Shell Encrusted Clay Decorations

Posted 2013-05-22 by Jane Street ⇒ follow

This is a simple activity for young children to make a pretty hanging shell decoration. It would make a lovely Mother's Day, Christmas or Birthday gift.

Time: 20 minutes plus at least 24 hours drying time
Age: Under 5's, 5-10's
Level: Easy

Materials

Air drying clay

Shells

Ribbon

Skewer

PVA Glue

Starting materials ready to go

Method

Take a small lump of clay and warm it in your hands, squishing and squeezing it.

Roll into a ball then flatten by rolling with a rolling pin until you have a disc of clay about half a centimetre thick

Pick out shells and press them into the clay disc. Let children think about whether they will pick a theme (e.g. colours and shapes of shells) or just random shells

Lovely spiral shapes

Different shapes with the same colour

Using the skewer, make a hole where you want to attach your ribbon

Dont go too close to the edge otherwise it may crack when dry

Allow to dry for at least 24 hours

Carefully lift the shells, add some glue into the indents then press the shells back into place

Add some glue to secure the shells

Tie ribbon through the hole

Your shell encrusted clay decoration is now ready to hang. This could look pretty on a Christmas tree or homemade decorative tree . You could also try buttons or other embellishments instead of shells.