Create a Cute Decoupage Seashell Trinket Tray

Are you looking for a sweet and easy little craft to make to either give as a gift or a pretty place to keep your favorite earrings? Create a Cute Decoupage Seashell Trinket Tray with napkins and decoupage medium! There are so many different patterns of napkins that you can use to create something custom and pretty. Plus, I love a great decoupage medium project! This project can be made in less than an hour, so that’s even better!

Three decorative ceramic dishes with floral and geometric patterns display jewelry including a necklace, a bracelet, and a pair of bow-shaped earrings. The name "Jennifer Rizzo" is visible.

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Gather Your Supplies to Create a Cute Decoupage Seashell Trinket Tray

A collection of decoupage supplies including patterned napkins, a scallop shell, foam brush, Mod Podge, metallic paint, and a box on a rustic wooden surface.

-Glossy Decoupage medium

-Clean and sanitized seashells

-Napkins with cute designs

-Foam brush

-Cotton swab

-Gold acrylic craft paint

You can find supplies here or the entire kit here.

A hand peels apart two thin layers of patterned paper on a wooden surface, with a box and crafting supplies nearby.

Separate Your Napkin Layers

If your napkins are two-ply, carefully separate the backing layer from the front printed of the napkin. Place the backing layer to the side (this is great to clean up those decoupage drips!) and decide how you want to place your napkin design on your shell before adding the decoupage medium. This technique doesn’t use much of the napkin and can cover a few shells. Once you have the layers separated, trim it to be slightly larger than the shell. This will make for easier placement, you don’t have to wrestle with the entire napkin that way.

A hand holding scissors cuts a piece of patterned fabric with colorful citrus fruit and floral designs on a wooden surface.

Add Decoupage Medium to the Inside of Your Shell

Use the foam brush to brush a coat of decoupage medium all over the inside curved part of the shell. Once the inside is completed coated, center your napkin pattern and place it into the decoupaged area of he shell. Pat it down gently with your finger tips as to not tear the napkin until the entire napkin is pressed down.

A person uses a foam brush to apply white paint or glue to a scallop shell on a wooden surface.

Press The Napkin Down Gently Into the Decoupage Medium

Once the napkin is pressed down, add a layer of decoupage medium over the top, making sure to cover the edges. At this time, the edges of the napkin should be wet enough to carefully tear it away from the rest of the napkin only leaving what is inside the shell.

Two hands folding a piece of colorful, patterned fabric on a wooden surface, with a box partially visible in the upper right corner.

Coat the Entire Surface with a Layer of Decoupage Medium

At this point, add a coat of decoupage medium to saturate the napkin. Make sure not to brush too roughly. Sometimes even more of a gentle pouncing helps and then do a final light swipe when the entire napkin-covered surface is coated evenly.

A hand holds a round clay ornament with a floral and geometric pattern while using a sponge brush to apply a white substance on its surface.

Remove the Excess Napkin

The entire napkin covered surface should be wet enough to be able to gently pinch downward away the extra napkin. Make sure to not pull at it so the napkin doesn’t tear. Any loose edges can be trimmed with scissors after, but this method works could result it chipping the shell edge if not careful.

A hand holds a small plate with a colorful floral and lemon pattern partially covered in a layer of dried white residue.

Paint a Thin Layer of Gold Paint on the Edge

let the shell dry completely, then use the cotton swab to paint a thin layer of gold paint around the outside of the shell and let dry, Add one more layer of decoupage medium to seal the paint and napkin in. This will help guard against normal wear and tear.

A colorful, round decorative plate with an orange fruit design and intricate blue, green, and yellow patterns sits on a wooden surface.

Add a Second Layer of Decoupage Medium over the Entire Surface to Seal in the Paint

A handmade decorative plate with colorful, patterned designs is being brushed with a layer of glue or sealant using a foam brush.

Let the Decoupage Medium Dry

Once the decoupaged sea shell trinket tray is completely dry, you can add felt to the bottom to protect the surface underneath and enjoy! This makes a great gift or fun dish for those earrings or little bits. For even more fun decoupage a different pattern of napkin on the top of the shell, or paint it a fun color.

Two decorative decoupaged seashell trinket tray dishes, one with a floral pattern and one with a mosaic orange fruit design, sit on a glass shelf; jewelry is placed on the floral dish.

These make such a fun gift too! There are so many napkin options. If you don’t find a napkin pattern you like you can also use pretty, patterned tissue paper.