Skip to Content

Quick Tutorial To Make A Glamorous Oyster Shell Ornament

Oysters are a bit like “Marmite” either you “love them or hate them”! Personally, I love them and have repurposed some into a glamorous oyster shell ornament.

I say “glamorous” because I spray painted the oyster shells gold and added some shiny beads to the thread. Add a touch of gold and a bit of bling and the oyster shell ornament goes from plain to glam! To complete this fun oyster shell ornament, I used a small cream felt ball as a pearl.

My Christmas decorations usually consist of a plain simple DIY rustic Christmas tree adorned with bright colourful and often sometimes blingy ornaments. For me, the ornaments are the star of the show. I love to make new ones each year, such as my Frida Kahlo ornament.

How To Make A Glam Christmas Oyster Shell Ornament In 15 Mins

If you don’t eat oysters maybe you know someone who does and you can ask them to save you some shells. My local fishmongers sell fresh oysters for £1 each and you will get 2 shells with each oyster. Or if you are lucky enough to live by the sea, you can comb your local beach for some shells. I have made scallop shell trinket dishes before as a handmade gift.

This is a very quick craft and only took about 15 minutes. It is one of my many Christmas nature craft ideas.

DIY Christmas oyster shell ornament

We’re a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What you need to make an oyster shell ornament

  • Oyster shell – If you don’t have any try your local fishmongers.
Oyster shells
  • An assortment of small coloured beads. I keep the beads from old costume jewelry and delve into that stash for projects like this. Check out your local thrift store for an old beaded necklace. Or you can by a cheap bag of assorted beads.
  • Small rotary drill like a Dremel – I used a diamond-tipped drill bit as I had one. However, I think a normal stone drill be would have worked just as well.
  • Clear glue

How to Make a Christmas oyster shell ornament

First, using a rotary tool, drill a small hole into the top of the oyster shell.

Drilling hole in oyster shell.

2. Next, spray paint the back of the oyster shell with gold paint. Also, dab a small amount of gold paint onto a brush and paint the top bit of the outer shell that is on the front of the oyster shell. I just create a small puddle of spray paint and dip the paintbrush in that.

spraying oyster shell gold 2s

3. Not only did I use gold to add glamour to the oyster shell ornament, but I also used some glass beads. Thread about half a dozen small beads onto some gold beading wire.

Beads threaded for shell christmas ornament

4. Attach the beaded wire to the oyster shell through the drilled hole. Then add a bit of red satin cord to hang the oyster shell ornament with. Finally, to finish off, no oyster is complete without a pearl. Glue the felt ball inside the shell to represent a large pearl.

DIY christmas oyster shell ornament
Christmas shell ornament

 
All that is left now is to hang the oyster shell Christmas ornament from the Christmas tree. I love how the old crusty shell looks all bling now that it has been sprayed gold. The ornament sparkles as it catches the light from the gold, the beads and the shiny mother of pearl on the inside of the shell. Perfect for Christmas!

Christmas oyster shell ornament gold

If you have any leftover oyster shells you can use them to make some fabulous oyster shell handmade candles gifts. Or even decoupage them with maps for a unique map seashell gift. There are many more upcycled Christmas ornament ideas here.

Oyster shell ornament


 
You should check out some of my other repurposed Christmas ornaments.
Cute Sweater Upcycled Christmas Ornaments
Handmade Felt Christmas Ornaments
Angel wings Christmas ornament
 
 
For more Christmas ornament ideas visit allfreechristmascrafts.com

15 Fun and Easy DIY Seashell Crafts | Summer Crafts

Tuesday 22nd of March 2022

[…] Check it here. […]

Cecilia

Sunday 16th of December 2018

What a lovely idea! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm--pinned!

Claire Armstrong

Sunday 16th of December 2018

Thank you ??

Ann

Thursday 13th of December 2018

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

Claire Armstrong

Thursday 13th of December 2018

Thank you so much, the gold does transform them!

Michele Michael

Tuesday 11th of December 2018

Been wanting to make something similar. That gold paint is really lovely and perfect.This came out very pretty with the beading. Perfect for a Coastal Bohemian.

Claire Armstrong

Tuesday 11th of December 2018

Thank you, the gold paint does transform them.

Julie

Monday 10th of December 2018

What a clever idea, I'm not a big fan of oysters personally (to eat) but I love how the shells look :-)

Claire Armstrong

Tuesday 11th of December 2018

Thank you Julie. I've some of the bigger shells for another craft, so watch this space.