Lego Necklaces

Last week my daughter’s kindergarten class had a fundraiser at school that they call “Kindercollectibles” where they sell baked goods and small toys to kids throughout the school. This year they raised money for a local organization that helps the homeless. So it was a good lesson in charity, math and economics. The big hit of the sale were these brilliant lego necklaces that one of the mothers made. Holly has agreed to share her process with you, so here she is:
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Last summer when my daughter and I were in Cambridge, Maryland, we went to this cute shop, Sunny Side Shop, and found these cute Lego necklaces. We got pink ones. I was wearing it one day at drop off and the kindergarten boys all ran up to me and went crazy over this pink lego necklace.  The teacher asked me if I would be willing to make some by the end of the year to sell at the school’s kindercollectibles market.
I started looking into it and found out that I could make these for about $3.00 a piece.  Then, when the teacher asked me to make a couple hundred, I got busy and tried to find a cheaper way.  I got them down to $1.91 a piece.  I had paid somewhere between $8 – $12 for mine last summer.
My materials:
  • Quick drying epoxy from Fire Mountain Gems.
  • Bails from Fire Mountain Gems.
  • Ball chain from Ace Hardware ($.48 a foot, but $.39 a foot if you buy the whole 100 feet roll of it)
  • Clasps for ball chain from Ace Hardware ($.13)
  • Legos from Bricklink
Where I really started shaving off the cost of my materials is when I found Bricklink. You can go on there and find legos that are less than $.01 (a penny!!!). So we just stayed with the basic 2×2 lego brick in cool colors for this school project. To be really creative, you could build colors together, use different shapes.
This was a project we were supposed to do together. My daughter could help with some, but not all of the assembly. I did not want her dealing with the epoxy, so I did that myself. I also cut the ball chain in 16″ links, and I had to affix the fastener (she tried, but could not). My daughter did thread the lego onto the chain. She was so proud when we took the necklaces in to school.
Things I considered when getting my materials together:
1. You have to get a bail that has an opening big enough for the ball chain and one where the flat part has enough surface area to hold the glue and affix to the lego itself. I think the best is one big enough to also reach the middle of the back of the lego so you have that surface area contact.
2. I found these cute paw bails that were cuter for kids than the fancier, more expensive classic looking bail.
3.  I thought Home Depot would have the ball chain and fasteners cheaper, but they did not even carry them in bulk like Ace did.  I bet you can even find that stuff cheaper somewhere.
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Thanks, Holly! What a great idea. I think these would be a wonderful party favor or birthday gift for kids (and adults) of all ages. If you aren’t feeling up to making these, there are quite a few sellers on Etsy who sell some version of a Lego necklace.

50 More Summer Crafts for Kids

This week I’ll be continuing the month-long handmade theme with crafts and sewing projects for the kids. Gigi has compiled a new list of 50 crafts to help you keep the kids entertained this summer.

  1. Milk Carton Boats from lilla a design.*
  2. First Loom for Preschoolers from My Mommy Makes It.
  3. Dream Catchers from Natural Kids.
  4. Hot Air Balloon from Bloesem Kids.
  5. Handprint Sunflowers from Nurture Store.
  6. Nature Jar from No Time for Flash Cards.
  7. Driftwood Sailboat from Wabi Sabi Wanderings.
  8. Nature Potions from Squashed Tomatoes.
  9. Seashell Koalas from Martha Stewart.*
  10. Backyard Mural from Family Fun.
  11. Color Scavenger Hunt from Family Fun.
  12. Cootie Catcher Nature Game from 5 Orange Potatoes.
  13. Painted Sun Prints from Skip to My Lou.
  14. Friendship Bracelets from Srumdilly Do for Skip to My Lou.
  15. Nature Guides from Natural Kids.
  16. Beach Art from Artful Adventures.*
  17. Summer Necklace from Growing Up Creative.
  18. Printable Seaside Sketch Books.
  19. Seaside Windchime from Hillbilly Jillies.
  20. Sandcastle Candle from Squashed Tomatoes.
  21. Tic-tac-toe from Bunny Cakes.
  22. Seaside Shell House from Martha Stewart.
  23. Under the Sea Snack Game from Muffin Tin Mom.
  24. Insect Dioramas from Art Lessons for Kids.
  25. Swinging Spiders from Se7en.
  26. Dirt Dessert Recipe from No Time for Flash Cards.
  27. Bug Jars from lilla a design.
  28. Draw and Label Insects from Fairy Dust Teaching.
  29. Bug Catcher Necklace from Whimsy Girl.
  30. Star Fruit Bunting from Alpha Mom.
  31. Holiday Lanterns from Martha Stewart.
  32. Red, white and blue Paper Pinwheel Cupcake Toppers from The Long Thread.*
  33. Confetti Launcher from Family Fun.
  34. Confetti Pop Rockets from Alpha Mom.
  35. Fourth of July Flowers from Crafts by Amanda.
  36. Sidewalk Chalk from Alpha Mom.
  37. Summer Solstice Celebration from Love in the Suburbs.*
  38. Dice Walking from The Artful Parent.
  39. Story Stick from The Butterfly Jungle.
  40. Butterfly Fan from Maya Made.
  41. Homemade Slime from Tidy Mom.
  42. Make Your Own Fabric from Filth Wizardry.*
  43. Glow Cones from Givers Log.
  44. Butterfly Collection from Growing Up Creative.
  45. Paper Poppy Wall Art from Create, Celebrate, Explore.*
  46. Tissue Paper Lanterns from Waldorf Family Network (maybe with battery-operated lights).
  47. Raspberry and Goat’s Milk Yogurt Popsicles from Joy the Baker.
  48. Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches from Grace Violet.
  49. Watermelon Ice Cream Pie from Make and Takes.*
  50. Fruit Leather Recipe from Berlin’s Whimsy.

We’ll also have guest contributors and giveaways throughout the week, so check back!

And if you want more crafts, take a look at the list of 50 summer crafts that I posted a while back. Some websites that regularly feature crafts for kids are Skip to My Lou, Alpha MomThe Crafty Crow, and Make and Takes (see Marie’s lists of crafty websites here and here).

Wedding Flower Inspiration

Here’s some wedding flower inspiration. First up, DIY bouquets that you can keep forever.

Fabric and Greenery Boutonniere from Pixel & Hank (via Maida Vale).

Yo-Yo and Felt Flower Bouquet (featured earlier this week, but I love it) from Elizabeth Anne Designs.

Paper Bouquet from Style Me Pretty.

Fabric Boutonnieres from Once Wed.

Antique Brooches Bouquet (I can’t seem to find the original source of this image, but found it here).

Felt Bouquet from Princess Lasertron.

Butterfly Bouquet featured in Martha Stewart (this is a lovely garden-themed handmade wedding).

Anthropologie Drawer Pull Bouquet from Simply Bloom Photography (via Dallas Wedding Planner).

I also like this fabric bouquet cuff from Martha Stewart.

And now, simple floral bouquets:

Simple Pink Peonies from Martha Stewart.

Miniature Daisies from Love Stoned (can’t figure out the original source of this image).

Succulent Bouquet from This Modern Romance (and check out the beautiful dress too).

Sweet Pea Bouquet from The Knot.

Yellow and Blue Wedding from Green Wedding Shoes.

Zinnias from Floret Cadet.

Roses and Ranunculus from Caffeinerd (images from The Knot).

White Peonies and Stephanotis from Once Wed.

handMAYde

Each week this month I’ll be featuring ways to incorporate handmade projects into your life. This week it’s all about weddings! And not the royal kind. So whether you’re getting married soon or just looking for party ideas, I’ll be sharing tutorials, hosting guest bloggers and giveaways, and linking to wedding ideas all week long. I may even dig out my wedding album (husband gasps).

Incorporating handmade ideas into your wedding can sometimes save you money, but I think more importantly, it adds meaning to your special day. Today my resourceful intern Gigi has helped compile this list of ideas and inspiration. Enjoy!

  1. Colorful Paper Mobiles from Project Wedding.*
  2. Lace Photo Backdrop from Martha Stewart.
  3. PomPom Vines from Once Wed.
  4. Fabric Flower Garland from Once Wed.
  5. Succulent Wreath from Prudent Baby.*
  6. Lace Votives from Martha Stewart.*
  7. Mason Jar Lanterns from Intimate Weddings.
  8. Wedding Wands from One Stylish Bride.
  9. Cupcake in a Jar from Cakies.*
  10. Bride and Groom Cake Topper, excerpt from Handmade Weddings for My DIY Wedding Day.
  11. Wedding Menu Wheel from Design Sponge.
  12. Make Your Wedding Cake from Project Wedding.
  13. Birdcage Veil from Project Wedding.
  14. Rubber Stamp Carving Tutorial from Geninne’s Art Blog.
  15. Watercolor Tags from Project Wedding.*
  16. Watercolor Wedding Invitations from Once Wed.
  17. Printable Seed Packets from Vale Design.
  18. Yo-Yo Decor Ideas from Emmaline Bride.*
  19. Cake Pop Wedding Favors from Bakerella for Etsy’s The Storque.
  20. How to Make a Boutonniere from The Knot.

Feel free to share more ideas and links of your own wedding photos in the comments below. And stay tuned! Next week I’ll be doing a round-up of divorce crafts (kidding). Baby projects, of course!

*pictured above.

Quick Crafty Round-Up

Braided Handle Canvas Tote from The Purl Bee.

Salt Water Taffy from Vanilla & Lace (via Creature Comforts).

Cross Stitching on Linen from Fat Quarterly (guest post by Christina of The Sometimes Crafter).

Big Girls’ Romper from Crafterhours.

Charming Baby Quilt from Stumbles and Stitches.

Repurposed Bunny from Lark Crafts.

Watercolor Bows from Victoria Hudgins, featured on Bloesem.

Fabric Bookmarks from Little Birdie Secrets for Skip to My Lou.