Make a Beachy-Chic Shell-Covered Urn
Add easy-breezy beachy style to an indoor or outdoor space by crafting this custom shell-covered container. Fill with flowers or a potted plant to create a coastal-inspired centerpiece.
![DIY Sea Shell Centerpiece DIY Sea Shell Centerpiece](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-seashell-planter-beauty-horiz.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1456593256298.jpeg)
Materials Needed
large neutral colored urn
assorted sea shells (collected on vacation or from your local craft store)
sand dollars in various sizes
hot glue gun and glue sticks
Sort Shells
Sort shells before you start, grouping like shells together as it'll be easier to create designs on the urn using one type of shell at a time.
![DIY Sea Shell Centerpiece To keep costs down, buy shells in assortment packs-any craft store carries them. Sort them before you start, grouping like shells together as it’ll be easier to create designs on the urn using one type of shell at a time.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-seashell-planter-Step1.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1456593260332.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
Add Shells
Starting in one area of the urn, attach a row of a single type of shells using the hot glue gun. Place a bead of hot glue around the back of the shell then push it into place (Image 1). It helps to let the shape of your particular container and the shell dictate your design (Image 2). At the base of the urn, leave a little space, so the shells' edges don't chip off or scratch the surface of the table (Image 3). Remember to rotate the shells in different directions, both for visual interest and better coverage (Image 4).
![Start in one area of the urn and begin by adding a simple row of similar looking shells using the hot glue gun. You’re essentially creating bands up and down the urn- using one particular type of shell. Place a bead of hot glue onto the perimeter of the shell then push it into place on the urn. It helps to let the shape of your particular vessel and the shell dictate your design. At the base of the urn, leave a little space, so that the shell’s edge doesn’t chip off or scratch the surface of the table it’s sitting on and remember to rotate the shells in different directions, as well for visual interest and better coverage. We used shells in a variety of shapes and colors.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-seashell-planter-Step2a.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1456593266168.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
![Start in one area of the urn and begin by adding a simple row of similar looking shells using the hot glue gun. You’re essentially creating bands up and down the urn- using one particular type of shell. Place a bead of hot glue onto the perimeter of the shell then push it into place on the urn. It helps to let the shape of your particular vessel and the shell dictate your design. At the base of the urn, leave a little space, so that the shell’s edge doesn’t chip off or scratch the surface of the table it’s sitting on and remember to rotate the shells in different directions, as well for visual interest and better coverage. We used shells in a variety of shapes and colors.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-seashell-planter-Step2b.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1456593257643.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
![Start in one area of the urn and begin by adding a simple row of similar looking shells using the hot glue gun. You’re essentially creating bands up and down the urn- using one particular type of shell. Place a bead of hot glue onto the perimeter of the shell then push it into place on the urn. It helps to let the shape of your particular vessel and the shell dictate your design. At the base of the urn, leave a little space, so that the shell’s edge doesn’t chip off or scratch the surface of the table it’s sitting on and remember to rotate the shells in different directions, as well for visual interest and better coverage. We used shells in a variety of shapes and colors.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-seashell-planter-Step2c.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1456593257704.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
![Start in one area of the urn and begin by adding a simple row of similar looking shells using the hot glue gun. You’re essentially creating bands up and down the urn- using one particular type of shell. Place a bead of hot glue onto the perimeter of the shell then push it into place on the urn. It helps to let the shape of your particular vessel and the shell dictate your design. At the base of the urn, leave a little space, so that the shell’s edge doesn’t chip off or scratch the surface of the table it’s sitting on and remember to rotate the shells in different directions, as well for visual interest and better coverage. We used shells in a variety of shapes and colors.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-seashell-planter-Step2d.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1456593255532.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
Add Sand Dollars
As you work, flip the urn upside down for better access to all angles of the surface when necessary. Add glue to the back of each sand dollar and push into place (Image 1), varying the sand dollars' size as you work. Tip: These flat shells work great on the container's flatter surfaces (Image 2). You can also flip the sand dollars facing in the wrong direction, depending on the shape of your container so that they lay flat — think of it like putting together a puzzle.
![As you work, flip the urn upside down for better access to the urn’s surface when necessary. Add glue to the back of each sand dollar and push into place, varying the size of the sand dollars as you work. Sand dollars work great on the flatter surfaces of the vessel. You can also flip the sand dollars facing in the wrong direction, depending on the shape of your vessel so that they lay flat. Think of it like putting a puzzle together.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-seashell-planter-Step3a.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1456593260557.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
![As you work, flip the urn upside down for better access to the urn’s surface when necessary. Add glue to the back of each sand dollar and push into place, varying the size of the sand dollars as you work. Sand dollars work great on the flatter surfaces of the vessel. You can also flip the sand dollars facing in the wrong direction, depending on the shape of your vessel so that they lay flat. Think of it like putting a puzzle together.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-seashell-planter-Step3b.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1456593258828.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
Fill In Empty Spaces
Fill in the nooks and crannies and camouflage any wayward globs of hot glue (nobody's perfect!) with the smaller shells (Image 1). Tip: This is the main reason we suggest going with a neutral colored urn so any gaps won't be as visible. Also, the smaller shells are useful as you get close to the top edge of the urn (Image 2).
![Once the urn is largely covered, fill in the nooks and crannies and camouflage any wayward globs of hot glue with the smaller shells. This is the main reason we suggest going with a neutral colored urn- if there are spaces that show through when you’re finished they won’t be that obvious to the naked eye! Also, the smaller shells are useful as you get close to the top edge of the urn.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-seashell-planter-Step4a.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1456593260333.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
![Once the urn is largely covered, fill in the nooks and crannies and camouflage any wayward globs of hot glue with the smaller shells. This is the main reason we suggest going with a neutral colored urn- if there are spaces that show through when you’re finished they won’t be that obvious to the naked eye! Also, the smaller shells are useful as you get close to the top edge of the urn.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-seashell-planter-Step4b.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1456593263042.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
Add Plants
Finally, fill completed urn with fresh-cut flowers or a potted plant.
![DIY Sea Shell Centerpiece DIY Sea Shell Centerpiece](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-seashell-planter-beauty-horiz.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1456593256298.jpeg)