CRAFTS ENCOURAGE HOLIDAY CHEER

Crafts

handmade treasures encourage hoLiday cheer

by Hunter Harrell

Darker days at the beginning of winter can make anyone feel restless. Summon the holiday spirit with some fun crafts for all ages. First, grab some supplies from Art & Supply House & Custom Framing or Scrapbook Nook. Then enjoy an evening of hands-on entertainment and make decorations to display during the holidays.

Bottle cap ornaments

Supplies: paint, paint brushes, hot glue gun, ribbon, scissors, bottlecaps

Gather supplies, then start with painting the bottle caps as desired.

Once the paint has dried completely, add details, such as snowman features or letters to create a holiday word. Next, glue bottle caps to a piece of ribbon, leaving enough space at the top to make a loop with the ribbon to hang on the tree.

Chalk paint ornaments

Supplies: chalk paint, paint brush, chalk, plastic ornaments or wood slices, ribbon or twine, hot glue gun

First, coat the ornament with chalk paint. (If using plastic ornaments, remember to remove the top for easy painting and replace when paint dries.) After chalk paint is completely dry, add unique designs with chalk, chalk markers or chalk paint pens. If using a wood slice, glue ribbon or twine to the top and display from the tree.

Paper plate lollipops

Supplies: paper plates, paint, cellophane or plastic wrap, ribbon, wooden dowels or sticks, hot glue

Paint the bottom of two paper plates to make one lollipop. Let the paint dry, then cut a small notch in the same space in each paper plate. With painted sides facing outward and notches lined up, glue the two plates together, then secure the wooden dowel or stick in the notch with hot glue. Wrap in clear or tinted cellophane and tie a ribbon around the dowel.

Holiday logs

Supplies: chopped wood, sandpaper, paint, fabric

It’s firewood – made more fashionable by some fabric and paint.

Use logs with an even bottom and a diagonally sliced top. Consider sanding the surface of the sliced top to create a smooth canvas, then paint festive characters, such as the Nutcracker, Santa or Frosty the Snowman, on the exposed wood. Use a piece of fabric wrapped like a scarf around the logs for added flair.

Coffee cozies

Supplies: felt, glue or velcro strips, buttons, construction paper, markers ribbon, disposable cardboard cozy

Say goodbye to cardboard coffee cozies and hello to festive fun. Take a disposable cardboard cozy and dissemble to use as a pattern. Trace the shape on the felt, then cut it out. Wrap the felt around a cup and mark the spot on the inside to place Velcro or glue. Design to your heart’s desire using buttons, felt, paper, markers and ribbon.

Village display

Supplies: wrapping paper, tape, glue, scissors, empty boxes (cereal and granola bars, frozen foods, etc.) and decorative items like buttons, candy, ribbon, etc.

Countryside cottages and frozen ponds or city streets and shops?

It’s common to see elaborate displays donning mantles and tables during the holidays. Start by wrapping boxes and decorating them to look like buildings. Use some extra cardboard boxes to shape roofs on the buildings and decorate with doors and windows, then add some landscape items, like fences and trees.

Display and sprinkle with snow confetti.