Ladybug Painted Seashells Refrigerator Magnets

These ladybug painted seashells are easy to make and super cute! Once completed you can use them as Christmas tree ornaments, hang off peg hooks, off a garland, turn into plant picks or do what we did, turn them into adorable refrigerator magnets!

Ladybug Painted Seashells Refrigerator Magnets

Scallop Shells
Acrylic Craft Paint – Red, Black, and White
Paint Brush, Water Dish, Paper Towel
Clear Acrylic Spray Sealer – Glossy Finish
Commerical Grade Magnets
Tile Nippers or Pliers
E6000 Adhesive or Gorilla Glue

Use pliers or tile nippers to snip off the hinged edge of the shell. You want the ladybug to have a triangular face. My photos show both ways…with the hindge snipped and without.

Base coat the shell with 2 coats of red acrylic craft paint, allowing for 30 minutes of drying time between coats. Use black paint to make the head, wing separator and the black polka dots. Let dry. Dip the end of a paint brush into white paint and make 2 oval shaped eyes. Let dry. Dip the end of a paint brush into black paint to make the pupils. Let thoroughly dry.

Take them outside and spray both sides with 1-2 light coats of a clear acrylic spray sealer. I chose one with a glossy finish, but matte works fine too. Let dry for 3-4 hours.

You need to use commerical grade magnets on the back. Shells are semi-weighty and will slide down the front of the refrigerator if you don’t use strong enough magnets. In addition, don’t use hot glue which doesn’t adhere things well onto shells. I recommend using E6000 Adhesive Glue or Gorilla Glue to add the magnet onto the back. Let dry overnight or for at least 8 hours.

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