After a long and cold winter…I’m ready to get outside and into the fresh air. During the month of March I like to get things ready for the upcoming gardening season and that includes making some new yard and garden art.
When we were down at the beach a few months ago we collected some really large clam shells off of the beach. A lot of these seashells are 6″ to 7″ wide. Yes, they’re extremely large clam shells and they make the perfect painting surfaces for some new yard art! Over the next few weeks I’ll share some easy-to-make seashell and clam shell craft projects with all of you that will help to welcome in Spring and Summer!
You can make this same craft project using smooth river rocks and you can find our directions on how to make Ladybugs with Rocks right here on the blog too!
Hand-Painted Ladybug Clam Shells
Large Clam Shells (clean and dry)
Acrylic Paint (white, black and red)
Paint Brush, Water Dish, Paint Palette
Round Wooden Toothpick
Newspaper and Paper Towels
Clear Acrylic Spray Sealer
Cover your work surface with 2-3 sheets of newspaper.
Your entire painted design will be on the outside of the clam shell. You’ll want to cover up the entire outside with two complete coats of red acrylic paint, allowing the paint to dry for 30-40 minutes between each coat.
Using the black acrylic paint, make the ladybug’s head by painting a semi-circle as shown in the photograph. Then paint a black back section leading from the head down to the back of the body…an irregular triangular shape. You’ll need to let it dry for 30-40 minutes and then add your second coat of black acrylic paint.
While that part is drying…dip the end of your paint brush into black acrylic paint and dot on the ladybug’s spots. We found that one coat of paint was sufficient for her spots. Use the back of the paint brush to dot on her eyes using the white acrylic paint and let dry for 30-40 minutes. Dip an end of the round wooden toothpick into black acrylic paint and dot the center of each eye. Let dry.
Take two sheets of newspaper outside and lay them on the ground or sidewalk. Place the seashells on the newspaper. Lightly spray a layer of the clear acrylic sealer over the entire top of your clam shell. Let dry for 30 minutes and then add a second coat of the sealer. Let dry for 4-6 hours or overnight. They’re now protected from the weather and can be displayed outside in your yard and garden areas! Plus, it gives a nice shine to each of your ladybugs.
* This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may or may not receive a small commission which helps to support this site. Thank you!
These are so cute. I love the red and black design and I know that kids would enjoy doing these crafts with me.
How cute! I keep an old Christmas tree on my front porch and decorate it for the seasons. I bet the ladybug shells would look cute on it this summer.
Oh I love these!!!! I could see something like this in the garden. I would want dozens in the garden for the solor, and they are fun t look at. I seriously need to find some shells!
This is the cutest clam shell project of all the ones you’ve made. They just really make me smile.
I love these too! They add just the right amount of color in the garden too! I put three of them in different sizes in my one flower bed and then I have one sitting in my birdbath that is filled with dirt and being used as a flower planter. The red color just pops!
I have made these with my granddaughter and now I think it is time to make them again with my grandson. They are fun to make and put in the garden.
I so love ladybugs and these shells are adorable. We love doing craft projects and this one would be fun. I also think these would make a fun gift to a grandparent or teacher.
I love these ideas. The girls will have such a fun time making them. I just have to find some shells.
This is such a cute craft idea! I can see this as being a great vacation bible school project or to gather the kids around the family table. This would also be a wonderful gift to a Mom from her child.