Rare Pearl & Seashell Craft

Hi friends,

We’re continuing our coastal theme today and sharing how to make this cute pearl & seashell from cotton balls and coffee filters. Naomi spent the weekend with family, so Micah joined me in crafting instead! He was excited to look up different shell types, colored pearls, how pearls grow, the time they take to develop, rare types, and the worth they possess. It got me thinking about the little treasures we all raise at home, aren’t they a bit like pearls? They take time to grow and develop, are unique in their own way, have imperfections, and no matter what they look like or grow to be, are valued. The thing that stands out the most about our pearls at home is that NO ONE on the planet is just like them. So, enjoy your little, imperfect, treasures at home and check out how to make your own rare finds.

*Click on photos for closer look

What You'll Need

Paper Plate
(2) Coffee Filters
(3) Cotton Balls
Craft Paint for Pearls & Matching Glitter
Peach/Tan Craft Paint for Shell
Fluffy & Fine Paint Brushes
Pencil
Glue
Scissors
(1) Small Container (for glue mixture)
Paint Tray or Small Containers
(3/4) Cup Water
Optional: Table Cover, Wipes or Wet Rag, Disposable Gloves

The Steps

PEARL

Carefully unroll 2 cotton balls, to create strips, and stretch to widen.

2. In a small container add 1/4 cup of water and enough glue to make a thinned out paste.

optional: wear gloves or use rag/wipes to clean off hands after each messy step.

3. With the larger brush, apply the glue mixture liberally around 1 cotton ball.

4. Use 1 cotton strip to roll around the cotton ball, applying more glue if necessary. Repeat with the last strip and across from the last strip, not in the same direction. Form the pearl with your hands. Save any remaining glue mixture.

Set aside temporarily.

5. Add 1-2 TBSP of water to your paint tray or small containers and a few squirts of paint. Mix.

6. Use the watered out paint and the large brush to paint the cotton balls. Rinse between colors or use different brushes.

7. Place each pearl on its own plate, apply more of the glue mixture, and then sprinkle with matching glitter. Let dry about 10min.

SEASHELLS

Place a thin, medium-sized circle of glue in the center of 1 filter.
Use a second filter over it, matching the ridges before pressing down.
Fold the filters into triangles.

4. With the single fold on the left and the 2 other folds on the right, create a curve starting 1 inch (left & center filter) to 1.5 inches from the point and from the right edge(further below).

Smaller angle & cut= wider seashell; Larger angle & cut= smaller seashell.

5. Cut out.

6. Use a clean area to work on seashells or reuse the old plates by placing the pearls on 1 plate and flipping a used one onto another used one. Now you have a clean space to work on.

7. With the fine brush add stripes of peach or tan to define the seashell ridges.

Optional: Add a bit of watered down glue to the inside of the seashell and sprinkle some iridescent glitter for some shimmer.

8. Add a bit of full-strength glue to the center of the seashell and gently press the pearl.

That’s it!