Seashell souvenirs

Hands-on time: Less than an hour.
Total time: Needs to dry overnight.
Skill: Easy, and kid-friendly.
Cost estimate: Less than $7.00.

Materials & Tools

• Cement mixture (available at hardware stores)
• An old spoon and bowl for mixing the cement
• Sand dollar, assorted seashells, and rocks
• Square tin tray, 6" x 6" x 3/4" thick (the kind used to place candles on, available at dollar stores)
• Foil paper, or plastic wrap to use as a liner

Seashell souvenirs are not only fun to make, they also make magnificent bathroom and bedroom décor accents to enjoy all year round. This project is all about collecting seashells and rocks along the beach and turning these simple treasures into fabulous holiday souvenirs.

Just mix the cement mixture according to the instructions on the product box and pour into the square tin tray after it has been lined with foil paper or plastic wrap. Add the sand dollar at the center and small rocks by pressing them in with the palm of your hand until they are secure. Then, decorate with tiny sea shells by simply pressing them in around the main elements.

To prevent cracks while drying, cover the seashell casting with a humid cloth during the drying period. Allow to dry for 12 hours before removing from the tin trays. Carefully turn over the tray in the palm of one hand and remove the foil or plastic liner, and there you have your souvenir treasure.

Tip

• Don't let the square tray stop you. Experiment with what you have available on hand at home or on holidays. Sprinkling a little sand over the seashell souvenir will add a touch of fantasy to your holiday keepsake. The square-shaped seashell souvenirs fit well on small wooden easels and make a wonderful display on hall or living room tables. You can even replace the sand dollar with a starfish, or whatever else you may happen to find on the beach. Just make sure that the starfish is fully dried.