Make a Food Safe Shell Bowl: Pistachio, Peanut, and Other Shell Bowls

The average person doesn't have the know-how - or the materials - to make most of the pots, pans, and dishes, that are found in the kitchen. There are, however, certain bowls that can be easily made. If you've already made a salt dough bowl, a leaf bowl, and a sand bowl, you might be ready for your next bowl project. With it, you get to have fabulous snacks, a new and useful bowl, and some crafting fun. A shell bowl is food safe and really easy to make. 

Supplies: 

• Shells (pistachio, peanut, or others)
• Tacky glue
• Cling wrap or thin plastic

It's going to take a lot of shells to make even a small bowl, so save them as you eat them, and ask others to save theirs. Shells can be from pistachios, peanuts, or other nuts. Not hungry? Make a bowl from small seashells. No matter what kind of shells you're using, boil them in hot water, and that will remove any oil, salt, or dirt. Dry on paper towels.

Use a bowl that you already have as a mold for the new bowl. Line the bowl with plastic wrap and tape the edges down. Then, prepare a mix of shells and glue to begin making the new bowl. Dispense some tacky glue onto a paper plate and put a few shells in it. Use your fingers (gloved or not) to spread the glue all over the shells. Add more shells or glue, depending on which you need. Press the shells into the bottom of the bowl and mix up some more shells and glue. Press them into the sides of the bowl, and continue in that manner, until you have the whole inside of the bowl covered.

Allow the bowl to dry until the glue is no longer sticky. Lift the cling wrap and you'll also lift out the bowl. Remove the plastic and set the bowl on it. Look the new bowl over to see if there are any weak areas and fill those with more glue. Allow to dry again and then the bowl is ready to use. If you want, take it a step further, and paint it (check the label of the paint to see if it is toxic).

A shell bowl is a food safe bowl but it's not recommended for liquids. Put fruit in it, fill it with flowers (use a separate bowl inside to water real flowers), put balls of yarn in it, or find your own use for it. It's definitely a fun craft project that is very cheap to do yet produces a nice, new item for your home.