DIY Capiz Shell Frame

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Looking back at the last 4 months on this blog, I need to apologize for post bombing you with big shiny room reveals and neglecting the fun and crafty tutorial type posts! In some circumstances, I felt like you didn’t need to see (again!) how I sewed curtains or painted a dresser. In others… I just got so excited to finish the room that projects were done at night or so quickly that I forgot to take pictures! But… I’m trying to slow down enough to share the specifics with you because I know as a blog reader, THAT’s what I enjoy… How did you actually make this thing that I love! Well, today… back to the crafts!

DIY imitation capiz shell frame

DIY Imitation Capiz Shell Frame

In the spirit of good ol’ crafty fun, today’s post is about a Knock Off. You know those sweet capiz shell frames that look like mother of pearl? We have a trio from our wedding registry and more recently I noticed them as a fun gallery wall on a little known website, Young House Love… (Material list at the end of the post.)

Shop my favorites!

Step 1. Mold modeling clay

Take 3 even wads of Sculpey and roll each one into a long snake.

DIY imitation capiz shell frame

DIY imitation capiz shell frame

Step 2. Roll Clay into log

Put your three snakes together and roll them into one long log.

DIY imitation capiz shell frame

DIY imitation capiz shell frame

Step 3. Fold, Twist and Repeat

Fold your log in half, twist the two halves around each other and roll it into a long log. Repeat this process 3 or 4 times.

DIY imitation capiz shell frame

DIY imitation capiz shell frame

Step 4. Fold into an S Shape and Roll Out

Take your long log and fold it together into a “S” shape. With your rolling pin or a smooth bottle, roll out your Sculpey until it’s 2-5 mm thick.

DIY imitation capiz shell frame

DIY imitation capiz shell frame

DIY imitation capiz shell frame

Step 5. Cut Clay

Using a straight edge and your sharp edge, cut rectangles out of your sculpey wide enough to cover the picture frame.

DIY imitation capiz shell frame

DIY imitation capiz shell frame

Step 6. Bake

Follow the directions on your Sculpey package which are typically to bake your clay for 10-20 minutes at 275 degrees.

DIY imitation capiz shell frame

Step 7. Paint the Frame

Spray paint your frame off white and let it dry.

DIY imitation capiz shell frame

Step 8. Glue Tiles onto Frame

Glue your Sculpey onto the frame using a hot glue gun or epoxy. I happened to have some glossy clear spray lacquer that I used as a top coat, but I don’t think it’s necessary.

DIY imitation capiz shell frame

DIY imitation capiz shell frame

This is one of those projects that is fun and easy and cool! Now that I know how similar these Sculpey tiles look to a real Capiz shell frame, I’m excited to try something a little bigger… perhaps a mirror or a tray or even a table top? I’m not a Sculpey expert, but I suspect there’s a fun way to cut the Sculpey into circles and play around with different patterns also.

DIY imitation capiz shell frame

DIY imitation capiz shell frame

Materials for DIY Capiz Shell Frame

diy no sew colorful felt table runner

DIY imitation capiz shell frame

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14 Comments

  1. Thank you for posting this! I have a chair seat reupholstering that I haven’t posted because I figured EVERYONE has seen how to recover a chair seat! Now I can get those pics off my SD card and put them to use. xx

    1. But have YOU posted a seat reupholstery project? I would say go for it if you don’t have anything on your blog like that! I’ve certainly got some redundancy on my blog, but… at some point, no mas! xx

  2. How do you think of this stuff??? I wish I still lived in CT… I’d come to your house and make you be my friend. 🙂

  3. Now I know what to STRONGLY suggest to the 11YO son to make for his Grandmother’s Christmas gift! Handmade but not baby…yeah!

  4. Both! I love both little crafty posts and room reveal posts. Painting posts, too, & family posts – my kids are not small any more, and I have to get kid fixes vicariously. ?