This post finds me in the holiday spirit for sure!  I teach kids classes all the time.  One of my most requested classes is jewelry making.  Do you blame them?  Jewelry is so fun and Plaid's Holiday Glitz line is all about fun and festive.  Here are a few ideas for making easy jewelry with kids (and as usual, Mom's I think you'll want to make some too).

 

 

Pick out a few cards of Holiday Glitz!  Here are some of my favorites.  You will also need some special jewelry making pliers: round nose, chain nose, and wire cutters.  Grab some ball chain necklaces, head pins and jump rings too.

 

 

Open the eye pin and attach the Santa charm.  String some beads onto the eye pin.  An easy way for kids to make a dangle is to use round nose pliers and roll the end of the wire down to the bead (so it looks like a key chain ring).  You will get fun little loops and spirals this way and it makes it hard for the charm to escape the jump ring.

If you are new to jewelry making, check out the link at the end of this post for a jewelry making video with yours truly!

 

 

Open a jump ring and attach the Santa dangle to a ball chain.  Instant necklace!  Make one for all your pals!

 

 

The sparkly droplets come with jump rings so they can be strung directly onto a chain or ribbon.  So pretty!

 

 

Now the party is really going!  Back to making dangles and charms--you can attach some metal charms to eye pins with beads and put them in between the dangles like this with jump rings.

 

 

A very charming necklace!

 

 

Here's an extra fast idea to use up some spare parts.  You will need earring findings and jump rings.  Open the jump ring and hang the droplet charms.  Before closing the jump ring, attach the earring finding.

 

 

Hang a candy cane charm for a peppermint party look!  I bought a pack of real candy canes and have been stirring my hot cocoa with them---always a good after jewelry making treat!  
 
 
If you are new to making jewelry, check out this video for some basic tips!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tremClpk2qw

It's Thursday and the week is drawing to a close. Perhaps you would like to get some ideas of holiday crafts to make with your kids over the weekend? Try making this adorable and simple Wooden Angel. This angel was designed by, Jane Chandler. To learn how to create this holiday craft see the supplies and instructions below.

PLAID Supplies

·       FolkArt ® Metallics - Rose, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Metallics - Antique Gold, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Metallics - Pearl White, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Metallics - Blue Pearl, 2 oz.

Other Supplies
2 small wooden circles medium wooden circle small wooden oval 2 XL teardrops 3” rounded star 2” x 3” rectangle ½” traditional heart 14” gold gift wrap cord Twisted silver/gold cord Curly doll hair Foam plate for paints 1/2” brush 1/4”flat brush Small round brush Ruler Scissors Black ultra fine point permanent marker Low temp glue gun

 

Instructions

1. Mix one part Rose with two parts Pearl White. Use mixture to paint all circle shapes; let dry.
2. Use Rose to paint heart shape and circles for cheeks on large circle; let dry.
3. Use large flat brush and Blue Pearl to paint rectangle shape. Use end of paint brush handle dipped in Blue Pearl to paint dots for eyes on large circle; let dry.
4. Use Pearl White to paint star shape; let dry.
5. Use Antique Gold to paint oval and teardrop shapes; let dry.
6. Refer to photo for placement and use ¼” flat brush and Antique Gold to paint stripe across star for sash; let dry.
7. Referring to photo for placement, glue lower two points of star over one end of rectangle.
8. For wings, glue rounded ends of teardrop shapes to back of upper star.
9. For face, glue large circle over upper center tip of star.
10. For halo, glue oval over top edge of circle, securing at back with extra glue.
11. For hands, glue small circles over middle star tips.
12. Refer to photo for placement, and glue heart on star.
13. Cut an 8” piece from cord. Fold in half to form loop for ornament hanger and glue ends to back of star/head.
14. Wrap and glue remaining piece of cord over center of sash stripe, with ends of cord meeting at back center; trim ends as necessary and secure well with glue.
15. Use marker to add dashed line for heart garland between hands, mouth on angel face, and personalization at lower front.
16. Cut doll hair to desired length and glue center of length to back of halo/head to hold in place. To hold hair in position, add small amount of glue over wing and at back of hands.

 

 

Here is an adorable and very cute ornament, your kids are going to love to create. This ornament was created by one of our talented designers, Julie Lewis. I love how cute this happy snowman ornament is. It is so unique, and just puts a smile on your face. In case you are looking for more fun Christmas projects to create with your kids, click here.

 

PLAID Supplies

·       FolkArt ® Extreme Glitter™ - Black, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Texture Paint - White, 4 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Sky Blue, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Lime Yellow, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Artists Pigments™ - Pure Black, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Soft Apple, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Glazed Carrots, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Wicker White, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Bayberry, 2 oz.

Other Supplies
Paper mache ornament
2mm black foam sheet
3/16” wood dowel
2 – ½” wood beads
¼” & 1/8” hole punches
3/8” black and white polka dot ribbon
¼” & ½” flat brush
#1 liner brush
Black floss
Needle
Ultra fine black marker
White craft glue
Scissors
Craft knife and blades or pencil sharpener
Transfer paper
Ruler
Palette knife

Instructions

1. Transfer hat pattern to black foam and cut out. Apply several coats of Black Extreme Glitter with flat brush. When dry, stitch together two ends of hat with floss to create tube. Put one edge of hat inside circle of brim and glue. Finish with polka dot ribbon band.
2. Base-coat wood beads and top and bottom sections of ornament Wicker White. Refer to photo for rest of color placement.
3. Cut 1” of wood dowel and sharpen end either in pencil sharpener or with craft knife to create carrot nose. Paint Glazed Carrots and apply black lines with marker.
4. Create a hole in top part of ornament large enough for flat end of dowel "nose". Insert and secure with white craft glue.
5. Cut 2 1 ½” sections of wood dowel. Sharpen one end of both. Paint as shown.
6. Use a palette knife or brush to apply texture paint to snow areas: wood beads, top and bottom parts of ornament.
7. Glue bead to ends of dowel "arms”. Create holes in sides of body, insert arms and secure with white craft glue.
8. From the black foam punch out two 1/8” dots using larger hole punch (for eyes) and seven dots with smaller punch (for mouth). Using opposite end of brush, apply white dots to eyes, then two smaller black dots as shown. Glue to face.
9. Create hanger with black floss and needle. Attach to hat and glue hat onto head.
10. Paint snowflake to front of ornament and apply orange dots with opposite end of brush.

 

Check out this great kid friendly Christmas project. Isn’t the snowman and reindeer so cute? This is a perfect project to create on a cold winter’s day. Grab your craft supplies, and get ready to have some fun. See how to make this project by following the steps below.

 

PLAID Supplies

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Pool Blue, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Pink Parfait, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Bright Red, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - White, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Black, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Nutmeg Brown, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Leaf Green, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Pewter Grey, 2 oz.

·       Apple Barrel ® Colors - Pumpkin Orange, 2 oz.

 

Other Supplies

6” Terracotta pots
4”-4x4 wood posts
2” Pieces of landscape timber
White chenille stem
Electric blue yarn
Small wood circles
Felt scraps
White thread
Hot glue
Ice glitter
Small sticks
Spray sealer
Sandpaper
Adhesive brown felt

Instructions

Snowman:
1. Hot Glue the wood block to the bottom of the pot.

2. Base-coat the clay pot and the wood block with Pewter Grey. Base-coat same pot and block with White. When they are dry lightly sand to create a distressed look.

3. Paint the two wood blocks with Pool Blue. When they are dry, hot glue the yarn to them as shown. Hot glue the chenille stems to the tops of the yarn wrapped wood blocks. Wrap the yarn around the stems adding a few hot glue dots to secure the yarn.

4. Paint the wood circles Black and add White dots to create the look of buttons.

5. Paint the bottom of the pot Bright Red. Add White dots and sprinkle glitter on the dots before the paint dries.

6. Paint the sticks White. Add Pool Blue stripes and Bright Red polka dots. Lightly spray the arms with sealer and sprinkle with glitter.

7. Stitch the felt scraps with the white thread and add yarn to the ends.

8. Paint the eyes Black and the carrot nose Pumpkin Orange.

9. Hot glue the earmuffs, scarf, arms, and buttons to the snowman.


Reindeer:
1. Hot Glue the wood block to the bottom of the pot.

2. Base-coat the clay pot and the wood block with Black. Base-coat same pot and block with Nutmeg Brown. When they are dry lightly sand to create a distressed look.

3. Paint the wood block with Black and then Nutmeg Brown. When they are dry, hot glue to the face of the reindeer as shown.

4. Paint the wood circle Bright Red and add White dots.

5. Paint the bottom of the pot Bright Red. Add White dots and sprinkle glitter on the dots before the paint dries.

6. Paint the sticks White. Add Pool Blue, Bright Red, Pink Parfait and Leaf Green stripes. Lightly spray the arms with sealer and sprinkle with glitter. Hot glue to the head as shown.

7. Stick two pieces of felt together and cut into the shape of an ear. Hot glue to the top of the head

8. Paint the eyes and mouth with Black.

 

Looking for a beginner level Christmas craft to make? Well your in luck. Try this simple and festive project. Jingle all the way across your mantle or doorway with this festive, glittery garland. This project was designed by one of our designers, Julie Lewis.

PLAID Supplies

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Bright Green, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Citrus Green, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Extreme Glitter™ - Peridot, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Extreme Glitter™ - Tourquoise, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Extreme Glitter™ - Red, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Extreme Glitter™ - Emerald, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Extreme Glitter™ - Hologram, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Engine Red, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Cayman Blue, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Hot Pink, 2 oz.

·       FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors - Wicker White, 2 oz.

 

Other Supplies

Plastic ornament, Wood alphabets Value Pack, Acrylic Gems, Creatology™ Jingle Bells, Scissors, Hot glue gun, Craft glue, Poster board, 2mm White foam sheets, 1/8” Holiday ribbon – green with white dots

Instructions

1. Base-coat letters and approximately three inch squares on poster board in paint colors shown.

2. Apply several coats of coordinating Extreme Glitter paint to letters and poster board. Use Hologram on both white and pink.

3. Trace circles onto poster board using half an ornament as template. Cut out circles a little smaller than trace line.

4. Glue letters to circles referring to photo for color placement. Then glue circles to pieces of white foam sheets leaving enough room between circles to cut.

5. Cut around circles using pinking shears.

6. Attach ornament halves to letter pieces.

7. Lay letters out in order for placement. Cut a piece of ribbon longer than your letters.

8. String small jingle bells onto ribbon. Using hot glue gun, attach ornaments to ribbon from the hanger.

9. Glue rhinestone gems to tops of ornament hangers.

10. Tie bows from ribbon and attach with glue between word groups.

 

All across the country, there has been record-breaking cold weather-blizzards, snow storms and general chilliness. So with schools generally closed for the holidays or inclimate weather, now's a great time to break some fun winter ready crafts. We love these simple-to-make paint stick snowmen made by Crafts by Amanda. Check out her full post here.

December is counting down and it is getting closer to Christmas! As the big day approaches and the kids go on Christmas break, keep them busy with easy crafts that don't take a lot of time, but are fun to do and easy to clean up after. Check out this adorable Santa Claus project from About Kids Crafts, made with Acrylic paint and popsicle sticks! See it here!

 

Looking for ideas for the great unfinished ornaments and wood you've found at the craft store. make it snow with a bit of texture paint. 
This is a great project for your child's class or even on a snow day home from school.

       

 

I love penguins, next to fuzzy white polar bears, they are definitely my favorite holiday critters. That's why this penguin frame is so cute. Kids can make these for gifts for teachers, grandparents and friends.

       

 

This is the first of a whole bunch of ornaments we will be featuring for the holidays! Make sure you also check out the ornament party on www.Plaidonline.com!

       

 

Check out Inspire Me Crafts Christmas ornaments.

Be inpired by these fun Advent Calendars. Advent Calendars make great craft projects for kids
to make, plus they offer a special treat for the days counting down to Christmas. Here are some of our favorites.

 

Advent Origami Cups by Kids Crafts Weekly

Pretty In Pink 
Paper crafted calendar.

 

Deborah Kent's Class 
Santa Claus beard calendars

Crafty Craft Gal 
Scrappy fun!

      

Make simple ornaments with beautiful Gallery Glass!

      

Create a "snowy finish" to your Christmas projects with white Texture Paint!

      

Make this cute reindeer for Christmas using new Folk Art Texture paint. All you'll need is a two small flower pots, some embellishments and paint!