Collect and Craft with Seashells
& Other Nautical Themes

Whether you buy your shells or pick them up off the beach they add a nautical touch to any room. Nautical can mean many things depending on your region. Seaside, lakeside, fishing in a stream or sunning by the shore. It can also incorporate many color schemes. The Caribbean can be either vibrant primary colors or pastels. The new England Sea Coast seems to me to be the Americana colors of Red, Navy Blue and Cream. I have always loved the water and enjoy my "beach" decor even though I live in landlocked Kentucky.

Make a Nautical Wreath
Remember your trip to the shore with a special easy to make Nautical wreath.
Materials:

• Whatever you may find - shells, driftwood, sand dollars, star fish...
• Rope
• Grapevine wreath
• Hot Glue Gun
• Wire

• Fill a small round fish bowl with 2 inches or shells or marbles. Add water and float a candle. For an added Nautical feel add some food color to the water.
• In a shallow dish add sand, sea glass and a few shells. Place a fat taper in the middle.
• Make a Seashell Topiary by gluing shells onto a styrofoam form.
• Stencil tropical fish onto napkins or create a border swimming across the edge of a table topper. Add napkin rings and sell them as a set.
• Use shells in your next mosaic project. Adorn a pot with small shells , tile, or river rocks.

Other Nautical Ideas

• Seashell Wedding Guestbook
• Crochet or Cross stitch a lighthouse from this chart.
• Add a sand dollar as a label to a jar of shells. Write on the sand dollar with a permanent sharpie and tie on with raffia.
• Tuck a special beach photo into a glass container and add sand and a few shells.
• Make a Driftwood door handle
• Cross stitch Janlynn's Collecting Shells
• This Beach scene wall art is great in a windowless bathroom of if you're landlocked.
• Make this Sailor's Bracelet
• Learn to tie a Sarong
• Paint this Beach Bag
• Paint Fish on Rocks
• Use a Nautical Rug in your entry or bathroom to set the mood.

Beach Party Themes

• Ideas for a nautical party are as plentiful as the fish in the oceans. Surfs Up, Under the Sea, Pool Party, a Luau or a Polynesian Paradise can be great themes for a summer party. Once the theme has been narrowed down start with the invitation. Perhaps a flip flop cut out, a treasure map, or a starfish cut out will strike your fancy.
• Decorations can be fun to add. Tiki torches, leis, and lots of tropical plants for a luau. Beach blankets, umbrellas, sand and water can form a backdrop for any beach party. Scatter sea shells everywhere. You can write on sand dollars for place cards.
• Make and fly a Pirate Flag.
• Beach music in the background can be wonderful. Depending on your theme choose steel drums, Beach Boys and other oldies from the era, or try Island Music.
• Serve dips in a beach pail with a shovel. A hollow coconut or large shell can be a serving bowl as well.
• Use these Adirondack Beach Chairs as adorable placecard holders.

For Kids

• Crafts

Learn More

• Own an Acre Of Pacific Ocean
• Shell Chic: The Ultimate Guide to Decorating Your Home With Seashells
• Fun with Shells Stencils (Dover Little Activity Books)