Sanibel-Captiva Daily

Sanibel Seashell Wreaths

Say Hello to our new Tip Guru, Melinda Graham from Surroundings by Melinda. Melinda is known as a “lifestyle expert” from her successful media career and vast knowledge of creative home décor. We are honored to have Melinda as the newest member of our tip page on the SanibelCaptiva Daily.com. So check out her first tip below, Do it Yourself Seashell Wreath or Click Here to check out the tip page!

Grapevine wreath form
Silk flowers and greenery of your choice
Dried filler flowers (optional)
Shells, sea urchins, starfish, sand dollars
Spanish moss
Ribbon

Hot glue gun
Glue sticks
Scissors
Wire snips
Spray paint, white or off white.

Step 2. Begin by placing flowers and greenery to determine spacing of your materials. Then, glue silk greenery and flowers in place using a hot glue gun. Some silk flowers have very stiff wire stems, use wire snips to cut to appropriate length. Add silk products first then dried products. Pick a starting point and work in one direction filling the entire wreath.

TIP…Keep a bowl of cold water near by. If you should drip any glue on your hand or fingers, immediately dip into the cold water to avoid getting a burn.

Step 3. Use the Spanish moss to fill in any spaces or use it to cover any unsightly glue that is showing.

TIP…Prop wreath, instead of working from a flat work surface, so you can better see the complete composition.

Step 4. Glue the shell material in place last. Apply a good quantity of hot glue to the shell material then hold in place until dry. You can always go back and use the Spanish moss to cover the glue.

TIP…It is a good idea to coat porous shell materials, sand dollars and sea urchins, with a sealer. You can use a spray polyurethane or create a home made sealer by mixing 1 part craft glue to 1 part water. Paint the mixture over the shell, coating completely and allow to dry before using it in a project.

Step 4. Tie a piece of ribbon securely on the back to hang the wreath.

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