Find a pretty seashell…. make a shell necklace! Or make 10 seashell necklaces for all your pretty friends. This seashell necklace craft is remarkably easy and is lovely seashell jewelry that kids will love to wear. Making a necklace with a shell make a sweet keepsake from a treasured vacation or special event.
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Easy Shell Necklace Kids Can Make
If you’re planning a day at the beach anytime soon don’t forget to bring home a pocket full of shells for crafting and making pretty beach style jewelry. There’s nothing that says summer more than wearing a pretty seashell necklace around your neck.
NOTE: If you are visiting a beach that doesn’t allow you to pick up shells and take them home, check out the massive selection of seashells available for crafting.
Finding the Right Shell for Your Own Seashell Necklace
If you find shells with holes in them all the better – no need to make the hole, you can get straight to threading. The best part of making a seashell necklace is that each one is unique.
Related: More fun beach crafts for kids of all ages
How to Make a Shell Necklace
Supplies Needed to Make a Necklace from a Seashell
Directions to Make a Shell Necklace
Watch Our Short DIY Seashell Necklace Tutorial Video
Step 1 – Select the Perfect Shell
Select the seashell you want to use as the center of your shell necklace and inspect it for small holes or areas where it is thinner.
Step 2 – How to Drill a Hole in the Seashell
To make a hole in the seashell all you need to do is tap a nail or a screw very gently into the shell with a hammer to make a pilot hole.
Once you’ve broken through you need to make the hole bigger, big enough to to feed the wax cord, wool or chain you want to wear the seashell on.
So very gently again take a screw or nail between your fingers and wiggle it around in the hole to gently file away and enlarge the opening.
You can also use a drill to make this process faster.
Step 3 – Put Your Necklace Together
Thread the necklace cord or chain through the hole and add beads and embellishments as desired.
Tip: You might like to layer a few shells on together, add some little beads, pom poms or any other decoration that tickles your fancy. Your necklace, your style!
Step 4 – Finish the Necklace Craft
Tie the ends of your necklace cord together for the desired necklace length. You may want to add a necklace clasp or necklace closure piece to your necklace cord.
Related: Learn how to make this DIY jewelry!
Finished Shell Necklace Craft
I absolutely love the finished seashell necklace that looks like a seashell locket! We have also used this as a simple slumber party craft that everyone can take home to wear the next day.
Active Time
5 minutes
Total Time
5 minutes
Difficulty
easy
Estimated Cost
$1
Materials
- Seashell
- Wax cord, plastic cord, string, wool yarn or chain for necklace
- (Optional) beads
- (Optional) necklace clasp or closure
Tools
- Pointed end screw or nail and hammer or a drill
Instructions
- Make a hole in your seashell for the necklace cord to go through. Start by checking for a small hole that you can expand. Gently take a screw or nail and gently tap to make a small hole.
- To expand the hole, take a screw or nail and wiggle it around gently. You can also use a drill to create the hole.
- String the shell onto your necklace cord and embellish with beads, etc.
- Tie the cord or add a necklace closure.
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How did your beach shell necklace turn out?
