BEACH TREASURES
by Gail Miller
More often than not, whenever we go
on a beach holiday we bring home little bits and pieces we have picked up, as
mementoes. Stones, shells, small pieces of driftwood. Wouldn't it be lovely to
turn these souvenirs into beautiful treasures? Here are some crafty ideas here
which will cost you next to nothing, yet enable you to turn your mementoes into
attractive and functional objects for your home.
#1: Wind Chimes
Take 2 pieces of driftwood approx.
20 cms. long and place them into a cross. Using a piece of string bind them
where they crisscross. Secure and leave one end loose to attach to a hook. Cut
four pieces of the string, approx. 60 - 80 cm long (depending on how long you
want your chimes to be, and how many objects you use.)
Tie shells, pebbles, coins, chunks
of driftwood etc about 8 -10 cms apart and attach each piece of string to each
end of the cross. Hang up in the porch, window or garden.
#2: Lanterns
Take some used jam jars and clean
thoroughly, inside and out. Fill to halfway with very small pebbles. Using some
fine wire wrap around the neck of the jar a few times and make a handle for
hanging handle. Place a tea light candle in each jar.
#3: Fridge Magnets
Stick small magnets to larger
decorative shells with epoxy glue and use to attach photos and notes etc to your
fridge.
#4: Light Pull
Try to find a pebble with a hole
through it. Using leather thonging or ordinary string tie the pebble to one end.
You may varnish it with gloss varnish before hand should you want a shiny
finish. Attach the other end to your light pull attachment or use it as a pull
for your blind
#5: Paperweight
Try to use a fairly smooth, largish
beach pebble approx. 18 cm by 10cm. Using a complimentary acrylic paint colour,
carefully paint your name (or a recipient's name) on the top of the pebble.
Leave to dry and varnish with a coat of matt or gloss varnish.
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