twice the amount of wax flakes as there is liquid volume in your shells or candle mold. To calculate, fill each shell with water and then pour the water into a measuring cup

I also came across this candle fragrance pack called Beach Fragrance oil which I will plan to use in my candles too.

In any case, here are those 16 projects:

Seashell Candle — CraftBits.com

These Candles Are Made Out Of Painted Seashells – DIY Ways

DIY Candle Making: Designer Seashell Candles – Running With Sisters

DIY Seashell Candles (step-by-step tutorial with images) – YesMissy

DIY Seashell Candles – Budget Savvy Diva

Make Candles in Seashells: DIY Shell Decor – Carla Schauer Designs

DIY Shell Candles – Finding Silver Pennies

DIY Underwater Seashell Candles

How to Make Shell Candles : 6 Steps (with Pictures) – Instructables

Simple Shell Candles {Tutorial} – EverythingEtsy.com