Article: If you picked up your shell at the beach, cleaning it before you start crafting with it will protect you from any germs or bacteria that might be lingering. To do this, boil a small pot of water on the stove and drop the shell in the boiling water. Let it sit for 5-6 minutes, then turn off the heat and remove it with a spoon. Let the shell cool for 5-10 minutes before you start to drill. If you purchased your shell from a store or online, you don't need to boil it. Set the shell down on a flat surface. Place it on whatever side feels the most stable to avoid cracking it when you start to drill. Then, decide where on the shell you want to make the hole and use a pencil to mark it with a light dot. If you want your shell to hang down naturally, like on a chain for jewelry, place the hole near the top or base of the shell. If your design calls for the shell to be suspended in the middle, place the mark in the middle of the shell. Place a few layers of newspaper or an old placemat under the shell to protect the surface you're drilling on. Open a pair of scissors and place one tip against the hole. Hold the shell firmly with your other hand and slowly twist the scissors down in to the shell, pressing down gently but firmly. You may need to hold the scissors by the other blade instead of the by the handle. If this is the case, wear a thick glove to protect your hand. The size of the scissors will determine the size of the hole. If you want a smaller hole, use a thinner pair of scissors, or even nail scissors. For a larger hole, go with regular scissors. Twist the scissors blade around and continue pressing down until you break through to the other side. Draw back the scissors slowly and carefully and set them aside. Don't continue pushing down once you break through; the blade widens quickly and the hole might crack. Gently blow on the hole to rid it of any dust you may have created. This will let you get a good look at the hole to make sure it's the right size and in the correct location. You can also rinse the shell under water to clean it. If you need the hole to be bigger, insert your scissors again. Push them through a little farther and twist again, focusing on widening the hole. Measure the hole against the string, chain, or jump ring you plan on threading through. Make sure it's wide enough before you put away your scissors.
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Sanitize the shell with boiling water if you found it outside. Set the shell down on its flattest side and mark the hole location. Twist the sharp point of your scissors into the mark. Continue twisting until the hole goes all the way through. Clear the hole by blowing away any dust. Repeat the process if you want the hole to be larger.