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).
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
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Kim I LOVE IT!!
Wow! These are gorgeous! I just love your blog and home decor.
I love all things beachy! Shells included 🙂
Debbie
Those are so clever! And now I have yet another excuse to drink more wine …
🙂
Linda
Kim, you rock. That’s it, plain and simple. I would have no problem putting these to good use. The only down side is they are pretty tall so i couldn’t use it to cork wine to save in the fridge for later, but who has leftover wine?
Jessica
stayathomeista.com
I love your idea…I am going to try to make a few of these! Thanks so much!
XO,
Jane
I love this idea! My husband and I collect a wine stoppers from every place we visit together and sometimes we can’t find one to bring home, which is always a bummer. This inspires me to start making ones from places we visit using our own beach finds or fun collectables. I think you just solved a problem for me today!
Gorgeous job Kim!! I like yours better than the pb designed ones. Thanks for the tutorial, Helen
Kim,
These turned out great. I really like the starfish topper! But mostly, I was distracted by your immaculate manicure. I can’t get polish stay on my fingernails for longer than 5 minutes.
I’m visiting from the Serentity Now linky party. I would love if you stop by my blog as well. 🙂
Thanks for sharing,
Laura
You did it again! What a FABULOUS idea & one I have yet to have seen!! GREAT idea…if I was on pinterest I’d def pin this 🙂
This looks great! The perfect gift for anyone with a beach house.
Great tutorial! I love seeing ‘for less’ home decor projects.
Another awesome project! Love it!
I love this idea! Can’t wait to make some with shells we find this summer.