DIY Network

DIY People: Seashell Wreaths

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DIYer Marge Board creates beautiful wreaths that are highlighted by seashells. Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D

Marge Board has amassed and impressive collection of shells from her oceanside home. She's also found a unique way to display those shells by turning them into wreaths.

Marge begins by gathering the vines with her husband Bill. The main criteria they use for selecting a vine is its thickness. "You have to decide what type of wreath you're going to make, how big you want it to be and and how you're going to use it," Marge explains. "And that will determine what part of the vine you need. It's best to gather a fairly young, green vine that's more pliable and won't break when you begin to bend it (figure A)."

Marge uses garden clippers to cut away branches of the vine that she doesn't need, making the vine more manageable. She then calls in her husband to help shape the main branch. "What you're striving for is a circle," Marge says. "If you're going to do a large vine you'll need another person to help control the vine. You wind it around and around, and then take smaller branches and intertwine them in and around the circle (figure B). The smaller branches actually hold the vine wreath together." Once Marge is satisfied with the shape of the wreath, she uses her clippers to cut away any stray or unwanted pieces of the vines. Then it's time to decorate.

"I'm using sea shells (figure C) because we're shell collectors," Marge explains. "However, you can use a variety of things for decoration such as dried flowers, berries or ribbons." The actual decorating of the wreath is a relatively simple process. Marge uses a hot glue gun to secure the shells to the wreath (figure D). She strives for balance as she works her way around the wreath. Applying large shells first to form the base and then adding smaller shells to fill in gaps. Marge doesn't worry about excess glue spilling out around the shells. When the glue dries, it can be pulled away.

A sea shell wreath is a simple project that only requires a vine, a good pair of garden clippers and gloves, a hot glue gun and seashells. "One tip I have," Marge says, "is to always keep a bowl of ice water handy. It's there for when I get glue on my hands. I just dunk it in the water and the glue comes right off."