Over the years we’ve collected a lot of Oyster Shells from the beach. We like to use these seashells in our craft projects and they’re fantastic as Christmas tree ornaments. The ones that we’re featuring today were painted to look like Santa Claus and are really easy-to-make!
The Oyster Shells that we used in this craft project measure at least 3 1/2″ in length. You can use all different sizes and shapes, but I do recommend at least 3 1/2″ in length. You want them to show up while hanging on your Christmas tree. Before beginning the project, wash and thoroughly dry all seashells.
Painted Oyster Shells Santa Christmas Tree Ornaments
Oyster Shells Seashells
Acrylic Craft Paint: White, Peach, Pink, Black and Red
Paint Brush, Water Dish, Paper Towels
White Pom-Poms
All-Purpose Craft Glue
Clear Acrylic Spray Sealer, Glossy Finish
Clear Fishing Line
Scissors
Old Newspaper
Lay newspaper down onto your work surface. Paint the front side of each Oyster Shell with 2 coats of white acrylic craft paint and let dry. We opted to NOT paint the back of the shells as we wanted to keep some of the natural look to the seashells. You can opt to paint the back or leave it unpainted.
With the peach colored paint make the Santa’s face. We used 2 coats of paint to get the coverage that we wanted. Use the red colored paint to make his hat, again, using 2 coats of red paint. Let dry.
Once the face is dry you’ll want to add his facial features. We added 2 black eyes, a white mustache, a pink nose and 2 white eyebrows. Let dry. Once his black eyes were dry, we dotted on 2 tiny white circles to serve as his inner eyes. This adds a little depth. Let dry.
Take your painted seashells outside and lay them down onto old newspaper or an old plastic placemat. Lightly spray each shell with 2 coats of clear acrylic spray sealer and let dry for 2-4 hours or until no longer tacky. We don’t spray the back side since we left our’s unpainted. The sealer is to protect the painted surface from chip, crazing and fading. They can be used indoors or outdoors.
Once the seashells are dry you need to finish them up. Cut a 5″ long piece from clear fishing line, tie it into a knot to form a hanging loop. Add a spot of glue to the top of each Santa’s hat. Place the knotted end into the glue and then add another spot of glue on top. Press the pom-pom into place on top to hide the knotted end of your hanging loop. Let dry for 2 hours. That’s it, you’re done!
I decorate a Christmas tree every year in a Coastal and Beach theme. I decided to make a few of them with blue colored Santa caps so that they would work with my color scheme and theme. As you can see…they turned out beautifully! I have 6 of them hanging on my tree and everyone compliments me on them. Don’t be afraid to use a variety of colors to make the Santa caps/hats!
You can use your Oyster Shell Santa Christmas Ornaments to decorate your coastal Christmas tree, as package tie-on’s, hang them off of a door wreath or swag, use suction cups & hang them in a window or take them outside to decorate a tree or bush as holiday yard decorations. If you’re really good at decorative painting, you can really add some nice details to them and fancy them all up!
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The oyster shells lend themselves well o becoming santas! Each would be unique since shells are unique. I like how the beards look like they are flowing in these.
This is a great shell to use to create Santa’ s face. Each is slightly different and it makes the ornaments more interesting and personalized.
As I have said before, you are so creative and talented. I want to make all these shell items you keep showing. They are so cute.