How to Make Gnome Ornaments from Oyster Shells

Gnomes…they’ve been a HOT decorating craze for the past few years. I’ve seen people decorating every room in their home with gnomes…including their Christmas trees. They’re cute and show off a part of your whimsy side. I can walk in just about any department store or home goods store and find something with a gnome design. They’re everywhere!

I made a few adorbable gnome ornaments that can be hung up on a peg hook, cabinet knob, a Christmas tree, etc. You can omit the hanging string and add a magnet on the back to turn them into refrigerator magnets or a pin back for a brooch. You can do all sorts of things with these gnomes made from oyster shells. Yes, oyster shells!

How to Make Gnome Ornaments from Oyster Shells

1 medium oyster shell seashell
scrap of fleece
4-7 MM faux pearl (depending on the size of the oyster shell)
scrap of faux fur
hot glue gun and glue
clear fishing line (about 6-7″ long for hanging cord)
scrap of twine
scissors

Cut a piece of faux fur meauring about 2/3 of the length of the oyster shell. The fur needs to hang 1-2″ longer than the bottom edge of the seashell and wrap around the edges of the shell. Tack it into place using hot glue.

A piece of fleece was used for the hat. The slightly rectangular shape will depend on the width and length of the upper 1/3 of the seashell. Use hot glue to wrap it around the top making sure you overlap the top edge of the faux fur (it should sit on top). Tack it down with a generous amount of glue. Wait a minute or two and then tie a scrap piece of jute around the top. Use scissors to trim the ends of the jute and then to make fringe at the very top of the fleece hat.

Use the hot glue gun to add the faux pearl to serve as its nose. Use a generous amount of glue. Once dry, flip it over and add a hanging loop on the back. I used clear fishing line with the two ends knotted together to form a hanging loop. I like to let all items sit for 1-2 hours after using hot glue to allow everything to “set” and harden-up. That’s it, you’re done.

You can get much more fancier with them but I like a clean and classic look. You can use wooden balls, beads, pom-poms, etc. for their noses. You can add a pom-pom or jingle bell to the top of their hat. Use metallic cording or satin ribbon instead of jute…and so forth.

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