To make a pendant necklace, choose a medium shell with an interesting shape or color. You can also decorate a pendant necklace with smaller shells, but make sure they match or complement the design, color, and shape of the centerpiece. [2] X Research source Another option is to create a bold necklace with lots of medium-sized shells, which can either be distributed evenly around a cord or clustered together at the bottom.
Select decorations that complement the size, shape, and color of your shells. Make sure to match the embellishments with the type of cord you use as well.
To create a piece of fine art, choose a metal chain in gold or silver.
In case you don’t have a drill, you can use a nail or screw and a hammer to make holes. Jewelry findings that you may need include jump rings to attach the shells to the cord, and a clasp mechanism to close the necklace. Findings are optional if you’re using string or cord, as you can choose to wrap the cord and tie the necklace instead. With metal necklace chains, you likely won’t have to worry about a clasp, as this will already be attached.
Hold the shell against a flat surface and use light pressure to drill a small hole in the shell. Start drilling on the inside and work your way out. [5] X Research source If you don’t have a drill, make an initial hole by using a hammer to gently tap the head of a screw or nail through the shell. Once you have a small hole, turn the head of the nail or screw back and forth inside the hole until it’s large enough to accommodate the jump ring or your twine. [6] X Research source
Repeat this step for every shell you’ll be stringing on your necklace. For added interest, you can hang more than one shell, charm, or bead on each jump ring.
While your necklace doesn’t have to be symmetrical, it should be balanced. For instance, instead of matching a large shell on one side with a large shell on the other, consider balancing the large shell with two or three small shells.
On each end of the necklace, attach a crimp, followed by the clasp end. Loop the excess cord or wire back through the crimp. Pull it tightly so the clasp and crimp are touching, and are butted up firmly against the final bead or shell. Continue holding the excess cord firmly as you use the pliers to crimp the metal crimp in place. Use scissors or wire cutters to cut the excess cord.
The type of metal, such as silver or gold, is a matter of preference. Choose something that will complement your shell selection.
This necklace will have two focal points: a cluster of three medium shells in the center of the upper chain, and the conical shell at the center of the lower chain. The 10 smaller shells will be distributed evenly around the focal point shells.
Use the pliers to attach a jump ring to each of the 10 smaller shells. Do not close the jump rings yet. With the three medium shells, arrange them all on a single jump ring, but don’t close the ring.
Hold the wire in the center by pinching it with your index finger and thumb. Wrap the wire around the tip of your index finger and twist the two pieces together three times to form a small loop at the center of the wire. Spread the two wire ends out and position the middle of the fat top (not the pointed end) of the conical shell where the twist is. Begin wrapping the two wires around the shell at an angle, forming stripes like on a candy cane. When you’ve wrapped the entire shell right down to the tip, twist the wires around each other three times to secure them in place. Separate the remaining wire ends. With the pliers, grab the tip of one wire and fold it back on itself. Then grab the folded end and roll it back on itself again. Continue doing this until you reach the twist and there’s no more wire to roll. The excess wire should look like a spiral. Repeat with the other wire end.
Repeat with the 10 small shells. On the lower chain, attach three small shells to the chain on either side of the conical shell. On both sides, place the first shell two inches from the center, then the next shell another two inches from that shell, and the third shell another two inches away. Repeat with the upper chain, using only two shells on either side of the center shells.
Seashells play an important role in coastal ecosystems, and provide homes to algae, birds, and hermit crabs. Removing shells from the beach can have a detrimental impact on the creatures that rely on them. [10] X Research source If you really want to collect your own shells, only take a couple from each beach, and never take shells from highly visited beaches where others are often collecting shells. Always inspect each shell to ensure a hermit crab hasn’t claimed it for a home. [11] X Research source Shells are also a byproduct of the fishing industry, and there are some shell suppliers that only obtain shells from these producers. Buying shells from these producers could have less of an impact than purchasing ones collected from beaches.
Fill a bowl with one part bleach and three parts water. [12] X Research source Soak the shells for anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours, until the leathery covering—called the periostracum—comes off. [13] X Research source When the shells are clean, use a soft cloth or soft-bristled toothbrush to give them a gentle scrub, then rinse them well with clean water. Allow the shells to dry.
Since you’ll be using the shells for jewelry, another option is to protect them with a thin coat of satin-finish polyurethane varnish. Apply a light layer of varnish to the inside and outside of the shells using a clean paintbrush. Allow the varnish to dry completely. [15] X Research source
