The Martha Stewart Show

Oyster Shell Dish

The Martha Stewart Show

Martha transforms an ordinary oyster shell into a beautiful dish.

Oyster Shell Dish

Use this charming oyster shell dish to store jewelry, keys, or any other small item.

Tools and Materials

Shucked oyster shell
Small bowl
White vinegar
Scrub brush
Fine-grit sandpaper
Craft knife
Iridescent heavy-body acrylic white paint
Pearl beads
Permanent-bond adhesive, like Beacon 527

Oyster Shell Dish How-To
1. Soak cuplike bottom half of oyster shell in a bowl of distilled white vinegar for two hours to remove odor. With scrub brush, remove any dirt, muck and barnacles; shell should be almost white. Rinse in soapy water and let dry.

2. Use a fine sandpaper to smooth any sharp edges along perimeter of shell. Remove brownish "hinge" from inner beak of oyster shell with a craft knife.

3. Paint a thin layer inside and outside of shell with iridescent white paint; let dry.

4. Place shell on a flat surface, and position pearl beads under shell until it is level. Adhere pearl beads to shell with permanent-bond adhesive.

Resources
Liquitex iridescent heavy-body white paint and Beacon 527 multi-purpose cement available at most crafts and art-supply stores.

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The Martha Stewart Show

Oyster Shell Dish

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