BLOOMINGTON - It began with a family legend about John Tobias' Irish grandmother in the early 1900s. "She would take chocolate drops - she would sprinkle them around so the kids would think reindeer came at Christmas," said Tobias, director of Miller Park Zoo, 1020 S. Morris Ave. | Thanksgiving forecast

That memory, and talk about stringing cranberries and popcorn, led to an idea from zoo marketing director Susie Ohley: to use reindeer droppings in Christmas ornaments for a fundraiser.

Katie Buydos of the zoo support staff, who makes jewelry and donated wire and beads, said, "Susie asked me to bring some creativity to the table."

Earlier this month, Buydos, Ohley and parks employee Abby Fitzpatrick volunteered some time at Ohley's house to craft ornaments, which each used a little piece of previously dried dung. The dung was clear-coated, painted or rolled in glitter. "Each one is unique - they are each a work of art," said Ohley.

Ohley named them "magical reindeer gem ornaments." Each comes with a label of authenticity. The $5 price tag in the zoo museum gift shop helps with zoo expenses.

What surprises a lot of people is the product. "Reindeer are so big," said zoo maintenance worker Sheldon Williams, but their droppings are "just a big pile of small."

And while there is a limited supply of ornaments in the gift shop, Ohley said, "We will meet the demand within reason."

Zookeeper Carol Pagluica, whose duties include caring for reindeer Ealu and Rika, talks about them endearingly. "When it snows, they jump and dance all over the yard," she said.

Ealu, by the way, is trying out to be one of Santa's reindeer Christmas Eve, and has a set of exercises to practice.

"I am sure it helps when they practice flying," said Pagluica.