Crafting Memories: How Our Summer on Djerba Turned Seashells into Beautiful Handmade Accessories

In the heart of a memorable summer vacation, we found inspiration on the stunning beaches of Djerba, the "Island of Dreams." The pristine sands and gentle waves of this Tunisian paradise became the perfect playground for my 7-year-old daughter, who spent her days gathering a treasure trove of seashells of all shapes and sizes, colors, and textures from the beach. The variety of shells, smooth and rough, small and large, soon piled up as her collection grew. What started as a playful collection soon evolved into a creative journey that sparked joy, creativity, and a newfound passion for handmade crafts.

Back home, surrounded by piles of seashells, my daughter and I decided to embark on a creative adventure. With each shell representing a memory from our summer on Djerba, we transformed these simple treasures into beautiful DIY accessories, starting with crocheted necklaces. It wasn’t just about crafting—it was about bonding, storytelling, and keeping the magic of our island vacation alive.

The Beauty of Crafting with Seashells: Our Creative Process

Turning seashells into accessories became more than a hobby—it was a way for us to connect with nature and preserve the memories of our time on Djerba's stunning beaches. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how we created our first seashell crochet necklaces, which you can easily replicate for your own DIY beach crafts.

Materials:

• Small and medium-sized seashells with naturally formed holes (collected from the beach)
• Crochet yarn (color of your choice)
• Crochet hook 1.9 mm (suitable size for the yarn)
• Small hand drill (optional, to make holes in the shells)
• Scissors

Size:

For the necklace size, the crochet chain measures 96 cm for the long version and 48 cm for the shorter one, allowing for versatile styling options depending on your preference.

Note:

• In the instructions section, I will use abbreviations for clarity: "L" will indicate the long necklace and "S" will refer to the shorter one. This will streamline the steps and make the instructions easier to follow.
• leave a bit of extra yarn at both ends to allow the seashell to hang freely.

Instructions:

Step 1: Cleaning and Preparing the Seashells

• Rinse the seashells with water to remove any sand or debris, then let them dry completely.

• If the shells don't have holes, use a small hand drill to carefully make tiny holes near the top of each shell for threading the crochet yarn. Make sure the holes are large enough for the yarn or thread you are using but small enough to keep the shell secure.

Step 3: Finishing Touches

• Finish the crochet chain with a secure knot. You can also add a small seashell then simply tie the end. Each necklace is a unique creation, just like the shells themselves.

Step 2: Crocheting the Necklace Chain

• Choose a yarn color that complements the seashells. Using your crochet hook, create a slipknot and start a simple chain stitch.

• Continue crocheting the chain until you reach the desired length for the necklace (L: 120 ch ; S: 60 ch). The length can vary depending on whether you want a short choker-style necklace or a longer one.

• As you crochet the chain, you can begin adding seashells. To do this, pause your crochet work and thread the yarn through the hole in seashell. To complete this step, refer to the photo tutorial provided below for detailed visual guidance.

• After adding a seashell, continue crocheting a few more chain stitches to create space before adding the next one (L: 10 ch ; S: 5 ch). You can decide how far apart you want the seashells to be.

• Once all the seashells are added (L: 5 medium-sized seashells, S : 5 small seashells), continue crocheting the chain until you reach the desired length for the necklace.

Step 3: Finishing Touches

• Finish the crochet chain with a secure knot. For an added touch, you can incorporate a small seashell at the end before securing the knot. Be sure to leave a bit of extra yarn at both ends to allow the seashell to hang freely (L: 10 ch ; S: 5 ch). Each necklace is a unique creation, just like the shells themselves.

Step-by-Step Photo Tutorial:

How to Thread Yarn Through the Hole in a Seashell

Pause Your Crochet Work:

When you're ready to add a seashell to your crochet necklace, stop crocheting and set aside your main crochet hook. Make sure you have the seashell with the drilled hole ready.

Use a Smaller Crochet Hook:

Take a smaller crochet hook, which will easily fit through the hole in the seashell. Insert the smaller hook into the hole from one side of the seashell, ensuring it passes through cleanly.

Grab the Yarn:

With the smaller hook, catch the yarn from your working strand and gently pull it through the hole in the seashell. If the hole is tight, pull slowly to avoid damaging the shell.

Thread the Yarn Through:

Once the yarn is through the hole, pull enough yarn so the seashell sits comfortably on the strand, but not too much to affect your crochet tension.

Resume Crocheting:

After the seashell is securely threaded onto the yarn, switch back to your regular crochet hook and continue crocheting the chain, leaving the seashell in place as a beautiful decoration on your necklace.

Why Crafting with Seashells is Perfect for Your Next DIY Project

Creating handmade accessories using seashells is a wonderful way to preserve memories of your beach vacations. Whether it’s a summer trip to Djerba or any coastal destination, collecting seashells and turning them into unique crafts allows you to relive those magical moments every time you wear or display your creations.

Seashell crafting isn’t just about making beautiful accessories; it’s also an eco-friendly way to incorporate natural elements into your home decor or personal style. Whether you’re making crochet seashell necklaces, bracelets, or decorative items, the possibilities are endless. Plus, it’s a perfect project for kids, helping them develop their creativity while keeping them engaged in a hands-on activity.

Keeping the Spirit of Djerba Alive Through Crafting

For us, each seashell necklace we created became a tangible reminder of our time on Djerba’s beaches. As we crafted together, we reminisced about the laughter, the sunshine, and the beauty of the island. Crafting became more than just a fun activity—it became a way to hold onto those cherished memories and keep the essence of Djerba alive in our everyday lives.

From our first crochet necklace to the many other projects that followed, this journey of seashell crafting has been a constant source of joy and creativity. It’s amazing how something as simple as a seashell can inspire so much beauty and meaning.

Final Thoughts: Start Your Own Seashell Crafting Adventure

If you’re looking for a fun and meaningful way to preserve the memories of your beach vacation, why not try your hand at DIY seashell crafts? Whether it’s creating handmade accessories like we did, or using seashells for home decor projects, crafting with natural elements can be both fulfilling and eco-conscious.

Join us as we continue to explore the world of seashell crafts and discover new ways to bring the beauty of the beach into our lives. Follow our blog for more DIY projects, step-by-step tutorials, and inspiration from the heart of Djerba, where the sea meets creativity.