I just moved to Florida a few months ago, and since I was born and raised a New Englander (or a Yankee as they so lovingly refer to us down here hah), I have made a point to enjoy the beach as much as possible while I’m here. Especially during the winter season when I would normally be shoveling snow.  I love to hunt for sea shells (don’t we all) and I live here on the Treasure Coast where there are gold coins that wash up from time to time.  I haven’t yet been so lucky….but I hold out hope!  I have amassed a giant collection of shells, and not much to do with them, so I have started to try and find unique ways to use them in art or for functionality.

I found this shell still and I noticed it was still in tact, it was like a little trinket box because it had such a deep basin.  After I had brought it home and it dried, the muscles that was holding it together came apart, so I decided to put it back together and give it a clasp so I could use it as a little stash box for secrets.

I used a few things I had laying around, it couldn’t have been easier.

• Glue Gun
• Small piece of felt (Mine was about 1×2 inches)
• Heavier weight embroidery thread or yarn
• Vintage Button

1. I arranged the shell with a small space where they will be joined because I wanted it to open easily, and also because I wanted to do a line of embroidery down the center.

2. I measured the string that I would be using as the clasp around the outside of the shell, including the small gap, and added an inch for the button loop. Then I doubled that length.  I buttonhole stitched the entire length so that it was a bit sturdier. Here is a great tutorial for the buttonhole stitch and loop.

Now you should have a sturdy string with a button on one end and a loop on the other that fits snugly around your shell.

3. Close the clasp around your shell and glue gun the felt piece on the bottom to secure it in place. Let it cool and harden.

4.  I decided to make mine into a necklace so I measured out a loop that would go over my head and enough extra to stitch down the center of the box, in between the shells, so that the necklace would be secure and none of the glue I used would show.

and that’s all!  It was easy and fun.  I love the way it came out.  My next project is making these certain seashells I find (long skinny ones) and creating some terrarium seashell amanita mushrooms