Carolyn J. Braden • 2 Minute Read
How To Make Magic Seashells
Making someone else feel better is something we all must aim to do whenever possible. Life is full of ups and downs. During the down periods, it’s always nice to have someone say or do something nice for you. A nice notecard, a vase of fresh flowers, or a secret message inside a magic seashell are some of the little ways I like to brighten someone’s day. Read on to learn how to create Magic Seashells.
Sanibel Island shells
I moved to Sanibel Island, Florida, in 2020 which is known for it’s fantastic shelling. Even post Hurricane Ian, the shells are still in abundance. After living through all the up and downs that came along with living on Sanibel (oh, how I never want to experience a hurricane like Ian again!), we still do love the beautiful beaches and natural shells that line them all. After living here for three years, it’s hard not to want to collect lots of shells and create with them.
There are plenty of shells on Sanibel Island in Florida
After finding some larger shells, I decided to adopt an idea I saw on Pinterest (for Gratitude Stones) into my own idea for MAGIC SEASHELLS. Before I lived on Sanibel Island, I would bring some shells back to my prior home in Louisville, Kentucky after my Sanibel vacations and would display them in my home. Because I had no local beaches close to my Kentucky home, the shells always reminded me of long, peaceful beach walks with my husband and family and my love of Sanibel Island.
Don’t have access to shells but still want to give a nice gift? Try my Origami Money Butterfly tutorial below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
Fighting conch seashell
Because I loved looking at the shells year-round, I knew other shell lovers and beach lovers would too. I love to brighten people’s days as much as possible, so the creative idea concept of Magic Seashells was born. Each shell has little secret messages tucked away inside them for the recipient to read and feel good.
A larger shell can hold a magic secret message
See a quick 30 second video showing how I create Magic Seashells via our YouTube video below:
Here’s how I made my Magic Seashells:
I found some large shells (which were empty…a requirement before taking any shells) and cleaned them up. I mostly collected small Fighting Conch shells for this project. I like the idea of this “fighting” name being overtaken with a beautiful “magic” word.
My Brighten Someone’s Day kit
I cut small strips of paper with a Fiskars paper cutter. I write nice sayings like “I love you”, “You are wonderful”, etc. on the paper strips and roll them up and tuck them loosely inside each shell. I have written messages to remind a friend or family member of a lost loved one (pets and people), special memories I have with the recipient, and bible verses.
Write a nice note for someone special
I adopted a poem I saw online to explain to the giftee that they are supposed to hide the shells around their home/in areas where they visit daily (in drawers, in the car, by a bedside). Then when they see the shells, it is supposed to remind them how much I love and care for them. Why wait for someone’s birthday to let them know how much you love them?
Tuck your message inside a shell for the recipient to read
I also think this is the perfect gift idea for someone who lives alone. I put together a package of these and sent them to someone who lives alone. People that live alone sometimes get lonely. I thought this was the perfect way to remind them that just because they live alone, they are never really alone. I am always thinking of them and I wanted them to remember that.
I keep some magic seashells in my guest room
Want to give some magic seashells to someone you love? Gather some up (if you don’t live near a beach, most craft stores like Hobby Lobby or Amazon usually sell bags of them) follow my directions above, and gift them with one of my poems below.
If you ship yours like I’ve had to ship some of mine, make sure to wrap them in bubble wrap or in a bubble mailer (I like to use pink bubble mailers), as shells can be fragile. Send them along with a nice card or small note.
Click the button below for a printable version of Magic Seashells Poem 1
Magic Seashells Poem 1:
This package of shells is something special just for you.
It's also full of a little magic too.
How it works is simple.
Put each one on display.
Somewhere you will find them as you walk around throughout the day.
Place one on a shelf or a desk, in a drawer or by your bed. Just anywhere you'll notice it no matter where you are lead.
When you see it, think of me and all the wonderful times we've had.
Think of all the joy that surrounds you always and you'll never be sad.
Before you know it, your face will begin to smile and will stay lit up and be happy for a very long while.
Magic Seashell Poem 2:
Oh magic tiny shell that I found by the sea
You will always remind me
of where I want to be
If you loved this article, I know you’ll love this one too: 5 Ways to Brighten Someone’s Day
Carolyn J. (C.J.) Braden is a regular contributor and editor for Carolyn’s Blooming Creations. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.