Need advice on making seashell photo frame

[Chapital]

On my last visit to Mexico we spent a week on the beach in the Yucatan and my MIL LOVED the shells. We spent hours combing the beaches for the best ones and sorting them and she brought 3 huge ziploc bags full back on the plane (it was so cute). We want to make a framed mirror or picture frame for her, so on my upcoming trip I want to make it a day project with the kids as a momento of our trip. I need to get some of the stuff to do it here in the US because I don't want to spend half a day in combi, bus, and taxi trying to find it all there. I did some research online and here is what I am thinking...but since I've never done it before, I am worried.....I need expert advice

1. I am going to see if I can find a plain wood frame at Michaels/Jo-ann's and then just buy mirror glass in Mexico.
2. Buys some ocean blue paint and paint the frame in case any shows through
3. Soak the shells in 50/50 bleach water to clean and brighten
4. Here's the tough part....what glue to use to adhere the shells....I don't want to use a glue gun because of the kids getting burned. Craft glue like Aileen's seems easiest for the kids, but doesn't dry quickly. Some websites recommended epoxy resin or mastic, but I don't know anything about those. Also, any good tips for assembling it...
5. One site recommended dusting with sand for an authentic beach finish, but that seems messy and dirty too me. Another says to shine the shells with mineral or baby oil. Another one says not to seal the shells with varnish, etc....I don't know what to do. The environment there at my MIL house is so dusty, I am afraid the frame with be terribly dirty in a month....

I am just afraid of a creating a big disaster....so any advice is great...I am going to go to the store on Sat to get whatever supplies I need:

Frame
Glue (whatever I decide)
paint
paintbrushes
something to seal it?

[jeialeigh]

I don't know what to do about the dust, other than get her a swiffer duster, cause ur right, that would be a big pain in the arse to dust!!

BUT, I would use gorilla glue to glue the shells to the frame. My BIL works for an industrial glue company, and this is what he recommends, even over super glue. You can usually get it at lowes or home depot... maybe walmart, but I've never looked there.

[BrendaMcLain]

You should try to find a frame that looks like a box, kind of like the ones that are used to put your wedding bouquet in or sports memorabilia(i know i'm mis-spelling some words, sorry) like a keepsake clear box, then you should buy some sand or if you are going to visit that beach again gather some sand from there, place a little bit of sand in the frame and just place your best shells in it so when you move it from side to side the design changes.. I hope you understande what I mean, because I could totally see it in my head... If you find one of those frames you wont have trouble with the dust because it will be on the outside of it and you could just wipe it of...

[Cfloresgirl]

Sounds like a wonderful gift idea..I was thinking for the frame and the dust,maybe try a semi-gloss paint. I think that would be a lot easier to dust off..or even repel it a bit.
Have fun..your kids will love it too!

[carlosalica]

You should try to find a frame that looks like a box, kind of like the ones that are used to put your wedding bouquet in or sports memorabilia(i know i'm mis-spelling some words, sorry) like a keepsake clear box, then you should buy some sand or if you are going to visit that beach again gather some sand from there, place a little bit of sand in the frame and just place your best shells in it so when you move it from side to side the design changes.. I hope you understande what I mean, because I could totally see it in my head... If you find one of those frames you wont have trouble with the dust because it will be on the outside of it and you could just wipe it of...
Hey that's a great idea.. you're thinking like a shadow box right?

I've always wanted to put my daughters baptism dress in a shadow box, but I can't find a box big enough.

[Chapital]

I don't know what to do about the dust, other than get her a swiffer duster, cause ur right, that would be a big pain in the arse to dust!!

BUT, I would use gorilla glue to glue the shells to the frame. My BIL works for an industrial glue company, and this is what he recommends, even over super glue. You can usually get it at lowes or home depot... maybe walmart, but I've never looked there.

Gorilla glue was mentioned on one of the websites, but I didn't know what it was...I will look into it....thanks for the recommendation. I think I'll use it if it's safe for kids to be handling

You should try to find a frame that looks like a box, kind of like the ones that are used to put your wedding bouquet in or sports memorabilia(i know i'm mis-spelling some words, sorry) like a keepsake clear box, then you should buy some sand or if you are going to visit that beach again gather some sand from there, place a little bit of sand in the frame and just place your best shells in it so when you move it from side to side the design changes.. I hope you understande what I mean, because I could totally see it in my head... If you find one of those frames you wont have trouble with the dust because it will be on the outside of it and you could just wipe it of...

I definitely understand. I made clear glass christmas ornaments with the same idea after I moved away from California. I'll need to make the big shell frame too, but maybe I can find a frame like that too (we have gads of shells)

Sounds like a wonderful gift idea..I was thinking for the frame and the dust,maybe try a semi-gloss paint. I think that would be a lot easier to dust off..or even repel it a bit.
Have fun..your kids will love it too!

I thought of coating it with clear paint of some type or all white too, but one of the sites said that made it harder to clean???? Also, I am afraid my MIL will want to see the natural color of the shells....hmmm

[Marie]

I have no thoughts but I want to see a picture when it's done!

[Auntlily]

I love the shadow box idea.

[Chapital]

Here's the finished product and a few photos of the process...it was a fun family project. We made a HUGE mirror frame for my MIL...seriously it is about 4 feet by 5 feet. We bought a piece of plywood, sanded it and painted it white, then used gorilla glue to glue on a piece of mirror glass. My husband had pre-drilled holes at the top to hang it with. We used craft glue to glue on the shells....I also made a small frame that turned out so nice I decided to take it back home with me. We even have enough shells left to make another huge one someday...Enjoy!

http://s249.photobucket.com/albums/gg203/Chapital/Shell%20frames/

[Marie]

It's beautiful!!!!! Wow!! How long did it take to glue them all on?

[Chapital]

It's beautiful!!!!! Wow!! How long did it take to glue them all on?

Good question...probably a hour or two...I was helping kids for the first half before they gave up, so it seemed like forever. Also, I have no sense of time when I'm in Mexico....


The prep work was a bit tough...but mostly because my husband had his heart set on the big size...in fact he broke the first mirror glass we bought when he was trying to assemble it.

[ratito921]

I love the mirror!!

[Marie]

awesome!! that didn't take long at all. It's beautiful!

[slvjvm922000]

wow they are beautiful.