After a trip to the shore, why not turn seaside treasures into keepsakes and accents for your home? Get inspired by these creative shell ideas.

Transform your child's beach discoveries into an adorable shell creature.

The shells that the ocean cast at your feet this summer -- the ones you so fastidiously collected -- make lovely remembrances of the season with candles formed inside them. Deep shells such as scallops, clams, and quahogs work best and burn longest. 

Make a miniature seaside bungalow by crafting a cardboard "house" covered in shells from the shore.

Even when vacation's over, these pretty soap dishes will give your bathroom a seaside feel.

Add a summery touch to your reading room with bookends made of seashells.

Customize your own mirror frame using shells found along the beach.

When darkness falls, a string of seashells adds ambiance to a patio or porch.

Add a breezy beach house feel to any room with this clamshell wreath.

A creative way to accent your home with treasures found along the shore.

With their natural beauty, seashells make lovely and distinctive planters.

Try one of these techniques for creating beautiful works of art out of your seaside treasures.

Trade an ordinary plastic night-light for a delicate beach keepsake.

Gluing seashells onto a terra-cotta flowerpot creates an original outdoor decoration that's sure to impress.

These inexpensive "lion's paw" shells create a peaceful ocean ambiance in any room.

This beachy creation is sure to delight both the eyes and the ears.

A half shell was good enough for Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus." Can humble condiments require more?

After a day at the beach, re-create an oceanic habitat with the treasures you've collected.

These motifs are charming on kids' beachwear, and the process is easy enough for small helpers. 

Here's an enticing way to present poached shrimp at a summer meal: Spear them with seaside-themed utensils. Purchase assorted shells from a crafts store; wash them, then glue onto wooden skewers. Set them out with shrimp, alongside various sauces for dipping.

In the summer, crisp white sheets look even more inviting edged with prints made from a few flawlessly shaped scallop shells -- beachcombing for the perfect candidates is half the fun of this project. 

Make waves with an arrangement set in a seashell.

Even if the only water in sight is in a pitcher, you can still bring the feeling of the beach to your table.

Decorate stationery, postcards, or a travel journal using shells, stones, and other tokens collected on a recent trip. 

The scallop shell's iconic shape turns pillows into inspired accessories. The linen covers can be store-bought or hand-sewn. 

Like a swimmer at the beach, seashells need a good shower before they're ready for the house, or for use in your favorite craft. Getting all the grit out of the shells by hand is a challenge; instead, slip them into the utensil basket of the dishwasher, and run them through a cycle. They'll be clean and ready for display when they come out.

Made from a clambake's worth of mussels, this wreath is a perfect summer decoration for a front door.

A wide-mouthed, spiral nautilus shell can double as a pearlescent vase for bedroom bouquets.