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.

Scrapbooking is a fun activity to do with kids and adults of all ages. In this project, you will learn how to make your own scrapbook stamps using a few simple objects.  These stamps will give your scrapbooking an unique look – one that cannot be simply bought at a store!

Scrapbook Stamp Kit Material:

A handful of buttons in different sizes.  These buttons should have texture; otherwise, the stamps won’t work very well.

A bag of craft corks in different sizes.  You can find this at your local craft store.

Glue

Stamp pads in various colors

Scrapbook Stamp Kit Instructions:

1. Match the buttons to corks. Each cork end should be slightly smaller than the corresponding button.
2. Glue the button’s back side to the cork end with the glue.
3. Make as many stamps as you have buttons.
4. Allow the stamps to dry.
5. That’s it. You can start stamping away. Put a paper towel under the paper to give the stamp more give; it’ll make a prettier impression.

Bonus idea: Make a bunch of stamps and pack them in a pretty box with some stamp pads.  This will make a great gift for the happy scrapper in your life.

Do you love traveling?  Do you have a lot of old maps that are too sentimental to throw away, yet you don’t have a place to display them, so they end up cramming the bookshelf and never see the light of day?  Since I’m a big hoarder and I never throw anything away, I’m always looking for ways to re-use the stuff I collect and um, reduce the clutter at the same time.  Naturally I’m a big fan of this type of projects, where you take something sentimental to you and re-create it in a way that’s functional and beautiful.  This around the world coaster project is one of my favorite.  It’s a perfect match for those old maps, but you can also use anything that you wish to keep – program notes from an old play or candy wrappers that your kids have collected over the years. I’ve also made coasters out of foreign money to good effect – it’s a great conversation starter every time I use it!

Around the World Coasters Material:

A set of cork coasters
Paper to cover the coasters with – old maps, posters, candy wrappers, etc
Mod Podge
A brush

Around the World Coasters Instructions:

1. Cut your paper into the shape of the coasters.
2. Glue the paper onto the coasters with Mod Podge.

Apply another layer of Mod Podge on top of the paper to seal it.