Snowglobe:

All kids love snow globes. Shaking it and watching the glittery snow tumble-down is an endless enjoyment. Why not make your own?

Supplies Needed: a glass jar (for this one, we used a baby food jar), distilled water, glitter, small object, paint, and waterproof glue.

We began by painting the lid to cover up the words on the lid of the jar. I then glued the small object to the lid with waterproof glue. We filled the jar with distilled water and added some glitter. I tightened the lid on the jar and then..shake!

Pinecone Trees

Supplies needed: pinecones, paint, glue and mini pompoms

My kids love to paint so they had a great time painting for this craft. I used store-bought pinecones but you could use some from your yard if you have them. Paint the pinecone “branches”. We did some green, some with green and white “snow” and some just white. Once the paint is dry, you can glue on pompoms to look like ornaments.

Handprint ornaments

These are a favorite that I give out as gifts every year. All you need are colored ornament balls (for safety, the plastic ones are best), paint and permanent markers. For the snowman ornament, have your child put their four fingers and palm in white paint. Then have them grasp the ball. Once it dries, add details with permanent markers. On the reverse side you can write a Christmas message, child’s name and the year.

For the reindeer ornament, dip their hand (including thumb) in brown paint. Have them grasp the ornament with their fingers facing down on the ornament and the thumb toward the top. When it dries, the four fingers become legs for the reindeer and the thumb is the head. Dip their finger in red paint to make a fingerprint nose. Draw on the details with permanent markers.

May you have a joyous Christmas season with your children!

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Candy cane rings can be made from simple sugar cookies. Cut them out like you would a doughnut where you use two circle cookie cutters or a doughnut maker. These will create a doughnut -shaped cookie with little effort. When the cookies have been baked and are cool, decorate the cookies using white and red icing. To complete it, tie a red string licorice around the ring and use that as the hanger for your cookie ornament.

Another option for making candy cane rings would be to make the two batches of sugar cookie dough. One would have no color added while the other would have red food coloring added. Make ropes out of the cookie dough and then twirl them around each other. Be sure the ends are stuck together well or the cookie might fall off the tree. Bake them and then finish them off the same way as the one above.

Purchase a few Styrofoam cones and make a mini Christmas tree to hang on your tree. Break toothpicks in half. You’ll also need spice or gumdrops and ribbon in ten inch lengths. Poke one end of the toothpick into the gumdrop then into the Styrofoam cone. Cover the entire surface of the cone. Tie the ribbon around the candy-covered cone and then hang it from your tree.

Another simple edible Christmas tree ornament you can make is chocolate-covered pretzels. To add interest you can dip some of them in white chocolate and some in dark chocolate. Thread pieces of ribbon through the pretzel and then place them on the tree. Another option would be to thread the pretzels on long pieces of ribbon to create a garland for the tree.

Long ago families used edible Christmas tree ornaments. Store-bought ornaments were a luxury most people couldn’t afford. If you’re concerned about spending too much on decorations for your home, consider using some of these ideas to create edible ornaments for your tree.

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If you’ve never made paper mache here’s a simple recipe:

• One part flour
• Two parts water

The ‘part’ can be anything – a cup, an empty soup can or glass jar. The point is to use twice as much water as flour so you have slurry which is slightly runny. If the mixture is too runny you can add a little bit of flour to get it to the right consistency. Add a little bit of water at a time to thin it down.

You’ll also need a good supply of newspaper. Tear the newspaper in thin strips, about an inch wide and five inches long. Set those aside until you’re ready to use them.

There are a couple of ways to make Christmas ornaments using paper mache. You can purchase small balloons and blow them up to use as the base. You can also use Styrofoam balls or shapes. Bases can also be made from twisted wire and crumpled newspaper. Balloons and Styrofoam are the easier methods.

Blow a small balloon up to the size you want the ornament to be. Smear a very thin layer of petroleum jelly on the surface to make removal easier. If you’re using the Styrofoam shapes this step won’t be necessary.

Dip the strips, one at a time, into the flour and water paste. Run the paper through your fingers to remove any excess paste and then smooth it onto the base until it’s totally covered. Alternate the direction the strips are running as you apply at least six layers of strips. Set the ornament aside to dry for 24 or more hours. Repeat this process for the number ornaments you want to make.

When the paper mache is dry, pop the balloon and pull it out from the center if one was used. Now you can begin painting the Christmas ornament using acrylic paints. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly before spraying with an art sealer. If you don’t have the sealer, you can use cheap hair spray to seal the project.

If you’d like to skip the painting step of this project, you can use colored tissue paper instead of newspaper. To make an ornament which looks like a stained glass window, apply layers of tissue paper over a wire frame. When the paper mache is dry, go over the wire with black marker to indicate the lead.

Apply a hanger to the ornament by hot gluing one to the ornament or carefully poking two holes through it to run the wire hanger through. You can paint a very thin layer of craft glue over the ornament and roll it in glitter to give it more of a Christmassy look.

Once you know how to make Christmas paper mache ornaments and are pleased with the results, you will be able to cheaply change the look of your Christmas tree each year. You can also make these ornaments as presents. Christmas is coming soon – are you ready to make your new ornaments?

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• Tissue paper in one or more colors
• Scissors
• Chenille stems or florist wire

Instructions

1. Stack eight pieces of unfolded tissue paper on top of one another, and cut them in half.
2. Take one stack of the tissue paper and fold one of the shorter edges down ½ to 1 inch from the edge. Make another fold the same size, but fold it back. Continue to make accordion-style folds until you’ve reached the other edge.
3. Use the scissors to round each end of the folded tissue paper. If you like, you can also cut a slit in the middle of each end.
4. Wrap a chenille stem or piece of floral wire around the center of the folded tissue paper, and twist to hold it together.
5. Very carefully, separate the layers of tissue from the ends to the center. Fluff as needed. Arrange some of your tissue paper flowers in a vase, glue them to a grapevine wreath, or use them to create a pretty centerpiece.

These easy-to-make spring decorations are great for welcoming the season without spending a lot of money. By creating your own décor, you can get your home all decked out for spring for less than you would pay for one or two ready-to-use items. So instead of going on a shopping spree, get creative!

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What You Need

• Glycerin soap (either bars or blocks)
• Soap dye
• Soap mold
• Microwave safe container
• Spoon
• Knife

Instructions

1. Cut a bar of glycerin soap into three pieces. If using blocks, cut two or three pre-measured pieces. (Only an adult should do this step.)
2. Place the glycerin soap in the microwave safe container, and microwave for about 20 seconds or according to directions that came with soap blocks. Stir, and continue microwaving 10 seconds at a time until the soap is fully melted.
3. Add soap dye. For pastel colors, use only a few drops. For darker colors, keep adding dye until the desired color is achieved.
4. Pour the soap into the mold and set aside. Allow to harden for an hour.
5. Once soap has hardened and cooled completely, pop it out of the mold. If it is stuck, place it in the freezer for a few minutes and try again.

Tips

• Use caution when removing soap from the microwave, and stir carefully to eliminate air bubbles. Soap that is heated too long or unevenly can erupt out of the container, causing burns.
• If you prefer, you can melt the soap in a double boiler over low to medium heat.
• If you would like a scented soap, you can add a couple of drops of fragrance oil. Just make sure it’s safe for use on the skin, and remember that a little bit goes a long way.
• Want a layered bar of soap? Add color to half of the melted soap, pour it into the mold, and let sit for about 5 minutes or until a “skin” forms on top. Then slowly pour the rest of the liquid soap (mixed with another color of soap dye if you like) on top.
• You can make a swirled soap by waiting until you have poured the soap into the mold, adding drops of dye, and swirling with a toothpick.
• To make a simple yet elegant soap on a rope, pour half of the liquid soap into the mold, let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, and place a strand of beads on top. Then pour the rest of the soap on top of the beads and let cool completely. This makes a wonderful gift!

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What You Need

• Water
• Food coloring in a color of your choice
• Shallow disposable aluminum pan (pie pans work nicely)
• Round orange slices
• Dried flowers
• Pressed pine needles
• Small pine cones
• Cranberries
• Sturdy twine
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Run enough water into a pitcher or bowl to fill the aluminum pan. Add food coloring until the desired color is achieved.
2. Pour colored water into the pan until it is about a quarter of an inch deep. Keep the rest of the water for later use. Place the pan in the freezer or outside overnight so that it freezes solid.
3. Cut two pieces of twine, each about a foot long. Place the end of one piece about halfway down one side of the ice, and run it along the side up to the top, leaving the remainder outside of the pan. Do the same on the other side with the other piece of twine.
4. Arrange the orange slices, flowers, pine needles, pine cones and cranberries on the surface of the ice. When you have arranged them to your liking, slowly pour another quarter inch of the colored water into the pan. The pieces might move around a bit when you pour the water in, but if you pour the water slowly, they shouldn’t move too much.
5. Place the pan back in the freezer or outside overnight so that the new layer of water will freeze into ice, locking your design in place.
6. Sit the sun catcher out in your home at room temperature until you can easily remove it from the mold. Or if you prefer, run warm water over the back of the pan until the sun catcher is released.
7. Find a nice spot outside, and tie the pieces of twine together to hang your sun catcher!

Tips

• For best results, use a light color of food coloring. Darker colors could soak into the orange slices and change their color.
• Keep in mind that the sun catcher will eventually melt. Consider putting it in a spot where it will be in the shade for at least part of the day to keep it looking good longer.
• If it’s nice and cold outside, consider doing the entire project on the porch or patio. That way you won’t have to move it after adding the decorations and the water, and the items won’t shift around as much.

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Paint Your Shoes

One of the simplest ways to make shoes unique is to paint them. This works well for many types of flip flops, as well as cloth sneakers. All you need is some fabric paint and a pencil to get started. Just draw your design on with a pencil, and when it’s just right, fill it in with paint.

For added flair, you could add some studs or colorful rhinestones. The stick-on kind may work, but they tend to come off easily, especially when you put them on something you’re going to wear. A Bedazzler will attach them much more securely.

Spruce Up Your Shoelaces

Snazzy shoelaces can add pizzazz to any pair of sneakers. You can easily tie-dye shoelaces by mixing two or more colors of fabric paint with an equal amount of warm water. Tie knots in the laces about an inch apart, then dip each individual section into the dye, alternating colors. This can get messy, so be sure to cover the work area and protect the kids’ clothing!

Make Your Own Charms

Shoelace charms look great on sneakers. There are kits available that have everything you need to make your own shoelace charms. You can also buy individual supplies at your local craft store or online.

For Crocs lovers, it’s easy to make your own snap-in charms. Using Fimo clay, you can make any kind of charm you can imagine. You can paint it with acrylic paint once it’s dry. There are also rubber plugs that you can buy online or in craft stores to glue to the back of any kind of charm. Using these, you can make charms out of virtually any type of material, including plastic, metal, and rubber.

Decorating your shoes is a fun way for kids to express their individuality. It’s also a great project to do with the family or friends. With just a few simple craft supplies, they can have hours of fun making their shoes unique.

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Glazing pottery can be accomplished in several ways.

Here are the basics of each technique:

• Dipping – One of the simplest ways to glaze your pottery is to dip it. You simply put a medium-thick glaze into a container larger than the pottery and immerse your piece for a few seconds. This method is quick and easy, and it provides a nice, even coat. Another advantage of dipping is that it allows for the application of glaze to the outside of a pot and not the inside.
• Pouring – When glazing the interior of a piece of pottery, pouring is a common practice. Just like it sounds, it involves pouring glaze onto the pot. It is left there for a few seconds, then quickly poured back into the glaze container. The glaze used for this technique is of the same consistency as that used in dipping.
• Brushing – Glazes that are brushed on should be thicker than those for dipping or pouring. They are best applied with a synthetic sable brush. Brush marks should not be an issue, as glazes made to be applied with a brush are formulated to resist them.
• Sponging – Applying glaze with a sponge can produce a unique look. Fine-textured sponges make for a fairly uniform coating, while more porous sponges add character to the finished product.
• Spraying – Those who produce large quantities of pottery often prefer to spray on glazes. This may be done with a spray gun or an airbrush, and requires a fairly thin glaze. Spraying produces more safety hazards than other glazing methods, so it’s important to take the proper precautions. Spraying should be done in a spray booth with good ventilation, and the sprayer should always wear a respirator designed for such purposes.

No matter which method you use, it’s important to thoroughly clean your pot before you begin. You remove dust and debris with a damp sponge or stiff brush. Grease may be removed with a gentle dish detergent, but it must be rinsed off thoroughly before proceeding. All tools used to mix or hold the glaze should also be free of grease, dust and other debris.

Glazing is an important step in the creation of pottery. It seals the finished product, and it can add shine or color if so desired. It can even be used to create an interesting texture. Some potters use one method for all of their pottery, while others use different ones for different applications.

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• Do you plan to handbuild or throw? The act of handbuilding does not require a great deal of space. Unless you plan to do it frequently, the kitchen table should be sufficient and can be cleaned up easily to be used for other purposes. But if you’re throwing pottery, you’ll need a space that’s large enough to accommodate the type of wheel you plan to use. And since throwing is significantly messier than handbuilding, you’ll probably want a dedicated room or building.
• Will you need to store lots of pieces? If you’re planning on selling your work, you’ll definitely need some storage space for it. You’ll also need some sturdy shelves to hold your finished products.
• Where will you store your materials and supplies? Again, this depends largely on how much you plan to produce. If you’re just creating a piece every now and then, a small shelf or drawer unit might work. If you will make several pieces a week, you may need an entire room.
• Will you have your own kiln? A kiln is not a necessity, because many pottery shops will fire pieces for their customers. But if you’re producing a lot of products, you’ll probably want your own kiln. If you do get a kiln, you’ll need a separate building. You’ll also have to put it in a location where it can be adequately ventilated. And you’ll need heavy-duty wiring to take care of its power needs.
• Adequate lighting is important in any craft, and pottery is no exception. If you’re working inside your home, lamps may be enough to compensate for poor overhead lighting if necessary. If you’re building a dedicated studio or converting an existing space, installing plenty of lighting is the best course of action.

As a general rule, you’ll need one watt of power dedicated to lighting for every two cubic feet. Multiply the length by the width of your space, and multiply the result by the height to get your cubic footage. Divide by two to determine how many watts of total lighting you’ll need, and install fixtures accordingly.

If you plan to pursue a career in pottery, your needs will be much different than if you just want to handbuild a piece every now and then. Carefully planning your studio will ensure that you have all of the space and resources you need without going overboard.

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There are catalogs filled with nothing but pottery supplies. To those who are interested in giving it a try, this can be rather discouraging. But you don’t need an entire studio full of stuff to get started. Just some basic tools will be sufficient for your first projects. These include:

• Towels – Pottery is a rather messy craft, so keeping some good, absorbent cotton towels on hand is a must. These can be used for cleaning your hands, and you can also lay them across your lap when working with clay to keep your pants clean.
• Sponges – If you’re throwing pottery, sponges are essential. They are used for a number of purposes, but the most common are absorbing and distributing water. To start with, invest in a few large sponges made for use in pottery.
• Chamois – Small pieces of chamois are staples of the pottery studio. These are used to compress and smooth edges.
• Potter’s needles – Needles aren’t just for needlework. Potter’s needles are long and heavy, and unlike most types of needles, they have handles. These can be used in a number of ways.
• Cut-off wires – You can buy these at any potter’s supply store, but if you’re just getting your feet wet, there are suitable substitutes. These include fishing line and thin wires such as those used to make springs. Cut-off wires are used to cut clay and remove items from the wheel.
• Wire and ribbon tools – These tools also have a variety of uses. They are most often used in hand building, as they can easily be broken in throwing.
• Wooden modeling tools – These come in all sorts of shapes, and are most often used in hand building. Some may also be used in trimming.
• Brushes – Brushes are important in pottery, but just any old brush won’t do. Pottery brushes are designed to hold water and other liquids that are used in working with and painting clay.

You might think you need a potter’s wheel, but that’s not necessarily true. For your first few projects, hand building is usually the best way to go. This will help you get a feel for pottery without making a large investment. As for kilns, you can usually find a pottery shop in your area that will fire your creations for you. Once you’ve gotten your feet wet and decided that pottery is something you would like to pursue, you can start looking at these more expensive pieces of equipment.

As with any hobby, it’s best to start with the basics when trying out pottery. If you find that it’s not for you, you can sell some of your tools to someone else. And if you do enjoy it, you’ll have a good start toward a complete pottery tool collection.

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