How to decorate a Real Shell Notebook with Pearls & Rhinestones? | DIY Seashell Pocket Journal Tutorial | PinkyDIY

14 juillet 2026

What You'll Need

Before getting started, prepare the notebook base, decorative accessories, and a few simple tools. Everything listed below is included in our DIY Seashell Notebook Kit, so you won't need to source the materials separately.

Notebook Base

2 large horseshoe binder rings
Natural seashell notebook cover
Approximately 30 shell-shaped notebook pages
One faux pearl chain with horseshoe clasp

Decorative Accessories

Large rhinestones
Crushed crystals
Mini seashells and conch shells
Acrylic decorative charms

These embellishments can be freely combined to create your own unique shell notebook. There isn't a single "correct" layout, so feel free to design it however you like.

Pearl necklace with seashells and blue beads on a white background

Tools

Low-viscosity? ❌
Thick (low-flow) UV glue ✔
UV curing lamp

We recommend using a thick, low-flow UV glue. Because the shell surface is relatively smooth, thinner glue can easily run before curing. A thicker UV glue keeps rhinestones, crystals and other embellishments exactly where you place them, making the decorating process much easier.

Get Everything in One DIY Kit

Step 1: Decorate the Outside of the Seashell Notebook

Prefer watching the full making process? Follow the video tutorial below first, then use this written guide as a step-by-step reference while you decorate your own seashell pocket journal.

The outer shell is the highlight of this DIY seashell notebook. Instead of placing the decorations randomly, try following the shell's natural ridges. These beautiful fan-like lines create the perfect guide for arranging your rhinestones and crystals, giving the finished notebook an elegant ocean-inspired look.

Apply a thin line of thick UV glue along every one or two natural ridges of the shell. Near the bottom of the shell (where the two shell halves are connected), apply a slightly larger amount of glue. This creates a stronger base for the first layer of decoration while making the design look fuller near the center.

✨ Pro Tip: Don't worry if some of the crushed crystals or rhinestones fall outside the glue lines. After curing the UV glue, simply turn the shell upside down and gently tap the back. Any loose pieces that weren't bonded to the glue will naturally fall away, revealing clean, beautiful lines underneath—much like creating a sand art pattern. This technique actually helps create a more natural and polished finish than trying to place every crystal perfectly by hand.

Sprinkle Glacier Blue rhinestones along the glue lines, followed by matching blue crushed crystals. These cool ocean tones create a beautiful mermaidcore effect and provide the foundation for the rest of your decoration.

Curing the UV Glue

After completing this first layer, cure it with your handheld UV light. Simply press the power button once—the lamp will automatically run through one curing cycle and switch itself off when finished. Once the light turns off, the area that has been illuminated is fully cured and ready for the next layer.

Repeat this process throughout the project whenever you finish attaching a section of decorations. Working in small sections makes it much easier to control the placement of every embellishment.

Once the crystal base has cured, begin adding larger decorative pieces, including miniature seashells, tiny conch shells, deep navy pearls, deep blue rhinestones, clear rhinestones and additional crushed crystals. Arrange everything freely to create your own design.

A helpful guideline is to place more embellishments near the bottom of the shell and gradually reduce the number of decorations toward the outer edge. This creates a balanced composition while naturally drawing attention to the center of the notebook.

If you prefer a softer and more elegant style, you can also decorate with our pearl assortment instead of using only rhinestones. The pearl collection includes multiple sizes, allowing you to create beautiful layered details inspired by seashells, pearls and the ocean.

Whenever you attach a larger decoration—such as a shell, pearl or large rhinestone—cure it immediately with the UV lamp before moving on to the next piece. This prevents the accessories from shifting and helps keep your design exactly where you want it.

✨ Pro Tip: You can decorate the shell while it's still attached to the notebook, or remove it first by opening the binder rings. To open the rings, twist one side upward and the other downward instead of pulling them apart. This prevents the rings from losing their shape. Once the shell is removed, it's a little easier to handle while decorating. I've tried both methods, and they work equally well, so simply choose whichever feels more comfortable for you.

Step 2: Create the Ocean Inside the Shell

Prefer watching this step? Follow the video tutorial below to see how the lagoon-shaped UV glue layer, larger decorations, crushed crystals and rhinestones come together inside the shell.

Now it's time to decorate the inside of the shell. Using the thick UV glue, squeeze a small lake-shaped pool onto the inner surface of the shell. Don't worry about making it perfectly symmetrical—the organic shape actually makes it look more like a natural lagoon or a tiny piece of the ocean.

Begin by placing your favorite larger embellishments into the "lake," such as miniature seashells, pearls or acrylic charms. Once you're happy with the arrangement, sprinkle Glacier Blue crushed crystals and matching blue rhinestones around the decorations to create the sparkling effect of clear seawater.

After arranging everything, cure the section with your UV lamp. The curing process and application tips are exactly the same as in Step 1: work in small sections and cure each completed area before moving on to the next.

✨ Pro Tip: Because we specifically chose a thicker, low-flow UV glue to prevent it from running across the shell, you may notice a few tiny air bubbles after squeezing it out. Don't worry—before adding your decorations, simply give the shell a couple of gentle taps against your work surface. This helps the bubbles rise and pop naturally, leaving a smoother, clearer "water" effect. Once you're happy with the shape of your little lagoon, start arranging your decorations. This extra step isn't required, but it gives the finished notebook a cleaner, more polished look.