Seashell Mini Piñata SVG [FREEBIE!]

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This month the #SVGDesignSquad is bringing you a fun, summery, and playful theme… mermaids! If you’ve got a mermaid-loving child or friend, be sure to check out all the great designs my crafty friends created for y’all.

Last month I kicked off the start of a mini piñata obsession so in that spirit, here’s how you can make one in the same of a mini mermaid shell!

Supplies needed:

Silhouette CAMEO (link) or Cricut
Cutting Mat
Colored cardstock (I suggest using color that matches the primary color of your piñata. For this project, I used purple and black)
Paper slicer (optional)
Scissors
10″ of string (optional)
Light-weighted goodies (think stickers, temporary tattoos, mini erasers)
Crafting glue (link)
Purple crepe streamers in different shades (link to set of 24 colors)
Seashell Mini Piñata SVG file

Step 1:

Download the Seashell Mini Piñata SVG cut file and import the file into your Silhouette Library.

Step 2:

Move the exterior shell pieces off to the side (aka, not on the design space). We will first cut out the 3D shell shape (everything that’s shown in light purple). Place your primary colored cardstock on your cutting mat. Send your project to cut with your cutting machine using the proper cut settings. When using cardstock, I like to check the “Double Cut” option. Once cut, remove from cutting mat.

Step 3:

Next, move the 3D shell shape off to the side and bring back the exterior shell pieces. Place preferred colored cardstock on your cutting mat. Send your project to cut with your cutting machine using the proper cut settings. Once cut, remove from cutting mat.

Step 4:

Fold along the perforated lines on the two long rectangular strips. Stack them together and use scissors to create a fringe, cutting carefully and close to the perforated lines.

Step 5: Optional. Mine is shown without the loop.

Time to make the hanging piece. Punch a tiny hole at one end of the fringed strip. Thread the string through the tiny hole so that the two string ends are one side of the strip and the looped end is on the other side. Make a giant knot on the two open ends so that the knot cannot pass through the tiny hole on the strip.

Step 6:

Run adhesive glue across the fringe. Starting with the side with the tiny hole, adhere the fringed strip close to the top of the flat shell diecut. Continue gluing and following the shell’s perimeter and gently creasing as needed around corners. When you finish your first strip, continue on with the second strip, slightly overlapping each other for a smooth transition. Secure the overlap with adhesive. FYI, you may not use all of the second strip. As you get close to the starting point, be sure to include a small overlap before trimming the excess. Secure to the first strip with adhesive.

Step 7:

Flip the half-built piñata over. Fill the piñata with goodies (or leave empty!). Fold down the remaining fringes. Add glue and close up the piñata by laying on the other flat heart diecut. Let fully dry.

Step 8:

Cut strips of crepe paper that are long enough to wrap around the 3D shell shape. For each strip, cut/create a fringe with scissors.

Step 9:

Using adhesive and starting at the bottom of the shell, secure the fringed strips. I suggest leaving a small overhang on the main “front” side. Alternate colors and continue layering strips of fringed strips to create the piñata appearance. One you have your fringed strips completely glued on the main “front” side, use scissors to trim off excess around the perimeter. Continue adding the strips on the sides and back of your 3D shell shape and trimming as necessary.

Step 10:

Lastly, glue on the exterior shell pieces and facial elements. Let fully dry.

This mini piñata can be a fun decorative element to your gift wrapping (like a hanging gift tag) or can be great party favors for a mermaid/under the sea themed party.

More FREE SVG Files!

This year, I joined a cut file collaboration with a group of awesome creatives where each month, we offer project ideas showcasing our own free SVG file! So time to get crafty and check out the other awesome ideas from the #SVGDesignSquad. Individual blog links are listed below.

Have fun crafting!