Carolyn J. Braden • 4 Minute Read
How to Needle Felt a Seashell with a Pearl
A Pearl After the Storm:
My Last Florida Craft and a New Beginning
Sometimes the most meaningful things we create have a story behind them. This needle felted seashell with a little pearl inside is one of those projects for me. It's also the very last craft I created while living in Florida before moving to Indiana.
After six years in Florida, it was time for a new chapter. Between experiencing Hurricane Ian and other hurricanes, navigating difficult life experiences, and ultimately deciding to move closer to family after my husband's job loss, I had been through quite a lot. This little seashell became a creative reminder of everything I had experienced and how far I had come.
DIY Needle Felted Clamshell with Pink Interior
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A Pearl After the Storm
There's a reason pearls have always fascinated me. A pearl begins when an irritant, often described as a piece of grit, enters an oyster. Over time, the oyster deposits layers of material around that irritant, eventually creating something beautiful.
I started thinking about how much that reminded me of my own life.
I experienced childhood abuse and other personal traumas throughout my life, including the devastation and upheaval of Hurricane Ian. Eventually, I was diagnosed with PTSD by my therapist and spent a year and a half working through trauma with EMDR therapy.
How to Make a Tiny Needle Felted Pearl
One book that helped me better understand my experiences was The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk. It helped me understand that trauma isn't simply something we remember or decide to move past. Research shows that traumatic experiences can affect how our brains and nervous systems function. These changes aren't something we consciously choose or can simply switch off.
Understanding that made a difference in how I viewed myself and my healing journey. I began to recognize that some of the ways I reacted to life were connected to experiences I had endured, not personal shortcomings.
A Pearl After the Storm: A Meaningful Needle Felting Craft
Much like the grit that eventually becomes a pearl, I feel that my experiences helped shape the person I am today. I don't believe the difficult things I experienced were necessary or that trauma makes someone better. But I do believe we can heal, grow, and create something meaningful from the lives we've lived. My birthstone happens to be a pearl too.
After six years in Florida, we decided it was time for a change. When my husband was laid off, I knew being closer to family was important. We made the move to Indiana, where we're now just ten minutes from his family.
Needle Felting Supplies for a Seashell Craft
This little needle felted seashell represents the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. The shell opens, revealing the pearl inside, reminding me that even after life's storms, there is still beauty, hope, and room for new beginnings.
And perhaps there's something therapeutic about needle felting itself. You take loose pieces of wool, patiently work them together with a barbed needle, and slowly transform them into something beautiful. Sometimes creating with your hands gives your mind a little room to heal, too.
Be patient with this project! Sculpting two separate shell pieces, adding the details, and getting the pearl just right takes time. But that's part of the beauty of needle felting.
Need more detailed needle felting instructions? Visit my Needle Felted Mushroom Tutorial, where I walk you through the basic needle felting process and techniques you can use for this seashell project, too.
👀Check out my 1-minute or less 📹 video tutorial for this project on my TikTok now or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden!
Handmade Needle Felted Oyster with a Pearl Inside
How to Make a Needle Felted Seashell with a Pearl
This needle felted clamshell is made from two separate pieces that are sculpted and joined together to create an opening shell with a pearl inside. It's a more involved needle felting project, so give yourself plenty of time and enjoy the process!
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Supplies You'll Need
Cream-colored wool roving (core wool is what I used for the seashell base)
Pink wool roving in two shades (for the inside of the shell)
Peach-colored wool roving
Cream and pink wool roving (for the pearl)
Foam felting pad or felting surface
Optional: Finger guards for needle felting safety
This needle felting kit via Amazon has everything you’d need too
Craft tip: I linked my needle felting supplies above so you can find the materials I used.
How to Shape a Two-Piece Needle Felted Seashell
How to Needle Felt the Seashell
Create the two shell pieces. Divide your cream-colored wool into two equal portions. Using your felting needle and foam/felting surface, begin stabbing and sculpting each piece into one half of a clamshell or oyster shell.
Shape and join the shell. Once both pieces have taken shape, carefully needle felt them together along the connecting edge. I wanted my shell to remain movable, so I worked carefully to create a connected shell that could open and close.
Adding a Pink Wool Interior to a Felted Seashell
Add the pink interior. Blend two shades of pink wool together and needle felt the mixture into the inside of each shell half.
Create the exterior colors. Mix gray and peach wool together, then layer the colors over the cream base of the shell. Continue needle felting until the exterior feels firm and the colors blend naturally.
Create Natural Seashell Colors with Wool Felting
Sculpt the seashell details. Use your felting needle to refine the shape and create the natural ridges and lines that extend from the inside of the shell toward the outer edges.
Make the pearl. Blend small amounts of pink and cream wool together. Loosely needle felt the wool until it forms a small, rounded orb resembling a pearl.
How to Add Realistic Details to a Needle Felted Seashell
Add the pearl. Carefully needle felt the pearl into the inside of your finished seashell.
A Little Reminder to Find Your Pearl
This was my last Florida craft, but it also feels like the beginning of something new. Just like this little pearl took patience and care to create, life's next chapter takes time to unfold.
I'm bringing my memories, lessons, and a little Florida sunshine with me to Indiana. And I'm looking forward to seeing what beautiful things I create next.
Keep blooming, even after the storm.
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If you loved this article, we know you’ll love this one too: How I Cope When Life Throws You a Curve Ball: How to Needle Felt a Pumpkin
Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. 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.