While we were at the beach, tropical storm Baryl came through town. It was pretty short-lived, but it washed up a bunch of interesting shells onto shore.

We took a long walk as a family (my parents, siblings and wee ones) picking up cool shells and poking at all of the jellyfish. I didn't take too many home with me, except for a few that I wanted to use for supplies for projects. I thought it would be fun to make my own memento of our family vacation to the beach.

I thought dipping shells would be the perfect way to include sea shells into my wardrobe and personality. It's also a great way to use some funky-shaped shells. Read more for the tutorial (it also includes helpful tips on working with corded leather!).

DIPPED Shell Necklace

Supplies:

• 1mm leather cording (or hemp)
• nail polish
• shells with holes
• scissors
• tape

I looked for shells with holes already bored into the tops. It's not hard at all to find these. The more irregular the holes, the better! Tape off the area for painting. Paint with your desired nail color in strokes parallel to the shell's ridges and away from the tape so you don't get any paint under the tape. Allow to partially dry before removing tape, a minute or two. Tie knots with the end of each around the middle of the other. You can see this technique here and here. If your cording is coiling and not laying flat, iron underneath a scrap of cotton on high with steam. Allow to sit a couple minutes before moving. Thread the middle through the hole. Thread the knotted end through the middle loop.  

• OR •

Cut your piece of cording to the desired length and knot the ends together. Thread the middle of the cording through the bottom side of the shell, and stopping as the knot hits the hole of the shell. This is good for shells with small holes. Wear or give away to a friend!