I’m excited to share this Santa Shell Ornament with you as part of the 2016 Ornament Exchange! This year, I was partnered with Donna from Two Chicks and a Mom. Using a cockle shell, I hand painted a Santa face onto the shell. It only takes a few supplies and the result is a fun ornament for your tree.
Living in a coastal city means that there is always the opportunity to go to the beach and collect shells. This year, I’m making several differently styled ornaments using shells collected at Folly Beach, SC. I’ve seen Santa Shell Ornaments before and I wanted to give making a few of them a try.
I started by sorting through a bunch of shells and selecting the ones that I wanted to us. These shells were dead, so cleaning them up was easy. I don’t like to use bleach, so I cleaned them by soaking them in Palmolive Liquid Dish Soap for about an hour. Using a lint free cloth, I dried them and left them to sit out to completely dry. I purchased red, white and gold acrylic paint and a bag of pearl beads for the sea shell ornaments.
I chose one of the large ones for Donna’s ornament. I gave it two coats of white acrylic paint and let it dry.
Once it was dry, I used red acrylic paint for the hat and peach paint for the face.
I added eyes, a nose and lips using black, gold and red paint. The finishing touch was to attach a pearl bead using hot glue.
This was such a simple ornament and it’s one that anyone can make. I hope Donna will enjoy it! I’m still trying to find a good way to add a loop for hanging before I mail it off.
Materials Used For Santa Shell Ornament:
Cockle Shell
White, Red, Peach, Black, Gold Paint
Bead
Hot Glue
Pin Me, Please!
I hope you’ll share your handmade ornaments with us at the Blog Hop!
We’ll be sharing at lots of these great parties.
Beverly shares easy, inexpensive craft tutorials, diy projects for the home, coastal decor projects, & thrift store find makeover projects all designed to help you create a beautiful home on a budget.
sherry cole says
Okay, now I know what to make with all the shells that I have collected! You did a beautiful job painting these.
Beverly says
Thanks, Sherry! It was pretty easy to turn a shell into a Santa face. I’m making lots of them. I hope you enjoy making some.
Erlene Amat says
I love seashells and wouldn’t have thought to create a Santa from one. Absolutely adorable!
Beverly says
Thanks, Erlene! I’ve seen some similar ones on Pinterest over the years, but this is the first time I’ve tried it. It was a fun little ornament to make. Thank you for putting the ornament exchange together again this year. It looks like it’s going great!
pam smith says
I have so many shells and this is the perfect idea! I am participating in the Ornament Exchange too and just stopped by for a visit!
Beverly says
It’s a fun way to use the shells! These are quick and easy!
Debrashoppeno5 says
The Santa is so sweet. Especially like you say if you live in a Coastal area. I can see this as a little extra gift on a package.
Beverly says
Thanks, Debra! I hadn’t thought of using them on packages. That’s a great idea!
Michelle James says
This is so clever!! My sister lives in FL & would love this!
Beverly says
It’s a fun and easy ornament to make. Thanks, Michelle.
Nicki Parrish says
That is super cute! I would have never thought of it! Good job!
Beverly says
Thanks, Nicki! I’m making all kinds of ornaments from shells this year and having fun with them.
Kim~madeinaday says
I have not seen Santa shell ornaments! Love this idea!
Beverly says
It’s fun to come up with different ways to use all these shells I have. Thank you, Kim.
Mother of 3 says
That is so cute!
Beverly says
Thanks so much!
Robin @ Redo It Yourself Inspirations says
I was wondering what coastal resource you were going to do! This is just adorable!!! Love it, Beverly!
Beverly says
Thanks, Robin! Coastal is my go to style! I’m enjoying making several different ornaments using shells this year.
Cucicucicoo: Eco Sewing and Crafting says
So cute! This would be such a great idea to do with kids and I already have a bunch of scallop shells that would be perfect! As for the hanger, couldn’t you just hot glue a loop of red ribbon to the top inside of the shell, just under the curved part? Thanks for sharing the tute! 🙂 Lisa
Beverly says
Thanks! Yes, it would be a fun project for kids. I tried using a ribbon that way, but the larger shells are a bit to heavy for that and they droop. I think some thicker ribbon might work.
Ann says
I love this and am very excited to make them!! Thank you for such a cute and inexpensive idea!! May try to attach them to a ring and use them as napkin rings on my Christmas tables!!
Beverly says
Thank you, Ann. They would make wonderful napkin rings. I’ve made napkin rings from this type of shell to go with a coastal tablescape. They would be fun for Christmas, too.
Megan Chamberlin says
A beautiful idea for a coastal ornament memento! You could adapt this so many ways! Well done!“
Beverly says
Thank you, Megan. Yes, there are lots of ways to use shells for ornaments. I’m having fun making several different designs.
[email protected]_diem says
So great! I have never seen something similar, love it!
Beverly says
Thanks so much, Ana!
Emily says
This is so cute, and such a great way to turn collected shells into holiday keepsakes! Pinned 🙂
Beverly says
Thank you, Emily! I’m having fun using lots of shells for ornaments. Thanks for pinning!
Mihaela says
That’s so fun and festive! I love how one can subtly incorporate summer in Christmas season 😀 :)) Thank you for the idea!
Beverly says
Thank you. I love using sea shells and other beachy items year round.
Helen at Pleasures of the NW says
That’s a fun santa! Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY party – and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Beverly says
Thanks! It was a fun one to make. Thanks for the party!
Melissa says
Living near the beach I also like to add a little coastal decor to Christmas . This is such a cute and fun project . Thanks for sharing at the family joy blog link party this week ! !
Beverly says
It’s fun to find ways to incorporate a coastal look into seasonal decor. Thank you, Melissa. Thanks for hosting.
Chloe Crabtree says
Such a cute ornament! I have found plenty of these shells on the beaches and need to get to work! I have pinned these to my Coastal Christmas board!
Beverly says
Thanks, Chloe! They are so easy to make. Thanks bunches for pinning!
Samantha says
That is the cutest santa and it looks great on your Christmas tree. Thanks for sharing at the Family Joy Link Party!
Beverly says
Thank you, Samantha. Thanks for hosting the party!
Maisy says
Hi ladies, this santa shell ornament is such a cute and unique idea! Love it 🙂 Which is why I picked this as a feature for our Friday Favorites linky party: http://be-alice.blogspot.com/2016/11/friday-favorites-week-348.html
I hope to see you at the next party!
Have a great day,
Maisy
Beverly says
Thanks so much! I appreciate the feature, Maisy! Thanks for a fun party each week.
Marilyn Lesniak says
This is perfect! I love all things coastel and have a collection of shells from vacations to the coast. What a great idea! #OverTheMoon.
Beverly says
Thank you, Marilyn! Thanks for the party each week, too!
Cristina at Ava's Alphabet says
I just love your Santa shell ornament. So cute and clever! Pinned and sharing. Thanks for joining us at Family Joy Blog Link-Up Party!
Beverly says
Thank you, Cristina! I appreciate the pin. Thanks for the party each week.