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Coastal Seashell Candle Holders

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Create beautiful candle holders using seashells that bring gentle light and texture to your decor.

Ingredients

  • Small seashells with a stable, concave center
  • Tealight candles in metal cups
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • Small sanding block or fine sandpaper
  • Rubbing alcohol and cotton pads
  • Clear craft sealant or varnish (optional)
  • Tweezers or small pliers
  • Flat tray or heat-safe surface
  • Small decorative sand or beads (optional)

Instructions

  1. Gather shells and choose the ones with a stable base and a gentle cup.
  2. Wrap a soft cloth around your hands and hold a shell to feel its balance.
  3. Place the shell on your work surface and imagine the candle sitting inside.
  4. Clean each shell with rubbing alcohol and a cotton pad.
  5. Move slowly and notice the grain of the shell as the pad passes.
  6. Let the shells dry fully; they will look brighter and feel cleaner.
  7. Test-fit a tealight in the shell without glue.
  8. See how the metal cup sits against the shell curves.
  9. If it rocks, you can sand a small contact point on the shell base.
  10. Lightly sand any sharp edges of the shell with fine sandpaper.
  11. Wipe away dust with a soft brush or cloth.
  12. Warm the hot glue gun and prepare a small line of glue.
  13. Work in a calm, steady rhythm so the glue stays soft and tacky.
  14. Apply a small dab inside the shell where the candle cup will touch.
  15. Place the tealight into the shell using tweezers if needed.
  16. Press gently and hold for a few seconds until the glue sets.
  17. Repeat with remaining shells, spacing items on your tray.
  18. Let all glued pieces rest undisturbed for at least 10 minutes.
  19. If you like, seal the outside of shells with clear craft varnish.
  20. Allow the sealant to dry completely in a well-ventilated spot.
  21. Arrange shells in a shallow bowl of sand or on a wooden tray.
  22. Place them where you can see the flicker of candlelight and feel safe.
  23. Light one tealight at a time and quiet your breathing.
  24. Notice the warm glow pooling in the shell’s cup and the shadow it casts.
  25. When a candle finishes, let the shell cool before handling.

Notes

Store your shell holders in a shallow box with soft tissue between pieces to keep them safe.

Find it online: https://www.cozyhandsdiy.com/coastal-seashell-candle-holders/