Whether you gather your shells on the beach or purchase them in a craft store, it’s wise to shake out loose sand and rinse them in a solution of water and bleach before using for craft purposes.

Materials:
Several dozen cleaned oyster shells
Hot glue gun
Tea light candle

How To:
Centerpiece is worked from top down. Holding five shells with interior surface upwards, arrange shells into a cup, making sure a tea light will fit inside. Glue in place.

Turn cup upside down and arrange a second layer of shells so that new shells show between original shells (see photo).

Arrange a third layer of shells so that new shells show between shells of previous layer.

Fourth and fifth layers: Place shells directly on over previous layer.

Sixth layer: Arrange shells so that they show between shells of previous layer.

Seventh layer: Place shells so that new shells show between ones on previous layer.

Eighth and ninth layers: Shells go directly on top of previous layer.

Add shells as “feet”, if necessary, so centerpiece lays flat on table surface.

Photo by Dan Mayers.