Tuesday, July 13, 2010

It's Beach Week!! Let's Make a Beach Mobile!!



Here's a quick little craft to help preserve the memory of the beach, and those lovely shells and bits of driftwood you've collected along the way!

You'll need:
some oven bake clay, (we used Sculpy in off white)
shells
fishing line
driftwood
beads, (if you wish)


Start by rolling out your clay...do it to the thickness you desire!


Using a small glass, or cookie cutter, cut out the shape you want!


Then take your shells and press them into the clay...press them in firmly, so they leave a nice imprint!
Get a chopstick, and make a little hole at the top of your shape, (for hanging).


Put them on a baking sheet and bake as per the instructions on the clay.
(for Sculpy it's 15 minutes at 250 degrees)


After they've cooled down, gather your driftwood, beads and fishing twine.
Drill a small hole into the centre of each piece of driftwood.


String on your beautiful imprinted piece of clay...add beads, (if you wish), and tie it to your driftwood.


Now hang it up and enjoy your unique ode to the beach!!


I've seen these imprints done alot with leaves, but not so much with shells.  I think these would also make lovely pendants for a unique necklace.  It's also a good launching pad for talking about shells and fossils!
Sweet and simple...the perfect little craft!!

Enjoy!
xo maureen

21 comments:

  1. oh these are beautiful adn so simple can't wait to try it. I have a plethera of sea shells left over frommaking wind chimes. Thanks, off to check out the faeries.

    Blessings,
    Kat

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  2. Oh so perfect...i am suddenly wanting winter to end!

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  3. Beautiful. I'm so pleased to have found further inspiration around what to do with our driftwood collection.

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  4. This is so beautiful! I love it:)

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  5. You are one crafty Mama! I love, love, love this idea!

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  6. This is great....we have piles of driftwood around.
    Thanks. I'll say it again, you have wonderful kid-friendly ideas.

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  7. these look beautiful, such a lovely idea. i too am looking forward to say farewell to winter and hello summer, sunshine and outdoor crafty inspiration : )

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  8. You are so creative! I love all your projects. I wrote about you in my latest blog post. Check it out!

    Stephanie :)
    www.simplicitymom.blogspot.com

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  9. This is so sweet and our children would love it.

    We are going to make a mobile as well this month using various nature items from the instructions in my July guide. xoxo

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  10. Hi Maureen

    I've discovered your blog through Stephanie's blog award list and thought I would check out the other blogs she gave an award to.

    I love the crafty ideas right here on the front page, and have started the process of decluttering the 'unnatural' decor in my house and would love to use some of your projects to bring more nature inside.

    Thanks for the effort you take to post these great instructions.

    Feel free to dop by my blog if you like
    Kim
    www.pathtolivingsimply.blogspot.com

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  11. Ok, this is cool too. I can't wait to have people to make these for!!

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  12. I am LOVING bbeach week. I carted boxes of shells home after leaving Vancouver Island for the valley and have always had a soft spot for the ocean. These crafts are right up my alley. Great week here at Twig and Toadstool. In case you didn't see my other comment, I have left an award for you at my blog spot......The Letter Writing Revolution. You know where to find me :-)

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  13. these are so lovely. My children will love this, thank you!

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  14. So beautiful & inspirational. We live only 10 miles from the ocean and haven't been over there in a few months (silly, I know!) But baby is only 11 days old so we're taking things a little slower this summer... Maybe we'll make the trek over to the coast in a few weeks! (your posts have me inspired!)

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  15. They are all beautiful, the mobiles the vases.. How lovely. Wonderful ideas and crafts to share with my babes.

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  16. Simple and sweet. I am loving your beach week.
    xox

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  17. I've been wanting to do some more outside fimo, after the success we had with your garden goddesses (May day). All three of mine will enjoy doing this. I might put them together with the wind chimes I'm planning. Roll on summer holidays!

    By the way, I'm ready with the swap. Just need your address.

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  18. I normally get frustrated with clay, but these look absolutely fab! I think we might just give this one a go!

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  19. I love this! I've linked to this project on my international blog party today, as well as the woodland fairies. Did you see I featured you last week? Love your blog and would love to see you sometime on mine! Feel free to link to some of your great recipes at the blog party too!
    all the best,
    Sara

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  20. I love this! My son and I just visited the beach and collected a ton of driftwood! Now I know what to do with it all! Thank you!

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