DIY Dog Sea Shell Craft

DIY Dog Sea Shell ornament

National Sea Shell Day always falls on the first day of summer. It’s a day to celebrate and admire what beauty sea shells bring to our environment. On this day many people who like to collect shells (called shellers) go to the Shore and collect shells left behind. Many shellers who collect may find rare and exotic shells.

Below are some tips for shellers from the Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel.

  • Never collect live shells. When in doubt, always put them gently back in the water.
  • Check local ordinances. Only take a small number. Shells are part of the ecosystem helping to preserve and create the beaches we enjoy visiting.
  • The best time for shelling is one hour before and one hour after low tide.
  • Follow the high tide shell line where the largest waves stop.
  • Watch for the full and new moons. They have a higher gravitation pull on the tide and reveal more seashells.
  • Storms churn up the ocean floor sending more shells to the surface and the shore for collection.

Because it’s National Sea Shell day, I found a DIY craft on-line that was fun to do. Your child may love this activity as well.

For this project you will need 4 type of shells.

1 Atlantic cockle

3 small slipper shells

Acrylic paints in black and white

Small paint brushes and toothpick

Glue gun

Any colored ribbon

DIY Dog sea shell ornament

First thing you want to do is paint the larger shell in whatever color that you choose. I chose black as you can see in the photo. I was going for a Boston terrier look so I painted the shell black on the outer sides but not painting the center, as I painted that white to create the white markings.

DIY Dog sea shell ornament

I painted 2 of the slipper shells black inside as you will be flipping the shell when gluing it to the larger shell.

The eyes were the most difficult and because the shell does not have a smooth surface I decided to use a toothpick. Remember it does not have to be perfect!

The other slipper shell I painted white as that would be the snout.  Once the white slipper shell is dry, use black paint to paint on the nose.  You can see the picture below.

Go ahead and start gluing the ears to the top of the shell as seen in the picture. You can also glue the white shell which will be the snout with the nose already painted on.

Cut a piece of ribbon and glue it to the bottom of the shell.

Once your design is done if you’d like you can glue a looped ribbon on top of the ornament to hang it.

 

This is the final product.

You can be creative and utilize different types of shells to make other breeds.  Remember it does not have to be perfect, it’s a nice activity to do if you have sea shells handy!

 

 

 

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It is with a heavy heart that I announce the loss of our beloved darling, Ginger. She passed away July 16, 2020 at 14.5 years old. She battled CHF for as long as she could but her little body could take no more. Our hearts are shattered.
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