While many of us can’t go to the beach to collect shells, we can still visit our local craft store or order seashell online to create a fun Christmas in July Seashell Christmas Tree craft!
It’s time for the July Pin Challenge! The purpose of the Pinterest Challenge is to motivate us to not just pin, but to make it happen! This month’s challenge was a free theme challenge and we could pick any project. As I just participated in a Christmas in July Challenge, I thought it would be fun to continue the theme and chose to recreate my own Seashell Christmas Tree. There are tons of Pins that inspired me, so here is a page on Pinterest that inspired this Seashell Christmas Tree creation.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom to see the other fabulous host July Pinterest Challenge projects.
Seashell Christmas Tree
For those that are fortunate to be able to go to the beach and collect shells…I totally envy you. I miss collecting shells and ever since the dread virus, I don’t even know which beaches are open anymore. In California, beaches were open, then closed, and then some places opened again. It’s been so confusing and hard to keep up as things change on almost a daily basis. Insert a big sigh here. Anyway, the good thing about this craft is that seashells can be bought online or at your local craft store. So, whether the beaches are opened or closed in your area, you can still enjoy making this summer craft for the holidays.
WARNING!!! Before you get started with this craft, I want to note that this IS NOT FOR SMALL CHILDREN. This craft should be done by adults only as I suffered a pretty nasty burn from the hot glue. Also, this will take 4 hours or more from start to finish, but can definitely be done in a day.
Seashell Christmas Tree Craft
How to make a seashell Christmas tree with sea glass using a styrofoam cone and hot glue. Warnnig! This is not a craft for small children and should be done by adults only. It is very easy to get burned by the hot glue for this craft.
Materials
- Mix of seashells - small and medium sizes
- Seaglass - one or more colors
- 9" Styrofoam cone
- Optional - small stand for tree
- Optional - mini pearls, mini starfish, mini gems, etc...
Tools
- Hot glue gun
- Glue sticks
Instructions
- Before starting, take 20-25 minutes to separate out the shells. Group them by same shells and by size. This will make assembly much quicker as you will want to use the larger sized shells on the bottom of the tree and smaller shells towards the top.
To begin, start gluing the larger seashells onto the styrofoam cone until it is fully covered. This will create the base layer. I start from the bottom and move to the top. Don't mind any gaps as these will be covered by smaller shells and sea glass.- Fill in the gaps between the large seashells with small shells and sea glass. Be careful here as is is easy to get burned by the hot glue. This will take several hours to fill in all the gaps.
- For the top of the tree, I opted for a broken Venus Comb shell. I did this because it already has a spike (broken) that could be pushed into the styrofoam and made use of a broken shell. A starfish can also be substituted for the topper. Once this is done, it's ready to be displayed as-is or plop in on an inverted basket. The one in the picture is from a seashell purchase (held the seashells).
To begin, start gluing the larger seashells onto the styrofoam cone until it is fully covered. This will create the base layer. I start from the bottom and move to the top. Don't mind any gaps as these will be covered by smaller shells and sea glass.
Fill in the gaps between the large seashells with small shells and sea glass. Be careful here as is is easy to get burned by the hot glue. This will take several hours to fill in all the gaps. 
For the top of the tree, I opted for a broken Venus Comb shell. I did this because it already has a spike (broken) that could be pushed into the styrofoam and made use of a broken shell. A starfish can also be substituted for the topper. Once this is done, it's ready to be displayed as-is or plop in on an inverted basket. The one in the picture is from a seashell purchase (held the seashells). Notes
- Please be cautious when making this as it is easy to get burned by the hot glue. It is NOT A CRAFT FOR SMALL CHILDREN and should be made by adults only.
- I choose not to use mini starfish on the tree because they are very delicate and easily broken.
- The topper can easily be switched out with a starfish and you can use any type of shells you like.
- Amount of shells needed with depend on the size of styrofoam cone used.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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Set of 2 White Styrofoam Cones 9" High for Crafting and Decorating
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Weoxpr 200pcs Sea Shells Mixed Ocean Beach Seashells, Various Sizes Natural Seashells
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Tiny Miniature Fairy Garden Beach Critter Seashells Marine Life Collection
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Hot Glue Gun, Cobiz Full Size (Not Mini) 60/100W Dual Power High Temp Heavy Duty Melt Glue Gun Kit with 10 Pcs Premium Glue Sticks
For more Pinterest inspired projects from this month’s Pinterest Challenge hosts, check out the links below ↓
My Pinterventures • Cookies Coffee and Crafts
Farm Girl Reformed • Slices of Life • Domestic Deadline
Decorate and More with Tip • Purple Hues and Me
Life Beyond Kitchen • White Arrows Home
Mom Home Guide • My Family Thyme • Sum of their Stories
Sew Crafty Crochet • Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After
Now, let’s see what the other hosts have created ⇓⇓
Your shell Christmas tree looks great! I love this idea.
This turned out great! A great way to use up seashells!
I have a friend who bought me a special glove as I burnt myself with both my glue gun and Woodburning tools so often!! Burns aside this is beautiful. I’m not normally a fna of Christmas in July (once a year is enough for me!) but this project I can get excited about.
Beautiful! Such a nice way to add some coastal decor to a space. Love it!
That turned out great!! Pinned.
Thank you. Minus the burn on my finger, it was a good project.
I have a friend that love coastal anything. She will absolutely love this. I am going to share it with her. Maybe we will have a craft night.
Thanks for hosting the hop I love joining in on the pinterest challenge.
Thanks for sharing with a friend. This would make a great craft night project.
Wow that turned out great! Love the little bits of color from the sea glass. They remind me of lights.
Thanks. It’s a great way for me to use up tiny bits of glass.
Too cute, Erlene! I do love the little basket used as a stand! What a lovely, creative look in addition to how awesome the tree turned out!
Thanks Gail. It was a fun project and I used a lot of my leftover supplies, so it was a win-win.
Glue gun burns stink. This virus is the worse- right now in NY we are doing much better than earlier, but the unknown is out there. Your seashell tree looks great and it’s so pretty. I like it for summer too.
Yup, got a big giant blister on my finger atm. The numbers have spiked in SoCal too, but honestly, we have to open up. It’s not sustainable to stay closed indefinitely. People have to make a living and life has to go on. The virus is out and nothing will change that. We just have to be careful. Anyways, I love seashell projects. I may make more shell covered things in different shapes 🙂