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Jeweled Oyster Shell Ornament

Creating a jeweled oyster shell ornament can be a fun and rewarding craft project that adds a touch of elegance to your holiday decorations. This activity allows you to repurpose natural materials, such as oyster shells, and transform them into stunning ornaments adorned with sparkling jewels. Not only do these ornaments make a beautiful way to decorate your tree, but they also serve as unique, handcrafted gifts for friends and family. The process involves cleaning and preparing the oyster shells, selecting colorful jewels, and carefully arranging them to create eye-catching designs. Adding a ribbon or hook makes them easy to hang, bringing a coastal charm and festive sparkle to any holiday setting.

When we think of the ocean, our minds often picture pristine beaches, powerful waves, and a vibrant marine life. However, beneath the surface lies a world of hidden treasures, and one of nature’s most exquisite creations is the oyster shell. In this video, I’ll guide you through a simple process to enhance the beauty of an oyster shell by incorporating pieces of crushed glass and other miscellaneous gems that I’ve collected.

Here is another post that that can teach you how to make oyster shell ornaments. I am sharing my holiday ornament with this month Sustainable Craft Challenge. Thanks to Julie from Sum of Stories for hosting this month challenge.

WHAT IS Jeweled Oyster Shell 

A jeweled oyster shell ornament is a decorative item often crafted by embellishing a natural oyster shell with various decorative elements, including gemstones, pearls, and other adornments. These beautifully crafted ornaments are popular as coastal or nautical-themed decorations, making them eye-catching pieces suitable for various purposes, from home decor to special occasions.A jeweled oyster shell ornament is a decorative item often crafted by embellishing a natural oyster shell with various decorative elements, including gemstones, pearls, and other adornments. These beautifully crafted ornaments are popular as coastal or nautical-themed decorations, making them eye-catching pieces suitable for various purposes, from home decor to special occasions.

Sky is the limit what you can embellish on this oyster shells.

WHY YOU WILL Love Jeweled Oyster Shell Ornament

  • They make your tree look beautiful.
  • Make great gift ideas.
  • It’s fun to make.
  • It’s pretty easy and economical to make if you have many of the supplies home.

SUPPLIEs: Jeweled Oyster Shell Ornament

HOW TO Make:

Steps: 1. Prepare the oyster shell: -Clean the oyster shell thoroughly to remove any debris. If you want to paint the shell, apply a base coat and let it dry completely. To hang drill a hole at the base of the oyster shell using either a drill or Dremel.

2. Design your ornament: Plan your design by arranging the craft jewels or beads on the shell until you’re happy with the layout.

oyster shell jeweled oyster shell ornament

3. Glue the jewels: One by one, apply craft glue to the back of each jewel or bead and press them onto the shell. Be creative with your arrangement. 4. Add accents: If desired, glue additional small decorative accents like tiny seashells or pearls to enhance the design.

gluing crushed glass on jeweled oyster shell ornament

5. Let it dry: Allow the ornament to dry completely according to the glue’s instructions.

jeweled oyster shell ornament on a table

6. Add a hanging loop: Attach a ribbon or string to the shell, creating a loop for hanging.

7. Final touches (optional): You can add a clear sealant or glaze to protect the jewels and give the ornament a finished look. Once your jeweled oyster shell ornament is dry and complete, you can hang it as a decorative piece, use it as a unique gift, or even incorporate it into holiday decorations. Enjoy your creative project!

What are the best Oyster Shells To Use

The best oyster shells for ornament making are of a size and shape that suits your design. Look for shells with interesting textures and colors, but make sure they are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to remove any dirt. Smoother shells are often easier to work with, and you can use a variety of sizes to create different designs.

FAQ for Holiday Oyster Shell Ornament

Q: How do you clean oyster shells before making ornaments?

A: Rinse the shells in warm water to remove any sand, then soak them in a bleach and water solution for 30 minutes. After rinsing again, let them dry completely before painting or decorating.

Q: What kind of paint works best on oyster shells?

A: Acrylic craft paint works best because it adheres to the surface and comes in many colors. For extra durability, seal the shells with a clear spray sealer once the paint dries.

Q: How do you attach a hanger to an oyster shell ornament?

A: The easiest way is to glue a small ribbon loop or ornament hook to the back of the shell with hot glue or epoxy. For a more secure hold, you can drill a tiny hole at the top and thread ribbon or twine through it.

Q: Can I add glitter or metallic touches to oyster shell ornaments?

A: Absolutely! Many crafters love to edge the shell with gold leaf paint or add a touch of glitter for a festive holiday sparkle. Just be sure to seal it afterward so it lasts for years

Pin This For Later

jeweled oyster shell ornament on a tree

For Similar Posts:

How To Decoupage Chinoiserie Christmas Ornaments.

How To Create A Blue & White Chinoiserie Holiday Tree.

How To Paint Chinoiserie Blue & White Chinoiserie Ornaments.

18 Comments

  1. I am always looking for ways to craft with all of the natural beauties I have found along the beach. These jeweled oyster shell ornaments are so stunning! They are great for decor and also great to give as gifts!

  2. Oh these are so pretty! Plus they will really catch the Christmas lights and sparkle! Fabulous nature inspired decorations.

  3. These are so pretty, the delicate colours and the the way the light catches them is just lovely. Such an unusual idea for the Christmas tree but it just works so well. Love it!

    1. I appreciate the love, thanks for organizing this, I truly enjoy these challenges.

  4. I love the mix of soft colors. These will shimmer beautifully when hung near Christmas lights! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

  5. Maria, your jeweled oyster shell ornament turned out beautiful!

    Stephanie@Crazy Little Love Birds

  6. We went to Mississippi for a summer break, and these ornaments were everywhere! And, they were expensive, too! Love that you made one.

  7. Wow, your oyster ornaments are gorgeous! They would make awesome, unique gifts. Pinned. I never even thought that you could buy the oyster shells on Amazon. I just thought crafters acquired them after eating ~ LOL.

    1. Thanks for your kind comment. Yes you can purchase them from Amazon. Have a wonderful holiday!

  8. Very petty! The gold paint makes all the difference. Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJs!

  9. These ornaments are absolutely beautiful! Thank you for the wonderful instructions. I haven’t made anything for quite awhile, but would love to start creating again. This would be great first project to get started again. What would you suggest for the clear glaze or sealant for the final step (specific product)?

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