Seashell Pot Candle

Materials:

 

• 6-1/2" wide terra cotta potting dish
• (200) 1/8" -1-1/2" wide assorted seashells: whelks, augers, abalone, bonnet, cowries, clams
• (1) 3" x 8" cream column candle
• terra cotta felt
• 6 to 8 cups of sand
• scissors
• measuring tape
• heavy-duty wire cutters
• 26 or 30 gauge wire
• low temperature glue gun and sticks or tacky craft glue
• wastebasket

 

Instructions:

 

•   Glue the shells around the rim of the potting dish, alternating colors and sizes. Fill in around larger shells with smaller shells.
•   Glue the felt to the bottom of the dish and trim to fit. Pour sand into the pot until it is 3/4 full. Push the candle 1/2" into the sand.

 

Gluing Tips:

 

•   When gluing scallop shells to a flat surface or a wreath, it helps to use a piece of floral foam. Trim a 1/2" square piece of foam and glue it to the curved underside of the shell to create a flat gluing surface.
•   To secure heavy shells, place glue on the shell back and press it onto a piece of felt. Let dry and cut the felt to the size of the shell.