Shell Paperweight for Father's Day
[40 Minutes]
Paperweights date back to the year 1845 and were made in France. They were works of art, made out of glass and given as gifts or sold. One rare paperweight sold for as much as $258,000! Take a walk along the seashore, collect interesting shells, and make a paperweight for Father's Day.
You'll need:
• foam ball, 3 or 4 inches in diameter • acrylic paint, (ADULT SUPERVISION) color of your choice • paintbrush • glue gun (ADULT SUPERVISION) • glue sticks • seashells • craft knife (ADULT SUPERVISION)
What to do:
- If possible, print out these directions. Read them through together before you begin.
- Together, gather everything you’ll need and always remember art safety.
- Help your child cut approximately 1/2 inch from the foam ball to make a flat surface. This will allow the paperweight to sit flat.
- Invite him to paint the ball using the paintbrush to work the paint into the crevices of the ball. Let dry completely.
- Let your child gently press a shell into the foam to create a depression. Apply glue to the back of the shell and glue in place in the depressed area.
- Encourage your child to continue to glue on the shells until the ball is covered.
Useful information:
My dad and I go to the beach on weekends. We spend hours walking on the beach and collecting shells. I found a lot of small shells the last time we were there. I decided to make this paperweight for him to put on his desk at work. It was fun to make a Father's Day present together. (Joel, age 12)
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