Shell Chargers Are Back—Plus, Ideas For Your Beachy-Nautical Themed Tables

Welcome to the 870th Tablescape Thursday! I’m so looking forward to setting some beachy/nautical-inspired tables this summer! I’ll be heading back to Georgia in the next few weeks, and the first order of business once I arrive home will be to dig the porch (and the porch table) out from under the foot-deep pollen that I’m sure awaits. Argh. I may need a shovel just to get started!

Once the porch is ready, one of the first tables I want to create will be one with a nautical or beach theme. Those are some of my favorite tablescapes to set. If you’ve been following BNOTP for a while, you may remember that time I came across 6 shell chargers in an auction on eBay. I had never seen shell chargers before, and I wanted that set soooo badly. Unfortunately, so did several other people. I never even got a chance to bid since the price shot up so quickly. The chargers ended up selling for $233.49, including shipping. Ouch!

Well, I have some good news—the shell chargers are back! If you would like a set in a slightly different style, you’ll find them available here: Shell Chargers.

I really like the shell napkin rings that they have paired with the chargers in this older photo. Though those are no longer available, I found some that are very similar here: Shell Napkin Rings.

As time passed, I could not get those shell chargers out of my mind. Having several bags of shells, collected on a vacation in Sanibel Island back in the 1980s, I wondered if I could make my own. For the charger base, I spray-painted some inexpensive plastic chargers that I’d had for years and had long since stopped using. Supplementing my shell stash with some tiny filler shells that I found online, I created my first shell charger. Though a slow process, I was hooked! Over the next several weeks, I made an additional 5 shell chargers.

They have held up really well over the years and look as nice today as the day they were made. They were definitely worth all the hours (and sore fingertips) spent making them.

While I was making my first batch of shell chargers, I couldn’t help but wonder how they would look with a bit of sea glass mixed in. I found faux sea glass in Marshalls and went to work once again.

This is definitely a craft that’s best done while listening to a book or watching a movie, since each one takes a while.

You’ll find the tutorial for making these chargers here: DIY Shell Chargers with Sea Glass.

Not nautical inspired, but I have to mention these because the price is so amazing! I’ve always wanted a set of real bamboo flatware. I have a set of the plastic/faux bamboo flatware, but have never splurged on the real thing. To give you an idea of the cost, a set of real bamboo flatware via Horchow HERE is $714 for a 20-piece set! Right now, you can purchase real bamboo flatware for just $48.99 per 5-piece place setting! That’s around $200 for a 20-piece set! Umm, I may not be able to resist that. If you have always wanted a set of real bamboo flatware, you’ll find it on sale for the best price I’ve ever seen here: Bamboo Flatware on sale.

There are so many beautiful nautical/beach dinnerware patterns available for this summer. Here are a few of my favorites! Beautiful blue and white design! You’ll find it for a great price here: Shell-Themed Coastal Dinnerware in Blue and White.

Another beautiful design!

You’ll find it available here: Coastal Beach-Themed Dinnerware.

This Phaltzgraff stoneware set caught my eye because it’s so different. It’s a softer, more subtle design in a beautiful aqua and white color. You’ll find it available here: Aqua Pfaltzgraff Stoneware Dinnerware Set.

If you will be using your beachy dinnerware outside or around a pool and are worried about it being broken, I love this pretty melamine set. You’ll find it available here: Coastal Beach Dinnerware in Melamine.

What about some beachy, nautical-themed flatware to go with your dinnerware? This sailboat pattern is one of my favorites, and I love using it during the summer months.

You’ll find it available here: Sailboat Flatware.

This fishy, shark flatware cracks me up! Notice the fin along the handle—I love it! This one is pretty much mandatory for a beach or lake house or a houseboat. Ha! You’ll find it available here: Fish/Shark Flatware.

How about napkin rings? I like this set a lot since it would go well with any beachy table setting. You’ll find it available here: Nautical Napkin Rings: Seahorse, Sea Turtle, Shell, Lobster, Starfish, and Octopus.

Love the design of this rope, nautical-knot napkin ring! These would go so well with woven or wicker-style chargers, or really any casual setting. You’ll find these available here: Nautical Knot Napkin Ring.

Beautiful Tiger-shell napkin rings! You’ll find these available here: Tiger Shell Napkin Ring.

I hope these finds have offered a bit of inspiration for your tables this summer! Looking forward to the beautiful table settings linked for this week’s Tablescape Thursday!

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