How to Make a Seashell Mosaic Mermaid Picture

I purchased a small wooden frame that is 9" x 9" for this project at the dollar store.
I painted it with one coat of white paint.
Be sure to put a hanger on the back before you glue the shells.
The glue I use is Aleene's Tacky Glue. You can get it at WalMart or any craft store.
Seashells and shell pieces.

You will need a drawing of a mermaid. You can draw your own or look for one online. The ones for stained glass or mosaics work great. There are tons of free stained glass patterns on the internet. I got mine from Vit-Mar at www.stainedglass.on.ca. It was facing the wrong way and a bit small, so I simply reversed the image and enlarged it with my printer software.

To transfer the drawing, turn it upside down and tape it up to a window so you can see the lines, Then go over every line heavily, making sure you don't miss any. Next, take your drawing and place it on your painted frame with your penciled side facing down. Tape it in place with masking tape. Now, you are going to trace over the lines on the top side. Use heavy pressure. Lift a corner to make sure that the lines are transferring, if not apply more pressure.

The first thing I do is sort the shells and shell pieces into colors and textures, such as, darks and lights, smooth and ridged. Think about which shells would best portray the object you are trying to make. For example, the mermaids skin should be smooth and as close to skin color as you can get. The mermaids hair might be better if you can use shells with some texture, maybe some ridged pieces and a different color than the skin for contrast. The lower body might be best rendered with scallop shells, while for the tail , you might use some pieces that are more ridged, as close to fins as you can get. This step takes quite some time and I find it very relaxing.

Now the real fun begins. Placing and gluing the shells in place. Starting with the mermaid outline, before you glue any shells put a few in place and try to get the best look. Try different shells with different shades,colors and textures to see what works best. For example, for her hair I tried to use golden colored shells with some ridges. I was trying to get a flowing look, such as locks of hair. For another example, for her arms and body I used smooth rounded shell pieces. Also, for her lower body, I used small dark cup shells to give the illusion of scales, as well as, giving some contrasting color so that her upper body and lower body would be easier to distinguish. When you are happy with a section start gluing the shells down one at a time.

I now have most of the shells for the mermaids body glued in place. Now, I am going to try to change the look of the tail a bit by changing the type of shells that I use. Since, they are close in color and contrast, I will need to figure out how I can help distinguish the tail from the body. I think adding some small white shells to the lower body will help. Yes, let's try that.

Well, I finished the mermaid. Adding the white shells helped to keep the body separate from the tail. I also added some driftwood to the bottom of the frame for the mermaid to sit upon, and, a piece of coral for added interest.
Now, I am starting on the water. I am using coquina seashells. They are naturally very colorful. I've selected the ones that range from a light lavender to dark indigo to portray the water. I am trying to use about the same size shell along each row, gluing them in place one at a time. I use a pair of tweezers and a toothpick to help me position each shell. I lay each row in place before gluing to see how it might look. Then slide them up away from the others, so I will have room to glue each one in place. I have started with the darkest shells on the bottom and the right side of the frame. It is a little difficult to get the shells up under the driftwood, but using my smaller shells helps.

On the rest of the background I've tried to use lighter colored shells next to the mermaid. I was trying to get some contrast, so that they don't blend together too much with the mermaid's tail.

Okay, I am almost finished!!! I took some white tusk shells and glued them together as shown. Then, I glued them behind the piece of coral. Looks like a flowing plant now. Now, to make it complete, I added a couple of small starfish, a sand dollar and a shell on the driftwood.

Well, I have finished!!! If interested in buying check it out at my Etsy shop below!!