Turn your seashell collection into a spectacular garden wall plaque.

The verdigris finish makes it look as if it's been exposed to the elements for years.


Don't let a treasured collection of seashells sit unseen in a cupboard. Put it on display. If you don't have a collection of shells already, don't worry, you'll find plenty of inexpensive shells for sale at your local fish market or craft store.

You'll need:
60 x 90cm sheet of structural plywood
Selection of shells
Liquid nails
2 x 20cm bolts and nuts
Boncrete Exterior Sealer
Magic Effects Real Copper Paint
Magic Effects Oxidising Patina
Hanging plates (a type of picture hook) and wire
Potting mix
Selection of seedlings or ferns
Tools: drill and drill bit, jigsaw, paintbrush

Here's how:
Step 1Find the centre of the plywood and mark central horizontal and vertical lines. Using these as a guide, draw a 60 x 85cm oval and use the jigsaw to cut it out. Seal with exterior grade sealer, paying particular attention to the cut edges.

Arrange shells around the perimeter of the oval with larger shells at the top and bottom. Allow some shells to overlap the edges of the plywood. Overlapping shells around the perimeter or even placing some on top of each other will add texture to the design. Glue all shells in place one by one using a generous amount of Liquid Nails.

Step 2 To make abalone shell plant containers, drill three or four holes in the bottom of the shells for drainage, then drill a hole in the centre of a raised edge to house the bolt. Position the shells on the board, about 14cm down from the centre, and mark bolt holes with a pencil.

Drill holes in the board for bolts. Apply a generous amount of Liquid Nails to the abalone shell and position on the board, aligning the holes. Insert the bolt from the back through the board and shell and secure in place using a nut.

Step 3 Use a flat part of the scallop shell to make a candle holder. To make a spike for a candle, drill a hole through the middle of the shell, apply Liquid Nails to the hole on the underside and push a nail up through the hole. Allow the glue to set.

To make a support for the candle holder, cut a scrap of ply about 50 x 5mm and glue to the board about 500mm up from the centre of the board. Let set, then glue scallop shell on top for support.

Step 4 Paint the entire plaque with Real Copper Paint. Rub some off the shells to reveal a little of their colour. Let dry. Paint on Oxidising Patina in long even strokes. It will look very green at first, but will change colour over a week or two. Screw hanging plates to the back.

Step 5 Scoop potting mix into the shell plant holders and plant with seedlings and ferns. We chose alyssum and lobelia, which live happily in the plant containers so long as you keep them well watered. Add Spanish moss if desired, for its soft trailing effect.

Product info
Magic Effects paints are available from Haymes Paints

Source: Better Homes and Gardens