Now that I have a chance to focus and reflect after the 6 crazy weeks of Summer Reading Program, (*SRP is FUN, but very busy!!) I can recap some programs that passed.
Way back (those two words always remind me of the Way Back Machine, have you ever tried it?!?--oh I've digressed)...
Way back in May, I honored Mother's Day with the First Friday Art Club. I like to consider holidays as opportunities for my teens and tweens to make gifts to give, rather than keep. Considering May is for Moms, we learned how to make beads with simple materials and instructions, so the techniques could be copied at home.
I collected maps, magazines, weekly grocery ads, even paper from recycling bins to supply the program. Very
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| simple supplies and instructions led the way to complete creativity |
I began the program with this simple handout showing 3 main bead shapes to give inspiration.
After a few minutes of demonstration on cutting the paper on a protective surface (we want to keep our tables forever and ever) everyone chose their paper and were on a roll, literally.
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| Bamboo skewers provided a great tool for rolling and drying the beads. |
Aside from scrapbook paper, which I purchased for another program, Mod Podge was the critical element used to seal these beads. We wrapped the paper around a stick, sealed the end with glue, then slathered the bead in Mod Podge to give it a hard feel and glossy appearance.
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Participants got creative with other accessories, like beads purchased from a craft store.
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This craft was quick, easy, relaxing, and, best of all, cheap inexpensive nearly free!
The results were just like items found online or in specialty shops. It's always gratifying to have successes as simple as this program.
The few beads that were left will be saved for another time,
but I did have fun putting them to use. :-)
