Showing posts with label Shell craft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shell craft. Show all posts

25.7.17

Shell hedgehogs and other animals - simple summer crafts for kids



We thought we'd share a few simple craft ideas that are fun to do during the summer holidays, whether you're home or away. There maybe a few Star Wars/Batman projects in the mix too, but even these don't need much planning, or a suitcase of craft supplies!

This one definitely doesn't,  just slip a Sharpie (other permanent markers are available..) into you bag and you're good to go!


I love collecting shells - happy memories of summers spent with my family on a beautiful beach near Tyrella in Northern Ireland. I'd walk slowly along the tideline with my head down and my eyes fixed on the scattered shells washed up by the sea. There was always plenty to choose from, but what I really wanted to find was a cowrie or a pelican's foot, because there weren't so many of them. It was like finding treasure when you did.

I think I've past this love onto my daughter, judging by the buckets and bag full of shells that come home after beach trips. We have made all kinds of shell creations with a trusty tube of UHU glue - the shell lady and little baby in a pram are ones I used to make with my Mum.


These are even easier - really just a case of looking at the shell shapes and seeing what they remind you of. The little hedgehogs are made from dog whelk shells which are common on UK beaches.

Simply squiggle and scribble on the main part of the shell with your pen, as far as the first natural groove near the pointy end.


Once you're happy with the squiggly back, draw a nose on the point, 


put it down on a flat surface, and dot eyes either side of the nose.  


That's it! So quick. We made a hedgehog family in minutes.

Limpets made good lion heads too!


Once we got going, the kids had heir own ideas. This is the best kind of craft session for me, when you see their imagination click in.





These needed a squeeze of glue to stick the heads to the bodies.


We only have a black Sharpie away on holiday with us - you could have a lot of fun with colours if you have them. I drew this peacock on a cockle shell a while back.


Hope we've given you some ideas for your next beach trip!

 

31.7.15

Shell Lady part 2 - The Pram

Sounds like a rather disappointing film sequel... but hopefully nothing disappointing about this little pram!


As with the Shell Lady, all you need is a good haul of shells, some all-purpose strong clear glue like UHU or Bostik, a fine black marker pen, like a Sharpie, and one extra thing - a paper clip for the pram handle.

The main part of the pram is made from two small limpet shells - you want one to be a little smaller than the other, so it sits inside, upright, like a hood. Try a few different shells until you’re happy with the fit. Don’t glue in place just yet though.


Choose 4 similar-sized periwinkle shells for the wheels, and glue the open part to the limpet pram base. Turn over to check it sits steady and doesn’t wobble. Glue in the pram hood and leave to dry. If the hood slips a bit, use another shell to hold it in place.




Find a small winkle shell for the baby’s head, glue it in the hood part of the pram and draw a face with a fine black marker (one that won’t smudge, like a Sharpie). Look for a small cockle shaped shell for the baby’s blanket. Don’t glue it in yet - first, make the handle by cutting off a piece of the paper clip (best done by a grown up), and bending it into an even, curved shape. Ours is blue because that’s all I could find!





Glue inside the limpet shell, then stick the blanket over the top, to cover the wire ends...



...and the pram's ready to be pushed.