How to decoupage oyster shells using tissue paper, Mod Podge, gold paint and clean oyster shells. This easy craft will make you want to collect more oyster shells just to have some fun with this cute crafty idea. Use as a ring/jewelry/trinket holder for a pretty accent!
Today’s post is a fun craft idea. I’m not a big crafter, but occasionally something comes along that catches my attention and I loved this one and thought you would too. This oyster shell craft has been around a long time and I’m definitely not the first blogger to share it, but since I just did them for the first time, I’m sharing with you too. I’ve noticed them all over the place the last few years and many of them are sold in online shops.
Happy May Day! A few weeks ago, I went with a local friend of mine, Pat, to a women’s retreat in St. Simons, GA. Being in a coastal area and as part of the weekend activities, Pat had a local to St. Simons gal come by and share this craft with the ladies. When I heard we were going to do these, I was very excited because I’ve seen these oyster shell ring holders for sale on sites and knew they had to be easy to make. And they are!
These are the 3 oyster shells I made over on that weekend craft adventure. I thought they were so cute, so I brought home extra oyster shells she had offered to make more. The gal that did the crafts is Small Town Table. Angie is the sweetest single mom and she has an online business of gift boxes and DIY crafts. She’s got spa gift sets, subscription boxes, soaps and more. You can find her DIY Oyster Shell Craft box here for $15 if you want to try this craft at home and don’t want to go and buy all the components. One box will do many oyster shells. I still have plenty of the materials left from my box. Many of us probably have oyster shells at home from collecting shells for years. Be sure your oyster shells have been cleaned thoroughly before painting them.
Let’s get started and be sure and save my collage for future reference. It’s so easy, you’ll want to do many of them.
I had 4 extra oyster shells I brought home to do more crafts with. Her kit contains the brushes, white paint, gold paint and decoupage (Mod Podge) that you need for this.
Step One: Paint your oyster shell with white craft paint especially if it has dark spots. You don’t want those to bleed through your paper. Let dry.
Angie provided us with several options in tissue paper. The thin paper is best for projects like this. I had the bird napkins left over from my Easter egg decoupage project I did a couple years ago.
Painted white and drying.
Step 2: After the white paint has dried, paint the interior of the shell with Mod Podge. You can use Matte or glossy, your preference. Cut out a rough shape of your oyster shell on the tissue paper/napkin. If you use napkins, be sure and remove the white outer layer and just use the colored part. Press down with your paintbrush and mold it to the shell.
Step 3: Add more Mod Podge on top of the paper and spread it around with your paintbrush, brushing down the edges and smoothing out as best you can.
Step 4: Once you have it smoothed down and sticking well to the edges, make sure it’s plenty wet with Mod Podge and then begin tearing the extra napkin/tissue paper away from the shell edge. It will tear easily when damp.
Once the edges are sealed down let it all dry well. Don’t worry about little imperfections in the napkin or tissue paper, they will dry flat and look great.
Step 5: Let it all dry well before the last step (or if you’re in a hurry I found the gold paint is fine to go ahead and paint on the edge, then let it all dry). But if you have extra time, let it all dry well. I did that with this batch and came back to them all dry.
Step 6: Get out your gold paint and paintbrush and brush along the edges of the paper, giving the oyster shells a gleaming look. Be sure and cover the hinge part of the shell as it’s usually bigger. It’s so easy to just use your paintbrush and dab on the gold paint for a finished look to the shell.
Enjoy your finished trinket shell/ring holder. They are so cute, it was fun figuring out which designs I wanted to go on each shell. These will all be one of a kind and a fun project to do with those little girls in your life.
Each shell has a different shape, some are flatter and some are more rounded with a deeper scoop in the middle, but they are all fun and unique. I’ll give some of these away to my family and friends and keep a couple for myself. I love them all!
What do you think, is this a craft project you’d like to try? It’s really so easy that anyone can do it! These oyster shells have been quite the rage the last few years, have you noticed?
Loved this craft, how fun and different.
Cute idea, have not seen this craft.
That is a really cute craft! I spied your park hill candle….. love those candles!
Yes, it smells so good. It was a gift from a friend!
I’m going to get shells next time we go to our favorite seafood restaurant! Those are beautiful. Still love the blue & white Easter eggs I made during the lockdown following your directions! 💕
They are so fun!
Haven’t seen those around here. Did you use acrylic paint or some other type?
Hi, Lisa, just regular craft paint, I think it’s acrylic and Mod Podge.
Love this craft! I have plenty of oyster shells so I have no excuse not to try this craft! But I have also bought several of these decorated oyster shells for myself and for gifts! Thanks for the instructions!
I love this craft. I plan to try to have a Beach Christmas Tree this year. The ornaments are quite high so I am going to try to start early, find some coastal napkins and get started. Got to get the shells first. Didn’t think about all our seafood restaurants having them. I was thinking I’d have to pilfer driveways little by little. I hope I don’t fall through on this. Thanks for sharing these crafts.
I love these! I have a bucket of shells I was saving for the right project. I hope to make a pineapple wall hanging, as well. Thanks for sharing the step-by step instructions. Looks like an easy project!
These are so lovely and a great idea. These will make great gifts to make. Thank You for sharing.
How fun! I’ve always wanted to know how to make these.
Thanks for sharing how to make these decorative oyster shells! I saw these in a gift shop in Duck, NC this past spring, and loved them. They were expensive! Cant wait to try them on my own…now to find oyster shells!
Such a sweet idea! Will definitely try this. Thanks!
Planning on having a wine and craft night soon using your tutorial. I’ll likely send out invites with the suggestion to purchase Angie’s kit from Small Town Table – a great one and done!
What a wonderful way to make little birthday gifts, stocking stuffers, or those secret Santa gifts that no one else will have (and to keep some for myself)!
Hi, Terri, you will love them and how easy they are!
I tried for two days now to order the oyster shell kit to no avail.
Any suggestions? Thanks!
HI, Jacqui, so sorry I have no idea. I thought her shop was set up for orders. Maybe message her on her Instagram page and see if she can help you. https://www.instagram.com/smalltowntable/
I LOVE these! I first saw them at a store in Rome, GA. I fell in love with them. What does the back look like? Are the shells painted gold on the back?
No I just left mine as they were on the back, plain oyster shells. But you could paint them gold if you wanted.
I have been doing these for quite some time and have been successful selling them. Napkin rings, wine stoppers, and jewelry keepers.
Do i need to seal these shells after decoupage ?
They turned out adorable !!
Hi, Joy, no need to seal at all. The decoupage does that.
Should you paint the outside or the “bottom” of the oyster shell?
Hi, you can if you want, but it’s not necessary. The ones I’ve seen are not painted.