Live Like A Mermaid Shell Ring Holder

Have you seen the shell ring holders being used in coastal weddings? The ring bearers look so cute carrying them! I decided to make one with a mermaid theme, for my own rings and earrings. I have a little jewelry organizer in my vanity drawer, but thought it would be nice to choose my jewelry, set it in my Live Like A Mermaid Shell Ring Holder, then put it on after I apply makeup and fix my hair. Should a Christian woman worry about her looks, especially a mature woman like me? The Proverbs 31 woman was mature and knew that beauty was vain. However, she must have taken good care of herself because she had fine clothing in her wardrobe that she made with her own hands.

Proverbs 31:22 NASB

She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Materials for Live Like A Mermaid Shell Ring Holder:

• seashell (you can use any type-oyster shells are cute too)
• mermaid tail and quote patterns- I found my mermaid tail pattern on Shutterstock and created my quote from Microsoft Word.
• paints- Apple Barrel 2613E Caribbean, 21486 Purple Iris, 20411E Cobalt Hue, 20403E White, 20471E Bright Yellow, 2620E Pewter Gray, 2480E Royal Gold, 20404E Black
• brushes- 1″ sponge, 1/4″ angle, 1/8″ flat, liner brush
• colored chalk
• pencil
• clear tape
• baby wipes
• 2X Rustoleum Clear Gloss Spray

Painting Instructions:

Make sure your shell is clean and dry before you begin. Basecoat with several layers of Caribbean using the 1″ sponge brush. You can use a hair dryer or let your shell dry in the sun between coats.

Find a mermaid tail pattern (I found one on Shutterstock) and print it small enough to fit in your shell. At one time, I drew my patterns freehand. The difficulty with that comes when you want to make another one. Rub contrasting colored chalk on the back of your pattern. Use a pencil to trace the pattern onto the shell.

Paint the mermaid tail with Purple Iris and the 1/4″ angle until the color is opaque. Streak with Cobalt Hue and the 1/8″ flat brush.

Highlight the tail with White and the 1/8″ flat brush, then trace around the tail using White and the liner brush. Swish a few streaks of White near the bottom of the shell, then along the middle of the tail to form a horizon line. Paint the sunset with Bright Yellow and the 1/8″ flat brush.

Create depth in the water with the 1/8″ flat and Cobalt Hue. Blend the Cobalt Hue with a top coat of Caribbean using the same brush while the paint is still wet. Rinse and pat the brush dry, then place Purple Iris streaks close to the tail. Finally add some White highlights over the Purple Iris streaks without rinsing. Sometimes acylics are layered and sometimes they are blended, depending on the effect you’re hoping to achieve.

Mix White and Caribbean, then use the 1/8″ flat brush to paint the sky below the tail fin. Streak the sky above the tail fin with Coblat Hue and Pewter Gray and the 1/8″ flat. Use the same brush to blend a coat of Caribbean on top of the streaks while the paint is still wet.

Paint 4 White swirlies in the sky using the liner brush. Paint your initials and the last two digits of the year with White and the liner brush. Highlight the fins with the liner brush and Royal Gold, then make a fish scale pattern on the tail. Print your mermaid quote and trace it onto the shell using the same method as the mermaid tail pattern.

Paint the quote with Black and the liner brush. Coat the edges of the painting and the shell with the liner brush and Royal Gold. Let it dry in the sun (or use a hair dryer).

Give the front and back of the shell a few coats of 2X Rustoleum Clear Gloss Spray. It’s half the price of the acrylic sprays I bought in the past. Let the shell dry in the sun between coats. The gloss spray will give your project a pretty sheen and protect your artwork.

Wasn’t that easy? I hope you enjoyed my Live Like A Mermaid Shell Ring Holder tutorial. You can buy your own here.

Blessings,

Kristie

Subscribe to Love My Little Cottage here.

Shop This Project:

*I am an Amazon Associate and will receive a small portion of each sale (at no cost to you.)