Decorative Jars
using
Seashells
in a
Vertical Pattern

1. a glass jar, medium or large, 14 to 18 oz
2. sea shells
3. sand
4. a bottle of Elmer's Glue-All or equivalent
5. a can of polyurethane - gloss or semi-gloss
6. set of hobby brushes
7. a rag or old towel

The easiest way is buy a new jar then wipe it clean inside and out with a bit of alcohol on a rag or paper towel. This should remove any dust and oils. Set aside and let air dry.

The second method is a bit more work for you but is good for the environment and helps you do something with leftover candle jars after you tire of them or the wax inside is used up. Use the "Cleaning a Candle Jar" section for ideas on helping you get the jar clean.

Always examine your jar for cracks or other damage. I highly recommend that you do not use cracked or damaged jars.

Laying out a Design for your Decorative Jar

Take a look at canvas (the jar). Notice if it is round or square, tall and narrow or wide and squat. You need to be familiar with the jar to set up the design to use on it.

Since we are making a vertical design, you need to look at how your seashells can be arranged on the jar to make columns running from near the bottom of the glass jar to near the top edge.

Pick through your available shells until you have a good handful that you can use on the jar. Check the seashells for fit against the glass. Your jar's shape will determine which shells can be used where.

Now that you have an idea for how the shells will sit on the jar lets get started laying them on.

Starting the Decorative Jar Design

This is where the towel or rag comes into it's own. Place the towel on your work surface. Place the glass jar on its side on the towel. You may have to "puff" the towel slightly so the jar doesn't roll. The towel is used to keep the jar steady while you work on your project.

Lay out the seashells you have chosen for this design on the work space near the glass jar. If possible lay the seashells out the same way you plan to use them. For your first project, try setting them up so the larger shells are at the bottom of your columns. The rest of the shells should get smaller as they go toward the top of the column. Depending on the tallness of your jar and the size of your shells, the columns can contain 3 to 6 shells each.

Let's start the first column of seashells from the bottom of your glass jar. Pick out your first shell and place it on the jar. Check it for fit. If you are happy, apply glue to the bottom edge of the seashell and place it on the jar. It should sit there without moving as long as the jar sits steady in the towel.

Pick, glue, and place the smallest shell of your picks at the top of the glass jar. Now you have guides for placing the central shells. Pick out the next shell you want to place, glue the edge, and put it on the glass jar so that it is in line with your guide shells. Leave some space between the shells, maybe 3/8 to 1/2 inch or so. Just eyeball it.

Finish placing the next shell or two until you have used up the shells you picked for this column. Now is the time to check the way the seashells look on your glass jar. If you like the way they are positioned, Congratulations!, you have just set up your first column. If not, you can move the seashells around a little bit until you are happy with the way they fit and look.

Now comes the real hard part - leaving the glass jar alone so the glue will dry and the seashells will become attached to the jar. If you move the jar, the shells will more than likely slide out of position on the glass.

Once the glue is dry, turn the jar a quarter turn to bring up the next face to be seashelled. This should place the first row to your left and parallel to the work surface. By setting the glass jar so that the first row is parallel to the work surface, you will space your columns more evenly.

Now you can start your second column of seashells on the glass jar. Just like above, start with your larger shell on the bottom, the smallest shell at the top, and the others inbetween the two. Apply glue to the bottom edge of each seashell and place it on the glass. Wait for the glue to dry and set the shells in place.

With the second column of seashells attached to the glass jar, it is time to set up the third column. Once again, move the glass jar a quarter turn to the left. Now the first column should be directly below the jar on the towel, and the second column is parallel to the work surface. Move the towel around the jar to make sure it stays in place when you finish positioning it.

Pick, glue, and set your pick of seashells for this third column. Check to make sure the seashells are placed the way you want them to be. Then it's back to waiting for the glue to dry and the seashells to become permantly attached to the glass jar.

Finally it is time for the fourth column. Move the glass jar around another quarter turn so the column you just finished is to the left and parallel to the work surface. This should put your first column on also parallel to the work surface, only on the right side of the jar. The second column will now be on the bottom.

Once again, starting with your guide seashells, pick - glue - place, each shell on the glass jar. Check your work and make any adjustments you need or want. Leave the work alone to dry.

If you have a very wide and squat jar, you may want to add columns in-between the ones you just finished putting on. This time move the jar, so that the surface between two of the columns is facing you. Start setting the seashells in place with glue until you have finished this fifth column. Remember, that you want to leave clear space between the columns so try not to get carried away with the seashells. Wait for the glue to dry, and set up the next column. Keep going until you have finished these columns also.

Finishing Your Decorative Jars

Once all the shells are in place and the glue is dry, pick up the jar and remove the towel. Get ready for the next phase by placing some clean and dry newspaper on your work surface. This paper will catch the sand that falls off your decorative jar project.

Pick a place to start. You want to apply glue directly to the glass jar in-between the shells columns and in-between the shells of each column. Do one section at a time, although this time you don't have to wait for the glue to dry until you are finished applying the sand.

Apply some glue and spread it around with a hobby brush. Basically, it's like painting the glass with the glue. Try not to get glue on the seashells. Pour sand on the glue. You may have to pour sand from a couple of different sides. Hurrah, for the newspaper. Gather up the spilled sand and return it to your container.

Apply glue to the next section you want to do and then apply sand. Keep going until the all the glass that was showing in-between and next to the seashells is covered by the sand. The only parts of your decorative jar that should not have any sand on them is the bottom of the jar, and the inside of the jar.

Now lightly shake the jar so the loose sand falls off. Set the decorative jar aside and let it dry. Gather up your spilt sand and return it to your container. Let the decorative jar sit for about 12 hours so that the glue dries thoroughly.

Once the decorative jar is thoroughly dry you need to apply a coat of polyurethane to both the seashells and the sand. The polyurethane will give them a nice shine and protect your work at the same time. Apply a light coat, using your hobby brushes. Cover all the shells and sand. Set the decorative jar aside and let it dry.

You can set it on a shelf or table to look at. Your own bit of art.

You can use it to hold other items. Especially if you used a candle jar that has a lid.

You can put a votive candle holder glass with a candle inside of it, and light the candle. You now have a candle lantern. Just don't use candles without a secondary holder as the melting wax will create a mess inside your artwork.

Buy your craft supplies through one of our associated Craft Suppliers. Just be sure to go to them through Shellcraft Guides. Thanks.

Check out our list of helpful Books which provide information from selling your crafts to kids crafts to learning other crafts.

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