• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Carla Schauer Designs
  • Crafts & DIY
    • Rock Painting
      • Rock Painting Ideas
      • Rock Painting Supplies
      • Rock Painting Techniques
    • Craft Tutorials
    • Teens and Tweens
    • Holiday and Seasonal
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • Patriotic
      • Halloween
      • Christmas
    • DIY Decor
    • Technique Guides
  • Printables
  • Creative Life
  • Supplies
  • About
    • Work With Me
      • Art for Licensing
      • Surface Design Gallery
      • Craft Industry Services
      • Published work
      • Testimonials
    • Contact
  • Shop
    • Etsy
    • Zazzle
    • About my Products

Make Candles in Seashells: DIY Shell Decor

by Carla Schauer Leave a Comment

  • Share
  • Tweet
DIY Shell candle on leaf with descriptive text.
Candle photo collage with "Make Candles With Seashells" text overlay

No beach vacation is complete without a walk on the sand to collect seashells, and finding a large complete shell is extra exciting. But what to do with your beach treasures once you return home? Make DIY Candles in Seashells to incorporate your vacation memories in your home without them being stuck in a jar.

Seashell Candles with descriptive text overlay

Seashell candles are an easy shell craft that can turn a simple beach memory into an elegant coastal decoration. Larger shells are best for this project, since they will hold enough wax to burn safely.

DIY Candles in seashells on wood table with starfish.

How to Make Seashell Candles

DIY seashell candles are a great way to use up small amounts of wax in jar candles, or use household paraffin wax blocks like I did here. You can use seashells from vacation or large purchased shells.

Tip: Make several wax crafts at the same time to use most of your wax while it’s already melted.

Front view of DIY candles with seashells.

Seashell Candle Making Tips:

  • When crafting with seashells, make sure your shells are completely washed and dried before beginning.
  • Prepare your surface and protect it from wax splatters that may happen when pouring. A sheet of waxed or parchment paper makes a good disposable barrier.
  • Trim wicks to approximately 2″ long for ease of standing in shells
  • Attach wick to deepest part of shell, while shell is laying flat on a level surface. A dot of melted wax on metal end of wick can help keep it in place while pouring.
  • A pour spout on a wax melting pitcher makes filling small containers like seashells easier. If already using a plain metal can for other projects, a small ladle with a spout can be helpful.
  • If making scented seashell candles, add essential oils to melted wax before pouring into shells.

This page may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my link, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

3 lit candles made from seashells.

Make Candles with Seashells

Yield: 1+
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Active Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: 1-easy
Estimated Cost: under $10

How to make beach decor candles with seashells and melted wax. An easy DIY seashell craft to make with large shells you find on vacation or at a craft store.

Materials

  • Large Seashells
  • Paraffin Household Wax Block (1 or more, depending on number of seashells)
  • Candle Wicks, trimmed to approximately 2" length
  • Empty 40oz metal can, label removed or wax melting pitcher
  • Waxed Paper

Tools

  • Saucepan, medium
  • bamboo skewer

Instructions

      Supplies to make seashell candles on blue background

    1. Prepare while wax is melting. Cover work surfaces, attach wicks with drop of melting wax, and trim wicks to 2" length.

      Attaching candle wick to seashell for candlemaking
    2. Fill 1/3 to 1/2 saucepan with water and heat on low-medium. Chop paraffin block into chunks (optional) and add to metal can or wax melting pitcher.

      Can of paraffin wax blocks for melting.
    3. Gently lower can or melting pitcher into water bath. As paraffin wax begins to melt, reduce heat to low. Stir occasionally with bamboo skewer for even melting.

      Melting wax for DIY candles
    4. Gently pour melted wax from pitcher into seashell. *pour from low height, being careful of splashes*

      Pouring wax into seashell to make candle.
    5. Allow wax to cool and harden. Trim Wick to 1/4" above wax.

      Trimming candle wick with scissors.
    6. (Optional) As wax hardens, a "dip" in the wax surface may occur. If desired, a second thin layer of melted wax can be added to smooth the top of seashell candles.

      Handmade Seashell Candle on large monstera leaf.

Notes

**WARNING**

Melted wax is hot! Melt and pour with caution, and always supervise children.

Never leave burning candles unattended. Seashell candle burn time can not be estimated because of shell size and wax volume used.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Deep Scallop Sea Shells, 2-3/4 Inch ~ 3-1/2 Inch
    Deep Scallop Sea Shells, 2-3/4 Inch ~ 3-1/2 Inch
  • EricX Light 100 Piece Cotton Candle Wick 6" Pre-Waxed for Candle Making,Candle DIY
    EricX Light 100 Piece Cotton Candle Wick 6" Pre-Waxed for Candle Making,Candle DIY
  • Candle Wax Melting Pitcher
    Candle Wax Melting Pitcher
  • Household Paraffin Wax
    Household Paraffin Wax

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment or share a photo and tag me @carlaschauerdesigns

© Carla Schauer
Project Type: Home Decor / Category: DIY Decor
Pin these Seashell Candles to Make Later:

3 shell candles and starfish.

 

Similiar ideas you'll want to try:

  • This Cute February Reading Log Makes an Easy Valentine Craft
    This Cute February Reading Log Makes an Easy Valentine Craft
  • Fall Tied Ribbon Wreath with Rustic Accents
    Fall Tied Ribbon Wreath with Rustic Accents
  • Quick Teacher Appreciation Candy Jar Gift
    Quick Teacher Appreciation Candy Jar Gift
  • Firecracker Patriotic Bookmark Printable for Coloring
    Firecracker Patriotic Bookmark Printable for Coloring
  • Pride Craft-Rainbow Painted Rocks
    Pride Craft-Rainbow Painted Rocks
  • Share
  • Tweet

Filed Under: crafts, Creativity, DIY Decor Tagged With: affiliate, crafts, creativity, home decor, summer, tutorial

Previous Post: « Printable Mother’s Day Coloring Card
Next Post: 100 Things to Paint on Rocks »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Carla Schauer photo Welcome! I'm Carla, a licensed artist, maker, and creator of quirky art and craft projects. Here, I share DIY crafts and creativity of all kinds, occasional studio updates, and a wee bit of everyday life. New? Start here.
carla schauer on facebook carla schauer on pinterest carla schauer on instagram carla schauer on twittercarla schauer blog rss feed

Shop CSD on Etsy

Get the Creative Jumpstart!

Easy Craft Idea pdf displayed on clipboard, surrounded by gold office supplies

CSDS Favorite Posts

Printable Heart Bookmarks to Color
Travel Scavenger Hunt for Tweens
DIY Softball Hair Bows
Ultimate Guide to Rock Painting
DIY Paracord Water Bottle Holders

Footer

Google
  • About Carla
  • Studio News
  • Work With Me
  • TOU & Privacy
  • All Posts
carla schauer on facebook carla schauer on pinterest carla schauer on instagram carla schauer on twittercarla schauer blog rss feed

art and content © 2009-2021 Carla Schauer · all rights reserved.

If you'd like to share something from my site, please share ONE image and then link back to my post where people can read the full tutorial/content. Please DO NOT alter or copy photos nor copy my work in its entirety to share on your site without my permission. Some posts may contain affiliate links. Carla Schauer Designs is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. See full disclosure.

Copyright © 2021 Carla Schauer Designs on the Foodie Pro Theme