We enjoy collecting seashells and using them in various arts and craft projects around our home. When it comes to collecting seashells, you only want to collect unoccupied shells or shells from deceased animals. It is important that you immediately clean them up with fresh running tap water, air dry them and then prepare them for the ride home.

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Today’s Crafting with Kid’s project utilizes Mussel Shells that we collected from the beach this past October. They’re plentiful on beaches as most people just pass them by. With that said, they’re fun to use in craft projects, especially when making Christmas tree ornaments!

Mussel Shell Snowman Christmas Tree Ornaments

Mussel Shells
Acrylic Craft Paint: White, Black and Orange
Water Dish, Paint Brush, Paper Towels
Old Sheets of Newspaper
Clear Acrylic Spray Sealer, Glossy Finish
Pom-Pom
All-Purpose, Quick-Drying Craft Glue
Clear Fishing Line and Scissors

Lay newspaper down onto your work surface. Paint the outside of each Mussel Shell with 2 coats of white acrylic paint and let dry for approximately 40 minutes. Use black paint (or desired color) to paint the upper 1/2 of the shell to form his “Santa style” hat.

Dip the end of your paint brush into black acrylic craft paint and dot on 2 small eyes and 4 tiny dots for his mouth. Use orange acrylic craft paint to make a carrot-shaped nose. Once the eyes have dried, dot on 2 tiny white dots to form his inner eyes. Let dry for 40 minutes.

Take your painted shells outside and lay them on newspaper. Spray each shell with a light coat of clear acrylic sealer, let dry for 20 minutes, spray on a second coat and let dry for 1 hour.

To Finish: Cut a 5″ long piece of clear fishing line and tie it into a loop with a nice-sized knot. Trim the ends with scissors. Place some glue on the top of his Santa hat and place the knotted end of your hanging loop into the glue. Add another dot of glue on top and then add your pom-pom. Let dry for 2-12 hours or until the glue has set.

Mussel Shell Penguin Christmas Tree Ornaments

Mussel Shells
Acrylic Craft Paint: White, Black, Red and Orange
Water Dish, Paint Brush, Paper Towels
Old Sheets of Newspaper
Clear Acrylic Spray Sealer, Glossy Finish
Pom-Pom
All-Purpose, Quick-Drying Craft Glue
Clear Fishing Line and Scissors

The Penguin Mussel Shell Ornaments are made the same way as the snowman ornaments shown above. I recommend that you paint each of the shells with 2 coats of black acrylic paint and let dry. Then you will proceed to add the facial features, his Santa hat, etc. Just follow the steps outline above and refer to the photo.

Decorating Tips: You can use these Christmas seashell ornaments as package toppers, tie-on’s to your gift bags, hung on a Christmas tree, on a holiday wreath or swag, hang them up inside your windows with suction cups, etc. Each one can be made for around .30 cents each, since the seashells that we collected from the beach were free!