DIY Seashell Mirror: How to Make a Beautiful Coastal Mirror

DIY seashell mirrors are one of my favorite projects. Each piece is unique and one of a kind; no two are alike. Seashell mirrors bring a beautiful coastal vibe into your home.

The process of making these beautiful mirrors from start to finish is so calming and therapeutic. These days, we can use projects that give us some tranquility.

Today I want to show you how to make a unique seashell mirror using shells found on the beach, plus those I’ve purchased along the way.

One of the pastimes I cherish the most is walking along the beach searching for seashell treasures and sea glass.

I am a self-proclaimed shell fanatic. I love the different shapes and colors of these beautiful gifts from the ocean.

If you love the beach as I do, adding a seashell-encrusted mirror to your unique home decor will remind you of the seaside every time you see it. Mirrors surrounded by beautiful, unique shells from the ocean always lift my spirits.

Collect and Clean Seashells to make the seashell mirror

When I use seashells I have collected from the beach, I make sure to clean them thoroughly to get any fishy smell out and residue lurking inside the shell.

1. Rinse the seashells and remove any loose sand and debris.
2. Soak in warm, soapy water. Fill a bucket with warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Let the shells soak for around 30 minutes.
3. Gently scrub the shells. Use a soft toothbrush to remove dirt from the ridges and crevices.
4. Rinse thoroughly.
5. Spread them on a towel to let the shells dry.

If you are using store-bought seashells, I like to get a nice mix of shapes and sizes. I love using larger shells to cover the base of my design and then tucking smaller ones into all those little spaces in between.

I made sure I had enough shells to cover the entire frame. Trust me, you’l probably need more shells than you think. There’s nothing worse than getting halfway through a project and realizing you’ve run out. You can purchase seashells in bulk here or in craft stores.

Supplies needed:

• 24″ X 24″ plywood or any size you prefer to cut to size. You can also use a store-bought mirror with a wide flat frame
• Mirror glue if using the plywood method
• Black felt fabric
• Mirror hanger
• Industrial-strength hot glue or E6000 glue
• Spray adhesive
• Round mirror
• white spray paint
• Variety of seashells in different sizes and colors of choice
• Spray sealer

If you are using a store-bought mirror, I would suggest purchasing one with at least a 2″ frame so that you can have room for the shells to adhere to. It is also best to sand down the frame so the paint and shells have a rough surface to grip.

How to make the seashell mirror:

You can skip some of the steps if you are using a store-bought mirror.

1. Start off with a 24″ X 24″ X 1/2″ piece of plywood
2. Cover the entire mirror with paper and painter’s tape. This prevents glue and paint from scraping off the mirror later.
3. Spray the plywood or store-bought mirror frame with white paint to create a light base.
4. After the paint is dry, spray the back of the plywood with spray adhesive and carefully attach the black felt fabric to the back. This will protect the wall and also look professional.
5. Install the mirror hanger on the back.
6. Locate the center of the board…put mirror glue on the back of the mirror and place it down on the center of the board.
7. Place the shells on the frame before gluing to plan the placement.
8. Start with larger shells first, then fill in with smaller shells.
9. Move shells around till you are satisfied with the look
10. Glue the shells into place.
11. Clean all the glue webbing with a soft brush
12. Take your time and enjoy the process!
13. Finally, cover the mirror, spray the frame with two coats of sealant, and dry.

You can use this method on picture frames also. You’ll need to purchase a picture frame with a flat surface to adhere the shells to.

Placing each unique seashell in the right spot to create the mirror is really a fun, creative process. I started with the largest seashell first, then filled in the spaces with smaller ones.

And here it is, my finished seashell-encrusted mirror! I just love how it turned out! I had so much fun arranging all the different shells and watching it slowly come together.

I especially love all the little details and textures that make it one of a kind.

It makes me happy knowing that some of these shells came from our beach in Rockaway and will always remind me of our beautiful beach.

For this seashell mirror, I used beautiful little pearlized umbonium shells that I purchased, along with pearlized turbo shells. I just love the combination of these two shells, and the pearlized, shimmery finish of the shells. Together, they give the mirror such a pretty, elegant coastal look!

This seashell mirror is one of my favorites! I made it using oyster shells I collected during my beach walks, along with a whole bunch given to me by a friend who owned a seafood restaurant. I love how something so simple turned into such a beautiful, one-of-a-kind piece!

Hang your unique seashell mirror and admire your beautiful creation for years to come!

Here are a few more beautiful works of art mirrors using seashells…

I recently came across the beautiful artwork of Sondra Barchard, and I was instantly inspired! Her creations are absolutely breathtaking, and I just love the way she brings seashells together to create such stunning, one-of-a-kind pieces. Her work has given me so much inspiration for my own seashell projects!

If you make your own seashell creation, I would be so excited to see what you come up with.

Thank you so much for stopping by!