Beach Themed Craft Ideas: Seashell Hurricane Candle Centerpieces

Whether you are having a seashore or beach themed wedding, or just adding charm to a room in your home, these simple and chic centerpieces are simply stunning! Make one or several to create a theme.

For this project, you will need:

– A variety of two inch, semi flat seashells

– A length of unwaxed candle wick

– Drill press

– Hot glue gun and glue sticks

– Sand

– Votive candles

– Glass cylinder vase that is at least six inches tall by three and three quarters diameter (such as the ones found here online at Save-On-Crafts)

– Delta PermEnamel Air Dry Surface Conditioner

– Delta PermEnamel Air Dry Paint in Mediterranean Blue

– Delta PermEnamel Clear Gloss Glaze

– Sponge brush

– Soap and water

– Paper towels

Start by first washing the glass cylinder with hot water and soap. Dry the glass well and completely with paper towels. With the sponge brush, apply a thick coat of Delta PermEnamel Air Dry Surface Conditioner and allow it to dry for about an hour. Apply two thick coats of Delta PermEnamel Air Dry Paint in Mediterranean Blue. Let this glass set for an additional hour. Finally, add a thick coat of Delta PermEnamel Clear Gloss Glaze. Allow the glass to dry overnight before continuing.

With the drill press, drill a two millimeter hole at the top of each of the seashells. This is best done with a hand drill press. If one is not readily available, check with your local carpentry shop where one can be purchased or the holes can be drilled for you. Due to the delicate nature of the seashells, using an electric or battery operated tool is not advised.

Gently wipe the dust off of each of the shells. Take one of the shells and loop a one inch piece of unwaxed candle wick through the hole. Tie a knot to secure. Repeat with three remaining shells.

Heat up your hot glue gun and glue sticks. Adhere the seashell and wick combinations together by placing a wick to the inside bottom of each seashell and securing with glue. Repeat this with all four shells in a chain like fashion. (I.e. wick, shell, wick attached to back of shell, shell, another wick attached to back of shell, etc.) Glue the top wick to the top of the glass cylinder and allow it to dry.

Repeat the process, making vertical rows around the glass cylinder until the entire holder is completely filled with shells. (Note: If the shell strands are too long for the cylinder, feel free to adjust the length of wick and number of seashells included.)

Fill the holder three quarters full with fine grain beach sand. Place in three to four white votive candles in and light. Enjoy!