Shell Stoppers

We love wine and need bottle stoppers for them. Have you priced them out lately? They can be quite pricey. You know me. Nothing makes me happier than recreating a designer look for next to nothing and that is exactly what I’ll show you how to do today! We’re going to make some Shell Stoppers.

I save all our corks and have accumulated quite the collection over the years. To make a shell stopper all you need are real corks, an exact-o blade, a hot glue gun and glue stick, twine, and sea shells, starfish, coral or what ever sea life you like.

How to Make a Shell Stopper

Very carefully cut the lower half of a cork to form a taper. Have you ever tried to fit a cork back into a bottle? It takes a lot of effort and tapering the cork helps it fit easily. Now be careful. These blades are sharp!

Next cut a small hole in the top of the cork, approximately 1/4 inch deep. This is where you will insert your shell.

Place a dab of hot glue in the hole and insert your shell or starfish. Hold it until it is set. To hide the hot glue that has oozed up around the shell, wrap the base with a small piece of twine. Secure it with just a tiny touch of hot glue.

This is how it will look after it is wrapped. You can use twine, raffia, or any ribbon you desire.

That’s all there is to it! Place your Shell Stoppers on opened bottles of wine or sparkling waters or sodas to make your beverage service a bit more special!

I love serving drinks on the Sea Glass Mosaic Tray.

Now you could also use the stoppers as for just decoration. I fell in love with these coral topped bottles from Newport Colony last year on my trip to California. They were a tad top heavy but beautiful.

These sea life bottle toppers are from Pottery Barn and they want $83 for the set of three…. or you could just make your own for next to nothing. Hard decision I know (wink). 

Pottery Barn

I placed mine on top of some decorative glass bottles and paired them with a large sea fan, books, and this beautiful sea urchin vase from Target I just picked up this week! I love all the different textures!

Think you could give these Shell Stoppers a try? Wouldn’t they make a great hostess gift?

For more sea inspired décor crafts, be sure to check out the Décor Crafts tab up at the top of the page.

Kim

For the latest in DIY, Décor, & Recipes be sure to join me on

FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, G+ or SUBSCRIBE.

Linking up to: