How to Make Walnut Mushrooms Christmas Ornament DIY

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6:30 AM

How to Make Walnut Mushrooms Christmas Ornament DIY

Learn how to make a whimsical holiday ornament using walnuts and polymer clay mushrooms in a cute and creative way.

If you love walnut crafts, tiny dioramas, and creative ways to decorate your Christmas tree, today’s project is going to be a new favorite.

These miniature world Christmas ornaments—made from walnut halves, polymer clay mushrooms, bright colors, and soft moss—look like something plucked from a tiny fairytale forest.

They make a charming neighbor gift and they’re the kind of handmade pieces that always end up in your top posts of December.

If you love walnut crafts, tiny dioramas, and creative ways to decorate your Christmas tree, today’s project is going to be a new favorite. These miniature world Christmas ornaments—made from walnut halves, polymer clay mushrooms, bright colors, and soft moss—look like something plucked from a tiny fairytale forest. They make a charming neighbor gift and they’re the kind of handmade pieces that always end up in your top posts of December.

This project uses English walnuts, though empty shells from other varieties can work too.

The outside shape of these nuts is already naturally interesting—rustic, textured, and perfect for holding a small scene.

Let’s dive into the main content and get crafting!

This project uses English walnuts, though empty shells from other varieties can work too. The outside shape of these nuts is already naturally interesting—rustic, textured, and perfect for holding a small scene. Let’s dive into the main content and get crafting!

Supplies Needed for Walnut Mushroom Ornaments:

Walnut Shells (halved, cleaned out and dried)
Polymer clay in bright colors (hot pink, teal, white)
Thin wire
Drill and Drill Bit (or Craft knife or awl)
Hot glue and glue gun
Reindeer moss
Ribbon, twine, or string for the ornament hanger

Step 1: Preparing the Walnut Shells

Select clean empty shells from English walnuts, ideally ones that cracked neatly in half.

Inspect the outside shape to choose the prettiest ones—this will become the top of the walnut when hanging.

If the bottom of the shell has rough edges, gently sand them smooth.

Some crafters even like to brush on a bit of Danish oil to deepen the wood tone, but this step is optional and more common in woodworking turning projects than in ornament crafting.

Step 1: Preparing the Walnut Shells Select clean empty shells from English walnuts, ideally ones that cracked neatly in half. Inspect the outside shape to choose the prettiest ones—this will become the top of the walnut when hanging. If the bottom of the shell has rough edges, gently sand them smooth. Some crafters even like to brush on a bit of Danish oil to deepen the wood tone, but this step is optional and more common in woodworking turning projects than in ornament crafting.

Step 2: Sculpting the Mushrooms

HERE'S A VIDEO ON MAKING THE MUSHROOMS WITH POLYMER CLAY

Roll out small balls of polymer clay in hot pink and teal.

Flatten the tops into rounded mushroom caps. Add tiny white dots for that whimsical spotted look.

At some point in my life, some great minds taught me to insert a short piece of wire into each stem.

This gives the mushrooms strength—the best way to keep them from bending or breaking.

Bake according to the clay package instructions, let them cool, and admire the nice work you’ve done so far.

Step 2: Sculpting the Mushrooms Roll out small balls of polymer clay in hot pink and teal. Flatten the tops into rounded mushroom caps. Add tiny white dots for that whimsical spotted look. At some point in my life, some great minds taught me to insert a short piece of wire into each stem. This gives the mushrooms strength—the best way to keep them from bending or breaking. Bake according to the clay package instructions, let them cool, and admire the nice work you’ve done so far.

Step 3: Adding the Ornament Hanger

Use a drill with a thin drill bit (or possibly a sharp awl or craft tool) to create small holes at the top of the walnuts.

Thread twine or ribbon through to form your ornament hanger.

If you prefer, you can glue the twine straight onto the back, but threading is sturdier.

Step 3: Adding the Ornament Hanger Use a drill with a thin drill bit (or possibly a sharp awl or craft tool) to create small holes at the top of the walnuts. Thread twine or ribbon through to form your ornament hanger. If you prefer, you can glue the twine straight onto the back, but threading is sturdier.

I tied the twine off inside the walnut and trimmed the ends short.

Step 4: Setting the Scene Inside the Shell

Using your glue gun, add a generous dab of hot glue to the bottom of the shell.

Press your mushrooms firmly into the glue so they stand upright.

Add little tufts of reindeer moss around the stems.

This gives your miniature world a soft, natural forest-floor look.

You can even add tiny accents like a wooden bead, a micro pinecone, or wooden stars to make it extra magical.

It's like building a little faux terrarium right inside a walnut shell.

If I lived somewhere more humid, I'd go gather some little air plants to add in there too.

Step 5: Extra Creative Variations

Make last years Christmas tree jealous of these darling little walnut mushie ornaments!

Other great places to hang these is on the mantle on a garland over the doorway.

Get creative making a bunch of walnut ornaments and try some new varieties:

Painting the shells
Try making a walnut pistachio ornament
Adding glittery snow
Making a tiny woodland gnome
Creating a whole cluster as a Christmas ornaments set

You’ll quickly find yourself at the heart of the internet for miniature walnut ideas—these always perform well in holiday crafting searches.

Step 5: Extra Creative Variations Make last years Christmas tree jealous of these darling little walnut mushie ornaments! Other great places to hang these is on the mantle on a garland over the doorway. Get creative making a bunch of walnut ornaments and try some new varieties: Painting the shells Try making a walnut pistachio ornament Adding glittery snow Making a tiny woodland gnome Creating a whole cluster as a Christmas ornaments set You’ll quickly find yourself at the heart of the internet for miniature walnut ideas—these always perform well in holiday crafting searches.

Answers Section (FAQ-Style)

What’s the best way to clean walnut shells?
Rinse gently, dry fully, and scrape out any leftover pulp.

Can I use something besides polymer clay?
Air-dry clay works, but polymer clay gives stronger results.

Where do I find reindeer moss?
Most craft stores carry it year-round in the floral or model-making section--I get it at Dollar Tree

Answers Section (FAQ-Style) What’s the best way to clean walnut shells? Rinse gently, dry fully, and scrape out any leftover pulp. Can I use something besides polymer clay? Air-dry clay works, but polymer clay gives stronger results. Where do I find reindeer moss? Most craft stores carry it year-round in the floral or model-making section--I get it at Dollar Tree

That's it!

This whimsical ornament is such a great idea, and the results speak for themselves—tiny mushrooms, natural texture, and a little pop of color nestled into nature’s own cradle.

A perfect handmade treasure for your Christmas tree and a delightful gift for anyone who appreciates magical, miniature worlds.