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sea shell craft: simple, sea shell salt dough pretties

home / Activities / crafts / sea shell craft: simple, sea shell salt dough pretties
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seashell craft: salt dough pretties

Every time we go to the beach, we end up coming home with a boatload of shells.

And why wouldn’t we?ย  It’s one of our favorite things to do at the shore–collect sea shells during long walks by the water.

But at this point, we’ve done a whole lot with these little beachy guys–I was looking for something a little new and a lot different.ย  I knew we wanted us to keep the shells, but I also wanted the kids to be able to admire and share them.

And at this point, we have more than enough pets in the house, so Shell Pets wasn’t an option.ย  Though my kiddos do like a cute, good-natured, well-trained Rock Pet.ย  (Hey, and so do I.)

So instead of making beachy frames, instead of displaying them in a pretty glass jar or vase, and instead of using them as game pieces or counters, we made pretty keepsakes that we can share, paint, and use to remember our trip.

We tried a very simple recipe for an old-standby–salt dough–and we paired it with our seashell finds to create a really simple, really pretty, quite versatile summertime Sea Shell craft: Simple Sea Shell Salt dough pretties.ย 

Pretty little trinkets to display in our house or to share with our family.

Here’s the skinny. . .

  • Sea Shell Craft–Simple Sea Shell Salt Dough Pretties: I’ve wanted to make salt dough for some time now, so this was a great opportunity.

After our pumpkin play dough flop, I was a bit wary of any ‘play dough’ recipes, though I’m pretty convinced it was my mistake that made our play dough flop.

 

seashell craft: salt dough pretties

First, we cleaned our shells. . . and rocks.

sea shell craft: simple, sea shell salt dough pretties

And then we started on the salt dough.

 

Anyway, I remembered seeing a super-simple recipe for salt dough, so we tried it:

Salt Dough:

2 cups flour

1 cup salt

cold water–about 1/2 cup but add more if mixture’s too dry

How to: mix ingredients

My kind of recipe.

So Maddy, Owen, Cora, and I cleaned off our shells and set them out to dry.

Then we created our Salt Dough.ย  And it was so easy, I wanted to dance.ย  And it worked so well, I wanted to dance.ย  And the kids loved it so much, I wanted to dance.ย  It was a happy morning.

sea shell craft: simple, sea shell salt dough pretties

The kids added ingredients–all three of them–

seashell craft: salt dough pretties

and then they mixed and mixed and mixed. . .

sea shell craft: simple, sea shell salt dough pretties

. . . and came out with the most perfect salt dough ever.

We gathered a few recyclable items–small fruit cups, an egg carton, and an apple container from the huge discount store.ย  We also grabbed a few yogurt cups and butter containers.ย  The idea was that we’d form the dough into the containers and then decorate it with our shells.

Very simple.

 

sea shell craft: simple, sea shell salt dough pretties

We liked how the fruit cups had ‘fancy’ edges’ –we thought it would look cool when dried.

sea shell craft: simple, sea shell salt dough pretties

The apple carton makes a great mold for this shell craft–and so many other things!

And before we knew it, we had a boatload of fancy shells all stuck in salt dough, ready to dry.

We waited about 24 hours for them to mostly dry, and then we popped them out of their containers and set them on a drying rack out on the porch.ย  We let them dry completely and then. . . our Sea Shell Salt Dough Pretties were finished!

I liked how they looked plain, but Maddy and Cora thought they’d look great painted. I think we’ll squeeze in some painting–if they want to–sometime this week.ย  Before school starts. Boo-hoo.

 

sea shell craft: simple, sea shell salt dough pretties

I love how these turned out. . .

sea shell craft: simple, sea shell salt dough pretties

. . . simple, pretty. . .

sea shell craft: simple, sea shell salt dough pretties

ย . . . seashell memories–perfect for a dresser, nightstand, or coffee table.

And that’s it! Sneaky, summertime crafting in the name of beachy memories. . . not a whole lot of learning but a whole lot of laughing–and hopefully smiling when we look at our Sea Shell Salt Dough Pretties and remember our awesome beach week!

And though they’re hardly perfect–and hardly fancy-schmancy, I love their simplicity and free form.ย  I love that the kids had a chance to re-use some recyclables, to see their sea shells added to a pretty cool craft, and that they worked together to make the super-sssschweeeeet salt dough.

Woot!

Happy crafting!

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About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

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Comments

  1. Kathy

    March 1, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    Did the shells stay in the dough after the dough dried?

    Reply
    • amy mascott

      March 2, 2014 at 8:50 pm

      yes!

      Reply

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Celebrate, we will! โ€˜Cause life is short but sweet for certain. . . 

What a weekend. So incredibly proud of all of these talented athletes!

๐Ÿ† 3rd in the state of Maryland for @sherwoodcheerleading ๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿค

UMD Womenโ€™s Basketball won todayโ€” great job by @marylandcheer โค๏ธ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ–ค

#lovethesegirls #cheerweekend #marylandlife #lifeinmaryland #moco
View
Open
This Sugarfina Advent Calendar is what your teens want. 

$33 shipped TO YOUR DOOR w my 10% off and FREE SHIPPING!

Normally itโ€™s $60! 

I have been sharing my fave, super-COOL, Advent Calendars for teens and adults in my stories today!

This one right here was ours from last year, and we โค๏ธ LOVED it!

It is made by @sugarfina and each day we were surprised with FABULOUS sweet treats! 

Good-bye to the ole, crappy, tinfoil chocolates. Weโ€™re taking fun, new, and different candies each day of the month!

Grab it here: zulily.gfpv.net/MX9Ngn

#linkinbio @zulily #adventcalendars #adventforteens
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Hey #MoCo Voters, Itโ€™s #ElectionDay2022! 

Do you need a ride to the polls? If you do, @VOTE411 and @lyft has got you covered! 

So, #NoExcuses. Get out there and make your voice heard!

#VotePlan #VoteReady #expectus #MomsDemandAction #appleballot #MCEA
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Get out and VOTE. 

Please. 

Not sure where to vote? https://www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/

#midtermelections #getoutandvote๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ #linkinbio
View
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Did you have a chance to join my IG live today?

It was a rainy, gross Sunday here in Maryland, and I shared one of my top picks for the holidaysโ€”> LEGO but for BIG KIDS. 

Or GRANDPARENTS. 

Or PARENTS. 

Actually ANY grown-up who likes to unplug once in a while and CREATE. 

I showed how I was doing with the LEGO Flower Bouquet (๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒบ๐Ÿ’๐ŸŒผ) and how many other awesome sets are 15% off and FREE SHIPPING (yayyyyy!!) over on @zulily ๐Ÿ’œ. 

Check it out. Theyโ€™ve got a ton of sets to choose from, like 
Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Friends, Disney, Mario Brosโ€”you name it. 

Find them here: https://zulily.gfpv.net/jWqkmn

Fab prices + free shipping = BIG WIN. 

#linkinbio #ad #LEGOforgrownups #everyonelovesLEGO #holidaypicks
View
Open
LEGO at 15% off and FREE SHIPPING! 

Check out the AWESOME set that is PERFECT for teens, grandparents, and ANY grownup who likes to create! 

This bouquet will last forever!

๐ŸŒผ๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒบ๐Ÿ’

Use this link โ€”> zulily.gfpv.net/jWqkmn

#bestgiftsforkids #grandparentgifts #ad #LEGOforgrownups @zulily
View
Open
WHAT HAS ARRIVED FROM @zulily !?

Since Zulily carries such a vast array of items, it could be ANYthing: 

๐Ÿ’œ boutique-style clothes or shoes

๐Ÿค brand-name clothing & shoes

๐Ÿ’œ toys

๐Ÿค books or magazines 

๐Ÿ’œ pantry items, snacks, & treats

๐Ÿค haircare or cosmetics 

๐Ÿ’œ pet toys, treats, or accessories 

๐Ÿค personalized gifts

๐Ÿ’œ houseplants, seeds, or bulbs

๐Ÿค basics for kids through adults

๐Ÿ’œ craft supplies and kits

๐Ÿค furniture or home goods

๐Ÿ’œ designer handbags, sunglasses, or belts

๐Ÿค luxury items and gifts

๐Ÿ’œ sports equipment 

๐Ÿค sports gear for ALL fansโ€”NFL, MLB, NCAA, you name it

๐Ÿ’œ small appliances & kitchen items

๐Ÿค towels, sheets, blankets, linens

๐Ÿ’œ home storage & organization items

๐Ÿค coats, hats, scarves 

๐Ÿ’œ just about anything you can imagine!

Follow my stories for the deals and steals for families and educators, or check the Zulily Highlight!

Especially nowโ€”as we move into the exciting holiday seasonโ€”I will more frequently share items, and they will MOVE QUICKLY! 

So make sure you are checking in regularly, and pleaseโ€”if you are looking for specific items and a specific price point, let me know! 

I am happy to do some research to help you out!

๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’œ

#zulilypartner #linkinbio #ad #holiday #giftgiving bestgifts

Want to check it out for yourself? zulily.gfpv.net/teachmama
View
Open
๐ŸŸฆ๐ŸŸฅ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸจ

THE best toy for kidsโ€”and classrooms!โ€”is on sale right now. 

The 101-piece PicassoTile Building Set (WITH CARRYING CASE!)
is only $34.99 on Zulily WITH an extra 15% off!

Stock upโ€”think: teachers, daycare providers, classrooms!
AND birthdays, holidays or rainy days!

This is a toy that I cannot recommend highly enoughโ€”perfect for littles through elemor middle school. 

From a tween I know and love: The *click* of the magnetic blocks is so satisfying, and honestly, theyโ€™re just really fun and relaxing to use. 

๐ŸŸฆ๐ŸŸช๐ŸŸง๐ŸŸฉ

hereโ€™s the link that will get you AN ADDITIONAL 15% off โ€”> zulily.gfpv.net/JrDdbE

And remember: FREE SHIPPING ON orders of $89+

#ad #linkinbio #besttoysforkids #dealoftheday

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