DIY Shell and Sea Glass Chargers

Welcome to the 345th Metamorphosis Monday!

A few years back I made these shell chargers to use in beach-themed tablescapes.

Pottery-Barn-Knockoff-Shell-Chargers

 

I made them after coming across six Pottery Barn chargers on eBay and seeing them sell for over $200!

Pottery Barn Shell Charger

 

I’ve always wondered how they would look with pretty sea glass mixed in, so recently I primed and painted a bunch of old, plastic chargers I already had to try another shell charger makeover.

Priming Charger Plates

 

I found sea glass very inexpensively in Marshalls along with a few bags of shells. I ended up taking back two of the bags because I only needed one bag to supplement the shells I collected on Captiva and Sanibel Island many, many years ago.

Shells and Seaglass

 

A couple of months ago I shared this photo as I experimented around, incorporating some blue shells I already had into the mix. These chargers have been sitting on the floor of my office for weeks because I just couldn’t make up my mind if I liked the how the blue shells looked.

During that time I tried various arrangements, sometimes mixing in three blue shells, other times mixing in five. I could never get the ratio of blue to non-blue shells to look the way I wanted. I finally realized I wanted the blue sea glass to be the main blue-color focus and that the blue shells were only a distraction.

Charger with Seaglass and Shells_wm

 

So, here’s how it turned out. What do you think?

 

 

Here’s a photo taken outdoors that shows the true colors of the shells and sea glass. Shells are just so naturally beautiful, aren’t they?

 

Here’s how the chargers looked in an impromptu place setting. I think when I make the next five chargers, I’ll put more of the sea glass around the outer edge because once the plate is in place, that’s the only part you really see.

If  you would like to make your own shell chargers, you’ll find a tutorial showing how I made the original shell chargers here: DIY Shell Chargers

Shell and Sea Glass Charger

 

To make these, follow my previous tutorial and just mix in some blue sea glass or sea glass in whatever color you prefer. Let me know if you have any questions. This charger was a lot of fun to make while watching TV last night. Now I just need to make five more! 🙂

DIY Sea Glass and Shell Charger for Nautical Table Settings

 

Looking forward to all the fabulous Before and Afters for this Met Monday!

Metamorphosis MondayMet Monday

 

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Comments

  1. Susan thank you so much for the party! I really like the look of the sea and shell charger you made:). I love a project you can do watching TV. Have a great week and take care, Tara

  2. Your chargers turned out beautifully! What a perfect addition they make to the beach themed setting 🙂 Thanks for hosting another link-up!

  3. Oh Susan – these are simply gorgeous – pinning this project for next summer I’m just in love with them – these would even be beautiful hanging on the wall ! thanks so much for sharing AND for another great party !
    xox

  4. Love the addition of the blue seaglass in your chargers Susan! Wishing a Happy Labor Day 🙂

  5. Linda Palmer says

    These are the most gorgeous chargers I’ve ever seen! They look like jewelry! Can’t wait to see a table set with them. Thank you so much for the tutorial.

  6. I love these charges even more than the original ones you made. The blue looks amazing. Have you thought about using them for wall art with a plate hanger?

  7. They look super Susan, I just love love love sea glass! Hope you’re having a great Labor Day weekend!

  8. Very pretty! I love sea glass and you incorporated it fabulously!

  9. Marlene Stephenson says

    Love the chargers, they really have made a beautiful setting.Have a great Labor Day,get some sleep and have a wonderful time.

  10. Those looks beautiful, Susan. I can’t believe you are crafting with two impending foreign trips coming up. You’ve got a lot more energy than I have. Thanks for hosting.

  11. pam ~ crumpety cottage says

    That looks great! You were absolutely right to take out the blue shells, they were distracting. The color of the sea glass is very pretty. You found the right balance. And placing more of the blue near the outer edge will be wise.

    These are such a refreshing, summery, beachy kind of thing and so welcome to see after a long, dreary winter. I have so many projects, I don’t know when I’ll ever get to them but I do love the idea of making them. Susan, you are too much. You are already so well prepared for your African safari that you have time to wile away an evening making sea glass and shell chargers! 😀

    • Thanks, Pam. Yeah, distraction is good so I can’t think about it too much. lol

      • pam ~ crumpety cottage says

        Aww, Susan, you’re going to have a marvelous time! It will be one of the adventures of your life! But if you’re having misgivings, you know you can simply stay home. End of. No explanation necessary. It’s your life after all, and if that’s what you decide you want, then that’s what you should do. 😉

        • That’s not what I meant. The opposite, I can’t wait to go! I meant distraction because I wish it would get here faster. I’m like a kid waiting on Christmas Day to get here. 🙂

          • pam ~ crumpety cottage says

            Oh, haha. 😀 Good. I thought you were the adventurous, ‘feet first,’ type. Glad you’re looking forward to it. Remember, you promised to scratch a giraffe’s head for me. 🙂

  12. Wow, didn’t this idea of yours turn out great! The blue glass brings the shells to life. I remember you saying that making the shell chargers was a labor intensive project so I was surprised to see you take on another set. I bet you’re glad you did. Will we see your original set for sell on EBay for say…$199.99 LOL 🙂 Vikki in VA.

    • It is very time consuming! It may be next summer before I get them all done. lol No, I’m holding onto those…too much work to ever sell them. 🙂

  13. How pretty, Susan! I love the look of the sea glass! Hope you are having a wonderful Labor Day! Hugs…Debbie

  14. I am impressed with your chargers! I love to decorate with shells in the warm/hot months. But most of mine are loose in hurricanes, and jars. ha!
    Thanks for hosting another great link party.
    Sheila

  15. Cyndi Raines says

    Love them Susan. You know you are my inspiration. I have 4 of my 8 done and I added blue and green beach glass. Love it. They go great with the shell napkin ring holders you showed us how to make. I still need to send you a picture of the shell/ beach glass/ sea grass wreath I made while on vacation. I have received lots of great compliments on it. I’ll try to get the picture off to you before you leave for your exciting trip. Headed for the beach right now – pretty steamy day – hanging onto summer! lol. Happy Labor Day!

  16. Hi, Susan,
    I love, love, love the shell chargers with the blue sea glass. I agree with some of the other followers who said they could actually make a lovely wall display; maybe for a room with a beach theme, or just a seasonal display. You have such a talented eye for color and design. You continue to amaze with the versatility of your abilities! Have a wonderful Labor Day! Rosie @ The Magic Hutch

  17. Susan,
    The sea glass adds so much dimension with the shells. I did shells on a picture frame before, but never thought of doing plates…thanks for the idea and for hosting this fabulous party every week.
    Lori

  18. Susan, the sea glass looks great your chargers! Great idea! Thanks for hosting!

  19. I love them! They are so pretty. Well done!

  20. I love the addition of the sea glass! Now you have two sets of really great chargers!!

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

  21. Thanks so much for the party!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

  22. What a gorgeous project. I absolutely adore the blue sea glass. It makes a sparkly difference! 🙂 Thanks for the party!

  23. Really pretty. I love the addition of the sea glass. I was looking around the Internet and found some pretty rattan chargers at WalMart. They also had some beautiful giraff patterns ones too. I thought you might like those.

    • Oh, I just googled and saw those. Thanks for telling me about them…love them! I’m wondering if they sell the giraffe plates at Giraffe Manor. 🙂

  24. Oops! Giraffe

  25. Thanks so much, Susan, for posting these lovely chargers! They are just amazing and make me wish I had the get up and go to do 6 of them. Yours are much prettier than the ones that sold on eBay for $200! Isn’t it something that things are SO much higher on eBay than they ever were in the store? EBay is rarely a bargain stop any more. I see things bought directly from Marshall’s or HomeGoods that are 8-10 times higher. But back to your chargers, they are perfect! How do you store them so the shells don’t rub on each other? You do inspire me and I will send you a picture if I ever undertake to do my 6. Have a wonderful Labor Day!

  26. Very nice! (Ok, I need to know why in the heck they’re called chargers. ??)………Aren’t you leaving soon for Africa?

    • Yep, in about a week.
      Umm, good question! Here’s what Wikipedia says: “The word “charger” originated around 1275 – 1325 from the Middle English “chargeour”. Formerly, a charger signified either a large platter or a large, shallow dish for liquids. They are usually larger than most common dinner plates. Since they are not used for food, charger plates can be found in a variety of materials, from traditional china, to metal, wood, glass, plastic and pearl.”

  27. Gorgeous, simply gorgeous. You did a beautiful job of fulfilling your vision of your chargers adorned with shells and sea glass. Now I am feeling really inspired again. Hmm….. This would be a good project for Sunday nights while watching Downton Abby over the cold winter months. Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

  28. Thanks for hosting Susan! Love the sea shell chargers. I did something similar where I glued seashells to some blah looking picture frames.

  29. Those seashells chargers are incredibly creative! Thanks for the party!

  30. Susan, those are beautiful. And here I’ve been spending years collecting sea glass and shells at various beaches, lol. All kidding aside, makes me long for another beach trip. Better yet, makes me long for a beach cottage that I can decorate!! Thanks for the party, and hope your week is a good one.
    Rita

  31. I agree with all the comments. I also love them. But what I must know is this; where did you get the fish wine glass. I love it. Blue and white Japanese dishes in various patterns are my everyday dishes. It would look great with them.

  32. Oooh, I love it! The balance of blue beach glass and shells is perfect – the glass really stands out. I think I know what I might do with some of the sea glass I’ve been collecting over the last few months… thanks for the inspiration 🙂

  33. Those seashell chargers rock! My husband loves nautical themed stuff. Really awesome idea. Thanks for sharing, and thanks for hosting such a great party.

  34. Pretty seashell chargers Susan. Thanks for sharing and for hosting MM. Hope your week is great!

  35. Your sea glass charger is gorgeous. Thanks so much for the party.

  36. Susan, your chargers are gorgeous! I love them! I have never decorated with this theme before but I might start just to get to have these. Thanks so much for hosting this week!
    love and blessings~
    Lynda @ Gates of Crystal

  37. Those are beautiful! I may have to try making some of them. I could definitely see those on my plate rack shelf during the summer. Thanks for sharing with us!

  38. Karen Cook says
  39. Patricia Wollenberg says

    Susan,
    Your web site is the most perfect I have ever come upon: beautiful decorative goods and how-tos. I wish I did not live so far, because I would be an insatiable customer.
    Patricia in Florida

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