
Thanks to Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch and Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality for hosting these two wonderful events. Be sure to visit both of these lovely ladies to see what all they've got to show us and a list of everyone else that is participating.
It seems that shells are showing up all over blogland and in the stores adorning everything from mirrors to picture frames and anything the imagination can dream up. While browsing through an upscale designer boutique in Scottsdale recently, I saw some gorgeous shell balls. At $29.95 each, I thought I could duplicate them for a lot less.
This is what I came up with. Pretty good don't you think.

I had several bags of different shells that I found at the Dollar Tree, so I headed off to Michaels for some styrofoam balls and got out the glue gun.

Just putting them wherever they would fit, this is the first one I came up with.

This is the second one.

I also had a bag of starfish from the Dollar Tree and my DH came in and said, why don't you sit them on the starfish. Clever guy. I love it. The starfish holds them perfectly.

Since the Living Room is still decorated in all the soft blue/greens for the summer, I thought they would be great on an end table. Just a little bit of the seashore added to the room.

I also took a small cloche I have (don't forget the Fall Cloche Party on Sept. 11th) and put a starfish and a few of the leftover shells inside to complete my vignette.

All together I have less than $5 in the project and I still have a lot of balls and shells left over for other projects. That's pretty thrifty wouldn't you think?
While I had the glue gun out I wanted to try another project. I've seen the most gorgeous tassels all over blogland, so I thought I'd try making one.

I painted a thread spool chocolate brown and assembled some leftover fringe and ribbons from other projects and got busy. I cut the small ribbons and glued to the bottom of the spool and then started layering different trims around the spool, just hot glueing them down really well. I used a wide chocolate wire ribbon for the big loops. For the hanger I just threaded the small ribbon through the spool and tied a knot at the bottom large enough to not pull through and taa-daa, it was done.

I decided to hang it on the key to my china cabinet. I love the look of it.

This was super thrifty. FREE I think I will try to make more, this was a lot of fun.
Also as a reminder there are a few memes coming up soon that you will want to join. You can click on the buttons on my sidebar for all the details. On August 12th there's the Feathered Friends Party. Remember all the fun we had with the Target Birds meme. This one is to show us all of your birds that you use in your decorating. Then on August 28th there's the Show us your Roosters meme. Now since we all love our roosters, I know you will want to participate in this one too.
Let's all join the fun, and thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate it. I've scheduled this to post on Sunday since I will be gone most of the day, hope it works. lol
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Smart husband!! The starfish really set off your neat shell balls. Great projects. Sally
ReplyDeleteReally like your shell balls and putting them on a starfish was a great idea. Mine would not be that neat. And I sure like your tassel. I have thought about trying to make some, but never followed thru.
ReplyDeletei love a good craft project! Kudos Marty!
ReplyDeleteLove, Dana
Marty, your DH is a keeper! Great idea put the shell balls on the starfish! What a great idea! Your seashell vignette is so great!
ReplyDeleteLove this post!
Tina
Hmmm. I think it's time I get a glue gun! Great tresures you created!!
ReplyDeleteMarty,
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the shell balls, I agree with everyone else. DH had a good ideal. Beautiful job on the tassel, looks very grand.
Sandy
Well you have been busy! Great job and fantastic on the tassel. I ydon't think they are that simple to do...you did wonderful!
ReplyDeleteVery nice projects, Marty. You are so talented☺
ReplyDeleteI like your shell creations. I have tons of shells from the beach and now I think I may get my hot glue gun out and go to town after seeing how cute your shells look. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteJoyce
This is fabulous. We have a ton of shells from our recent beach vacation. Maybe I'll try it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteKaren
http://Savingthefamilymoney.com
How creative you are! I love that tassel, and the shell balls are great! You could go into business and sell them and/or give them as gifts!
ReplyDeleteKatherine
You have busy as a bee! These are both great projects! I guess DH stands for "designer huband"!
ReplyDeleteGreat transformations!! Love those shell balls and I have been dying to try my hand at a tassel-
ReplyDeleteblessings
mary
You did an amazing job on your seashell balls. And what a fun idea to sit them on the starfish.
ReplyDeleteLove the tassel too.
Evening, Dear Marty! Oh, look what you've done! I love these shell balls! I may could do this! You're my inspiration! :)
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Hi Marty, just love those shell balls.....I am going to try this! Love the tassel, too, wonderful job.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Barb
very clever idea, i love it!
ReplyDeletehttp://randommusingsfrommypov.com
I just love the shell balls! What a great job you did making them. I have had my eye on some at Pottery Barn but just could not bring myself to pay the price and never thought of making them so thanks for sharing yours with us.
ReplyDeleteThe tassel is very nice and looks great on the china cabinet.
Sharon
HI Marty!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat crafter you are, I love it that you saw it and you made it and saved alot of $$$$ at it!!!!!
very cute idea!!!!
hugs,
jamie
Marty, I like your tassle. It looks great on your china cabinet. I may have to try my hand at it now that I've organized my craft room and know where my ribbons and trim are! LOL!
ReplyDeleteHi Marty !
ReplyDeleteBoy, you really got crafty ! I love those shell balls ...and that tassle...I have been wanting to make one....it's on my list ;o)
Kammy
HI Marty! I love this project! So inventive! I love the starfish stand too!
ReplyDelete~Really Rainey~
Marty,
ReplyDeleteMy mom (Really Rainey) sent me to your blog and I LOVE your little shell balls! I too found a steal of a deal at the dollar tree and used it for met monday this week! Gotta love Dollar Tree!!!
Oh Marty, you are so creative! I love the shell balls, so clever! And I also love the tassel you created. I am sure you will create a lot more cause there are so many possibilities! Love your cloche too!...Christine
ReplyDeleteOh, gosh...these ALL look great. Love your shell balls and the tassle is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteI knew about the Rooster party but not the other..thanks for the heads up on it.
O, and I LOVE your Country French table !!!
xo bj
Now Marty this is just awesome my friend...WOW what a great idea for both the shells and the tasells I just loved this post...thanks so much your the best...May you have a great day...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
ReplyDeleteLove the shell balls and such a clever idea! While living in FL, shelling was my favorite pass time. I still have jars and baskets full of shells and I love them as much today and when I collected them.
ReplyDeleteOh so pretty and a great ideal.
ReplyDeleteLove it, Marty - you figured it out and did it yourself - beautiful! Linda
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your shell project, Marty. I want to make some of these! Beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteVery clever and creative projects!
ReplyDeleteMarty, oh my goodness. This is the most incredible thing I've seen in a very long time.. Definetly going to share with my daughter. She is going to love this.. I love, love, love your tassle. I've got to get busy and try to make one.. I love tassles and have them hanging everywhere... great post..
ReplyDeletehugs ~lynne~
This was so smart and creative, Mary! I love this idea and I'm definitely putting it into my "idea file" to use in my beachy bedroom re-do.
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at all the beach-inspired ideas I'm seeing through Metamorphosis Monday posts today so maybe, for once, I'm on the cusp of a decorating trend instead of lagging way behind! Lol.
Marty, what a clever idea to do with shells. So pretty! I'm in love with shells too.
ReplyDelete... and I just threw out a box of styrofoam balls & cones ... IF I had only known I'd have sent them all to you! Argh! Your creations are wonderful. I've add shells to nightlights but never thought of this. I love visiting you ... TTFN ~ Marydon
ReplyDeleteWow, Marty! I am so impressed with your projects! I love the shell boule! And, the tassel is fantastic! I think I am going to try making one for our breakfast nook ... after I refinish the armoire ... and the kitchen ...
ReplyDeleteJane
I love what you did with the shells! Very attractive on your table.
ReplyDeleteMarty, those are gorgeous shell balls! What a great idea to set them on top of the starfish. I am hooked on shells...just the perfect little sculptures! :O)
ReplyDeleteWow, the shell balls look great. I love your tassel...very talented lady!! I love the colors you picked, they're so earthy and warm.
ReplyDeleteJust last month I bought a set of three shell-covered balls at Walmart, but your custom designs are really fabulous, especially placed atop the starfish!
ReplyDeleteYou are talented, no doubt about it! Thanks for sharing. Happy Blue Monday.
ReplyDeleteMary, You just never cease to amaze me. I can see now, you have been hiding some of your talents. Love the shell balls, how fun for you summer look. the tassel looks wonderful. I can't wait to see what kind of tassel you make for Christmas. Hugs Kathysue
ReplyDeleteThose shell balls are so cute. But I have to say you got me for life with the tassle. I bought some stuff to try one also. Hope it comes out 1/2 as good as yours.
ReplyDeletetammy
The grouping of your shell (remind me of topiary) with the cloche is gorgeous. I love the soft muted colors that meander through them. Your tassel is very intricate looking and as we all know you an eye for putting things together.
ReplyDeleteGreat projects, but I especially love those shell balls! How creative, and what an artistic eye you have!
ReplyDeleteMarty, thanks for stopping by & I am so glad you liked my friends little trailer. I LOVE your shell balls sitting on the starfish. You did a great job! I am so into shells & beach right now. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteLove Love Love those shell balls~ and you did a great job with the tassel - keep saying I'm going to try one of those. Fun share.
ReplyDeleteI am so going to make some of those seashell balls, I have a ton of seashells up in a box. Thanks for the great idea!
ReplyDeleteSeashell orbs--what a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThey turned out so cute. The starfish do make perfect holders.
Your tassel also turned out nice. I like to put them on china cabinets, too.
What great projects you've shown us! I love the shells (never would have guessed, right?). And that tassle is gorgeous! Beautifully done, and it looks wonderful on your china cabinet. Hugs, Kat
ReplyDeleteNow I never would have thought of using shells like that -- brilliant! I think I'll try that for some beach house decor --for next summer, lol -- running out of time for this year!
ReplyDeleteAnd tassels too? They are gorgeous! You have such an excellent eye -- and clearly very talented hands as well. :-)
Cass
I love the shells sitting on starfish.
ReplyDeleteYou reminded me that I need to post about the my new beach inspired bathroom. :)
Oh, he is a keeper! Mine would never have even noticed. You could sell these, Marty! Truly! I love them. As well as the tassel. Haven't tried those myself yet. Where does the time go!!!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
You have me on those shells Marty! That is so beautiful. I would stick them on everything if I could. Please come visit and enter my giveaway. I know I don't get around to everyone's blog as often as I should, but I hope you will stop by.
ReplyDeleteXOSue
Beautiful, creative work, Marty!! I love the seashell balls and would buy one of yours if I spotted it in a store!! The same goes for the tassel but I don't know if I really followed the directions you gave! lol!!
ReplyDeleteJust gorgeous!! Have a great week!
xoxo
Jane
We should be calling you Martha, instead of Marty..., as in Martha Stewart. How creative you are to do your own shell balls. I would of had no idea where to start.
ReplyDeleteI love them sitting on the starfish. What a great idea your DH had. It is so nice that he takes interest in your projects. You had better keep him around for awhile longer...
You're so clever and crafty! The shells are awesome and the tassel from scraps is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteRoeshel
Hi Marty,
ReplyDeleteYou and I should do dollar tree crafts together! I just love these ideas, the shell balls look amazing and the tassel- you could start selling those! I love the beautiful fabrics you used, I will have to dig through my sewing stuff to see what I have! Thanks for sharing this and only 2 more months until I come to Phoenix! Hugs, Cindy
I love this idea, Marty! You are sooo clever! Have a happy rest of the week...hugs...Debbie
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing us how you made the sea shell balls. So clever and I love them! Beautiful photos. Thanks
ReplyDeleteHow clever you are! When are you opening your Etsy? Those shell balls are incredible, and your tassel is beautiful! And you even have a clever husband! What a pair. laurie
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