If you have a tween that likes to get together with the girls and is crafty, here are some things that she can make as gifts. They are great projects at parties, too.
Poetry Pots
Materials:
- Plastic flowerpot
- Acrylic paints in bright colors
- Foam brush
- Paint pens
- Your favorite poem
- Varnish
Directions:
- Use the foam brush to paint the flowerpot with acrylic paint. Let dry. Use two coats, if necessary.
- Use the paint pen (in a contrasting color to the flowerpot) and start at the very top to write your poem in a circular motion going down in a spiral. Hold the pot with one hand in the center to make it easy to turn as you write. Remember to write large enough to see the words. Let dry.
- Seal with varnish to protect the paint from chipping, using a foam brush.
Designer Wrapping Paper
Materials:
- Grocery bag
- Silver, gold, or any metallic-colored paint
- Foam brush
- Foam stamps or stencils
Directions:
- Cut the bag down the seam and cut out the bottom. If the bag is pretty creased, you can iron it with a very low setting.
- With the print side of the bag down, start decorating. Use foam stamps and stencils to create designs on the bag. Put the patterns close together so they will look uniform when wrapping. Let dry.
- Use clear packing tape to wrap, as regular scotch tape will not hold the thickness of the bag as good as stronger tape.
Homemade Lip Gloss
Materials:
- 1/4 cup of vegetable oil or almond oil
- 1 teaspoon of beeswax, chopped into small pieces
- 5 drops of essential oil (whatever kind you desire)
- Microwave-safe plastic cup or glass jar
- Plastic spoon
- 6 empty mint tins that are clean and dry
Directions:
- Pour the oil into the plastic cup or glass and add the beeswax.
- Microwave the oil and wax for 1 minute, stirring every 20 seconds, until the wax is melted.
- To test the base of your lip gloss, dip the plastic spoon into the melted oil and wax. Put the spoon on a piece of aluminum foil or wax paper and put it into the freezer for about 1 minute to let it cool. Take it out. If it is too hard or you desire a shinier finish, add more oil. Only add a little at a time at this point.
- Now add the essential oil to the base and stir well.
- If you want to make the lip gloss sparkle, add a pinch of superfine glitter to the mixture.
- Place the lip gloss in empty mint tins and give to your friends.
Bead Bracelets
Materials:
- Beads to make a pattern
- Clear beading elastic
- Needle with a small eye
- Clear nail polish
- Scissors
Directions:
- Cut a length of elastic about 6 inches longer than you want the bracelet to be.
- Thread the needle with the elastic.
- Tie a knot in the elastic about 2 inches from the end. Make sure the knot is bigger than the hole in your beads.
- Dab the knot with some clear nail polish and let it dry.
- String the beads onto the elastic, making a pattern as you go. Do this until you reach the length you want the bracelet to be.
- Unthread the needle and tie the two ends of the thread together. Knot it securely. Dab the knot with clear nail polish. Run the excess thread back through the beads for an inch or two.
The copyright of the article Friendship Crafts in Tween Trends is owned by Denise Oliveri. Permission to republish Friendship Crafts in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
