Dec 202012
 

Posts may contain affiliate links, for details visit Site Disclosure.

Pinterest

Like this post? Make sure you Share it or Pin-it!

This Holiday season, my kids and I have really gotten into making homemade ornaments.  When I was in school, we made items like this all the time, and I in turn gave them to my parents and other family members. There is just something really special about a present that is original, created by little hands, and truly valued by the giver and receiver.

I remembered making beaded ornaments one year and recalled just how much pride I had in my creation.  I decided to share this craft with my children as well.

All you need for this craft is:

  • scissors
  • fuzzy sticks AKA pipe cleaners
  • crafting Tri-Beads, clear or multicolored (Michaels carries these so make sure you print a coupon)
  • string or ribbon
  • some creativity

To get started, I looped and twisted the end of the pipe cleaner and set my kids up with beads. I let them decide what colors they wanted and gave them full creative rights. They simply slide the beads onto the pipe cleaner and once it was filled, I wrapped the access pipe cleaner around the loop.

We ended up with very colorful wreaths, but what was also nice is the fact that we could make shapes with the pipe cleaners like bells, diamonds, or hearts.  I also cut the pipe cleaners to create stars and snowflakes.

When we were finished, I ran a piece of shiny ribbon I got from the dollar store through the loop so the ornaments could be hung up. My daughter has gotten a kick out of hanging her ornaments on presents for her grandparents.

The possibilities are endless with this craft, and you and your children can be as creative as you like. Hope you enjoy it this Holiday Season!

FFM

Follow

May 242012
 

Posts may contain affiliate links, for details visit Site Disclosure.

Pinterest

Like this post? Make sure you Share it or Pin-it!

 

Last week, I went to Michaels to look for beads so the kids and I could make bracelets.  And since summer time is coming, I am going to need some activities to entertain these guys.

I ended up finding a kit on clearance for $8.99.  It has 4 types of string for the bracelets and a variety of beads. Plus, I picked up some additional items,  so I could try my hand at earring making another day.


 

So I asked each child who they wanted to make a bracelet for, and then set them up with their own beads.  My daughter of course wanted to make one for herself so we picked out her favorite colors, pink and purple and I added in clear.  I then set up a pattern for her.

My son wanted to make one for his Grandma, so I just cut enough string and let him choose the beads. My daughter who is 3 needed minimal assistance making hers, and my son who is 6 did it all by himself.

Here is my little trick by the way.  Cut enough string plus an extra 2 inches so you can tie it easily, and put a piece of tape at the bottom to keep the beads from coming off.  You can then remove the tape when you are ready to tie the string. When you are finished, and ready to tie off the bracelet, depending upon the material, you will have to figure out which kind of knot will stay in place better.

If I would have realized how easy this was to do, I probably would have done this project with the kids sooner.  Now, I am looking forward to trying my hand at the earring making.

Hope this gives you some crafting inspiration with your kiddos.

FFM

Follow

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...