Seashell Pot Candle

Materials:

• | 6-1/2" wide terra cotta potting dish
• | (200) 1/8" -1-1/2" wide assorted seashells: whelks, augers, abalone, bonnet, cowries, clams
• | (1) 3" x 8" cream column candle
• | terra cotta felt
• | 6 to 8 cups of sand
• | scissors
• | measuring tape
• | heavy-duty wire cutters
• | 26 or 30 gauge wire
• | low temperature glue gun and sticks or tacky craft glue
• | wastebasket

Instructions:

• | Glue the shells around the rim of the potting dish, alternating colors and sizes. Fill in around larger shells with smaller shells.
• | Glue the felt to the bottom of the dish and trim to fit. Pour sand into the pot until it is 3/4 full. Push the candle 1/2" into the sand.

Gluing Tips:

• | When gluing scallop shells to a flat surface or a wreath, it helps to use a piece of floral foam. Trim a 1/2" square piece of foam and glue it to the curved underside of the shell to create a flat gluing surface.
• | To secure heavy shells, place glue on the shell back and press it onto a piece of felt. Let dry and cut the felt to the size of the shell.