A Wall of Beach and Sea Memories in Frames

I love seeing how people organize and display their Beach and Sea Memories.

beach memory frame with photo and shells
Some Framed Beach and Sea Memories are Works of Art. Macrina is a Designer based in Madrid, Spain, and she emailed me her  beach memory frame project. For her, collecting and organizing sea treasures is a family affair.

beach memories in frames
During every summer holiday, be it on an island in Spain or France, she, her husband and her boys collect different shells, seaweed and wood pieces in a "scientific" way, trying to find the biggest and the smallest specimen of each type. The finds are kept in plastic boxes with separate departments. Then, back home, they select a nice photo from those moments by the sea and start to create framed collections with the most remarkable specimens by size and shapes, searching the names in books.

how to organize shells

organizing shells scientifically

vacation beach memories

sea memories in frames

beach memories in frames on wall
Macrina was kind enough to include some instructions and tips. Here they are.

Collecting & Organizing the Sea Treasures:

- Collect what ever you think represents that particular beach.
- Make sure that there are no living creatures in the shells.
- Put your treasures in compartment plastic boxes, pill boxes, etc.
- Soak shells in soapy water, then rinse and let air dry on paper.
- Scrub shells with an old toothbrush to detach any debris if necessary.
- Organize by shape, color, size, species and put in boxes.
- Use a handbook to find names.
- Label the boxes with a date and the name of the beach.

Creating the Frames with Beach and Sea Memories:

- Get shadow box frames such as Ribba from Ikea.
- Have your glue gun ready, tweezers, scissors, photos.
- Organizing the shells by size gives the frames a "scientific" look.
- Attach photos with photo corners onto the background cardboard.
- Glue shells on.
- Write shell names on labels, using the scientific and common names.
- Glue labels on.
- Add label with the year and the name of the beach.
- Once your work is completely dry you can frame it.

Thank you so much Macrina for sharing your fabulous wall of beach and sea memories!

Browse everything in the category Memory Keeping.

You might also enjoy these framed memories:
Making a Keepsake Memory Box
Sea Life Displays Inspired by the Natural History Museum