Sea Shell Angels on Driftwood
Clam shells are ordinary, not the most prized of shell collectors. Driving to Rhode Island with my mother and grandmother on the way to the cedar shingled cottage, we always stopped at a restaurant that had a giant mountain of clam shells in it's back yard. And when I say mountain, I mean this thing had to be 20 ft. high by 20 ft. wide at least. I looked longingly out at that pile while dutifully eating my own fried clams and couldn't wait to burst out the door with my brother to climb that pile of shells. And since it was the 70's, nobody yelled at us (it was our fault if we fell and cut ourselves). I remember the crunch of the first step and the sliding back two steps for every advance, trying to play king of the mountain with my brother. I always stuffed my pockets full before we left and now I never pass up a nice looking clam shell on the beach either.
These angels are both clam or scallop shells and I used wood shavings for hair, a very unique material that gives them a bit of a hippie look. My husband gets regular requests from me when he's in his shop to "SAVE the shavings!!" But you can also use wool or any number of materials. I also make these as individuals and give them away as Christmas ornaments.
These angels are both clam or scallop shells and I used wood shavings for hair, a very unique material that gives them a bit of a hippie look. My husband gets regular requests from me when he's in his shop to "SAVE the shavings!!" But you can also use wool or any number of materials. I also make these as individuals and give them away as Christmas ornaments.
Materials List
Large Scallop or Clam shell
2 Wings: smaller shells, milkweed pods or dried flowers
Hair: wood shavings or wool or string
Arms: cinnamon sticks
Sphagnum moss or Spanish moss for collar
Wooden bead measured to size for the head
Dried flowers for decoration (optional)
Large Scallop or Clam shell
2 Wings: smaller shells, milkweed pods or dried flowers
Hair: wood shavings or wool or string
Arms: cinnamon sticks
Sphagnum moss or Spanish moss for collar
Wooden bead measured to size for the head
Dried flowers for decoration (optional)
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Wooden beads of various sizes is a must for this project.
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There is nothing like crafting with cinnamon sticks! A most heavenly scent.
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Working with shells? You NEED a good glue gun!
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Glue the moss collar on, then glue down the wooden bead head.
Glue the wings of choice to the back. This can be tricky, hold the wing in place until the glue has set.
Glue on the hair and the cinnamon stick arms. If your sticks are too long you can use wire cutters to snap/pinch them to the right length. Then pick off the strings of glue and fiddleybits that don't belong.
Make several different kinds of angels and carefully glue them to the driftwood board.
Early morning walks of the beach with a cup of tea, finding treasures...Is there anything else like it?