Craft: Paper Bead Necklaces

There are many crafts that are made with recycled paper. While visiting my sister I was able to shop at a Ten Thousand Villages store. The crafts that are made there by artists in developing countries, some using recycled materials like paper, were amazing- coiled paper baskets, bags, jewelry and more- it was all very impressive.

Using that as our inspiration, we tried our hand at making recycled paper bead necklaces recently. The materials for the activity include: magazine pages, scissors, glue stick, damp sponge or cloth, work mat, pencil, yarn and a darning needle (or children's needle).

The beads were made from pages of a magazine. I decided to cut the inch-wide triangle shaped pieces beforehand. The more colorful the better!

To make the beads, my daughters applied glue, stopping about an inch from the widest end so that the bead would slide off the pencil after being rolled.

Next, starting at the widest end, glue side up, we rolled the paper.

After the paper was rolled, we applied glue to the tip of the triangle if needed. We then slid the bead off the pencil and trimmed the edge when needed (some of my youngest daughter's were unevenly rolled but this could be fixed just by trimming the ends). If the pencil got glue on it or fingers got sticky we used a sponge or cloth to wipe clean.

After cleaning off hands, we got out some yarn and a needle and set to stringing the necklaces.

I tied a large knot at the end in hopes of preventing beads from sliding off (that can be so frustrating!)

We made extra beads to add to our bead collection for future necklace making. The magazine also has a permanent spot at the art cupboard to encourage more bead making and whatever else they may be inspired to make.

I feel a project such as this, allows my daughters to participate in the process of making something from very basic materials into something much more. I hope it encourages more creativity and an appreciation and openness to recycling and reusing beyond the recycling box.

Knitting Towers: Bought and Made

The knitting tower (also known as a Knitting Nancy or Spool Knitting) was introduced to my daughter recently. This tower comes from Nova Natural Toys and Crafts (Palumba also sells them). My almost 5 1/2 year old daughter has been enjoying sitting down with me while I practice my knitting and she works on her knitting tower. At this point, she needs me to sit next to her for occasional help. One of the "frustrations" she runs into seems to be the fact that her nail biting habit makes it difficult for her to grasp the yarn from the tower. While we work on not biting nails and getting some heavier yarn, I made our own version of a (little bit larger) knitting tower.

I tried the actual spool knitting idea without much luck and wanted something sturdier than the toilet paper roll idea I've seen. This contraption (shown above) actually has been working well and because it is a little larger it is a little easier and makes a bigger yarn rope result.

This homemade knitting tower is made from a wooden napkin ring, four wooden golf tees, and rubber bands. I basically just kept adding rubber bands until the tees stopped moving around.

As of now my daughter enjoys using both of the towers. It is fun to see the progress as the rope becomes longer and longer. We like to talk about what we could use it for with ideas like garland, climbing ropes for her dolls, snakes, and doll accessories.

Creating Miniatures From Nature

On our craft day we created a couple of miniatures for play using natural objects including sticks, field grass and walnuts.

First we made a broom. We used the long thick field grass that can be seen sticking up through the snowy field outside, for the bristles of the broom. We tied them around a thin stick using embroidery thread. We then slide the bristles off the stick, added a little glue and slide the them back on.

We made one broom for the farm and one broom for the rabbit family who lives in the dollhouse. (And yes, she wears that creation on her head most of the time too!)

We also used a collection of walnut shells (I leave a basket on the toy shelf for play too), to make little baskets or buckets.

To make these, I first removed any sharp pieces from inside the shell. I then drilled two holes on the sides of the shell (drilling from the inside-out). Next, we braided embroidery thread and we tied them onto the shells.

They are currently being used at the farm for carrying, feeding, holding water (blue roving) and as egg baskets.

These little eggs were made by my daughter with modeling beeswax. Both daughters have really been enjoying playing with their miniature creations.

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Intro to a Loom

I have just learned to knit and am working on my first project. Since my daughters see me knitting there has been requests from them to knit too. Although we are a few years away from knitting together, a small loom has been the perfect alternative. This simple loom is a great size and having just 6 rows to work with has been just enough.



At first I thought the large needle that the loom came with would be too big and clumsy but it works very well. Now we both have our own projects to work on during these winter afternoons and my youngest daughter joins us by stringing beads and pasta too.

I am also wondering if a knitting tower would be another alternative for my oldest (who just turned 5) ? Does anyone know what age a knitting tower is suitable for? I have never used one.

Craft: Spinning Tops

These spinning tops were so fun to play with and easy to make. My daughters really enjoyed both making them and playing with them on a recent craft day.



My oldest daughter's top

The tops are made from cardboard (we used a cereal box) a pencil, white paper and glue.




I covered the cardboard with white paper and allowed it to dry. For a colorful top, we divided the circle into sections (like a pieces of a pie) with a colored pencil or crayon and colored each section a different color.


My youngest daughter's top


Next, we poked a hole into the center of the top with a sharpened pencil. We used pencils between 3-4 inches tall.




The tops will draw lightly on the surface where they spin (due to the pencils) so we used paper underneath.



The tops were spun with either the thumb, index and middle fingers or by using the palms of the hands (one palm sliding against the other with pencil in between).




We enjoyed playing with them and I left them out in a space to be enjoyed throughout the week.

Also, if you happen to be looking for wooden tops check out the Wooden Wagon's fun collection of wooden spinning tops.

A Recycled Can Craft: Hammered Candle Holders

With the change of the clocks and some dark November skies, we have been using candlelight even more in our home. I find that when it is dark and cold the light of a candle brings a sense of peace and warmth; a reason to appreciate darkness. These recycled can candle holders we made glow wonderfully in a dark room and they are fun and so easy to make.


The candle holders project a beautiful flickering light onto the wall behind them.




To make the candle holder you will need a small hammer, a nail (the larger the head on the nail the easier for the child), gloves and eye wear for safety purposes, a towel, and a marker. A few days in advance fill the can (about 3/4 full) with water and place in the freezer. The ice will prevent the can from denting during hammering.



If you plan on making a shape or design, use a marker on the can to plot your design.




Use the hammer and nail to make holes in the can. We began by working together to make the heart- I held the nail in place and my daughter hammered. Later, she made holes independently over the entire can.




That is my hand holding the nail for my youngest daughter while she used the hammer. After she became familiar with the process she could work independently, and made them randomly all over. She enjoyed going back and "making the holes larger" by hammering them more. They really loved this project especially the use of the hammer. I enjoyed watching the concentration and persistence of their work.




If you do this project with your child, be aware that once finished, the inside of the can will have sharp points (because of the holes) so don't allow a child to reach inside and using a long match (or a piece of uncooked spaghetti) to light the candle works best. Also, the can radiates heat so be sure to place it on a heat resistant surface. We used small tea light candles in the bottoms and later moved one to my daughters' bedroom with a battery operated tea light (used for jack o lanterns) to serve as a night light.

Little Ghosts: Finger Puppets

We made these little ghost finger puppets for some Halloween play. All that was needed was fabric, string, a colored pencil or crayon and stuffing.



We started by cutting a piece of cloth and my oldest daughter then drew a ghost face with a colored pencil.



For my youngest daughter, I drew the face and she cut around the edges to make it "spooky" looking.




We put a piece of stuffing in the middle and then cut a piece of string. I tied the string around the fabric and then my daughter put the ghost on her finger while I tightened it to make sure there was enough room for her finger to fit in.



Then we had a puppet show!

Watercolor Painting Wood Cutouts

I recently came across these wood cut outs in my materials closet. Since I have been interested in watercoloring wood and had no plans for these wood pieces, we gave it a try.




We put them on the painting board, got out a jar of water, paints and a cloth to wipe off the brush after rinsing. Both of my daughters enjoyed painting each shape.




After they were painted we let them dry.



I thought about adding a magnet to the back to put on the fridge or creating a mobile, but then I found that they fit in our postcard holder.



I love the shades of watercolor paints on the wood. Cheerful, warm, soft and inviting.



They now sit on top of my daughters' bookcase and the colors are lovely to look at.

Embroidery Hoop Fall Sewing

Embroidery hoop sewing is an enjoyable activity for both my daughters. We use the hoops for sewing buttons onto fabric, free hand stitching and with my oldest daughter, stitching an image. I create the image so that it is simple and usually reflects the season.



This was the image of an acorn I drew with pencil onto a piece of felt. We use embroidery thread and either a children's needle (found at craft stores) or a large sewing needle (if I think it is too sharp I just file it down a little).




After it is finished it is left out as a fall decoration for everyone to enjoy.

Craft: Turning Pinecones into Berries

Usually when I am setting up our nature table for a new month, I am thinking about how the upcoming month is reflected in nature. I am remembering what gifts nature had given to us the years before and wonder what gifts might be new to us this year. What we will see, hear, smell, touch, and taste throughout the month? As I changed the nature table from July to August I thought about how enjoyable it is to pick berries on our walks this whole month long. There seem to be wild raspberries and blackberries everywhere we go and my daughters stand for long periods of time going through the bushes and finding them. So, to add to our August nature table, we made our own berries that will last the month long.




We picked through our pine cone basket (used for play) and found some small and medium sized pine cones. After we cut lengths of yarn, I started by wrapping the yarn a few times around each pine cone.




I helped each of them wrap the pine cones with the yarn, sometimes holding the pine cone while they wrapped. At the end, I tucked the yarn under and hot glued felt leaves onto the top.




And now we have berries for our nature table!