Materials Used:
- Sand Dollars
- Styrofoam Ball
- Hot Glue
- Fish Net
- Small Shells
- Felt
- Candle
Using a stryrofoam ball, cut a slice from the bottom and attach a circle of felt with hot glue to keep it from scratching furniture.
Insert the shells into the ball and add hot glue to keep it in place, building up one layer at a time.
You can fill in any large gaps before you’re finished. Using sand dollars though, there will still be some small gaps.
I followed Emily’s directions until I neared the top. The size and shape of the sand dollars made it a little tricky to build it up to make a spot for a candle the same way she did, so I improvised and added some fish net and a sprinkled a few smaller shells around the candle. This covered up the top of the styrofoam easily.

Beverly shares easy, inexpensive craft tutorials, diy projects for the home, coastal decor projects, & thrift store find makeover projects all designed to help you create a beautiful home on a budget.
Laurie says
Ohh, so pretty! What a great way to use your sand dollars. Not only did the fish net and smaller shells solve your problem, but they add even more interest. Nice job!
Beverly Roderick says
Thanks! it was a fun little project. I wasn’t sure if the net and shells looked quite right. It’s nice to know you think that add interest to it! Thanks for that.
Jennifer Koshak says
Love. My husband and I are always collecting shells and I’ve been trying to figure out what to do next. #inspiration!
Beverly Roderick says
Thank you, Jennifer. I love finding new ways to use shells and was happy when I spotted Emily’s post. I hope you enjoy making one, too.
Dee M says
This is gorgeous, Beverly — great job! Yet another reason to want to move near the beach! 🙂 Isn’t Hometalk great?!
Beverly Roderick says
Thank you, Dee! I fully endorse living near the beach! Hometalk is great, yet! I get lost there for hours sometimes. There’s so much to see and tons of great posts.
Amy | Canary Street Crafts says
I love Emily and I remember the exact post you’re talking about. You did a fantastic job making your own candle holder. I love the shape of it and the little bit of netting your added. So pretty, Beverly!
Beverly Roderick says
I was so happy to have seen Emily’s post! Thank you so much, Amy. It was a fun project to put together and more practical than lots of my little projects,too!
Christie says
This is so pretty! I love sand dollars, and this is a great way to display them. Great job! 🙂
Beverly says
Thank you so much, Christie. I love them, too. I’ve had these for years and I enjoyed putting them to use in a more decorative way. Thanks for stopping by!
Kim~madeinaday says
Too cut e I love the net inside. Thank you so much for linking up to Merry Monday this week! I am sharing your post today on our Merry Monday Pin Board! We hope to see you next week for another great party! Have a great week!
Best,
Kim
Beverly says
Thank you, Kim. I’m happy to link up at Merry Monday. Thanks so much for sharing and for stopping by.
Joy @ Joy Love Food says
I love all things beachy too, this is so pretty! Thanks for sharing at What’d You Do This Weekend?!
Beverly says
Thank you, Joy. I’m happy to link up at What’d you do this weekend. Thanks for stopping by!
Laurie says
Thank you for linking up this week Beverly! I love this sand dollar candle holder! Wish I had some beautiful sand dollars or shells to use for crafts. What I actually have is a lot of sticks and rocks that are no so appealing lol
Have a super week!
Beverly says
I’m always happy to link up to Brag About It! Thank you. The sand dollars I used for this project are ones I’ve had for a long time. Most of them were gathered at Folly Beach which is one of the Charleston area beaches years before I moved here. You could always buy shells at a craft store-I’ve done that when I needed certain sizes or shapes! I bet you can come up with something crafty with the sticks and rocks, too! 🙂
Beverly says
Thank you so much! I had fun making it and it really is pretty easy. I’d love to see Kristina’s if/when she makes one.
Robin @ Redo It Yourself Inspirations says
I have a basket of shells that I should get creative with. I love how this makes the candle appear floating. It’s beautiful!
I’ve featured it at the new Creative Challenge for August. Hope you will stop back and link up again!
Happy weekend!
Beverly says
It’s fun to find new ways to use shells. I have baskets full of them, too! Thank you so much for featuring this at Creative Craft Challenge. I enjoy the challenge each month!
Cyndee says
I love, love, love this!! You did a great job. Please share on Idea Box. I want to make a mini one of these as I have some small shells to create with. This looks so nice with your collection too!!
Beverly says
Thank you, Cyndee! I’d be happy to share on Idea Box. I think a mini one would look great! I’d love to see it after you make it. Thank you for visiting!
Gail @Purple Hues and Me says
Awesome! This is so unique using sand dollars to make a beachy candleholder. Usually you see most using sea shells. In fact, I did a knock-off gluing shells to a glass candleholder. Never thought of using Styrofoam to insert the shells in. Great idea!
Beverly says
Thanks, Gail! I wasn’t sure if the sand dollars would work well, but I was happy with how it turned out.
Lisa @ A Bride On A Budget says
This came out so cute. I had no idea there was Styrofoam under there from looking at the first photo. So creative!
Beverly says
Thanks, Lisa! It was tricky trying to hide the Styrofoam, but for the most part it’s hidden. Just don’t look too closely!
Kathleen - Bloggers Lifestyle says
Amazing, why didn’t I think of that? Your candle is so attractive, and like you, I love all things beach.
Beverly says
Thanks so much, Kathleen. Once I got the hang of how to insert the sand dollars, it was pretty easy to put together.
Kathleen - Bloggers Lifestyle says
Just a little update Beverly, since I pinned this beauty it gets at least one or two repins a day, so I hope you are getting the traffic. All the best.
Kathleen
Beverly says
How thoughtful of you to stop by and let me know, Kathleen. I hope you’re feeling better. I do see a few hits on this post frequently. Thanks!
Wendy says
I ABSOLUTELY love this, Beverly! So unique, and really pretty with the sand dollars! I think the fish net and other shells add a great layer of texture. And you are seriously getting me ready for summer! 🙂
Beverly says
Thanks so much, Wendy. I was pleased that I could take the tutorial I found and tweak it a bit to make it work for sand dollars.
Darlene says
I imagine there are loads of people that collect shells. Now they have a fun project to display their collection.
Beverly says
Yes, lots of people do have sea shell collections. It’s fun to do something with them other than having them in a basket (which is where lots of mine still are!)
Sherry says
I love sand dollars. This is a great candle holder!
Beverly says
Thank you, Sherry. Sand Dollars are great to craft with.
Karen W Loerch says
Loved your sand dollar candle holder. I made one abd two it is charming. Thanks so much for sharing.
Cindy says
I have alot of sanddollars I wou like to do something with them SOMETHING simple and Easy