Hand Made Clay Necklaces - Cool Gift Idea!

I saw this idea in the current issue of Family Fun Magazine.  I love to have the kids make something for the grandparents for Christmas instead of buying something.  I think it means more to my parents and in-laws to have something handmade, and I like that my kids put some serious focus and energy into a project that they are making to give to someone else.  Like a lot of kids, mine want to keep everything for themselves, from pine cones they find at the park to that really cute teeny tiny blueberry.  Ok, maybe my kids are a bit weird.

But anyway, these necklaces are a super easy and cute craft and gift!  You can help younger kids by making the clay shape for them, and older kids can do their own or use a cookie cutter shape (we used play dough shapes).  The kids both had a great time sticking the beads into the clay.

I also like this craft because you need to buy glass beads - plastic ones would melt when you bake the clay (might be kind of cool too!), and this week at Michael's all beads are half price!  Perfect time to shop.  You can also get a large block of oven bake clay for about $8-$9, and if you kept a flyer from the weekend paper you can use a 50% off coupon.  So not a bad outcome for a pretty special creation!

Laura Moss

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Beaded Clay Necklaces

Surprise someone with a boho-inspired mosaic necklace your child can proudly say she made herself. Working on foil (so that the piece can be transferred to the oven), roll or press oven-bake polymer clay into a sheet about 1/4 inch thick. Use a dull knife to cut out a shape. Create a hole or two for the cord with a toothpick, wiggling it to widen. Press small glass beads firmly into the clay. Once the design is done, check the holes and reopen any, if needed. Bake the clay as directed. Coat the cooled piece with clear nail polish and add a cord.

Originally published in the December/January 2013 issue of FamilyFun magazine