Decoupage Shells with Maps: A Creative Project

Have you ever returned from a beach walk with a handful of seashells—unsure what to do with them, but not quite ready to let go of their charm? One of my favorite memories is scouring the shoreline with my son when he was little, searching for the perfect shells to add to our growing collection. Now that he’s older and has his own beach cottage (right in our backyard), I wanted to turn some of those treasured finds into a keepsake he can display and enjoy. This creative DIY shows you how to decoupage shells with maps, transforming simple seaside treasures into heartfelt mementos filled with love and memories.

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Decoupage Shells with Maps: A Meaningful Keepsake

We typically vacation during the summer months—June, July, and August—and always manage to bring home a plentiful collection of beautiful shells.

In today’s project, I’m sharing how to decoupage shells with maps—a beautiful blend of coastal decor and meaningful memories. While most tutorials use paper napkins or tissue paper (and I’ve done those too—they can be so pretty!), this version takes a more personal twist. By using vintage maps or pages from old atlases, you can turn simple shells into tiny keepsakes that reflect the places you’ve been or dream of visiting.

Let’s dive into this inspiring (and surprisingly simple) DIY!

🛠️ Handcrafted Society

Today marks another exciting installment of our Handcrafted Society series, where a group of creative bloggers comes together to craft projects centered around a common theme.

This month, we’re all about maps — “Oh, the places we’ve gone!” Do you remember the good old days of paper maps? I wasn’t even sure if “AAA” still handed them out, but it turns out they do! And who could forget the trusty Thomas Guide? These classic mapping tools guided us long before GPS became the norm.

So, grab something cool to drink and join us as we showcase our latest DIY creations. You’re sure to find inspiration for your next crafting adventure!

Don’t forget to check out the links to all the bloggers’ projects at the end of this post.

Why You’ll Love This Project

Creative and meaningful – When my children were younger, we loved collecting shells together—and it’s something we all still enjoy decorating with to this day. For this project, I used maps of the beaches where we gathered our shells, and I’ll be giving each of my children a few to add to their own collections as a meaningful keepsake.

Budget-friendly – This is an inexpensive craft to make, just a few supplies, most of which you may already have on hand.

Great for gifts or decor – These make lovely trinket dishes, wedding favors, or coastal coffee table accents.

🐚 How to Make Decoupaged Seashells

Ready to get started? Here’s how to decoupage shells with maps using just a few simple supplies and a bit of creativity.

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Yield: 6 Pears

How to Make DIY Sweater Pears

A quick and easy tutorial on how to upcycle an old sweater into teh cutest stuffed pears to use as fall decor.

Cost$5-$10

Materials

• Thrifted sweaters knits work best in cozy fall colors
• Fabric scissors
• Needle and embroidery thread
• Polyester fiberfill or pillow stuffing
• Twigs pumpkin stems or cinnamon sticks (for stems)
• Felt fabric scraps, or dried leaves (for leaves)
• Jute twine or ribbon optional, for embellishments

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

• Cut sweater fabric into a pear-shaped piece (any size you like).
• Stitch or hot glue the edges, leaving the top open.
• Turn fabric right side out and fill with stuffing.
• Gather and secure the top with thread or twine.
• Add a twig, natural stem or cinnamon stick for the stem.
• Glue on a felt or dried leaf for detail.
• Embellish with ribbon, twine, or buttons if desired.
• Style pears in clusters for a natural, cozy look.

Step 2: Add a White Base Coat (Optional)

A coat of white acrylic paint helps the map design pop—especially on darker shells.

Step 3: Choose and Cut Your Map

Select a map section that holds meaning—maybe a favorite beach, a hometown, or a dream destination. Trim to fit the shell shape.

Step 4: Apply the Map

Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge onto the inside of the shell, then press the map piece in place, smoothing it gently from the center outward.

Use a clean finger or the back of your brush to smooth out any bubbles and prevent tearing.

Once the paper is adhered, apply a thin layer of Mod Podge over the top of the map to seal and secure it in place.

Step 5: Finishing the Edges

There are a few ways to trim the edges.

• You can use small scissors and simply trim around the edge of the shell.
• Carefully burn the edge of the paper—it will naturally stop at the edge of the shell, creating a smooth, custom fit with a subtle, decorative charred finish.

Step 7: Adding a Touch of Gold Foil