KIDS-MADE CRAFT IDEAS (PART 1)
By Tony(a) Lemos, HF Contributing Writer

Kids-Made Wrapping Paper, Holiday Cars, Gift Tags & Boxes

Many families use wrapping paper, cards, gift tags and boxes for the holidays! All you need to get started is newsprint, cardstock paper, used magazines, small boxes, paint, crayons, rubber stamps, and embellishments in holiday colors. Then gather the kids and let them go to town!

These can be decorated and embellished several ways:

• Wet on Wet Watercolor
• Wax Crayon Resist (First example; Second example)
• Collage
• Stamping using foam stamps or rubber stamps or even creating/carving your own

Try making sets. A set of 6 matching holiday cards and envelopes. Or make an embellished set that includes an envelope, card and wrapping paper. Take the opportunity to talk about patterns and repetition, technique and style.

Here are some links to inspire:

• Creative ways to re-use old cards
• Bird Beak Pop-up Card
• Puzzle cards
• Ornaments
• Kids Craft Weekly Cards Issue

For a more advanced projects try making paper. Here are some links to get you started:

• Make Your Own Paper, with Crafty Daisies and Mainly Zaz
• Check out this Making Paper Tutorial
• And this Making Paper Pictorial

Tony(a) Lemos

Tony(a) is the director of Blazing Star Herbal School in Ashfield, MA and maintains an herbal practice in Northampton, MA. She is a graduate of Natural Therapy at Raworth College in England and has apprenticed with many influential herbalist, including Susun Weed. She is the vice president of the North East Herbal Association, and has taught at conferences and festivals all over New England, including Green Nations Gathering and the Women’s Herbal Conference. tlemos@noho.com