How to make seashell ornaments and decor

Making seashell ornaments and decor for holidays

Hello friends, the holiday season is here and especially this year we can use some good cheer! Christmas is our family’s most special holiday as it is to most. Decorating for Christmas and family gathering is part of the magic this time of the year. One of my favorite pastime is making seashell ornaments and decor for the Christmas tree and around the house. I could spend hours and hours caught up in a creative zone making ornaments and Christmas decorations.

Sea inspired…

Since we moved to a coastal area, I have been especially drawn to using seashells and sea inspired finds to make the Christmas decorations. Before we moved to the beach, I didn’t think of using seashells for my projects.

Now, it’s all about the sea…I love creating coastal vibe for our Christmas. Beautiful natural shapes and sizes of shells can be worked into so many holiday decor . There is definitely new found an appreciation for the treasures from the ocean. 

Best of all, we enjoy combing the beach searching for the beautiful shells has become one of my favorite ways to relax.

Turning a seashell into an ornament is one of the easiest crafts you can make.

Of course, you could buy seashell ornaments to bring a little beach inspiration to your Christmas. But if you already have the seashells you have collected during your travels, why not turn them into memorable ornaments.

What you’ll need…

To make the seashell ornaments and decor for your home, all you need is a small hand drill or a Dremel tool to make a hole for the string or ribbon to hang. Few embellishments to decorate the shells and paint if you choose to paint. Using jewelry findings caps for the starfish and other shell ornaments works beautifully. Use the glue gun to attach the embellishments, but use E6000 to attach the Jewelry caps. E6000 has a stronger adhesion.

Here are a few decorations I’ve been making for my home.

Starfish in their natural state or painted can add coastal accents all over the house.

These sand dollars were painted with glitter paint.  Added a little rhinestones for a bit more sparkle, looks fabulous.

These flat scallop shells are perfect in its natural state, added a metal angel to hang from.

You can find these supplies at Hobby Lobby, Michaels or can click on the highlighted supplies to bring you to store to purchase.

Supplies you will need

• Seashells such as starfish, sea urchin, sand dollar, abalone, scallop, clam, any shell you can get your hands on.
• E6000 glue
• Hot glue gun
• Dremel tool
• Acrylic Paint
• Glitter
• Faux rhinestone chain and rhinestone mesh
• Faux Pearls with flat back and Gemstones
• Jewelry findings – bead caps
• Thin ribbon

Lets make some seashell ornaments…

First thing you would have to do if you are using shells you have picked up from the beach is clean them thoroughly.

In a plastic container, mix equal parts bleach and water

Add the seashells

Let the shells soak for about 1 hour

Remove the shells from the bleach mixture and scrub with a toothbrush to clean them thoroughly.

Wipe all the shells to down to dry.

Once they have dried, use the Dremel or a small drill to carefully make a hole on the shell. Then thread your ribbon to hang the ornament.

Don’t have a small drill? No worries, you can use E6000 to attach the jewelry findings to the shell and for to thread the ribbon. I prefer to add the jewelry clasp on some shells, it a beautiful addition.

Now, you can be as creative as you want. You can adorn the shells with Rhinestones, gems, lace, paint, pearls, fabric flowers, anything you can imagine.

If you simply like the look of the the natural shell, you can spray polyurethane or paint a clear acrylic gloss to enhance its natural color. This will also help preserve your shells and keep them looking beautiful for many years.

DIY Glitzy Glam Seashell Christmas tree

Make your own seashell-themed Christmas tree for your home decor!

loved making these seashell Christmas tree. Small white shells were glued to a cone shaped styrofoam. I started from the bottom in rows and worked my way up to the top. Then added rhinestones sporadically on the shells to add some sparkle.  The star on top is a real starfish wrapped with rhinestone mesh shaped, cut to size and glued.

More bling, you gotta have the bling! Same process as the one above except I used abalone shell chips. Their iridescent quality take on a different color at every angle.

Your handmade seashell ornaments and decor are complete. Such a fun and easy projects.

Having a beachy Christmas ornaments is a fun way to bring a love of all things coastal into the holidays. Even if you don’t live the by a beach, adding some coastal elements can bring memories of wonderful vacations.

These seashell Christmas ornaments would make great handmade gifts.

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