Art Project #10: Making Beaded Sun Catchers
In continuing our 100 Days of Art Challenge we decided to make some beaded sun catchers.
I can't lie and say this was quick or easy project since it took all of us a lot of work to get the three beaded hanging catchers done, knotted and hanging in our garden.
The boys got frustrated every now and then but I told them that I often find those projects that are frustratingly hard often have the best results that I'm most happy with when they are done. Luckily, I think they felt the same way watching them hang in our garden after the activity was completed.
I started by having all three boys choose a stick I told them a good guideline was to look for one as long their palm and fingers put together and thick enough that they wouldn't be able to break it easily but that we could still easily tie string around.
They all decided to use their knives to trim all the bark off the twigs.
I started by tying a piece of fishing line around each of the boys stick a good inch or two from the outside edge. I had small plastic beads, color changing beads, and all sorts of decorative and glass beads left from jewelry making projects I've done in the past.
We talked about the importance of using beads that were large enough to be seen (no seed beads) and they all set to work, stringing on beads in a pattern that they liked.
They were thrilled to find so many colorful and cute beads in my collection and often had to work together to make sure they all got a few of their favorites. When they were done with one strand I would knot the fishing line around the final bead and start a second line of string.
Knotting the beads was quite tough and a few times I dropped the line; only to have a few beads fall off. (This was the frustrating part; whenever anyone dropped the string beads inevitably fell off!).
After beading three to four strands each they decided they were done and I took one final long piece of fishing line and tied it around the sticks at the far end on each side making a triangular loop to hang them from in our garden.
They are just beautiful when the sun strikes them!
Our other art projects:
Project 1: Painting with Hexbugs
Project 2: Tissue paper flowers
Project 3: Star Wars Crafts
Project 4: Watercolor compass circles
Project 5: Floral pens
Project 6: Watercolor outlines
Project 7: Scratch art jellyfish
I can't lie and say this was quick or easy project since it took all of us a lot of work to get the three beaded hanging catchers done, knotted and hanging in our garden.
The boys got frustrated every now and then but I told them that I often find those projects that are frustratingly hard often have the best results that I'm most happy with when they are done. Luckily, I think they felt the same way watching them hang in our garden after the activity was completed.
I started by having all three boys choose a stick I told them a good guideline was to look for one as long their palm and fingers put together and thick enough that they wouldn't be able to break it easily but that we could still easily tie string around.
They all decided to use their knives to trim all the bark off the twigs.
I started by tying a piece of fishing line around each of the boys stick a good inch or two from the outside edge. I had small plastic beads, color changing beads, and all sorts of decorative and glass beads left from jewelry making projects I've done in the past.
We talked about the importance of using beads that were large enough to be seen (no seed beads) and they all set to work, stringing on beads in a pattern that they liked.
They were thrilled to find so many colorful and cute beads in my collection and often had to work together to make sure they all got a few of their favorites. When they were done with one strand I would knot the fishing line around the final bead and start a second line of string.
Knotting the beads was quite tough and a few times I dropped the line; only to have a few beads fall off. (This was the frustrating part; whenever anyone dropped the string beads inevitably fell off!).
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| Working hard |
After beading three to four strands each they decided they were done and I took one final long piece of fishing line and tied it around the sticks at the far end on each side making a triangular loop to hang them from in our garden.
They are just beautiful when the sun strikes them!
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| Ian's |
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| Evan's |
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| Alec's |
Our other art projects:
Project 1: Painting with Hexbugs
Project 2: Tissue paper flowers
Project 3: Star Wars Crafts
Project 4: Watercolor compass circles
Project 5: Floral pens
Project 6: Watercolor outlines
Project 7: Scratch art jellyfish
These are so cool! I can see this being a group project, with everyine contributing one string!
ReplyDeleteThat would be a great idea!
DeleteThese Sun Catcher are great - must make some too!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed them.
DeleteWhat a great lesson in patience for your boys! I love how they manned up the activity by using their knives, too. Lol. Kids need to learn that not everything takes five minutes...some things, like you said are totally worth it that take even longer! Thanks for linking up at the Family Joy Linky Party!
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderful lesson in patience for sure!
DeleteWhat a great activity for kids! I can tell yours loved it, and they did a great job too! Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party! Pinned!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pin! :)
DeleteLovely garden art! I can only imagine how frustrating it was to drop a whole string of beads. Talk about perseverance!
ReplyDeleteI was so proud of them for that. I thought for sure someone was going to quit and walk away...
DeleteThese are really nifty, I was just surfing for yard art came back to my #OMHGWW and found your link. I have a ton of beads, what a great project. Thank you for sharing on our WOnderful Wednesday!
ReplyDeletePinned!!!
Hope to see you again next week!
Have a wonderful weekend!
I saw a few on Pinterest and thought it was such a great use of "odd" beads that I had no idea what else to do with. Thanks for the Pin!
DeleteI love the looks of concentration as they create their masterpieces!! Great project - Thanks for sharing at the Pleasures of the NW's DIY Party!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I loved seeing how much they were concentrating too.
DeleteA few beads have faded a bit over time but one year later and they're still in our garden. I just love looking at them.
ReplyDeleteLOVE THIS!!!! I know what we are doing at the lake for a project and the best part is that it can be a pick up anytime project for my girls and all the neighborhood kids that are always popping by looking for something fun to do. Great idea and your boys did a fantastic job! Very impressive. Thanks.
ReplyDeletebosbodaciousblog.blogspot.ca
Yes, it's the perfect anytime project!
DeleteI love sun catchers! Thanks so much for linking up with me at #AThemedLinkup 15 for Crafts and DIY, open April 15 to 25. All entries shared on social media if share buttons installed. Won’t you check out my other link parties too?
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Delete