It’s time for the November Pinterest Challenge! The Pinterest Challenge is hosted monthly by Erlene from My Pinterventures. Each blogger joining the challenge chooses a pin and makes it happen! This year I’m decorating a coastal-themed Christmas tree for the 12 Days of Christmas Ideas Blog Hop. I wanted to make a tree topper that coordinated with my coastal theme, so I searched Pinterest for a tree topper made of shells. There were lots of cute shell angels and nativity scenes made with shells. I found the inspiration for my Shell Angel Christmas Tree Topper here. You can drop by and see my Coastal Christmas Tree, and the trees of my fellow bloggers, on December 6th.
Materials Needed:
- 2 cardboard cones
- various shells
- purple sand
- Mod Podge
- (2) 1″ sponge brushes
- liner brush
- pearl beads
- glue gun and glue sticks
- Spanish moss
- wired faux pine branch with berries and pine cones
- Apple Barrel paints 20408E White, 2605E Crimson, 20404 Black, 20354E Real Brown
- DecoArt Deep Space Blue Galaxy Glitter (DecoArt is a sponsor for the 12 Days of Christmas Ideas Blog Hop, and provided free products to participating bloggers)
Directions:
Paint one cardboard cone with the 1″ sponge brush and White. Feel free to use a hair dryer to speed the drying process for the paint, sand, glitter, and glue used in this project. Spread Mod Podge on the other cardboard cone, and place the painted one on top. I wanted the cone to be doubly-thick since it would become the base for my angel tree topper. I don’t prefer flimsy tree toppers.
Once the White paint is dry, wash the sponge brush. Use it to spread Mod Podge on the back of the cone, then spoon on the purple sand. Do not put sand on the front, where you’re going to glue the shells for the wings, head, and body. It’s difficult to glue things over a sandy or glittered surface. Plug in your glue gun and let it get hot.
Hot glue the angel’s wings, body, and head onto the cone. Then, fill in any “bald” areas with more Mod Podge and purple sand. Let things dry. Brush (with the 2nd 1″ sponge brush) Deep Space Galaxy Glitter over the areas covered with purple sand. Use the hair dryer to get everything nice and dry before the next step.
Hot glue pearl beads along the bottom front of the angel’s wings.
My husband did not like the idea of my angel being faceless (although most internet shell angels have no features). I try to listen to my family every once in a while, so, I made her a painted face AND Spanish moss hair. The Spanish moss hair really does reflect the coastal environment of the South Carolina Lowcountry. I used the liner brush and Black, Real Brown, and Crimson to make her eyes, nose, and mouth. The Spanish moss was adhered with hot glue. For the finishing touch, snip off a pine sprig, some faux berries, and a few faux pine cones from the faux pine branch. I twisted the wire branch and berries around my angel, then used hot glue to attach the little pine cones. You can see in the pictures below, that glitter was everywhere!
I cleaned my angel with a baby wipe to remove the excess glitter, then took my finishing photos. I ‘m happy when my projects look good from the front and the back.
You’re all done! I hope you enjoyed my Shell Angel Christmas Tree Topper!
TO JOIN NEXT MONTH’S #PINTERESTCHALLENGE, CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP ⇒ December Pinterest Challenge
For more Pinterest inspired projects from this month’s Pinterest Challenge hosts, check out the links below ↓
My Pinterventures • Cookies Coffee and Crafts • Across the Boulevard • Purple Hues and Me My Family Thyme • Our Good Life • Farm Girl Reformed Decorate and More with Tip • Mom Home Guide • Our Unschooling Journey This Autoimmune Life • Christina Faye Repurposed • Stone Cottage Adventures Love My Little Cottage • My Bijou Life • K’s Olympic Nest • Seeking Serenity & Harmony • Peony Street • DIY Vibes
Now, let’s see what the other hosts have created ⇓⇓
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What a fun tree topper for a coastal tree. Love the shells.
Thanks, Beverly!
Very cute! I like how you made your own tree topper! I’m hoping to make a tree topper this year.
The cones work great for a topper base, Lauren!
Great idea to make your own tree topper with a cone. Would love to see your tree next month.
Hopefully, it won’t disappoint, Erlene. I’m working like mad on all the components.
Such a cute idea using seashells!
Ellibelle’s Corner
Thanks for the encouragement, Ellibelle!
How creative! Pinned.
Thanks, Joanne!
What a fun project! I was just at the beach last weekend and didn’t see hardly any shells. It was kind of disappointing!
At least u can buy shells through Amazon or Walmart. 😀
What a cute way to use shells! I love this Kristie 🙂 Pinned!
Thanks, Christina!
She’s adorable!
Making a tree topper was lots of fun!
Really cool and I like the sparkle of your cone topper. The shell angel looks great.
Such a cute idea! Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party this week. Pinned!
So pretty. Very Coastal. Very Bohemian.
That is high praise, coming from my favorite coastal artist.:)
Such a fun idea! Would love to do this as a keepsake with some shells from our Hawaii trip!
Thank you so much for linking with us at Creative Muster! Pinned this! Blessings to you. xoxo Sharon from Adoring Creations
Shells from Hawaii would be amazing.
Very pretty! Thanks for sharing this on Farm Fresh Tuesdays! I can’t wait to see what you share this week!
I will definitely drop in, Lisa!
I love shell figures, always have to buy them when at the beach!! Thanks so much for linking up at #AThemedLinkup 6 for All Things Christmas. Shared.
I love working with shells. They’re plentiful, and available!
Perfect topper for a beach themed tree!! Thanks so much for linking up at #AThemedLinkup 7 for Christmas Trees and Ornaments. Shared.
Thanks for hosting!