Making Shells Pretty

 The New Jersey ocean produces a lot of shells, especially in Ocean County where I live.

My friend Debi, who does my nails each month joined a group on Facebook where people share pictures of shells they have painted and or decorated.

The shells can be hand painted or decorated with a paper napkin.

So far I have been using napkins but as the winter evolves, and I have more time, 

I would like to paint them.

Debi gave me the instructions on how to use a napkin to decorate them.

She has also been giving me both shells and napkins, I am so grateful to her.

Items Needed:

A Paper Napkin

Sea Shell

Disposable Paint Brush

Mod Podge

Any Scissors

Separate the paper napkin you are going to use from the white backing...

Apply a very thin layer of Mod Podge to the shell...

Lay the napkin on the shell and smooth out as many wrinkles as you can, 

you will not be able to get them all.

Turn the shell over and cut off the excess...

apply another thin layer of Mod Podge over the napkin on the shell.

Oven bake at 150 degrees for 10 - 15 minutes.

The hubs sprays these for me with a clear "Rust-oleum Spray, 2x Ultra Cover Gloss Clear" spray,

this step is not totally necessary, but it makes them have a brighter shine. 

Some people hide these shells all over the shore, and even in different states,

 with a message inside to post a picture on the Jersey Shore Shells page on Facebook.

The message reads that you can either keep the shell or re-hide it.

I have this "older" cookie tin that I keep all of my supplies in.

These are a few of the others I have made!

A lot of the shells have deep ridges, like the Thanksgiving one, I try not to use those as much now!