Beach Treasures

By Gail Miller

More often than not, whenever we go on a beach holiday we bring home little bits and pieces we have picked up, as mementoes. Stones, shells, small pieces of driftwood. Wouldn't it be lovely to turn these souvenirs into beautiful treasures? Here are some crafty ideas here which will cost you next to nothing, yet enable you to turn your mementoes into attractive and functional objects for your home.

#1: Wind Chimes

Take 2 pieces of driftwood approx. 20 cms long and place them into a cross. Using a piece of string bind them where they criss cross. Secure and leave one end loose to attach to a hook. Cut four pieces of the string, approx. 60 - 80 cm long (depending on how long you want your chimes to be, and how many objects you use.)

Tie shells, pebbles, coins, chunks of driftwood etc about 8 -10 cms apart and attach each piece of string to each end of the cross. Hang up in the porch, window or garden.

#2: Lanterns

Take some used jam jars and clean thoroughly, inside and out. Fill to halfway with very small pebbles. Using some fine wire wrap around the neck of the jar a few times and make a handle for hanging handle. Place a tea light candle in each jar.

#3: Fridge Magnets

Stick small magnets to larger decorative shells with epoxy glue and use to attach photos and notes etc to your fridge.

#4: Light Pull

Try to find a pebble with a hole through it. Using leather thonging or ordinary string tie the pebble to one end. You may varnish it with gloss varnish before hand should you want a shiny finish. Attach the other end to your light pull attachment or use it as a pull for your blind

#5: Paperweight

Try to use a fairly smooth, largish beach pebble approx. 18 cm by 10cm. Using a complimentary acrylic paint color, carefully paint your name (or a recipient's name) on the top of the pebble. Leave to dry and varnish with a coat of matt or gloss varnish.

Gail Miller is a writer and artist. Her websites include:

http://home.freeuk.net/gails-gallery (link no longer works)

http://homestager.web1000.com (link redirects)

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