14 Creative Ways to Repurpose Leftover Crab Shells

Crab feasts are a quintessential summer tradition for many. While the sweet, succulent meat is certainly the star of the show, heaps of discarded shells are left in the aftermath. Before tossing them in the trash, consider these 14 ingenious ways to repurpose leftover crab shells.

Enhance Your Garden

One of the best uses for old crab shells is to enrich your garden soil. The shells contain chitin, a compound that promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms when broken down. These microbes aerate the soil, making nutrients more readily available to plants.

Here are some tips for utilizing crab shells in your garden

• Rinse shells and let them dry in the sun Then crush them into a coarse meal using a mortar and pestle or rolling pin

• Till 1 cup of crushed shells per square foot of garden space into the top few inches of soil. Focus on areas where you’ll be growing vegetables and herbs.

• Sprinkle shells around the base of plants as an organic mulch to retain moisture and discourage weeds,

• Add shells to your compost pile and turn them under to speed up decomposition.

Deter Garden Pests

The chitin in crab shells also helps deter common garden pests like slugs, snails, and nematodes. These creatures dislike crawling across the sharp, spiky texture of crushed shells.

• Spread a perimeter around garden beds and individual plants. The shells act as a scratchy barrier to repel invading pests.

• Work crushed shells into the soil where you’ve had issues with nematodes like root-knot. The chitin disrupts their nervous systems.

• Top off container plants with a coarse layer of crab shell mulch. This thwarts slugs and snails from reaching tender foliage and vegetables.

Create Unique Crafts

Put your creativity to work transforming crab shells into one-of-a-kind crafts and jewelry. Kids will also have fun incorporating shells into their beach-themed projects.

• Make shimmery shell ornaments. Paint the inside of shells with acrylic paints then coat with glitter. Add loops for hanging.

• Fashion necklaces and earrings using small whole shells. Attach clasps and hooks with jewelry glue or wire.

• Arrange pieces of broken shells into mosaic designs. Adhere them to picture frames, vases, or mirrors as decorative accents.

• Glue shells to the perimeter of votive candle holders for an ocean-inspired glow.

Produce Eco-Friendly Craft Glitter

Trade synthetic glitter for a natural version made from crab shells. Simply pulverize clean, dried shells into a shimmery powder. Mix the shell glitter into clear glue or nail polish for dazzling, kid-safe projects.

Make Homemade Chicken Feed Supplement

Eggshell strength depends heavily on calcium. Grinding up crab shells provides an abundant natural calcium source for your flock.

• Rinse and bake shells to sterilize. Grind into a fine powder.

• Mix 2-3 tablespoons of shell powder per pound of feed. The extra calcium improves eggshell quality.

Fashion Stunning Jewelry

Channel your inner mermaid by transforming crab shells into elegant pendants, necklaces, earrings, and more.

• Drill a small hole near the top of a large shell. Insert a jump ring and chain to create a necklace.

• For earrings, drill two holes and attach hooks or wires. Decorate further with beads or jewels.

• Incorporate whole small shells or broken pieces onto bracelets and necklaces for natural embellishment.

Make Shell-Embedded Soap

Embed small whole crab shells into your homemade soaps for natural exfoliation. The shells add texture and visual interest to any bar.

• Press shells gently into the top of poured soap before it sets up completely.

• For larger shells, create indentations in the soap and place the shells carefully.

• Use shells that coordinate with the soap color like white shells in lavender soap.

Create One-of-a-Kind Candles

Make basic candles more special by accenting them with crab shells. The shells add depth and become an artistic element when the candle is lit.

• Press small shells into the top of freshly poured candles before the wax hardens.

• For pillars, partially embed larger shells so they encircle the wick.

• Affix shells around the bottom edge of container candles. Group by color for bold contrast.

Produce Mineral-Rich Bone Broth

Simmering crab shells in water extracts substantial minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Strain out the solids and use the broth to make nutrient-dense soups and stews.

• Combine shells with vegetables, herbs, and water in a pot. Simmer 1-2 hours.

• Strain the broth through a cheesecloth-lined sieve. Season and use as stock.

• Freeze broth in batches. Thaw to add rich flavor to seafood risottos or chowders.

Make DIY Shellfish Stock

Serious seafood lovers know the value of homemade shellfish stock. Simmering crab shells infuses broth with the essence of the sea. Use it as the base for delectable crab bisques, rice, or pasta dishes.

• Break shells into pieces and simmer in water with aromatics like onion, celery, garlic, and herbs.

• Once strained, the stock keeps for 3 days refrigerated or 3 months frozen.

Create One-of-a-Kind Planters

Turn quirky crab shells into functional and decorative planters for succulents, mini cacti, herbs, and more.

• Drill drainage holes in the bottom of large shells. Add a layer of pebbles for drainage.

• Fill shells with potting mix. Nestle in small plants like sedum, thyme, or hen-and-chicks.

• Arrange planted shells together on a tray or shelf for an eclectic indoor garden.

Fashion Whimsical Wind Chimes

The hollow nature of crab shells enables them to produce pleasant sounds when they clink together. Transform shells of varying sizes into musical wind chimes.

• Clean and dry shells thoroughly so they don’t rot.

• Use fishing line or wire to hang shells individually or in clusters from driftwood or bent twigs.

• Vary shell sizes and shapes for an array of wind-activated tones.

Create Natural Confetti

Wish to add an extra splash of fun to a beach-themed bash? Make custom celebratory confetti from crab shells!

• Use hole punches, shape cutters, or pinking shears to cut shells into confetti shapes.

• Store the shell confetti in glass jars or sachets until ready to shower upon guests.

• For bonus sparkle, coat the edges of shells with non-toxic glitter glue before cutting.

Spruce Up Photo Frames

Put those leftover crab shell pieces to use decorating basic photo frames with coastal flair.

• Arrange small broken shell pieces in desired patterns on the glass or backing of photo frames.

• Affix the shells using clear-drying craft glue. Allow to fully dry.

• Vary the shell colors to complement the hues in the framed photo.

The next time you crack into steaming crab legs or pick through fresh crab meat, pause before discarding the shells. With a little creativity, these often overlooked leftovers can be given exciting new life. Put them to use enhancing your garden, fashioning jewelry, embellishing home decor, and more.

Empty crab shells can be repurposed in several ways, including composting, making seafood stock, using them as a natural fertilizer, or crafting with them.