alainaflute
Greg
Jody
E.G.D.Get Away Every Day! Do-It-Yourself Mini Zen Beach
Posted by Jody on November 8, 2012
Have you seen those fun little desktop zen gardens? Well, here’s a do-it-yourself idea for us beach lovers: a desktop mini zen beach!
I actually looked for these little desktop beach kits online and considered buying one, but then realized that I’d rather personalize my own little zen beach. It’s so easy and lots of fun to put one of these mini beach sets together.
Do-It-Yourself Desktop Zen Beach Accessories (Photo ©Jody Diehl)
For the base, I used an old picture frame with a 6×6 photo opening. Taking the backing off and removing the glass, I cut a piece of a vinyl placemat to size and glued it into the opening. I packed the cardboard squares back into the frame (behind the place mat) and secured the back with the same slip-proof matting. Since I used a blue placemat, I kept cutting and made some surf for the beach, too.
Use your imagination and personalize your own mini zen beach! Sterilized, decorative sand is available at your local craft store. I chose the color of the golden sands of Southern California’s coastline. You may decide on black for the famous black sand beaches of the Big Island, pink to remind you of that amazing trip to the Bahamas, or white sand for the pristine shores of Barbados.
Do-It-Yourself Mini Zen Beach with Sand Castle Christmas Ornament
A sand pail and shovel are the real key here. Little seashells on the beach are a must, in my book. The rest is up to your unlimited creativity.
I used my miniature seashells from Sanibel Island, Florida. The little pieces of “sea glass” are oven baked, tiny plastic pellets used for “stained glass” Christmas ornaments and sun catchers. A button makes a great little umbrella stand. For mini beachy accessories, head to the toy department, the kids’ Barbie bins or their play room! Find what makes your own desktop beach “zen.” I found the perfect beach themed doll set at a discount store (she looks just like me). From then on, it was a blast to set up these beach scenes!
Do-It-Yourself Desktop Zen Beach
Do-It-Yourself Desktop Zen Beach (She looks just like me!)
This desktop addition is sure to help you beat those Monday morning blues! Have fun, change it up, and try to get some work done! 
Now you can get away every day with your very own mini zen beach!
Please remember to share us with your friends! You can find us on Facebook at One Shell of a Find. Thank you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lynn said
I just love this! As much as I love the beach and all it has to offer, I can’t believe I never thought of this myself! Thank you for posting this! Lynn
Jody said
Lynn, we’d love to see a photo of your DIY mini zen beach!
adinparadise said
These are sooo cute. Love the idea.
Jody said
Thank you! I can’t walk past mine without putting the little doll’s footprints in the sand.
Marianne said
Oh what a lovely idea!
Jody said
Marianne, thank you! I love that you can make your own by changing up the doodads.
mhdriver said
Jody, When someone gives me a like, I like to at least thank them for stopping by. So here it is thank you for stopping by. I love to walk on the beach but I don’t like to lie on the beach just to get a sun tan. I have for last 20 years been able to just park our motor home at the beach and stay awhile. When my wife was still working we take our motor home up to Ventura park a long side the ocean 3 weekends a month. Love your site. It is one of my favorite subjects. Jim
Jody said
Jim, got it
and thanks. We aren’t the suntan types either. Any day is a good day at the beach: misty, sunny, hot or cold. We like to amble along and just enjoy the views. Might be those negative ions I keep hearing about too.
kiwiskan said
Brings a whole new perspective to ‘life’s a beach’.
Jody said
Thanks! We’d like to think so too.
alainaflute said
My favorite thing to do when I pass by a zen beach is to fill the bucket with sand using the shovel. Not sure why, but I like it!
Filio Kondylis said
Fantastic idea. Now I can take a trip to the beach without having to leave home…
Jody said
Thank you so much! It works for me!
windhound said
My screensaver is my favourite Scottish beach and I start and end the day there with a virtual walk, hearing the waves, the wind and the seabirds and smelling the salt sweet air. The mini beach is a great idea and I’ll certainly pass this link on to my friends. Thanks for the likes and I will be sure to post more beaches in future Blogs. You are always welcome.
Jody said
I love it. What a wonderful way to begin and end every day! I’ll be looking forward to more of your beach posts. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Enchanted Seashells said
this is just TOO adorable. Yes, I had the zen garden with the stones and the little rake, but this is way more to my liking!
PS I thought i was already following you but I’ve never gotten your posts so I signed up again.
I wish there were more good shelling beaches here in San Diego, but the last time i found any was at Trestles.
T
Jody said
Our favorite shelling spot in San Diego is Silver Strand State Beach. Who knows, though. It does depend on the day, time, tides and weather. But then, I don’t have to tell you that!
Enchanted Seashells said
I haven’t been there in years; I had heard about Imperial Beach too, but that’s pretty far south for me. I’ll have to check them out, Thanks!
Jody said
It’s well worth the drive. Have fun!
eileensaunders said
Cute, cute, cute. I’ll be making one this weekend. But I have a big decision to make: which sand to use. I collect it from the beaches I’ve visited or lived on. If you’re ever planning a trip to Gulf Shores or Dauphin Island please contact me. I’d love to go shelling with you.
Jody said
Yay, what a wonderful offer! I’m feeling very special. I will absolutely get ahold of you for beach time if I’m ever in the area! Thank you so much, Eileen!!