• Pony Bead Assortment
• Chenille stems
• Scissors
• Ribbon (1/8″)
• Craft glue (Optional)

How to make your own Valentine Mobile:

1. Cut Chenille stems in half . Add beads leaving a minimum of 1/2″ stem on each end. Twist stem ends together and fold downward to create heart shape. Snip remaining stem is desired.
2. Cut various lengths of ribbon. Tie one ribbon, adding a bow if you’d like, to the top of each heart. Optional: add a touch of glue to each ribbon knot and let dry to secure ribbon in place.
3. Using 2 chenille stems, twist together and then form a circle, twisting ends closed. This is the top of the mobile.
4. Tie a ribbon on one side of the circle, tie the other end of the ribbon directly across, on the opposite side of the circle. Repeat with a second ribbon so you have one knot at every quarter of the circle and crossing directly in the middle of the ribbon.
5. Create a small loop of chenille that wraps around the middle of the ribbons together at the crossing point. This is your hanging loop.
6. Tie each ribbon with a heart at different locations around the mobile top circle piece.
7. Hang and enjoy!

You can create completely different looks to this project depending what colors of ribbon and chenille you use along with which beads you choose to string on each heart. Try making the hearts all one color with different sized of beads, or make a bead color pattern, it’s up to you!

Materials used in this project:

• Crayola® Glitter Glue
• Wood Spring Clothes Pins
• Darice® Premium Canvas Texture Cardstock
• 3/16 inch White Curling Ribbon

Christmas ornament garland by Jen Goode

Cut cardstock into 2-3″ squares. Cut a coordinating set of smaller squares and glue to the larger pieces. Create mini drawings using the glitter glue on each square. After is all dries, hang it up using mini clothes pins. You can mix and match the art and colors however you like. The glitter glue adds the extra holiday sparkle and your kids will love creating this fun project!

Christmas garland by Jen Goode

I created a fun holiday banner with 16 of these mini art squares by hanging a piece of curly ribbon and then pinning each art piece to the ribbon using the mini clothes pins. This could be hung on the Christmas tree as garland as well. You can also hang each piece individually to create unique ornaments on your tree with the ribbon, the clothes pins or both. This is also a great project for classrooms allowing each child to make multiple pieces in the time allotted.

I used a piece of scrap wood (for my template) and pre-cut the scrap wood to the angle that I would need for the valley of the dollhouse roof.

Using my handsaw I cut the shingle angles.

Next, using a thick solvent-based glue I began to place my starter row of shingles.

I continued adding each row of shingles staggering the seams.  To get the shingles to stay I had to use a lot of Liquid Nails.  As you can see from the picture there is a lot of excess glue showing.

Once all the glue was dry and the shingles were installed I covered the Liquid Glue remnants with acrylic paint.  As you can see from the picture below none of the excess glue is showing.

The shingles for the roof were quite a process and it took several days but I am very happy with the results of my patience and hard work.

To read all of my posts chronicling my adventures of building the Victorian Farmhouse Dollhouse, for my grand-daughter, click here.

Mix and match Christmas gift bags by Jen Goode

Coordinating mix and match Christmas gift tags by Jen Goode

Materials you need:

• Gift Bags with Handles – Christmas Set
• Christmas Color Assorted Plastic Buttons
• Darice® Paper Flower Petals Assortment
• Martha Stewart snowflake wood stamp set
• Darice® Premium Canvas Texture Cardstock
• 3/16 inch White Curling Ribbon
• 3/16 Red Curling Ribbon
• Craft glue
• Scissors

There are no specific instructions for making these bags and tags. You can mix and match the different materials however you like. Cut shapes out of the paper, combine buttons, add bits of curly ribbon and stamp snowflakes until your heart’s content. You can create so many different looks just by combining the materials in different colors, sizes and patterns. One trick is to make sure your colors coordinate. Pick a dark green and a light green, for example and add in some neutrals such as white or brown to balance the brighter colors.

Make coordinating gift tags by picking one embellishment to feature. Adding one flower and a button to a tag will look lovely with any of the other bags. Again, you can cut different paper shapes, sizes and mix the colors to create the look you want. Have fun and happy gifting!

Back-to-School Crafts: Silly Pencil Toppers

Using the Mini Bowdabra create silly pencil toppers perfect for back-to-school!  Add craft boa, feathers, and pipe cleaners for some crazy fun!  Kids will love sharing their unique homemade pencils with their friends at school.

Materials Needed:

• Mini Bowdabra
• Bowdabra Bow Wire
• Craft Boa
• Feathers
• Pipe Cleaners (Chenille Stems)
• Pencils

Instructions:

1. Begin by cutting an 18″ strand of Bowdabra Bow Wire.  Fold it in half and place it into the Mini Bowdabra.

2. Next, place craft boa and feathers into the Mini Bowdabra.

3. Fold pipe cleaners in half, swirl the ends, and place them into the Mini Bowdabra.

4. Add pencil to the Mini Bowdabra.  Place the end of the pencil near the eraser into the Mini Bowdabra.

5.  Add additional craft boa to cover the pencil.

6. Scrunch down with the Mini Bowdabra Wand.

7. While the pencil is still in the Mini Bowdabra, thread the two loose ends of the Mini Bowdabra Bow Wire through the loop at the other end.

8. Pull the Bowdabra Bow Wire tightly while the pencil and boa are still in the Mini Bowdabra.  Gently pull the pencil out of the Mini Bowdabra.

9. Separate the two loose ends of the Bowdabra Bow Wire and bring them around to the back of the boa and knot.

10. Trim away the Bowdabra Bow Wire.  Make several different colored silly pencil toppers.

For more information about my dollhouse tips and progress click here for the online chronicles of building the Victorian Farmhouse Dollhouse Kit.

Here is how I added the trim pieces for the eaves:

To add the trim on the eaves I first painted the 3/4″ trim pieces and the 3/16″ trim pieces.

Next, I cut the trim pieces at an angle to match the pitch of the roof.  To match the pitch of the roof I first made a template with a paint stirrer.  Having a template ensured that I had the correct angle for every trim piece.  Once the trim pieces were cut I glued and taped them in place on all three eaves: the front, left, and right.

Then, I added 3/4″ trim pieces around the window in the front.  I notched it out to fit around the window.

Next, I attached the 3/16″ trim along the edges.  I painted the 3/16″ side trim pieces black because it really pops against white trim and will compliment my dark shingles.

Lastly I attached the 3/16″ yellow trim pieces across the top to cover the two pieces that meet above the window and on the sides.

I am very happy with the eaves and think that the trim pieces really make the eaves and give it a complete look.

Now that the attic eave trim pieces are complete I just have to cement on the shingles and add the railings.  The goal is to have the outside of the dollhouse complete for Christmas.  Then together as a family we can finish the inside of the dollhouse.  I am looking forward to completing the inside of  the dollhouse with my granddaughter’s input.

Monster princess mask

Materials we used:

• Chenille stems
• Plastic stringing tubes/straws
  (these are much thicker than standard drinking straws, great for crafting!)
• Pony beads
• Pom Poms
• Recycled cardboard (we used cereal boxes)
• Glue
• Scissors – might require adult help depending on child’s age – cardboard can be tricky to cut.

We didn’t pull out the paint, markers, crayons or chalk, but you could if you’d like. We wanted to see if we could make some fun, colorful masks without coloring a single thing. What do you think?

Funny monster mask

This is a super easy project to make, here are the how-to details:

1. Cut the cardboard in the size and shape you’d like.
2. Carefully cut holes for eyes.
3. Get out the glue and to go town! Glue on all your different pieces and parts however you like. You can make the curly cork screws from the chenille stems by wrapping them around a pencil. Let the entire thing dry over night and you’re good go to!

Note: If you’d like your mask to be bent or curved, do this before applying all the glue and decorations, otherwise the hard beads and plastic might pop up when trying to bend the cardboard.

Pony bead mask

Beads aren’t just for jewelry and bags of plastic beads for kids can create hours of fun. In additional to stringing beads on a variety of threads or yarn, you can also use beads in collage projects, chenille stem sculptures and accessorizing anything you can add glue to.

assortment of beads

There are different types of beads for kids, but some of the favorites are called Pony Beads. I have no idea what the history is behind the name, I just know the kids love to use them, so that makes me happy!

Pony Beads come in a wide variety of colors as well as glow-in-the-dark, glitter, translucent and opaque. You can even find pony beads in different shapes. They are easy for smaller hands to string, making for a fantastic crafting supply kids of almost any age (not recommended for children under 3 without supervision).

Some materials to consider combining with your beads:

• wire
• yarn
• chenille stems
• twine
• plastic laces
• glue on fabric, paper or craft foam
• resin
• clay

In my house, my preschooler and I love to sort the different colors, make bracelets for our friends and glue the beads on to our projects!

Check out the amazing selection of pony beads that ConsumerCraft.com carries today!

Consumer Crafts stocks assorted colored bottle caps which are amazing for so many craft projects!  Best of all you can flatten the bottle caps for an entirely different look.  The paint does NOT chip when you flatten them.  Punch a hole at the top and use them for jewelry.  Flip them over and use the chrome side instead of the painted side for another option!  So many choices, such a great product.

How to add images to the bottle caps: Cut a 1 inch paper image circle, about the size of a quarter.  To adhere the image to the bottle caps use Aleene’s Quick Drying Tacky Glue.  Spread the glue thinly on the back of the image, make sure to pay special attention to the sides.  Wait until the glue is completely dry before working with the bottle cap.

How to flatten bottle caps: Bottle caps can be flattened to create a different look.  To flatten bottle caps either place them in a vice grip, or use a Cuttlebug or a product similar to the Cuttlebug, lastly a good old-fashion hammer works wonders.  Whatever your choice make sure to protect the painted surface of the bottle caps.  If you use a vice grip cover the bottle caps with a piece of leather to keep the paint from getting scratched.  If you use a product like the Cuttlebug it is not necessary to protect the surface.  However, the bottle caps may become lodge in the heavy plastic plates used with products like the Cuttlebug.  Just pop them off the plastic plates.  When using a hammer cover the bottle caps with a piece of wood so that the hammer does not leave marks and chips on the bottle caps.

Use the chrome back of the bottle caps!  Both the front and the back of the bottle caps are equally as pretty!  Use either side and insert images in the centers.   Adhere the images with Aleene’s Quick Dry Glue.  Wait until the glue dries before working with the bottle caps.

How to finish bottle caps:  Epoxy domes are the perfect finishing pieces to protect the paper images that are on the bottle caps.

Place the epoxy domes onto your images; they have very sticky backs and hold amazingly!

Consumer Crafts carries a huge selection of Signed, Sealed, and Remembered Bottle Caps choose the bottle caps that best fit your crafting needs.

Use Chrome Bottle Caps with a Loop to create beautiful pendant necklaces.

Make gorgeous jewelry with Flat Bottom Bottle Caps with pre-cut hole.  Fill the inside of the bottle caps with scrapbooking images and finish with epoxy domes.

Design small little pieces of “art” with these Mini Bottle Caps.

…..Or, create gorgeous holiday Bottle Cap Magnets!

So many bottle cap crafting possibilities; all available at Consumer Crafts.

Materials Needed:

• Earring Hoops-Endless-Silver Plated-36mm
• Crystal Beads-Bicones-Topaz-4 to 6mm
• Crystal Beads-Bicones-Jet and Crystal-4 to 6mm
• Alphabet Beads-Round-Black-7mm
• 24 ga silver beading wire 24 yard spool
• Filament Yard Spool-Clear

Instructions:

1. To make your wreath use hoop earrings as your wreath form.

2. Cut two strands of 24 gauge wire and tightly coil the ends onto the hoop earring.  Thread the beads onto the two strands of wire.  Once you have enough beads twist the wire together, twist the ends to keep it tight. Helpful Hint: I chose 24 gauge wire because it is easy to work with and malleable.

3. Place the beads around the perimeter of the hoop earring and coil the end wire to the hoop earring.

4. Coil another piece of 24 gauge wire to the hoop.  Add a bead to the wire, then thread it through the twisted beads, continue adding a bead and threading it through twisted beads.

5. Wrap the entire hoop, adding beads, and threading it through the twisted beads.  Finish by coiling the wire around the hoop.

6. Using clear filament add alphabet beads to the wreath that read, “Happy Fall”.

7. Place the wreath on the front door of the dollhouse….

8. …Or place the fall beaded wreath on the dollhouse bay window.

As a family we are having so much fun with the Victorian Farmhouse Dollhouse Kit.  The joy of dollhouse building is bringing several generations together.