Decorative Shellcraft Jars
Horizontal Pattern

Materials:

1. a glass jar, medium or large, 14 to 18 oz
2. sea shells
3. sand - preferably beach 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 How to Clean & Recycle Candle Jars
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 glass 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 horizontal design, you need to look at how your seashells can be arranged on the jar to make rows running around the glass jar. Also see how many rows will fit comfortably on the glass jar. A tall jar will hold 4 or 5 rows, a shorter jar may only hold 3 or even 2 rows.

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 gets used extensively. 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 in the center row. Above and below this center row should be smaller shells. Remember that depending on the tallness of the glass jar being used, you can have 2 to 5 rows and pick enough shells for the rows you want.

Let's start the first row of seashells right in the center of the 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. Let it dry. This project will take longer to get through than the vertical project because of the time needed to allow the glued seashells to dry.

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Once dry rotate the jar to your left slightly. Allow about 1/2" of space between the shells. This does not have to be exact. 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 first shell.

If you want to speed things up a little bit, you can try placing another shell to the left of the one you just placed. Just remember to leave some space between the shells, and that the shells will slide on the glass when the glue is wet and the placement is at an angle. Allow the glue to dry.

Place the next shell or two in the row. Try to keep them as even as you can with the first seashells you placed. Pause to let the glue dry, then place the next shell or shells. Continue around the jar until you are back to your first shell. When it is all dry, you should have a ring of seashells around your glass jar.

Once the last of the shells is dry, you can start on the next row. I usually start next on the bottom row. Just like above, start by setting one shell in place. You can either put it directly under the first seashell, or offset it slightly. Apply glue to the bottom edge the seashell and place it on the glass jar.

Wait for the glue to dry, then glue the next shell in place. Continue around the jar until you are back to your beginning. Now you should have two rows in place - the middle row and the bottom row.

Now start the top row. Just like the first two rows you have done, apply glue to the seashell of your choice and lay it down on the glass jar. Keep going around until you return to the first shell of this row. If three rows looks right for your glass jar, then stop.

A tall jar may require additional rows. Use the same technique described above to glue and place your seashells in the additional rows.

If you feel the need to put something in-between the rows you have already placed, then go ahead.

Once you are done place the rows of seashells on the glass jar, allow the jar to sit for a few hours and let it dry completely.

Finishing the Decorative Jar

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 seashell rows and in-between the seashells of each row. 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. Pour sand on the glue. You may have to pour sand from a couple of different sides to make sure the glass gets covered. As you work, gather up the spilled sand on the newspaper and return it to your sand container.

Apply glue to the next section you want to do and then apply sand. Try not to get too much glue on the seashells themselves so the sand sticks to the glass and not on top of the seashells. 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.

Yeah! You've just finished your decorative glass jar project. The are various ways you can use this decorative jar.

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 another glass protector as the melting wax will create a mess inside your artwork.

Project 2 – Vertical pattern
Project 3 – Jar Lid
Project 4 - Coquina Flowers
Project 5 - Clams & Scallops

How to Clean & Recycle Candle Jars

Return to Main Jar Page

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