Thursday, August 23, 2012

Etceteras: shell souvenir jars


Summer is winding down and beach, pool or outdoor days will soon be over. Every summer we try to get to the beach as much as possible and at the end of summer we wish we had gone more.


I’ve always collected shells along the beach and used them for projects here and there and then tucked the rest of them away. This year I decided to display them in little jars.


I wanted a weathered vintage look for this jar and went to work “rusting” the lid. 


Shell Jars 10One of the fastest ways to rust metal is with vinegar. This jar lid had a brushed gold look so I sanded it with fine sandpaper to remove the gold layer. To start the rusting process, soak your lid in vinegar – I left mine in for about an hour. Place the lid on a paper towel so it’s exposed to air. The combination of oxygen and the acid in the vinegar will start the oxidation process. The photos above show the jar lid before the vinegar, at one hour, two hours and the next day.


I found this broken sand dollar and it’s too fragile to put in one of the jars. So I just placed it on a small glass tile. It’s rare around here to find an unbroken sand dollar and I love this one even if it isn’t perfect.


Every summer our last beach day is spent with a group of friends. It’s a symbolic end-of-summer tradition and I’d love to have more of these tubes filled with shells for years to come.


If you don’t live near the beach, you can make summer souvenir jars with other items. Pebbles, sand, or other bits of nature that have meaning.



I feel very lucky to live so close to the beach. Do you have a favorite summer spot? I’d love to hear how you like to make your summer special.


Thanks for visiting.
Carolyn
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18 comments :

  1. Your shell displays are beautiful! I do collect sand souvenir jars. Wish beautiful beaches are nearby...

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  2. i love it... i made one for my sister just few days ago :)

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  3. beautiful dsiplays as always Carolyn! As for me, instead of shells though, I get the actual sand from the beach! :-)Still neeed to display them, right now their still housed in disposable water bottles.

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  4. Hey Carolyn! *Love* this idea, I've always been a huge fan of those antique nature specimen jars, especially the ones with shells in them. I like your version of them. Tell me, are the tubes with shells made of glass? Where did you find them? I've been looking for something like them for a similar project.

    If you are getting your shells from Santa Monica and Venice Beach and you live nearby them, you are really close to me! I used to live near Newport Beach, but am now up in L.A. and the two closest beaches to me are Santa Monica and Venice.

    Take care,

    Kimberly

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  5. Great way of displaying shells. I have done something similar with my sea shells. I have sand dollars sitting by my computer...adding them to a tile is a great idea as well. Thanks for inspiring me today.

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  6. Hi Carolyn
    Thanks so much for the tutorial on rusting jar lids. I love the look, but not the price. We spent a week in Laguna, and I've captured the week in my newest post: http://altered-artworks.blogspot.com/2012/08/crafting-with-view-of-pacific-ocean-blue.html
    Have a great weekend.

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  7. That's a great tip for aging the lid! I collect sand from each place we've been and I've made display jars and tree ornaments with the sand & shells (and photos). Anything beachy is my "jam". You're so very fortunate to live near the beach (I'm a little jealous!)

    Popped over from House of Hepworths!

    Barb
    www.turtlesandtails.blogspot.com

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  8. Great trick, Carolyn! I heart rust (but not on my car). xoxo

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  9. This is so amazing idea. Thanks for sharing!

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  10. What a fun collection and way to capture memories and thank you for the tip on how to rust the lid.

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  11. this is great i cant wait to try it, i would love it if you could come and share this at my linky party at http://www.twiggstudios.com/2012/08/sunday-show-off-linky-party_25.html

    thankyou xxxx

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  13. Thanks for linking up Carolyn! I featured your post in my wrap up! http://tidymom.net/2012/12-make-at-home-projects/

    Have a fabulous rest of the weekend!

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  14. Great idea! I love this and I just pinned it! Thanks so much for inspiring me today and for the tip!

    Have a blessed and wonderful day!
    karianne

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  15. Wow, I love the vinegar tip! Can't wait to try it!

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  16. I just pinned this and shared it on FB as one of my 4 fave pins of the week :)
    Thanks for sharing!!
    Have a great week!

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  17. I just pinned this and shared it on FB as one of my 4 fave pins of the week :)
    Thanks for sharing!!
    Have a great week!

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  18. I shared it on MY BLOG COME SEE IT . Have wonderful week end.

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