DIY Beaded Hair Barrettes

These beaded barrettes can be made with any kind of small bead. Mix and match bead and wire colors to create thousands of different designs.

Things you’ll need:
Small beads
Bobby pins
Craft wire
Scissors
Needle nose pliers

Things to do:
1. Cut a piece of craft wire that is less than 10’’ long.
2. Pull one end of your craft wire through the end loop of your bobby pin.
3. Secure your wire by wrapping it through the middle and pulling it around the end of your bobby pin 3-5 times. Make sure to leave a small “tail” at the end of your wire which is being secured.
4. String a bead on the the long end of your craft wire.
5. Secure this bead by wrapping your craft wire through your bobby pin and looping it back around 3-5 times.
6. Repeat steps 4 & 5 until you are about one bead’s length from the end of your bobby pin.
7. Continue to wrap your craft wire around the open end of your bobby pin and cut off any extra wire.
8. Use your jewelry pliers to squeeze the small wire tails down into place.
9. To wear your barrettes, simply open them like you would a bobby pin and sweep into your hair.

Upcycle: Paper Bead Earrings

Paper bead earrings are a creative way to use extra scraps of paper you may have lying around the house. Because the beads will vary slightly in color and possibly shape you will most likely wind up with a fun, bohemian-looking earring set.

Things you need:
Decorative Paper (scrapbook paper, magazines, or construction paper)
Pen or pencil
Ruler
Scissors
Glue
Jewelry starter kit
Beads
Needle nose pliers
Mod Podge – optional

Things to do:
1. First, cut two strips of paper that measure 1’’x 10’’
2. Flip your strips of paper over, so that you can mark the side that is not decorated. Then take a ruler and draw a line from the middle of one of the 1’’ sides to the corners of the other 1’’ side. This should result in a long, skinny triangle. Repeat on the other strip of paper and cut the skinny triangles out.
3. Start rolling your bead starting with the straight 1’’ side of your paper strip. Remember to roll your bead tightly so the opening of your bead will be small enough to hang on your earring pin.
4. When you roll your bead up to the corner of your skinny triangle, put a tiny dot of glue to hold it in place and let it dry for a few minutes. *Optional- After your bead has dried you can also put a dab of Mod Podge on your bead to secure it a bit more
5. Once your bead has dried fully, take your earring pin, along with any added beads you might like, and slide your paper bead onto the earring pin.
6. Take your jewelry pliers, pinch the top end of your earring pin, and bend the wire into a loop.
7. Attach your earring hooks to the top loop of your earring pins and you have made a lovely pair of artsy paper bead earrings!

DIY Magnetic Fishing Game

This magnetic fishing game is a craft project and a game! Create multiple fish and fishing poles to go fishing with friends.

Things you’ll need:
Felt squares
Scissors
Hot glue gun
Googly eyes
Permanent marker
Bakers Twine
Stick or dowel rod
2 – Magnets
Fish template

Things to do:
1. Fold your felt in half and trace your fish stencil on one side.
2. Using your scissors, cut through both sides of the felt, along the traced fish shape. This will result in two identical fish shapes.
3. Place one magnet between the two fish halves.
4. Use your hot glue gun to glue the two felt fish halves together with the magnet inside of the fish.
5. Glue googly eyes to the outside of your fish and decorate however you like!
6. To make the fishing pole, tie one end of your string to the stick (securing the string with hot glue if you so choose).
7. Tie the other end of your string to the other magnet.
8. To play the fishing game, hold your fishing pole and hover the magnetic end on your string over your felt fish. When the magnets connect, you will have caught your fish!

DIY Faux Stained Glass Vases

Stained glass vases are a great craft for kids and adults. The results can be as simple or elaborate as you want them to be. Use the tissue paper and construction paper to create a pattern, use different colors, and really make it your own!

Things you need:
Clear glass bottle
Different colored tissue paper (cut into 2” x 2″ squares)
Black construction paper (cut into 4” x 4” squares)
Scissors
Mod Podge
Foam brush

Things to do:
Prep work: Cut tissue paper and black paper into squares
1. Make sure your bottle is clean, and use your sponge brush to paint the top of your bottle with Mod Podge.
2. Apply squares of tissue paper onto the bottle where Mod Podge was applied.
3. Continue applying Mod Podge down the bottle and putting tissue paper on top. Use the sponge brush to gently smooth the tissue paper as you go.
4. Let your bottle dry completely.
5. Create your stained glass window design just as you would a paper snowflake. Take your square piece of black construction paper and fold it into a triangle by bringing one corner of the square to the opposite corner.

6. Make this triangle into a smaller triangle by folding one bottom corner of the triangle to the other bottom corner. Do this again to make an even smaller triangle.

7. After folding your paper into this tiny triangle, hold your paper where all the points meet. Cut the opposite side of the triangle so that the edge is curved.

8. Keep the paper folded and begin cutting into it with the scissors to create your design. Remember not to cut all the way down either side because the creases hold your paper together.

9. Open your paper to reveal your design.

10. Glue your paper stained glass design to the outside of your decorated glass bottle. Apply Mod Podge on top of your design to secure it and let dry.
11. Place flowers in your vase or set in front of a window to fully enjoy its sunny qualities!

Popsicle Stick Puzzle Card

This puzzle card puts a spin on traditional greeting cards. Mix up your puzzle pieces so that the recipient can assemble their secret message before reading it. Tie your puzzle pieces with a ribbon or place them all in an envelope for delivery. This card is just what you may want to give mom this Mother’s Day to tell her how special she is!

Difficulty level: Beginner

Things you’ll need:
Popsicle sticks (I used 10 skinny sticks)
Tape
Markers
Ribbon (for tying your pieces together)

Things to do:
1. First line all of your popsicle sticks up next to one another, and tape them into place.
2. Flip your popsicle stick puzzle over so that the tape is on the back.
3. Use your markers to decorate your puzzle however you like.
4. To deliver your puzzle card, remove the tape, mix up your puzzle pieces, and tie a ribbon around your pieces.
5. Let your letter recipient assemble their puzzle card pieces to view their message!

Cupcake Push Pops

These new Cupcake Push-pops are a fun, less-mess way to eat cupcakes. These push-pops allow you to layer cupcakes and icing for a pretty treat that everyone will enjoy.

Things you’ll need:
Cupcake Push-pops
Mini Cupcake pan
Icing
Icing Pen

Things to do:
1. First remove the mess free top from the cupcake push-pops by holding onto the main cylindrical shape and pulling up on the top dome piece.
2. Make sure the push-pop handle is pulled all the way down before inserting your first mini cupcake. Gently push the mini cupcake all the way to the bottom of your push-pop container.
3. Use your icing pen to add a layer of icing on top of your first mini cupcake.
4. Gently push your second mini cupcake into the push-pop tube. Be careful not to squish your first layer of icing too much.
5. Use your icing pen to paint your second layer of icing on top of the second mini cupcake layer. Finish this layer with a pretty swirled design.
6. To store your cupcake push-pops and keep them mess free, place the dome-shaped toppers on the cupcakes and store them in the fridge or arrange them in a bouquet until you are ready to serve them. *Be careful not to put pressure on the handles while arranging your cupcake push-pops because the cupcake and icing design will be smooshed.
7. To eat the cupcake push-pops, simply remove the dome-shaped top, and push the handle up until your cupcake emerges. Enjoy your cupcake push-pop bite-by-bite without getting your hands messy.

Easy Balloon Flowers

Make these Balloon Flowers for a non-traditional Mother’s Day bouquet. Blow Mom or party guests away with these hand-made, personalized flowers. Great for party decorations and personalized gifts, these flowers are sure to please everybody!

Difficulty level: Beginner

Things you’ll need:
Balloon
White construction paper (cut into a large square)
Green construction paper (cut into a small square)
2 – Green pipe cleaners
Permanent marker

Things to do:
1. Make your flower petals by folding your large white paper square in half, corner to corner making a triangle.
2. Create a smaller triangle by folding this paper triangle again, corner to corner.
3. Create an even smaller triangle by folding this triangle again, corner to corner.
4. Hold the point of your paper triangle where all of your folds meet and cut a curve on the opposite end of your triangle. This is your petal design, so shape it the way you would like.
5. Now snip the point of your triangle where all the folds meet.
6. Open your paper up and you should have a petal design with a small hole in the center of your paper circle.
7. Do steps 1-6 with your small green paper square. Make sure the whole at the center of this piece is fairly small so that your balloon knot will fit snugly through it.
8. Blow up your balloon to a size that is big enough to write on but not big enough to cover up your petal paper, and knot it closed.
9. Twist the ends of your pipe cleaners around your balloon knot.
10. Twist your 2 pipe cleaners together
11. Slip your white petal paper on your pipe cleaners through the center hole.
12. Slip your green sepal paper onto your pipe cleaners through the center hole, and carefully pull the balloon knot through your paper holes to secure into place.
13. Write a message with permanent marker on your balloon and create many more balloon flowers for a fun, pollen-free bouquet!

Easy DIY Ribbon Bracelets

Ribbon Bracelets are simple to make and are easy to personalize! These bracelets are a great way to use up smaller pieces of ribbon and make great gifts or party favors.

Things you need:
2 – thin ribbon (ribbon in demo is 3/8” thick)
1 – thick ribbon (ribbon in demo is 1 ½ ‘’ thick)
2- small felt circles (circles in demo are 2” in diameter)
Scissors
Hot glue gun

Things to do:
1. Cut two small felt circles that are just big enough to cover the width of your big ribbon.
2. Cut two pieces of thin ribbon, each about 6” long.
3. Cut one piece of thick ribbon, which is just long enough to wrap around your wrist.
4. Cut a small line in the center of your felt circles.

5. Pull one of the thin ribbons through the hole of one of the felt circles and glue the ribbon to the back of the felt circle with the hot glue gun. Do the same with the other thin ribbon and felt circle.

6. Glue one end of the thick ribbon to the inside of one of the felt circles.

7. Put more hot glue on top of the end of the thick ribbon and fold the felt circle in half on top of the ribbon and hot glue.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 on the other side of your thick ribbon.
9. Wait for the hot glue to cool and then tie your new ribbon bracelet on your wrist and wear it with style!

Easy Pretty Flower Pens

Flower pens are a great way to help make your desk or work area look ready for spring! Make these cute pens as party favors or simply as a way to brighten up someone’s day.

Things you need:
Floral stems
Ballpoint pen
Floral tape
Scissors or wire cutters

Optional:
Paper mache flower pot
Tissue paper or shred

Things to do:
1. Select your flower and hold it next to your pen.
2. Starting at the top, wrap the green tape around the flower stem and pen at a downward angle until you reach the bottom of the pen.

3. To decorate, wrap the bottom of your flower pen with colored tissue paper and place in a mini flower pot.

Paper Bag Bunny Puppet

This Paper Bunny Puppet is a great craft for spring! Spend a short time creating this hand puppet for hours of creative playtime.

Things you need:
2 paper kraft bags
Artist set
Scissors
Glue
Pen (to mark your cut lines)

Things to do:
1. Draw a bunny ear on one of your paper bags with your pen.

2. Cut out your bunny ears by cutting along the line you drew and cutting through both sides of the paper bag.

3. Glue your bunny ears to the closed-ended, back side of your paper bag (the side without the mouth flap).

4. Flip your bag over to the front and decorate using pastels. Color in the ears, add facial features, draw your body, draw a fluffy tail on the back side, and add whatever else you might want your bunny to have.

5. Stick your hand into the bag and move your fingers to make the bunny’s mouth move, and enjoy!