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Pistachio Shell Flower and Frame Crafts

Oct 5, 20127,057 views
Crafts
Pistachio Shells Craft Save
Pistachio Shell Flower and Frame Crafts Save
Pistachio Shell Flower and Frame Crafts Save
Pistachio Shell Flower and Frame Crafts Save
Pistachio Shell Flower and Frame Crafts Save
Pistachio Shell Flower and Frame Crafts Save

by TurkeyMom in Crafts

Ages3–6 yrs
Prep10 min
Activity30 min
Leveleasy
MessMedium
Works for1:1 · Small group

Turn saved pistachio shells into art. Glue them onto a drawn flower and paint over them, or glue them around a favorite drawing as a frame.

⚠️ Safety first

  • Pistachio shells are a tree-nut product and can carry nut residue. Check for nut allergies first, and follow any nut-free school or center policy.
  • Shells are a choking hazard. Supervise closely, and don't use them with children who still put objects in their mouths.
  • Remove broken or sharp-edged shell pieces before handing shells to kids.
  • Wash hands after handling the shells, glue and paint.

Before the kids arrive

  • Save pistachio shells over time and set aside any broken or sharp pieces.
  • Check for nut allergies in the group.
  • Draw a simple flower with leaves on construction paper for each child.

Steps

  1. Draw a simple flower with leaves on a sheet of construction paper.

  2. Dab glue inside a petal and stick pistachio shells onto it.

  3. Keep filling the petals and leaves with shells. Try cut side down for a smooth look.

  4. Let the glue dry completely.

  5. Paint over the shells with watercolors.

  6. For the frame, pick a favorite drawing or painting.

  7. Glue shells one by one along the edges to make a frame.

  8. Let the frame dry, then add alphabet stickers if you like and find a spot to display it.

Tips

  • She wasn't sure whether to stick the shells down or backs up. She chose cut side down so they have a 'smooth look', her exact words!from the author
  • Ask 'How many shells can you stick on a petal?' Figuring out how much is too much is part of the fun.from the author
  • Let your child choose the artwork to frame. Ours picked a colorful doodle and said, 'This is what I like the best.'from the author
  • Start hoarding shells early. We've been saving them like squirrels since summer.from the author
  • If your child isn't keen on painting or coloring, try larger art outside where there is a lot of movement involved.from the author

Make it your own

  • Place a good family picture inside the shell frame to make a picture frame.
  • Skip painting and leave the shells natural on the flower.

Questions readers asked

My child isn't interested in painting or coloring. Any ideas?

The author suggests doing larger art outside, where there is a lot of movement involved.

The story behind it

By TurkeyMom · October 2012
Pistachio Shell Flower and Frame Crafts
I drew a flower on a construction paper and she stuck the shells onto the flower. She wasn't quite sure if she should stick them down or stick their backs up.
1 / 5

Pistachio Shell Flower and Frame Crafts: the original post

Out here in the Midwest one of our Fall and Winter tradition is roasting, cracking and munching on nuts. In our house pistachios are a hot commodity. Now that I’m a hands on mom, I can’t bear to throw away anything. I have been hoarding like a squirrel since summer. Here are a couple of ways we put pistachio shells to use.

CRAFT 1

A simple flower craft.

  • Pistachio shells
  • Construction paper
  • Glue
  • Water colors

I drew a flower on a construction paper and she stuck the shells onto the flower. She wasn’t quite sure if she should stick them down or stick their backs up. She finally chose to stick them cut side down so they have a smooth look , and those were her exact words – Smooth look !

STEP 2:

Let it dry and then paint over them. We are yet to find a place to display.

CRAFT 2

  • An artwork of her choice
  • Pistachio shells
  • Glue
  • Alphabet Stickers

I asked her to pick any one of her favorite drawings and she picked out this colorful paper and said – ” this is it mommy. This is what I like the best ”. It was a nice rectangle piece that she doodled on and it kind of looked great by itself. Now we just have to give it a look by adding the shells as a frame. Tip: You could place a good family picture in it and use the craft as a picture frame. I suggested this to my pre schooler and she quickly came at me with a “later mom”. She clearly has other ideas. If you want to know what we did with the frame, check back here in a couple of days. I can guarantee you that it is a great way to transform your picture frame and totally doable.

  • Fine motor skills
  • Figuring how much is too much - How many shells can you stick on a petal?
  • Mathematical concepts - Patterns, lines and shapes

I’m just glad we could use the shells in a craft. Peace to Mamma ! Check out what we did with out shell frame.

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What readers say

💬 2 comments ✍️ 1 answered by the author

🛠️ Troubleshooting

Child not into painting? Go bigger

A reader's son plays with pistachio shells but isn't interested in painting. TurkeyMom suggested larger art outside, with lots of movement involved.

“Even we play with pistachios shells at home but my son is not very interested in painting/coloring”
Anu Ganesh, Oct 2012

Tried it?

Reviewed before it appears. No links, and please no children's names.

Read all 2 comments

  1. TurkeyMomAuthor · Oct 2012 · replying to Anu Ganesh

    Hi, if you would like for your son to show more interest in paint and colors, you could do larger art outside where there is a lot of movement involved.

  2. Anu Ganesh · Oct 2012

    Wow!! Very cute craft work!!! Even we play with pistachios shells at home but my son is not very interested in painting/coloring :( Love your blog! Btw am from Midwest too. We live in Chicago. Visit my blog when u get time -

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