Marion’s Natural History Museum made thrifty artists of the residents on Dec. 14 with a holiday gift-making workshop where only easily found, or easily affordable, supplies were used.

Using nuts, seashells, popsicle sticks, yarn, and a little bit of glue, children could take part in the museum’s “Nature Crafts” session creating an array of holiday gifts from items found in one’s home, or backyard.

Making gifts from natural resources is a good way to save money on Christmas presents, said 5-year-old Marion resident Henry Cooney,

“You waste your money buying them,” Cooney said.

By making their own gifts, 7-year-old Josh Herndon said, he had more fun than he would buying presents.

Herndon set high goals for himself during the arts and crafts hour, making 8 ornaments for his family members with some yarn, popsicle sticks and twigs.

“They’re easy to make once you learn how to make them,” Herndon said.

Museum staff member, Elizabeth Leidhold, said the “Nature Crafts” workshops, which have run in previous years as well, seem to get a positive response from the children and the museum staff.

“These are our regular after school kids so it’s nice to be able to do something special for them,” Leidhold said.