Collected & Crafted: Easy Oyster Shell Art for a Coastal Home
We have spent every weekend this summer out on the water, and one of our favorite places to anchor out is this quaint little island that my three-year-old calls shell beach. Our favorite thing to do together is find shells scattered along the coastline, and we have found an impressive amount of oyster shells. We brought some home, and I knew I wanted to create a beautiful way to display some of them. I thrifted a shadow box frame, bought a new matting, and some linen fabric to create this easy oyster shell art.
This post may contain affiliate links that, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission from. Read the full privacy policy here.
The Perfect Coastal Touch
If you’re looking for a way to add the Nancy Meyers aesthetic that’s trending lately, this is the perfect option! This art tells a story, offers texture, and is neutral enough to blend with any home decor style. If you don’t live anywhere you can find oyster shells, you can even ask restaurants if they have any left over if they serve raw oysters. Buying oyster shells on Amazon is also an option if you can’t find any locally!
I filled a thrifted antique hurricane with some of the shells we have collected and displayed them on the sideboard in our dining room. I love the texture it brings into the space!
What You’ll Need to Make Easy Oyster Shell Art
- found oyster shells
- shadowbox frame ( at least 1.5″ deep)
- photo matting
- fabric of your choice
- E6000 glue or a hot glue gun
You may not need to purchase a new photo matting or replacement glass. The glass in this thrifted shadowbox frame was frosted on the outside, which I didn’t want. I love the look of a double photo matting, so I picked that one up at Hobby Lobby.
Step-by-Step: Framing Found Treasures
Step 1:
This step is optional, but to start, I removed the glass from my frame and then applied a coat of matte black spray paint to the frame. There were a few imperfections on my frame due to it being thrifted. I always keep spray paint on hand for things like this!
Step 2:
Use a Sharpie or pen to trace the outline of your frame onto the fabric, then carefully cut it out. To attach the fabric, use the back of the frame as your base. If you have spray adhesive, this is a great time to use it for an even application. I used a few small drops of E6000 along the edges to secure the fabric to the back of the old photo.
Step 3:
Arrange your oyster shells on your fabric. I placed the matting there so I could decide the size and spacing for each of my shells. I went with three different shells placed vertically to create mine. You can do whatever you think looks best! If you have a larger frame, adding more shells would look amazing!
Step 4:
Use your glue to attach the oyster shells to the fabric. If you use E6000, please note that it requires a minimum of 24 hours to set. Keep it horizontal!
Once everything is set, assemble your frame and enjoy!
Perfect for Gallery Walls, Shelves, or Coastal Vignettes
When it comes to styling your easy oyster shell art, there are so many fun ways to make it shine. Whether you tuck it into a gallery wall or layer it on a shelf with your favorite collected pieces, it’s going to add that soft coastal charm we all love. I’ve styled mine on my piano and even hung it on the wall, it just works anywhere. It’s one of those little touches that feels both curated and personal, and it brings such a pretty, natural texture to any corner of your home.
Try It Yourself and Add a Bit of Coastal Charm to Your Walls
Give this easy oyster shell art a try and let me know how it turns out! I’d love to see what you create. Tag me on Instagram so I can swoon over all your beautiful pieces. It seriously makes my day seeing your DIYs come to life!
