I want to use shells as a table centre piece: any idea on how to use it except on small aquariums/fish bowls?

Answer 1

One year we brought back a lot of shells from Florida. I spray painted them gold and sprinkled colored glitter on them because I use them at the holidays. You could spray them with a clear spray and sprinkle crystal glitter on them to make them sparkle and shimmer for summer.

Get a shallow tray and place some colored sand on it and arrngement shells and perhaps a fake turtle and small palm trees for the main center piece. Take the smaller shells and scatter then down the center of the table leading to the main piece.

You could also use larger shells as name place cards. Before spraying the clear spray and glitter carefully letter your guests names or use initials and proceed as above. You could either place on top of the main plate or stick into small piece of clay or play dough to make them stand up.

Another idea would be to take the glittered shells and a small round shallow dish and arrange aroung the edges and place a small bowl of water with a few drops of blue food coloring in it and either have fake or real fish in the bowl or arrange an explosion of flowers cut with very short stems.

For guest gifts or to use as name plates I glued the shells in the corners and.or down the side of inexpensive picture frames and placed at each guest's seat for one party.

Or simply pile the shells into a small colorful bowl or shallow dish and tuck in some tall pieces of grass or weed type things that make it look like the dunes. The dollar stores have clear and colored marbles and half marbles which would also make a nice base for the shells. Tuck the shells into the marble base and it will look like water.

Like candles? Group different sizes and colors on a dish and surround with shells. You could even glue shells down the sides of larger candles.

The possibilities are endless - hope this got your thinking.
Have fun!

Answer 2

1. Find a large colorful platter -- one that is flattering to the shells.
2. Arrange several large pillar candles in the center of the platter, with the tallest in the center and shorter heights arranged casually around it -- keep it loose looking.
3. With the shells clean and dry, you can lean the large ones (if there are any) right against the candles at the base, and then gather the remaining smaller shells and dump them gently around the base of everything, ending with the very smallest shells at the outer edge. If you need a few more shells for fill-ins, you can get more at craft stores.

You might even try pouring a base of sand -- plain or colored -- into the platter before starting step one, or try tinted water, as long as it doesn't stain the shells.

Good Luck! :)

Answer 3

You can string the smaller shells together to make napkin rings.

Two ideas: Take dried grapevine wreath, spray with glue and sprinkle with golden sand. Place a candle or a trio of candles in the center, and surround them with the shells, while placing the shells slightly hidden in the grape vine. After you get done, sprinkle a bit of glitter on the grapevine wreath, add a bow and you have a sea-shell wreath for the holidays, or put it on a mirror and hang it in the bath.

The other idea is to grab some fisherman's net and some glass floaters (or glass balls, if you can't find them some very subtle plastics), put your main serving dishes in the center and wrap/weave the fish net around them, place the shells and marine floaters strategically.

Answer 4

Hi! First of all, congrats on the wedding! I hope it turns out beautifully! I love the thought of the tall vase with the rocks and candles! Depending on the vase and the way the rocks are sitting, you could assemble votive candle holders to hold the lit candles that will provide some mood lighting to the table. These candles, of course your concern, will melt down but the votive holder will catch the wax. But! you could also provide extra candles on the tables as part of the setting, perhaps with a little piece of fancy wrapping with a note to take the candle home to light themselves. You could think of a lil' poem thanking them for sharing the first day of your lives together...by adding "light" to your lives or something. I'm usually pretty good at thinking of stuff like this, but right now I'm stuck. The fish are a good idea as well; Very unique! I still ike the candle idea better myself! Best wishes to you! It'll be wonderful whatever you decide!

Answer 5

I have done this sortof, i just got 3 differently shaped, tall vases, round, fluted, square, whatever you choose, fill with 3 layers of different colored sands mixed with a few colored pebbles. Tilt vases after filling 1/2 the way up to barely mix and give a better look. Fill with various small shells, seahorses, starfish, etc. If you like, hot glue a few of the same on the outside of jars also. Have fun and good luck!

Answer 6

What if you had a candle on the tabel and adhered your shells to that? or just place a different kind of shell next to each plate on the table.

Answer 7

Get clear round or square bowls, and fill each half way with sand, and arrange your shells on that. It looks cool if you use high-sided ones, almost like a vase? and fill them only half way. CHECK OUT LINK BELOW!!! (Rachel Ray Mag)

Answer 8

Serve salad in the shells and crab meat. place the shells around the edges of plates.

Answer 9

I always liked them placed in a nice clear bowl.

Answer 10

buy a very small ceramic drill bit" tear drop shape carbide tip " drill shells attach to some sort of spawning base with wire. or cut slits in base of shell with dremal tool to attach with wire .