Make gilded salt cellars for your table using oyster shells!
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Active Time30 minutesmins
Drying/curing time1 dayd
Total Time1 dayd40 minutesmins
Keyword: coastal themed tablescape, oyster shell decor, salt cellar
Yield: 4cellars
Author: Heather Baird
Cost: Variable
Equipment
1/2 inch flat head paint brush
small paint cup or paint palette
Small cup of water for brush cleaning
1 sheet of paper
cellophane tape
paper towels
Materials
4sanitized oyster shells
3tablespoonsnontoxic metallic paintgold, silver, or copper
4mini glass bottles with corks
8tablespoonsartisan sea saltsuch as grey Celtic sea salt, red Alaea, or pink Himalayan
1 1/2yardssatin ribbonany color, or to match a theme
Instructions
Rinse the sanitized oyster shells under warm water and lay them on a soft towel to dry completely. (See notes for sanitizing instructions.)
Place the paint on a palette or in a small disposable paint cup. Dip the dry, square head brush in the paint and cover the inside of the oyster shell, following its natural contours. Avoid painting the rim of the shell. Clean the brush in the cup of water between painting shells and pat dry with paper towels before using again.
Allow the paint to cure for 24 hours. When dry, it should not feel tacky to touch. The paint should feel smooth and dry, and part of the shell’s naturally porous surface. To use during dining, place sea salt inside the bowl of the oyster shells. Add a small spoon or allow dinner guests to pinch salt from them.
To make favors, wash and thoroughly dry the mini glass bottles with corks. Make a paper cone using the sheet of paper and cellophane tape. Funnel salt into the bottles using the cone. A spoon will also work, but takes a little more effort. Cork the bottles tightly and tie it inside the bowl of the oyster shell using the ribbon.
Notes
Oyster shells can be purchased online and at craft stores pre-scrubbed and sanitized. You can usually tell if a shell has been sanitized by its white, clean appearance. If you're using found shells from a shore, clean the shells in a sink full of warm water with a cap of bleach added (approximately 1 tablespoon). Wear gloves and use a stiff bristle brush to scrub away any loose debris. Rinse them well and lay them on a soft towel to dry completely.If you buy pre-sanitized oyster shells from a craft store, they will still need to be washed. Give them an extra rinse and allow them to dry completely before painting them.