Seashell Nativity Craft
Have you ever taken a vacation by the ocean or gulf and collected seashells at the beach? Then, you wondered how to use them? This Seashell Nativity Craft is a wonderful way to use them and makes a Christmas keepsake!
Of course you can use shells on a mirror, etc., but in Northern climates, they don’t quite fit in. This Seashell Nativity will last for years and provide memories of your trip and of the reason for the Christmas season.
No trip? You can buy a bag of shells at Joann Fabrics that works just fine! That’s what I did! Save the airfare! The Abalone shells are available at the craft stores, too. I suggest using a coupon as they are not cheap!
It’s like a puzzle! Try different shells to create the three Nativity figures. Broken pieces work well, too. Kids will need some help with this project so work along with them as necessary.
When you have it the way you like, use the hot glue gun to secure the shells and add to the Abalone shell. This Abalone shell works the best because it has depth and the iridescent inside makes a beautiful background.
When you have it the way you want it, glue a seashell on the back to make it stand up. (see picture below) The star is a small dried starfish. They are available in a packet at Michael’s or any craft store. They are very fragile so be careful handling them. Placing it inside the shell protects it from breaking. Notice how one person tipped the shell a different way to place the star inside. There’s no perfect way, just be creative!
These were made in the summer as a fun cabin project. Don’t wait until Christmas!
Enjoy!
Phyllis
You may want to look for other Nativity projects on my site.
Vintage Trunk with a Nativity,
Follow on Pinterest, too!