Sea Urchin Ornaments

This week we wanted to share some final summer projects.

Hang these in a window to remind you of your summer adventures or add them to your tree at Christmas!

Materials

• Sea urchin shells (these can be purchased at tourist spots, craft stores or on Etsy)
• Wooden beads
• Cord
• Scissors
• Floral foam
• BBQ skewers
• Acrylic paint
• Brushes
• Craft tray
• Pony beads
• Optional: *Coloured beads (If you would like to skip the painting: glass ones, tassels, whatever you like! etc.)

We always find a smock helpful too:

Directions

• We wanted to paint some of our wooden beads, however, you could leave them natural in colour or use pre-painted beads to skip this step.

• Have an adult cut off the sharp points off of the BBQ skewers.

• Put a pony bead at the bottom of your skewer.  This will hold your beads in place and prevent them from sliding down when you paint them.

• “String” your beads onto your skewer.

• Insert your skewer into your craft foam.

• Don your smock.

• Paint your beads.  We find it helpful to hold the skewer with one hand at the top while you paint with the other.

• Paint as many colours as you would like for your ornament.

• Allow to dry overnight.

• Cut a length of cord (we went with our child’s arm span to allow for some extra) and fold it in half, stringing your beads and your urchin shell (we put one in the inside of the shell), down the double length of cord.

• This will lead to a loop at the top and excess at the bottom.  Knot above your beads, making a secure loop and below and then trim off your extra cord.

• Voila!

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Purpose

• Developing one’s fine motor skills (painting, lacing beads, cutting etc.)

Safety Notes

• We suggest that you wear a smock and use a craft tray to protect your clothing and surfaces.
• Use scissors with care and adult supervision.
• Cord, yarn etc. can be a strangulation hazard, therefore be sure to use with direct supervision and for its intended purpose.
• Beads can be a choking hazard therefore be sure to keep them out of the reach of children ages 0-3 years of age or those that tend to put things into their mouths.
• As a BBQ skewer can be sharp, be sure to use with care.
• If your child has a shellfish allergy, avoid this activity.