How many oyster shell trinket dishes can one person use?  After making quite a few of these beauties during quarantine, I started coming up with some other ways to use these decorative pieces.

Living in a spot where oyster shells are readily available makes it easy to go a little overboard when using them in a craft!  I love the way the shells come out when decoupaged, so I needed to start coming up with some additional uses for them other then what I’ve done in the past.

There are plenty of ways to use masses of shells – in a wreath…or, even as I have shown you in the past – as ground cover in place of mulch – but this time, I am utilizing shells in a way that highlights each one individually.  Because, once decoupaged, each oyster shell is so unique and beautiful, a great way to highlight an individual one is to make it into a necklace, using the shell as a pendant.

After the shell is decoupaged (full tutorial here), simply add it to a chain or a piece of leather.  Here, I have added beads to a chain.  Wooden beads are also a great choice – some natural colored wood beads highlighted with a few painted gold would have set off this shell nicely!

The only real challenge with creating a necklace is to add a hole to the shell.  I say challenge because of the shape and texture of the shell.  Caution is required so that the tool you are using does not slip.  And, because of the texture of the shell, caution is also required so as not to split the shell while drilling.

I made this necklace to go with one of my favorite sweaters…just need to add some gold sandals and white jeans and I have a super OOTD!

Probably the best and safest way to make a hole in a shell is with a Dremel using water.  Because of quarantine, the only tool I had available for my project was a regular drill.  I used a masonry bit and held the shell with some pliers so that if the drill slipped, it wouldn’t drill through my hand!  Like I said, caution is required!

If you plan on making a habit of putting holes in shells, I suggest you purchase a Dremel and follow the instructions very carefully!

Decoupage shells in colors/patterns that coordinate with your wardrobe and create some great statement necklaces!

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie