Ocean-inspired DIY art

I’ve got a little DIY art project to share with you today. Whenever we go to the ocean, I always pick up shells and stones that catch my eye. Then they come home with me and sit in a bag in my closet. I needed to do something with the shells so I could actually see & enjoy them. So I came up with this little project using sand dollars and an oyster shell that I found, and a small starfish that I bought last year in Maine. All it took was some paint samples from Sherwin Williams, Ribba shadow box frames from Ikea, and 3D foam adhesive squares.

I cut the paint chip samples slightly bigger than the openings in the mats and taped them to the backs of the mats. Then I attached the sand dollars and starfish to the paint chips with the 3D foam adhesive squares (the oyster shell is heavier and required hot glue to make it stick).

   

And the final product.

  

After these frames were done, I picked up a mirrored frame at HomeSense. It was on sale for $7.00 because it was missing the back piece. Easy to fix – I just cut a piece of cardboard to size. Then I put a paint chip sample into the frame and attached the sand dollar to the front of the glass with the scrapbooking 3D foam adhesive squares.

And voila, easy & inexpensive DIY art that reminds me of my trips to the ocean. You could do the same thing with any small mementoes or keepsakes – keys, brooches, coins, concert tickets… get creative and have some fun :-)

Linking up to Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch and Fabulous Feature Friday Free For All at Five Days… 5 Ways. And thank you to The Arts and Crafts Today for including my project as one of their top stories for today :-)