Capiz Shell Christmas Trees

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas… Living in southeast coastal Virginia, we rarely see white, snow covered trees in December. But I think I’ll be just as happy with these pearly white Capiz Shell Christmas Trees instead!

Decorators and homemakers alike are fascinated with capiz shells, and I’m no exception! I can’t get enough of these little iridescent, pearly, translucent wafers from the sea!

I was able to purchase around 250, three inch, non-drilled capiz shells, and a few capiz strands from a local merchant who has a passion for seashells. I’m a very loyal customer and he cut me a great deal. I was able to get all the shells for around $40! Yes, I hear you shrieking! I used only a fraction to make the Capiz Shell Christmas trees. Which leaves me additional shells for more projects!

Here is what you will need to make Capiz Shell Christmas Trees:

• Capiz shells (loose or strands)
• Cones (paper mache or foam)
• Hot glue gun & hot glue sticks
• Small Starfish

 

You can make cone trees for any decorating style or season. You might remember my Natural Textured Cone Trees made with sisal, twigs, and crushed shells. To make the capiz trees, you can used either a paper mache cone or a foam cone. The paper mache are less expensive. I chose to try each type of cone out to which I liked better. They both were equally fine to work with.  I spray painted the paper mache cone with Heirloom white paint. The capiz are so translucent that you will want a white or cream cone.  

 

The amount of capiz need for this craft will vary depending on the size of the cones you choose. Starting at the base, put a generous dot of hot glue on the top of a capiz shell and apply to the cone and hold a moment. The shell does get hot! Repeat the gluing process with the next shell slightly over lapping the first. Complete one even row of glued shells all the way around the cone.

Start the next row above your bottom row, but allow your upper row to overlap the bottom row some. The shells will not lay flat against the cone. You want the bottom of each shell to fan outward slightly. Complete all your rows until you reach the top. Finish your tree by hot gluing on a starfish or a sand dollar even. I found small starfish at Michaels Crafts Store. The small tree made of capiz strands was even easier to make I think because of the strand kept the capiz very uniform and the smaller capiz shells fit nicely on the cone. 

The small tree is 9 inches tall and it took 2 six foot strands to complete. The large tree is 15 inches tall and took approximately 60 (2.5 inch round) capiz to complete. 

These Capiz Shell Christmas Trees were a birthday gift for my mom last week, and will be heading over to her beachfront home on the Chesapeake Bay. As soon as she gets her tree and mantel decorated with these beauties and in a Coastal Christmas theme, I’ll show you! So stay tuned!

Kim

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