Being “down the shore” last weekend and seeing all the” beachy” decorating reminded me of a window treatment I made for a segment I did for Lifetime Television’s, Our Home Show. The segments topic was “super easy no-sew window treatments”.
I demonstrated how to make 3 or 4 treatments using all sorts of items. I can’t remember all of them – I will have to go look at the tape, but this seashell one was my favorite. I gave other actual “demo” treatments to my friends after the show was taped, as I couldn’t use them all in my house. I kept this one however, thinking in the back of my mind, I may have a house on a beach someday and will want to use it. So it has been packed away in my basement, patiently waiting to see the light again. I don’t have a house on the water yet, but I thought it might be a fun project for anyone who loves shells, the beach, and easy no-sew window treatments.
How to Make a Seashell Window Treatment
supplies needed:
- Raffia
- Chain from the hardware store
- Seashells, lots of them
- Wire Christmas ornament hangers
- Hot glue
- String
- 2 Nails
- Scissors
- Wire cutters
Hammer a nail into the top of the window moulding on each side of the window.
Drape string or ribbon on the nails to measure how long you want your seashells to drape. Remove the ribbon/string and measure the length.
Cut chain with wire cutters to that measurement. If you don’t have wire cutters, when you are purchasing the chain, know the length in advance and have them cut it in the store.
Tape together one end of a small bunch ( 1″ in diameter) of raffia
Weave it in and out of the chain. About every 4-5 links.
My raffia was 36″ in length, shorter than my chain so I had to add a new length of raffia. Start the second one where the first one ended.
Remove tape.
Tuck ends into chain. Don’t fuss too much as it will get covered with shells.
Hang the raffia and chain on the nails, making sure ends fall evenly on each side of the window.
This next step should be done beforehand. This is one of those steps that are best done while you are comfy on the couch watching a movie as it is the” mindless” part of the project or what I refer to as the “production line aspect”. Hot glue wire ornament hangers to the back side or inside of all your shells.
The front will then look like this.
Once you have enough shells to cover the chain, start hooking them all along the chain. Try to mix and match shells along the entire chain to create visual balance. To cover the top portion of the draped section, you can bend and mold the ornament hooks to get the placement you want. If you want a more dramatic look, you can add another chain, just drape a bit lower than the top one. If you have a long window, you could make a few dips (swags) go across the window.
I am just putting this up for the summer. If you have a wall in your basement or storage area you can hammer in two nails a window width apart and hang the finished treatment there intack in the off season. Cover to protect it. This way you won’t have to take it all apart, but it will be safely out of the way and ready when you want to re-hang.
Kim Vincent says
09/04/2018 at 1:49 pmDiane, I just found your blog when websearching “painted thrifted furniture”. You are my new most favorite blog. Love, love, love this, as I have boxes of shells I don’t know what to do with after many trips to Florida beaches over the years (I live in WAshington state). Also LOVE your diy crystal and vintage metal chandy from the builder’s fake brass chandy. Plan on trying this effect on other brass items as well. Don’t ever take these posts out of the archives, PLEASE. One of my big frustrations with other blogs is that old posts get deleted or there aren’t any archives. Your creativity is SO INSPIRING. Thanks so much for sharing!
Debby says
06/06/2018 at 12:03 pmI don’t know how I missed this post. I live in Florida and have a bunch of shells that are collecting dust. I love this idea. Thank you
Diane Henkler says
06/06/2018 at 12:17 pmHi Debby – It is an old post back from the early days of my blog. I am happy you found it and can make the window treatment for your home with your collection of shells.
Karen McRae says
03/22/2015 at 1:12 amOK, you’re adorable. I’ve been wondering what to do with the plethora of seashells i’ve collected, bought, gathered. Thank you for this!
Diane Henkler says
03/24/2015 at 3:40 amThanks Karen. I love seashells and am always searching for new ways to use them.
Jaye Brown says
03/14/2014 at 10:43 pmAwesome idea, I do everything with sea shells.
debbie says
09/18/2013 at 2:45 pmI love your swag idea, too cute snd so easy! (For a woman with NO creative bones In her body) I live on Galveston Island, and have seashells coming out of my ears!! Thank you for this idea, now I can finally do something with my special (grandkids gathered them) shells!!
Sheryll & Critters. says
07/14/2013 at 10:12 amHow in the world did I miss this post? I LOVE it. Oh, I missed it because I did not find you that long ago. I am definitely going to put this SOMEWHERE in my house. Thinking my kitchen window and maybe my back door (window pane glass door). I am wondering if it would be okay to just hot glue shells around the frame of the glass oval inset of my front door? Both inside and outside?
Tammy says
05/12/2011 at 11:01 pmI’ve been collecting seashells to make a garland for my Christmas tree. This is beautiful and easy. Now…I am thinking it would be great above my kitchen sink…or several smaller versions wrapped loosely around my Christmas tree. Great idea. Thank you! Can’t wait to try it.
Judy says
09/13/2010 at 9:13 amThis is what I would call home jewelry.
Diane says
09/14/2010 at 7:12 amThat is a good way to describe it. It is like a bracelet with charms.
Love of the Sea says
08/29/2010 at 11:25 amI love this…I am a major shell lover and I have so many…I think I could make this. I like the idea of draping a shelf with it…I have a house in The Keys – where this would go perfectly. Thank you for sharing.
Tootie says
07/13/2010 at 10:06 pmI love your ideas, especially this one! I have seashells everywhere, and am going to try this. :) Thanks!
[email protected] A Blog Party says
07/13/2010 at 5:31 pmSo much fun! That looks absolutely amazing!
Thanks for linking up!
~Liz
jenjen says
07/12/2010 at 6:56 pmSo beachy and fun! I love that you have it swagged like that. Cute!
XOXO
Jen
Madigan at madiganmade says
07/11/2010 at 11:16 amLove this idea!
Makalani says
07/09/2010 at 2:01 amI likey this a lot. TFS!
Visiting by way of Shanty2Chic
~Makalani
Makaz Home
Jessica @ Sunny Tuesday says
07/09/2010 at 12:00 amThat is so pretty! I love it. It would be so fun to decorate a room with this as the inspiration.
Carmie of the Single Nester says
07/08/2010 at 6:13 pmHow absolutely gorgeous. Do you think you will keep it up after Summer ends?
Diane says
07/08/2010 at 8:02 pmHi Carmie
If it was hanging up in my dream beach house then I would keep it up all year round. In my current home – I like to change things every so often, so I will probably take it down when it starts getting cold. Perhaps, I will make an autumn looking treament then.
Becky says
07/08/2010 at 12:19 pmI love this! It came out great. Thanks for linking up to Strut Your Stuff.
Bethany @ The Paper Pony says
07/08/2010 at 1:24 amThe chain was a brilliant way to keep it strong enough to hold all the shells. I love this idea! I have a beachy themed bathroom that needs a treatment… this has just flown to the top of the list!
Johanna says
07/06/2010 at 10:04 pmsuper cute & easy! Now to conjure up a beach house to hang it at ;)
Diane says
07/06/2010 at 10:33 pmMaybe with a bit more DIY effort I can whip up a beach house. I only wish it was that easy. Thanks fo the cute comment.
The Polka Dot Closet says
07/06/2010 at 9:51 pmWow, what a great idea! It sure is a pretty and fitting view out to the pool!
Carol
Diane says
07/06/2010 at 10:44 pmThe pool is my backyard water view for now. I do enjoy it, even though it makes no surf sounds of waves breaking and crashing into the beach.
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
07/06/2010 at 8:56 pmWhat a great piece to use on a mantel to “summer” it up, too!
Diane says
07/06/2010 at 10:45 pmHi Kathy-
What a great idea to drape it on a mantel. That would look very nice. Thanks for sharing.
Layla says
07/06/2010 at 6:47 pmOh my goodness! This is SUCH A GREAT PROJECT!
I’m forwarding it to all the shell-lovers I know RIGHT NOW!!!!
:-)
Layla
Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says
07/06/2010 at 3:13 pmThis looks great and would also work as a table drape for a beach party. Love it!
Diane says
07/06/2010 at 10:48 pmHi Sherry-
Another great idea to drape the shells and chain on a table for a party. Kathy’s comment suggested draping on a mantel. I love all these great applications. Keep them coming! Thanks for sharing your ideas here.
Diane
[email protected] says
07/06/2010 at 2:21 pmOnce again, you are so inspiring! What a darn cute idea! What is nice about it, you can re-use those shells for another project next summer if you wanted to. So creative, I love it. And you tutorials on how to do things are exceptional.
I did a project last week that I got from your post about “how to make inexpensive artwork”. I posted it on my blog today, and I of course gave you the credit for my inspiration.
Thanks,
Stephanie
Ann says
07/06/2010 at 12:03 pmThis is freaking awesome! Okay, I’ve been spending too much time with the tweens, but your shell garland is too too cute. Well thought out and your how to is clear and concise. Love the way this came out. Now I have to make one. Thanks!!
Michelle L. says
07/06/2010 at 11:21 amWow!!!! That is so gorgeous. The big chain is brilliant. What a huge impact that makes. I’m visiting from DIY showcase, thanks for the great idea!
beachhouseliving says
07/06/2010 at 11:05 amThanks for the “hot gluing ornament hook” tip. So much faster, easier, and so much less dust then drilling each shell!
Deb says
07/06/2010 at 12:28 amThat is such a great idea , I was raised on the beach and could have never thought this one up ,just got back from vacation with seashells ,hmmm ,thanks for posting
Diane says
07/06/2010 at 11:35 pmHi Deb-
I collect shells and have boxes and boxes of them from all the beaches I have been to. I have them in big bowls, and here in there just sitting out, but wanted a way I could use them and enjoy seeing more of them in one place. I hope you had a great vacation.
[email protected] says
07/06/2010 at 12:00 amSuch a cute and easy idea!