Sand Dollar Snowmen Ornaments

Maybe this is just a phenom in my home, but I have an insane surplus of sand dollars.



They are pouring out of candy dishes, hanging on fishing wire as makeshift wind chimes, and scattered about in the most random of places in my home. Sometimes, I pour through them when I’m bored, and it was one of those times I came up with this simple craft.



You’re going to need:
a) 3 sand dollars
b) a piece of cardstock the color of your snowman’s hat
c) a piece of pipe cleaner for your snowman’s arms (or you could use more cardstock, or even actual twigs)
d) a long ribbon to string this together and hang it by
e) paint and brushes
f) glue gun and glue
g) scissors



Pick three sand dollars (small, medium, and large of course) that are roughly in proportion to a snowman’s body. You can clean them up, but make sure they are dry before you start your ornament.



Next you will want to prep these pieces. Paint a face on the smallest sand dollar, and maybe some buttons on the medium one. While those dry, cut out a paper hat from your cardstock.



If you so choose, you can cutout some arms for your snowmen from that cardstock. You could get fancy and go out and collect some twigs for arms, or even clip a bit off your holiday tree. I went the pipe cleaner route. I cut one piece the length I wanted the arms, and then two smaller pieces. I wrapped the smaller pieces around the ends of the long piece to create “hands.”



Now, you’re going to assemble this. Starting with your biggest sand dollar, run a line of hot glue up the back of the shell, and then press your ribbon down along the line. Repeat with the next two shells. All three of your shells should be “chained” together onto one long ribbon. When you reach the top of your smallest shell, loop the ribbon back on itself to create a loop for the ornament to hang by.

Add another glob of glue where your loop meets the shell and place your hat there (it will cover any ragged ribbon edges). Finally, add a last dollop of glue onto the back of the middle shell and squish your arms into place.



That is all there is to it.

This is so simple; it is a great project to do with little ones. If you’re afraid of them getting around a glue gun, then you can substitute craft glue (but you will have to let the glue dry and won’t have that immediate gratification that I’m addicted to). Also, if you want it to last longer, there are commercial sea shell preservatives out there you could seal this with.