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.