Shell Shadow Boxes

If you’ve ever walked the shoreline with a bucket in one hand and hope in the other, you know how quickly seashells multiply. They start as treasures… and somehow end up tucked in drawers, filling glass jars, or sitting in bowls on the coffee table. 

Sound familiar? 

For years, I did the same thing. I couldn’t bear to part with the shells I’d collected—each one holding a memory of a sunrise walk, a quiet prayer, or laughter with family. But I also didn’t want them hidden away. Then I discovered the simplest, most beautiful solution: shadow boxes. 

 A Simple Way to Showcase Your Shells 

Shadow boxes turn your seashell collection into meaningful art. Instead of clutter, you create a keepsake. Instead of storage, you create a story.

I purchase my shadow boxes on Amazon in a variety of sizes, but I especially love the 5x5-inch frames. They’re just right—not too big, not too small. Perfect for highlighting a special collection without overwhelming your wall space. 

How I Create Mine The process is simple and wonderfully therapeutic:

Choose your shells. Pick the ones that speak to you—maybe from a special vacation or a morning when you found something rare. Create a design. I like arranging them into shapes like a circle or a heart. Sometimes I lay them out on the table first until the design feels balanced. 

Attach them. I use a glue gun for most of my shells. If your shadow box comes with double-sided adhesive tape, that works beautifully for lighter shells. For heavier pieces, hot glue gives extra security. Let your imagination lead. There’s no right or wrong way. Symmetrical. Abstract. Minimal. Full and layered. Let the shells guide you. 

A Warning… Once you create your first one, you may not stop at one. There’s something deeply satisfying about turning natural treasures into personal artwork. One frame becomes two. Two become a gallery wall. 

Before you know it, you’re scanning the shoreline with a new vision—already imagining your next design. And honestly? There are worse habits to have. So gather those shells from the drawers. Rescue them from the jars. Give them a place to shine. 

 Enjoy creating!