Summertime means family vacations and trips to the beach. If you’ve collected a bunch of seashells but just aren’t sure how to display them, grab some craft sticks from your stash and make a beach plaque. Hopefully you brought a little sand back with you too!
This is a fun projects for kids and adults to do together. It’s easy to make and the variations are many. A fun decoration for the bathroom or entryway.
First paint the craft sticks then glue them all together. I made mine uneven and jagged.
Use white craft glue to write the word “beach” and gently press the pebbles into the glue.
Apply and spread some glue with a paintbrush to the bottom of the plaque where you want the sand to be. Cover the glued area with sand and let sit for a few minutes before shaking off the excess.
Glue seashells and a starfish to the bottom along the sand.
Here’s a close up, I included some teeth as well. You can purchase seashells, teeth and starfish at the craft store if you didn’t get lucky at the beach this year!
Did you hit the beach this summer?
Craft Stick Beach Plaque
Supplies
- 10 jumbo craft sticks
- Small pebbles
- Assorted shells fish teeth and a starfish
- Sand
- White craft glue
- Twine or string
- Acrylic craft paint: Sea Green and White
- Paintbrush
Instructions
- Paint all of the craft sticks with Sea Green and let dry. Glue all of the craft sticks together, side by side. Do not line them up perfectly. Off set them so they appear jagged.
- Dry brush white paint over the top to give the green a washed out look, leaving some green peeking through.
- Use white craft glue to write the word BEACH in capital letters across the top of the plaque. Place small pebbles in the glue to create the letters.
- Use a paintbrush or your finger to spread white craft glue across the bottom and a few inches up both sides, then cover the glue with sand and let sit for five minutes. Tap off the excess sand.
- Glue starfish and shells along the sandy area. Glue the fish teeth in a row in the middle of the plaque.
- Fashion a simple hanger from twine and glue it to the back.
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Felicia dick says
I love this idea when I get my own place this is going on my bathroom wall
Raquel says
As I was doing this craft with my 17 month old, I had to use non-toxic kids paint and found that the glue won’t stick to the craft sticks. I then tried painting the sticks after gluing them together and it made the paint crack. I’m now doing a third version where I laid the craft sticks horizontal and have placed two craft sticks vertical gluing them to the horizontal ones.
Amanda Formaro says
Hope you got it figured out! By the way, the acrylic craft paint that I use (Americana and Craft Smart) are non-toxic.
Kelly Brewer says
I LOVE these projects you have made and shown to all of us!!! THANK YOU so much!!!!
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you for saying so Kelly!
Rilane says
This is so cute & so easy! Inscription perfect for a small house on the beach
Susan says
HI! I made one following your example. Not as cute as yours but still a neat addition to my bathroom!
Amanda says
How fun, thanks Susan!
creativejewishmom/sara says
Great popsicle stick projects Amanda! So great to see you again on Craft Schooling Sunday!
fancythatnotion says
I love this beach sign! My family loves the beach, and this is so perfect:) My sister’s bedroom is beach themed. Come check it out if you would like:) http://fancythatnotion.blogspot.com/2012/06/laras-adorable-room.html
I found you at “Skip to my Lou”:)
fancythatnotion.blogspot.com
Amanda says
Cute bedroom!
Karen Whitney says
This is adorable! Your shells are so pretty :) I have some souvenir shells (not as nice) that would be perfect for a wall hanging!
Amanda says
Thanks Karen!
Mindy says
This is such a neat idea! I’ve never seen this done before, but what a cute way to make wall art:)
Amanda says
Thanks Mindy, I appreciate that!
Jen says
Love how budget friendly this is and that you can create whatever size plaque you like! Great idea!
Amanda says
Thanks Jen, it was fun creating my own :)
Karen Howard says
This is so cute & so easy! Thanks-great picture.
Lyn says
I LOVE the beach! I live in Kansas so I don’t see the beach very often. Please keep nautical themes coming.
Amanda says
Thanks Lyn!
Kaycee says
I love this! We bought our first house, a fixer upper, in January and are doing our room in a beach theme. Unfortunately, with all the repairs and such we haven’t been able to afford decor yet. however, I think I have everything to make this! Thanks!
Natasha says
Really love this idea!!! looks so great yet so easy!!
Paula Parrish says
Hello Amanda,
I love this project, I am pinning it to make later with my daughter. Thanks for the inspiration.
Smiles, Paula