Shell Frame Keepsake Craft: DIY Display for Photos, Artwork, Etc.

This post teaches how to decorate finished or unfinished picture frames with shells, then fill them with handprint art, footprint art, children’s artwork, photographs, or other mementos to create a unique handmade gift or DIY keepsake display.

Turn a handful of seashells into a keepsake filled with love, memories, and a touch of beach-themed charm with this easy shell frame craft. Making a picture frame decorated with shells is an easy craft and a perfect DIY gift idea for family, friends, and loved ones. A shell-decorated picture frame can beautifully showcase treasured photographs, children’s artwork, handprint art, vacation memories, a poem, a verse, a song lyric, or meaningful notes from someone special. You might also enjoy this list of homemade Gifts Kids Can Make.

Shell frames are a simple, handmade gift that kids, teens, or adults can make. Homemade gifts like these feel especially thoughtful because they are made by hand and can be filled with custom personal touches. Whether you gather shells on a family beach trip or use shells from a craft store, creating a handmade frame is a simple craft all ages can enjoy.

Transforming shells into art by making a shell photo frame is a wonderful way to preserve special moments and turn simple materials into something meaningful to proudly display for years. First published on May 27, 2015, this shell frame craft tutorial is regularly updated and republished to improve its content. Use the step-by-step DIY shell project tutorial below to make shell picture frames.

Shell Picture Frame Craft, Home Decor, and Keepsake Gift Idea:

Use the shells you collect on family vacations, gathered during beach nature hunts, or foraged from the craft store to make something beautiful for someone you love. Picture frames decorated with shells make a lovely handmade gift idea kids can make for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, or a birthday. However, this DIY gift idea is not just a kids’ craft. These simple frames make lovely home decor to proudly display in your home or workplace, or give to someone special, no matter the age of the person who makes them.

In other words, not only are these beauties ideal for parents and grandparents, but they can also be transformed into heartfelt homemade gifts for your BFF, boyfriend, girlfriend, or wedding anniversary. Once the shell frame craft is finished, you can add photos, poems, verses, lyrics, ticket stubs, map locations, names and dates, and other mementos personalized for the recipient. Alternatively, you can fill the decorated shell frames with footprint art, fingerprint art, photos, artwork, or a special poem to complete this unique, homemade craft and gift idea.

Homemade gifts that kids can make are a favorite with parents and grandparents. Children, from toddlers to teens, can make these shell-frame keepsake crafts as homemade gifts for Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, weddings, or summer celebrations! Use the step-by-step shell craft tutorial below to make a homemade gift for Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, an uncle, an aunt, a teacher, a lover, a partner, a friend, a classmate, a teammate, or a co-worker. You might also enjoy making flower art with shells, such as this Shell Daisy Nature Craft.

Turning DIY Shell Frames into Gifts and Home Decor Displays:

When the shell picture frame craft project is complete. Fill the frames with handprints, footprints, photos, artwork, or a handwritten poem to complete this unique nature craft gift idea. Additional step-by-step instructions for making handprint art to display inside each shell frame, as shown in the photograph below, are included in the step-by-step DIY tutorial.

Unlike store-bought gifts, handmade keepsakes carry memories, love, and time spent together, the things people usually treasure most. You might also enjoy making a soothing seashell sensory bottle with any shells you have left over after you finish decorating frames.

Related: Soothing Sea Shells Sensory Bottle

How to Make a Seashell Picture Frame:

First, make picture frames decorated with shells found on holidays, during nature walks, or on beach adventures, using the step-by-step DIY project instructions below. Alternatively, you can get seashells at many craft, hobby, or dollar stores, or use the affiliate links in the craft supply list.

Get started by inviting kids on a nature hunt to collect shells to decorate picture frames. Pull out the seashell treasures you have stashed away, get them at your local craft or hobby store, or use the affiliate links below.

Any shells collected on family vacations and daily adventures will work great. If collecting shells isn’t your thing, or not possible, links to some that will work beautifully are in the craft supply list below. When done, fill the shell frames with a special keepsake for family, friends, and loved ones.

The DIY project tutorial also includes a handprint art tutorial. This makes it easy to create handprint or footprint art to place inside each shell frame, as shown in the photograph below. Alternatively, fill the shell frames with photographs and any of the other suggested momentos below the tutorials.

Shell Picture Frame Craft Supplies:

• Small seashells or medium-sized shells for crafts
• 4×6, 5×7, or 8×10 inch wooden frames (unfinished wood or finished)
• Fine-grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge for unfinished wooden picture frames
• White glue or craft glue (Use a strong, preferably non-yellowing glue that works for shells and wood, or the type of material the frame is made of.)
• Mod Podge, foam or glue brushes, or another sealant to seal and protect the DIY shell picture frame crafts (recommended, but optional).

Optional Shell Frame Handprint or Footprint Art Supplies:

• Heavyweight cardstock or canvas paper for handprint art or footprint art. Alternatively, fill the frames with photos, artwork, or any of the other alternatives included in this tutorial.
• Acrylic, or tempera paint, and paintbrushes. Use acrylic paint to paint the unfinished wood frames if desired. Alternatively, use acrylic or tempera paint to create handprint or footprint art to display inside the decorated frame, following the additional instructions in this DIY tutorial.

Frame Sizes for Decorating with Sea Shells:

You can decorate any frame size with shells using the DIY tutorial below. The photographs for this DIY project show 4×6-inch picture frames that my daughter decorated with shells, but larger frames, with or without shells, also work great. 4×6-inch frames are usually big enough for the small hands of a toddler or preschooler.

However, larger hands may require a 5×7-inch frame. Older children can use a 5×7-inch or 8×10-inch wooden photo frame to ensure the frame fits around the entire handprint or footprint. Large footprints may need an even larger frame size to ensure the entire footprint is within the frame.

Step-By-Step DIY Sea Shell Photo Frame Tutorial:

Follow the simple step-by-step instructions to make this shell frame craft. Following these directions are additional step-by-step instructions for making handprint art to display inside each shell frame, as shown in the photographs, if desired.

Alternatively, fill them with photographs, artwork, poems, verses, lyrics, ticket stubs, maps, names, dates, GPS coordinates, and other memorabilia listed below the handprint art tutorial. You might also enjoy this list of other nature arts and crafts you can make.

1. Sand the picture frame (optional):

• Skip this step if you are making this shell craft with a finished wooden frame.
• Use sandpaper or a sanding sponge to gently sand off any rough edges of the unfinished wood frames.

2. Paint wooden frame (optional):

• After sanding, you can paint the unfinished wooden frames with acrylic paint if desired. If you choose this option, allow the paint to dry before applying glue and shells to the frame.

3. Draw a line of glue around the Facing edge of the frame:

• Squeeze a line of glue onto the edge of the picture frame that faces up.
• Draw a simple glue line around the edge of the frame, or get as creative as you like with glue patterns to put shells into to decorate the frame.

4. Decorate picture frames with seashells:

• Use small to medium seashells to decorate the picture frames.
• Simply place each shell into the white glue to decorate the shell picture frames, as my daughter demonstrates in the photographs.
• As you can see in the photo tutorial below, crafting with shells is fun and easy!
• When you are finished adding shells to the frame, allow the glue to dry before moving on to the next step.

5. Apply a sealant to the outside of the Shell Frame Craft (optional):

• Use a glue or foam brush to apply a sealant over the wood, as shown in the photographs below.
• Adding a sealant to the shells, as shown in the photo craft tutorial below, and the remainder of the frame will protect the shell picture frames.

6. Fill shell picture frames with handprint art, footprint art, children’s artwork, a photograph, a poem, a verse, a lyric, or another memento:

• Use the step-by-step DIY instructions in the next section to make handprint art to place inside each shell frame. The same directions can be used to create footprint art if you prefer.
• Alternatively, place a treasured family photograph or a child’s artwork inside the shell picture frames.
• Or, add a poem, verse, song lyric, or another memento for your best friend, boyfriend, husband, girlfriend, wife, or partner.
• For several more things you can put in a frame, decorated with shells or not, look at the list of creative ideas below the handprint craft tutorial.

Related: Nature Crafts and Nature Art Ideas for Kids

How to Make Handprint Art or Footprint Art for Putting in a Picture or Photo Frame:

Turn your shell picture frame craft, or any frame, into a unique keepsake gift by making handprint art or footprint art to place inside each one. I used 4×6-inch picture frames that my daughter decorated with shells, but larger frames with or without shells will also work.

4×6-inch frames work well for the small hands of a toddler or preschooler, while older children will need a 5×6-inch or 8×10-inch wooden photo frame to ensure the frame fits around the entire handprint or footprint.

If you are decorating shell frames for this craft project, either make handprint or footprint art to place in the shell picture frame while waiting for the glue and shells to dry, or after the sealant has been applied to the shell frame. You might also enjoy making a handprint ring dish or jewelry bowl.

1. Paint Hand or Foot with acrylic or tempera paint:

• Use a paintbrush to paint the bottom (palm side) of your baby or child’s hand with acrylic paint to create handprint art to place inside the decorated shell frame.
• Alternatively, paint the bottom of a baby’s foot, then press it onto paper to make footprint art to display inside the decorated frame with shells.

2. Stamp handprint art (or footprint art) onto the paper:

• Stamp the baby, toddler, or preschooler’s painted hand onto heavyweight cardstock (or canvas paper for an artistic effect) to create a handprint as shown in the photo tutorial below.
• In other words, gently press the painted hand or foot onto the cardstock or canvas paper and then carefully lift it off.
• Allow handprint art (or footprint art) to dry before placing it inside shell picture frames.

3. Cut the artwork to size and put the handprint or footprint craft into the seashell picture frame:

• Cut out handprint art (or footprint art) to size and place it inside each shell picture frame.
• Tip: Use the insert or backing that comes inside the frame to measure before cutting the artwork.
• To do this: place the insert over the handprint or footprint art and trace it to easily cut the children’s artwork to the correct size for the frame. This insert can also help you test the frame size against the size of the hand or foot to ensure a proper fit.
• Alternatively, you can place photos or children’s artwork inside the decorated picture frame or frames, or any of the other suggested alternatives in the DIY shell frame tutorial instructions above.

A Few Other Things You Can Put in a Picture Frame:

Just in case you need a few more creative ideas, here’s an extensive list of fun and meaningful things you can put inside a picture or photo frame to put on display or give as a gift:

Things You Can Put Inside a Picture or Photo Frame Decorated with Shells:

• Family photos
• School pictures
• Baby photos
• Vacation snapshots (especially beach-themed)
• Wedding photos
• Pet pictures
• Nature photography
• Artwork or paintings
• Children’s drawings
• Handprint art
• Fingerprint art
• Footprint keepsakes
• Watercolor paintings
• Pressed flowers
• Pressed leaves or ferns
• Small dried bouquets
• Inspirational quotes
• Favorite poems
• Song lyrics
• Bible verses or blessings
• Gratitude lists
• Love notes
• Recipes written by grandparents
• Handwritten letters
• Children’s handwriting samples
• Baby ultrasound photos
• Birth announcements
• Wedding invitations
• Holiday cards
• Postcards
• Ticket stubs from concerts or events
• Maps from meaningful places
• Travel souvenirs
• Seashells or beach treasures
• Sand art
• Fabric scraps from meaningful clothing
• Baby socks or tiny keepsakes
• Ribbons or lace
• Crochet pieces or embroidery
• Puzzle pieces
• LEGO creations (shadow box style)
• Sports medals or ribbons
• Dance recital keepsakes
• Scout badges or patches
• Feathers
• Acorns, pinecones, or nature treasures
• Seasonal decorations
• Mini wreaths
• Holiday ornaments
• Vintage photographs
• Family tree displays
• Children’s school awards
• Report cards or certificates
• Chalk pastel art
• Coloring pages
• Silhouettes
• Monograms or initials
• Paper cut art
• Origami
• Friendship bracelets
• Jewelry keepsakes
• Mini collections
• Favorite sayings
• Bucket lists
• Affirmations
• Nursery rhymes
• Song sheets
• Baby hospital bracelets
• Tiny heirlooms
• Paint chip color art
• Scrapbook pages
• Collages
• Mini calendars
• Seasonal scavenger hunt finds
• Butterfly wings found outdoors
• Lavender sachets
• Photobooth strips
• Portions of a map with the location or GPS coordinates of the place you met, bought your first home, live, wedding, or honeymoon locations, traveled to collect the shells, etc.
• Candle labels from favorite memories
• Tiny treasures from children. You know, the important mementos they give you when they are young: Feathers, leaves, pressed flowers, dragonfly or butterfly wings, handwritten notes, drawings, beautiful buttons, and tiny pebbles (if you have a frame that fits them), etc. 

Give Sea Shell Picture Frame Crafts as Keepsake Gifts or Hang them and Enjoy!

A handmade frame is more than a craft project. It’s a memory holder filled with stories, creativity, and a whole lot of love. Children from toddlers to teens can make these beautiful shell frame keepsake gifts for Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or a birthday. Adults can make them for family, friends, and loved ones just as easily.

Homemade gifts that kids can make are always a hit with mom, dad, and grandparents. Best of all, these seashell picture frame crafts can be filled with handprints, footprints, photos, artwork, a poem, and other memorabilia to complete this unique homemade craft and gift idea. Alternatively, you can leave them blank for the recipient to fill in.

This simple DIY makes a beautiful display and a thoughtful homemade gift that friends and family will truly appreciate. Because no two are alike, handmade presents have a special kind of magic. Every shell, photograph, fingerprint, brush stroke, word, or verse helps tell a story worth remembering.

Whether you display a favorite facation, wedding photo, family picture, child’s artwork, or a tiny handprint, poem, verse, or another meaningful keepsake. Picture or photo frames decorated with seashells turn everyday moments into lasting treasures to enjoy for years to come.

So grather you shells, choose a favorite memory, and create a keepsake frame that brings a little sunshine, joy, and ocean-inspired beauty into your home. Make shell picture frames with your children or students, or as a solo craft project, for someone special today. For more homemade gifts kids can make, click on the link.

Learn more about Nell Regan Kartychok, author, photographer, and creator of this original step-by-step shell frame craft HERE, and about Rhythms of Play HERE!

More Shell Crafts for Kids and Adults:

• Shell Daisy Nature Craft
• Soothing Sea Shells Sensory Bottle
• Shell Sunflower Craft
• Flower Shell Crafts

If you like Shell Crafts, you may also like:

• Four Seasons Handprint and Fingerprint Tree
• Wooden Bead Bracelets
• Rainbow Ponybead and Prism Suncatchers
• Best Nature Crafts and Art Activities for Kids