This project is a twist on a classic beaded necklace.  The ribbon intermingles with the beads throughout the necklace and finishes off in dramatic long strands ready to be tied into a bow.  The effect is dramatic and whimsical.  It’s inspired by a necklace that I saw at JCrew that’s sold for about $70.  Depending on the beads you choose, you can make this necklace between $5-20.  This is an ideal craft project for a girl’s birthday party. Just supply a bunch of beads in the girl’s favorite colors and have each girl make her own beaded necklace to take home.

Handmade Fancy Self-Tie Beaded Necklace with Ribbon Material:

Beads in different colors and material. You can choose glass beads, jade beads, plastic beads, stone beads in various colors.

Ribbons in corresponding colors to match the beads.

Ring shape clasps

Needle and thread

Handmade Fancy Self-Tie Beaded Necklace with Ribbon Instructions:

1. Tie one end of the necklace to one ring shape clasp using the needle and thread. This is the beginning of the necklace.
2. With the needle, pierce through a piece of ribbon (leave at least 1 foot of ribbon at the end for the self-tie part).
3. With the same thread, start stringing the beads one at a time.
4. Tie a knot between the beads to create a little space.
5. Carry the ribbon with you as you’re adding the beads.  After about 2 or 3 beads, pierce the ribbon again and pull it to the opposite side.
6. Continue to add a bead and tie a knot until you have achieved the length of the necklace you want.  Be sure to carry the ribbon back and forth in a random pattern by piercing the ribbon and pulling it to the other side from time to time. Make sure that you end with a knot.
7. Tie the end to another ring shaped clasp and make a double knot to secure it.
8. Now, hide the double knot by tying another knot with the ribbon over the double knot. Trim the ends of the thread.
9. Measure at least 1 foot of ribbon and trim off the rest.

You should be able to tie the necklace behind your neck with the leftover ribbon on the necklace.

Hand Warmer Craft Project Material:

Recycled sweater

Needle and thread

Uncooked rice

Hand Warmer Craft Project Instruction:

1. Cut out two pieces of sweater fabric from the recycled sweater, about the size of your hands.
2. Sew the two pieces of sweater together on three sides, leaving one side open.
3. Turn the sweater inside out to hide the stitches.
4. Fill the hand warmer with uncooked rice. Sew the last edge by hand or with sewing machine.
5. Embroider the finished hand warmer if you want.

To use the hand warmer, toss it in the microwave and heat on high for 1 minute.  Remove from the microwave and get ready to snuggle with the hand warmer.

This is part of a series of posts on easy preschool craft ideas series.  Today is our final post.  If you’ve missed prior preschool craft projects, be sure to catch them here – #1 Pressed Flower Picture, #2 Quick Stamp Magnets, #3 Pasta Jewelry and #4 Button Clips.  Today I’ll show you how to make Beach Treaure Pendants!

Have you ever wondered what you could do with all those beach glasses and pebbles that your children collected at the beach?  Instead of letting them hang out in their pockets until they’re forgotten, you can turn these beach treasures into wearable art.  This is a fun project that will teach your kids how to transform objects found in nature into something they’ll want to wear all the time.  Hopefully these pendants will also remind them of all fun in the sun they had!

Beach Treasure Pendant supplies:

1. A collection of beach glasses or pebbles
2. Beading wire (choose the thin & pliable type)
3. Pieces of ribbon or hemp chords (optional for attaching the pendants)

Beach Treasure Pendant instructions:

1. Cut the beading wire into roughly 1 foot long.  Find the midpoint of the wire and gently bend it to create a loop (about the size of a thumb)
2. Take one beach glass or pebble and place it right below the wire loop.  Spread the ends of the wire on both sides of the beach treasure.
3. With one hand holding the beach treasure and the wire loop in place, wrap the wire ends randomly across the beach treasure.
4. Be sure that you wrap the wire ends all over the beach treasure to secure it.
5. When the ends are down to about 1 inch length, draw the ends toward the loop at the top and wind it around the bottom of the loop.
6. The wire loop should have approximately half an inch of opening at the top so you can string the ribbon or hemp chord through.
7. String a piece of ribbon or chord to make a necklace (optional).

As usual, here are some beautiful photos of beach treasure pendants around the web for your inspiration:

This is the last of five preschool children craft ideas brought to you by Kid-Craft-Project.com.  If you liked what you’ve read, visit Kid Craft Project for more free craft ideas for kids.  If you’ve missed our previous posts on preschool craft projects, you can still catch them here – #1 Pressed Flower Picture, #2 Quick Stamp Magnets, #3 Pasta Jewelry and #4 Button Clips.