updated 12/23/2009 12:55:45 PM ET 2009-12-23T17:55:45

Necklaces and Christmas ornaments made from dime-sized pieces of reindeer droppings have earned a Bloomington, Ill., zoo nearly $21,000 this holiday season.

The Miller Park Zoological Society made about $5,000 selling reindeer-dropping ornaments last year. It added necklaces this year when customers asked if jewelry was available.

The reindeer droppings are dehydrated, sterilized and spray-painted with glitter. They're called "Magical Reindeer Gems."

The ornaments cost $7.50 at the zoo's gift shop or $10 by mail. The necklaces sold for $15 at the gift shop, or $20 by mail.

The zoological society says the ornaments and necklaces sold nationwide. Requests also came in from other countries, but federal regulations don't allow reindeer droppings to be exported.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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