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Kalyn Brooke

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DIY Seashell Necklace

December 3 // 39 Comments // 3 Minute Read

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy here.

Not sure what to do with all those shells you collected from vacation? Pick one of your favorites and turn it into a DIY seashell necklace!

One of my favorite things about living near a beach, besides the amazing sun, soft sand, and gorgeous water {do you want to come visit me yet?} is collecting all sorts of seashells for DIY projects I've pinned on Pinterest or have floating around in my crafty little head.

Up North, I would have to wait for a vacation to collect my precious gems, or buy a pre-packaged bag at the local craft store. Now, I don't have to spend a thing because our beaches are full of pretty shells just waiting for a new home. And you know how much beach inspired decor I have planned for our place!

I actually had a specific wall framing project in mind when I started my seashell collection, but then Dremel sent me a new crafty tool to play with, and I knew I had to repurpose one of my favorite shells into a beautiful necklace.

I've seen tons of seashell jewelry selling in Etsy shops, and though each of the artisans do beautiful work, I just can't bring myself to pay those prices when I can easily do it myself at home for less. All I needed to figure out was how to drill a hole at the top of the shell without it cracking, and the Dremel became my go-to gadget!

Supplies Needed:

  • Seashell{s}
  • Charm {optional}
  • 18″ Chain
  • 10 mm jump rings
  • Needle-nose pliers
  • Dremel rotary tool

The Project:

Step 1: Pick a beautiful shell that you will love wearing around your neck, preferably without any chips or cracks.

DIY Shell Neclace | Creative Savings

Step 2: Using the grinder bit, hold shell down firmly with one hand and Dremel rotary tool in the other. Press down to slowly grind a hole into the shell.

DIY Shell Neclace | Creative Savings

The Dremel may try to “jump” because the bit is spinning so fast, so be careful and have a few back-up shells just in case! I had Joseph do this part…I think he was just as excited to try out the new tool as I was — it's powerful and spins — need I say more?

DIY Shell Neclace | Creative Savings

Step 3: Grab a small jump ring and stretch it open, then loop the metal ring through the hole in the shell. At this point, you can feel free to add more shells or a charm if you'd like.

I had a starfish charm that I had saved from a previous necklace {the chain broke and I knew I would want to reuse the charm}. I think the two go just perfectly together!

DIY Shell Neclace | Creative Savings

Step 4: Squeeze the loop closed with needle nose pliers.

DIY Shell Neclace | Creative Savings

Step 5: Loop a chain through the jump ring {I used an 18″ one}, then try on your new necklace!

DIY Shell Neclace | Creative Savings

DIY Shell Neclace | Creative Savings

Total Cost: $5.18

chain necklace $3.99 | jump rings $1.19 | other supplies I already had

If you don't have a Dremel rotary tool already, there is an upfront cost for that, but the more I look into this handy tool, the more excited I am to try out some new projects. It can do anything from etching, engraving, sanding, and polishing, and will be great to experiment with for our new home.

Plus, these necklaces would make such a fun and frugal gift idea for the Holidays, and only take 10 minutes a piece to make. You could even create seashell bracelets or earrings and gift an entire set!

Do you collect shells?

What projects have you made with them?

Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Read my full disclosure policy here.

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Comments

  1. Jazmin says

    September 4 at 11:34 am

    This is super pretty, Kalyn! I love how dainty and natural it looks.

    That Dremel looks impressive too. Hubby may be getting a few not-so-subtle hints for Christmas.

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      September 4 at 6:01 pm

      Thanks, Jazmin! It was super fun to plan with. 🙂

      Reply
      • Emma says

        June 26 at 9:18 pm

        This is great for my friends and I to do!
        best sleepover ever thanks to you!!

        Reply
  2. Meg K says

    September 22 at 12:18 pm

    I love seashell jewelry! I’d love to get a dremmel someday too!! You’re right, it’s really handy!! Very pretty necklace & thx for sharing

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      September 22 at 3:39 pm

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  3. Laura Muir says

    September 22 at 12:31 pm

    This is so adorable! We are getting ready to go to Cali for a few weeks and I just might have to make one of these with my daughter. We always find the most awesome shells at the beach! Thanks for sharing. This is my first visit to your blog and I love it! Super creative!

    ~Laura
    Fresh & Happy

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      September 22 at 3:41 pm

      Thank you, Laura! I quickly popped over to your blog and absolutely love your photos. That is one part of blogging that I am still working on — though it is much improved over my first year’s worth of posts! Enjoy your trip to Cali! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Heidi says

    September 22 at 12:38 pm

    Such a pretty and simple idea. My three little girls would love it! (And I could finally get rid of some of the shells around my house)

    Reply
  5. Dee says

    September 24 at 1:21 pm

    This is beautiful!!!! Would be great as a way to remember a beach vacation.

    Have a great week!

    Dee from http://www.thecsiproject.com

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      September 25 at 10:33 am

      Thanks so much for stopping by, Dee! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Julie Gordon says

    December 2 at 9:34 pm

    I just got back from Florida with a bucket of shells…this is a picture of one of my favorites…Husband has the Dremel so I’m anxious to give this a try!! Thanks for a great idea!!

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      December 5 at 9:59 am

      You’re welcome, Julie! I’d love to see a picture of your creation when you finish it. You can post it to https://www.facebook.com/CreativeSavings if you’d like!

      Reply
  7. Andrew Stevens says

    April 5 at 8:44 pm

    Where did you get the chain necklace every where I look they are $15-30

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      April 7 at 4:05 pm

      I bought mine with a coupon in the jewelry section of Michaels!

      Reply
  8. Rolonda R. Mayer says

    May 29 at 12:32 am

    Love the seashell necklace. I’m at the beach collecting right now. I get my necklaces by recycling old ones I already have, stringing or restringing old beads and findings or sometimes I find things at garage sales, estate sales, thrift stores or from friends who know I’m crafty.

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      June 1 at 11:39 am

      I love that idea to find necklace chains from garage sales and thrift stores. Brilliant!

      Reply
  9. marlene says

    June 23 at 10:04 pm

    Lovely idea!!! But PLEASE BE AWARE THAT when drilling shells to do so under water and wear a mask and do it outside as shell dust is very toxic

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      June 25 at 9:27 am

      Wow, I had no idea — thanks for sharing that!

      Reply
  10. Ron says

    March 19 at 10:15 am

    Drilling from the inside to the outside with a 3/32 inch drill bit works well for me. Use a hard surface under with a padding of newspaper (6 or 8 layers),makes nice cushion and easy cleanup.

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      March 21 at 1:50 pm

      That sounds like a great idea to help keep the shell from breaking.

      Reply
  11. beth says

    May 2 at 5:40 pm

    I really love this idea! While I don’t have a Dremel, I’m sure that I can borrow one. I have a couple of questions for you. I have a ton of shells that I brought back from a vacation on Marco Island two years ago. I cleaned them in a soapy water solution with a touch of bleach. Is there a more proper way to clean them? My other question is, do you put any sort of “sealer” on the shells to give them a little ‘shine’? Thanks for your help. I can’t wait to get started!!

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      May 2 at 11:49 pm

      I haven’t put a sealer on any of the shells that I have done but I’m sure there are some good products out there! As far as the cleaning is concerned, as long as you’ve gotten rid of the sea-smell you should be good to go! {I usually use a bit more bleach just to be sure}

      Reply
      • beth says

        May 3 at 8:37 pm

        Thanks so much Kalyn!!

        Reply
  12. Marlene says

    July 30 at 9:41 am

    Seashells should always be drilled under water preferably outside with a mask on. The dust is toxic.

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      August 3 at 2:25 pm

      Thanks for the information, Marlene!

      Reply

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  9. 105 Top DIY Necklace Ideas To Try Out This Weekend – DIY & Crafts says:
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    […] Check out here a super simple necklace that comes with a brilliant seashell pendant! Extra grace and charm has been added to necklace using a start fish metal charm! Here the matching jump rings have been used for adding both sea shell and charm and the entire necklace is just looks amazingly beautiful! This is here another low-cost but super fetching design of homemade necklace that will definitely make a great gift! Grab the full free tutorial and instructional guides from here kalynbrooke […]

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Hi, I’m Kalyn—a recovering perfectionist who nerds out about organizing systems, personal productivity, and helping you prioritize what matters over the pressure to do it all. I have a feeling we’re about to become the best of friends! Learn more >>

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👩‍💻 | I help value-driven women lead manageable + meaningful lives.
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Recently, we visited our storage unit to swap out a few things. 📦⁣
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Almost one year has passed since we stuffed this 9’x9’ space with furniture, decor, and other odds and ends in order to travel in our RV full-time. And during our year on the road, I’ve not missed ANYTHING … until I saw my possessions in person! 💔⁣
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For a brief second, I wanted to sell the RV and buy a sticks-and-bricks home just so I could fill it with all my stuff. 🏠⁣
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Thankfully, this mental lapse didn’t last very long. 😌⁣
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Because almost just as quickly, I thought of all the experiences we’ve shared over the last year that I would have had to trade in order to do that, and suddenly I didn’t feel so attached anymore. ⁣
⁣
Courtney Carver from @bemorewithless says, “I don’t want my legacy to be containers of stuff.” In other words, people won’t remember you by the amount of stuff you leave behind. They’ll remember you for WHO you are. 🤗⁣
⁣
I want people to remember me as the gal who said yes to adventure and not someone who couldn’t say no to a Hobby Lobby sale. 🏷⁣
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And so, that means decluttering a few more things that I don't need (in the RV OR in a future home!) and holding onto the simple nomad life for a little while longer. 💼⁣
⁣
What do you want your legacy to be? ⁣
⁣
#lifeisajourney #homeonwheels #storageunit #theeverygirl #rvlife #rvliving #rvfamily #livelifetothefullest #tinyliving #traveloften #gorving #homeiswhereyouparkit #camperlife #campers #fifthwheelin #fifthwheeler #declutterwithkb #decluttering #declutterlikeamother #declutteryourhome declutteryourlife

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The busiest month of the year doesn’t have to be one you dread, especially when you try this simple, yet brilliant hack: 👇⁣
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**Number your to-do list.** ⁣
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1️⃣ Start by spilling everything you need to do this week onto the page (don’t worry about the order yet!)⁣
2️⃣ Identify your top priority.⁣
3️⃣ Number the rest of your tasks in order of importance. That’s it!⁣
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Psst… I use pencil just in case I change my mind and want to switch things around! ✏⁣
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This method does two things:⁣
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💛 It helps you focus on the next right thing...not ALL the things!⁣
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💛 It forces you to prioritize. When everything is important, nothing is important. And you want to make sure the most important things actually get done. ⁣
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FYI: You don’t have to go to every party or keep every tradition just because it’s something you “should” do or “always have done” in past holiday seasons. Lean into what you love most about this month and find freedom in letting the rest go. 👋⁣
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Because somehow, having less stuff to do makes the things you CHOOSE to do all that more special. 💖

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Even though we won't be spending Christmas in the RV, I just had to put up a few decorations to enjoy before we leave! 🎄⁣
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The next three weeks will be our first time traveling without our home-on-wheels and I'm feeling all sorts of anxiety over choosing what items to pack. We've always had everything we need with us, which means I'll probably forget something. 😬 RV living tends to spoil you in that way!⁣
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Q: Are you staying home for the holidays or going out of town?

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Earlier this fall I hosted a Facebook challenge where I invited you to define what self-care looks like for your life while making an intentional effort to incorporate it into your week. 📆⁣
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This event was even more popular than I expected, and I am so pleased with the positive results many of you shared!⁣
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What I didn't expect? 👀⁣
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The haters.⁣
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Some readers morally disagreed with my Facebook self-care event and let me know by messaging me and calling self-care "misguided," "unbiblical," and even an "idol." ⁣
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Let me be clear: I do agree that we should be careful about our priorities and not neglect our responsibilities completely for the sake of a little me-time.⁣
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👨‍👩‍👦 Your family still needs you.⁣
👨‍👩‍👦 Your church still needs you.⁣
👨‍👩‍👦 Your community still needs you.⁣
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What they don't need is someone who is a frazzled, stressed-out mess who serves out of obligation rather than joy. Because when we demonize rest, we inadvertently swing the pendulum the other way and create an idol out of working, serving, and hustling. ⚖⁣
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God didn't intend for us to wear ourselves out for His glory. Rather, I think He created us with needs (food, water, shelter, rest, etc.) to remind us that we ultimately *need* Him.⁣
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So when you take time to address those needs and care for yourself, remember that it's not selfish. It's just wise.

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Are you ready for Turkey Day tomorrow? Although I’m not hosting this year, I’m helping my sis-in-law prepare and contributing my Creamy Parmesan Mashed potatoes and a cherry pie (Joseph’s request) ☝ to the menu. ⁣
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When I *did* host Thanksgiving, my family made fun of me for being over-prepared, but they later told me it was the smoothest Thanksgiving they’ve ever had—and they weren’t just talking about the mashed potatoes! 🥔⁣
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I relied on these seven tips to pull things off without a hitch:⁣
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1️⃣ Read over your recipes one more time and confirm you have ALL the ingredients. ⁣
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2️⃣ Create your day-of timeline. Calculate backward from dinner time so you know exactly what needs to be in the oven when.⁣
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3️⃣ Copy/hang recipes on your cabinets  so you can see everything you need to make at a glance rather than being forced to flip through several cookbooks.⁣
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4️⃣ Lay out and label all food dishes (including serving ware) with sticky notes.⁣
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7️⃣ Do a quick clean of your kitchen so it’s fresh and ready for the big day!⁣
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Remember: the point of Thanksgiving is NOT to pull it off perfectly. 🚫⁣
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No one cares if you spill blueberries for the fruit salad all over the floor (true story) or you pull a too-jiggly peanut butter pie out of the fridge because it didn’t set right (also a true story). Those are just extra memories you can add to a table already brimming with abundance...and gratitude. 🍽Q: What is your favorite pie to eat at Thanksgiving?

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Family members are just about as different as the ice cream toppings they choose. 🍨⁣
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Even though we love them unconditionally, it's not easy for family to come together during the holidays and have it be completely drama-free. There's increased social pressure, obligation, tradition, personality differences, and always a comment or two that makes you bristle, whether it was intended that way or not! 😤⁣
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So, how can you celebrate holidays without the drama? 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦⁣
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PREPARE. Head into family get-togethers knowing how you’ll respond in a tense situation. 🗣⁣
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Here are three ideas:⁣
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1️⃣ Leave the conversation and start a new one with someone else. 🚶🏻‍♀️⁣
2️⃣ Ignore the frustrating comments, and shift the conversation. 🤐⁣
3️⃣ Engage--but instead of gearing up for battle, respond with a curiosity-driven dialogue. Ask questions in order to understand the other person's perspective, rather than focus on "winning" the argument. 🥊⁣
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Most of all, prioritize being kind over being right. Because if you approach conversations with a different attitude, your button-pusher might too. 😉⁣
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Q: On a lighter note, what is YOUR favorite ice cream topping? I love rainbow sprinkles!


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