21 Handmade DIY Seashell Ornament Ideas

The Holiday season is a great time to bring out your shell collection and turn some seashells into ornaments.

Turning your shells into ornaments is easy. Glue hangers to the back of the shells and enjoy their natural beauty, or add a little bit of sparkle with glitter or metallic paint. If you want colorful shell ornaments, paint your shells or embellish them. You can also play around with how you hang your shell ornaments. Add color with ribbons, or a bow like Above Shell Ornament shows, or keep it all natural with rope hangers. Some of these handmade seashell ornaments have drilled holes for hanging which is also a way to go. So take a look at all these beautiful handmade DIY shell ornaments! 


simple DIY shell ornaments
Homemade shell ornaments are elevated with a sprinkle of glitter. Original source is no longer available.


Natural Seashell Ornaments
Let the natural beauty of your shells shine and hang them as they are. Simply hang shell ornaments with rope. Original source unknown.


Blue DIY Shell Ornament Idea with Ribbon
A blue painted shell ornament with blue ribbon by Across the Blvd makes for a great addition to a coastal or beach theme Christmas tree.



Blue Painted Scallop Shell Ornaments
Blue painted scallop shell ornaments with a distressed finish. Original source no longer available. 






glue ribbon to shell to make ornament
Here red ribbons are glued to natural shells, giving this simple homemade shell ornament a traditional touch. 


add sparkle to shells
You can also Drill Shells, but it's not necessary. Edges are decorated with silver glitter. Via The Space Between.


DIY Painted Santa Seashell Ornaments
Fun hand painted santa seashell ornament idea by Across the Boulevard.


add beads to shells
This shell ornaments sports a few shiny beads. By Alicia Burke.


Natural Oyster Shell Ornament DIY Idea
The interior of oyster shells are naturally pearly. The edge was giving just a hint of silver with paint. Via Coastal Wandering.  


Handmade Oyster Shell Ornaments
Drilled oyster shell ornament idea by Simple Nature Decor. These handmade shell ornaments require a power tool to drill the holes, or you can Purchase Drilled Oyster Shells.

To view this small coastal tree and others, go to Best Small Coastal Christmas Trees.


Decoupage Shell Ornament
This handmade oyster shell ornament takes the oyster one step further, decorating the inside of the shell. Decoupage (glue) was used to adhere a tissue paper. For the tutorial, go to Chatfield Court


simple shell ornaments
Simple shell ornaments by Beachcomber.


how to hang shells
Rope complements natural looking shells nicely. These DIY shell ornaments will give a tree a more rustic beachy vibe. 


DIY Wood Slice Shell Ornaments
Glue shells onto Drilled Wood Slice Ornaments to create rustic natural tree ornaments. Via Our Blessed Nest on Instagram.



Unfinished Wood Ornament Shell Craft
Seashells are glued onto Unfinished Wood Ornaments (Michaels).


Shell Mosaic Ornament
A Shell Mosaic type of Christmas ornament using a Crayola modeling compound to press shells into. For the tutorial click HERE.


Handmade Shell Ball Ornament
Adhere small shells around a globe ornament and you've got yourself a unique handmade shell ornament! Idea by Bower Power.


seashell christmas ornament
Another way to go with the seashell ornament idea is to simply fill a ball ornament with small shells. Filled Ball Ornaments are fun to make!  Via Busy Kids Happy Mom. You can Make This Filled Ornament on the Beach! You can also Shop Clear Fillable Plastic Ball Ornaments (Amazon) that open up in the middle, you might see the seam though.


Easy Shell String Lights Christmas Ornament Idea
Turn your shells into glowing ornaments by simply placing them over the light bulbs of string lights. I did these on my TV cabinet, but you can stick some shells over the lights on the tree too.