Making your own jewelry doesn’t have to be expensive and it can also be a fun hobby. Making jewelry of all kinds can be fun and allow for lots of great additions to a wardrobe. Jewelry made from seashells also can include a fun trip to the beach which can be another fun and exciting hobby. Here is some more information on making your own seashell jewelry.
First of all, many people either don’t live near a beach or it is the wrong time of year to visit the beach and collect seashells. Just because the conditions exist doesn’t mean that you can’t make seashell jewelry. Most craft stores sell seashells that have been collected and washed specifically for making crafts out of them. Granted, these don’t have the experience of collecting the shells on the beach, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the experience of making your own jewelry.
You will need to gather all of supplies you will be using to make the jewelry. You should also have a plan for what kind of jewelry you want to make and what supplies it will take to complete the project. Get seashells of various shapes and sizes. Sometimes you will only have a limited supply to work with if you gathered them on your own. Feel free to combine shells you have collected with store bought ones to get the exact look and feel you are looking for. Store purchased shells may also be a more consistent size and shape than ones you collect on the beach yourself, so they can be a great way to keep your jewelry consistent. In addition to the shells, you’ll also need a small drill (a dremel tool or similar drill works well), a needle, string or fishing line, beads to accent the shells and a jewelry clasp of some kind.
With all of your supplies gathered, it is time to start assembling the jewelry. It is best to start with a much longer piece of fishing line than you will actually need. Double the length you need is probably a good place to start so it doesn’t get tangles up when you are making the jewelry. Keep in mind that you may really need the necklace or bracelet to be longer than you originally thought to fit correctly, so you need to have enough extra line or string to accommodate the whole project. When you start the drilling, be sure and consider how they will look when they are actually on the string and hanging on your neck or wrist. The place where you choose to drill will determine how the shell will hang on the jewelry. Another factor to consider here is how tightly you want to pack the shells onto the line. This can also affect how the jewelry looks when it’s finished.
When you have determined that you drilled in the right place in all the shells and you also have a good design or pattern in mind, start putting all of the shells and beads you will be using in the order you plan on using. If you have the space to lay them all out on a flat surface or table that will make it easier to envision the end product. When you are finally ready to start assembling the jewelry, attach the clasp to one end of the fishing line or string and then start putting on the shells and beads. Continue the pattern that you have laid out until all of the shells are on the line or string. Try the bracelet or necklace on for proper length and make adjustments if needed. You may need to add or take away shells, but getting the right fit may take some time to master.