On  a separate thrift store adventure I found this LONG seashell hanging piece.  It was all ratted and tangled so i cut off half the shells and just kept the top (what you see below.)  I had a TON of shells leftover so what better to try the extras on my huge canvas!!!

At first I just started laying them out on the canvas…..

I was worried that I wouldn’t have enough seashells to cover the entire canvas (but alas, I had PLENTY) so I put a frame in the center that I picked up for $1.00.


I liked the look but could NOT figure out what I wanted to do in the middle. I thought about a monogram, maybe a moss covered letter? I also thought I could paint something just in that spot….



I couldn’t think what to do until I took the picture above and I thought huh, what about a mirror! I LOVED all the texture that was going on so I thought, what if I did a MOSAIC mirror (that and the fact that I was never going to find a mirror in the size of 13”x16!!!!).



Now that I had seashells and a glass mosaic I wanted the frame to go from a traditional brown wood to something more pearlescent or soft. I found the spray paint color by Krylon called Carmel Latte (the name sold me ) and loved it’s soft, slightly shiny latte color. I also added some distressing by sanding the edge and adding some brown paint in spots. Really I just fooled around with the trim until I got the look I wanted.

And the BIG REVEAL is…….

BEFORE: (sorry Mr. Kinkade, you just weren’t doing it for me anymore)


AFTER! Ah, looooove.



Another angle:

What do you think?? Doing this piece was an adventure, I had no idea if it would turn out BIZARRE or great?


Cost Breakdown:

$20.00 canvas/frame piece

$1.00 smaller frame

$18.00 1” mirror tiles (I needed 208!!!!)

$3.50 paint

Free – leftover seashells

TOTAL – $42..50


Not too bad for a VERY large piece of art. It was a fun (but tedious) project! 

I'd LOVE it if you readers would stop by and say hi!  I have a few fun pottery barn knockoffs and before and after home pictures I know will get your creative juices flowing!


Thank you LittleBirtieSecret for hosting me!