Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Preserving starfish
• Part 2 of 2: Exhibiting starfish
• Tips
• Necessities

Starfish are a great decoration if you bring them home from the beach. To prevent your showpiece from smelling, it is important that you learn how to best preserve, dry (with alcohol) and display them. It's very simple. Start with step 1.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Preserving starfish

1. Make sure the starfish you bring are already dead. The nearly 1,500 species of starfish have one thing in common: they are slow. It can sometimes be difficult to determine if the starfish you have found is still alive, but there are a few ways to make sure this beautiful marine animal is really dead before displaying it.
   • If you come across a starfish on the beach, wait a while before touching it. Study the starfish carefully. Is there movement to be seen? Is the sand bubbling under the starfish? If so, do the starfish a favor and return it to sea. Study the starfish carefully for a few minutes to spot any sign of life before picking it up.
   • When the starfish is brittle and no longer moving, it is dead and you can take it home to keep and use as a decoration piece.
2. Clean your starfish. An optional step is to clean the starfish before displaying it.Some collectors submerge the starfish in water with a little soap before soaking the starfish in the alcohol or drying it in salt. Cleaning is not essential.
   • If you do want to clean your starfish, add a drop of dish soap to plenty of water. Submerge the starfish to clean it. Do not scrub the starfish and handle them with care, as they are very delicate and fragile.
   • Leave the starfish to dry in the sun and carefully place the starfish between two plates. This is to prevent the arms from curling when the starfish dries and to maintain a uniform shape.
3. Preserve your starfish with alcohol. Most collectors immediately soak the starfish in alcohol without cleaning it. Try to judge what applies to your starfish. Soak the starfish in isopropanol so that it is completely covered and let it sit for 30-48 hours.
   • Others choose to soak their starfish in formalin; that is a combination of one part formaldehyde to five parts water. If you go for this approach, your starfish will retain a strong chemical smell that will only disappear after a while. You have been warned. Maybe you don't care, because you display it behind glass anyway. Here too you soak the starfish for 30-48 hours.
4. Let it dry in the sun. It doesn't matter which method you choose, but you should let the starfish dry completely before taking it inside. Sunny days, in particular, are perfect for drying starfish. Drying properly means that your starfish will last longer.
   • Place the starfish between plates (not books, they are too heavy) to make sure the arms stay flat and level. Check regularly to see if it dries to the shape you envisioned.
5. Preserve the starfish with salt. An easy alternative to preserving the starfish is to lay it flat on a plate and sprinkle it generously with natural sea salt. Place a plate on top to keep the arms in place.
   • The salt crust sucks all the moisture out of the starfish and dries it out. This preserves the starfish quite well. It is best to do this outside in the sun to prevent unpleasant odors and to speed up the process.

Part 2 of 2: Exhibiting starfish

1. Keep them dry. Whether you want to use the starfish as a decoration or in a craft project, make sure that it stays dry and that it has dried well in advance to avoid bad smells. The scent is not very present, but the starfish may retain a slight alcohol scent after preserving. Keep it in a dry place and don't move it too much.
2. Simulate an ocean. A common way to display a starfish is in combination with shells, sea urchins and driftwood in a decorative display. This gives a nice accent to an office, living room or other space, especially in houses on the coast.
3. Use the starfish as a decoration when packing. Instead of a bow, use a starfish. Gluing a starfish to your gift is a cool way to show off your wrapping skills. You can also hang your starfish on a gift bag with a ribbon to spice things up a bit. It is even more fun to combine it with a gift that fits within the theme of the sea.
4. Use as a decoration for your dining table. A large centerpiece on the table is a great way to use your preserved starfish. Stay within the theme of the sea and place shells and starfish in a simple, elegant bowl. It looks great in both summer and winter and reminds you of the beach.
   • Glue starfish to napkin rings to liven up the setting.
   • Decorate the stem of your wine glass with a starfish by carefully tying it with a link. Make sure to remove the starfish before washing the glasses.
5. Fill a glass jar. One of the simplest and most elegant ways to display your starfish is in a jar. It looks great indoors and outdoors, in a formal and informal setting. It is a reminder of sunny days and the waves of the sea.
6. Make a brooch. Always carry your starfish with you by turning it into a brooch and wearing it in a conspicuous place. You can pin it on your shirt, but also on your beach bag, handbag, scarf or jacket.

Tips

• Use a glass bottle to keep it after the preservation process.

Necessities

• Starfish
• Small box
• 230 grams of salt
• Decorative display