The inspiration for this necklace was the southern migration of monarch butterflies in the Fall.

Many of our friends and relatives donate amazing things to us to re-imagine.  The wood beads in the necklace came from a mom at school.  (Thank you V.!) Together as a family they make homemade Christmas presents and then she donates the leftover items to the school.  The Kindergarten teacher has a very well loved centre called, “Make & Take” where the kids create various things of their own imagination, developing their creativity, fine motor skills and planning.  In our city we have a re-use centre where you can donate and purchase (for a small amount) all sorts of materials to re-imagine. Many other municipalities have this with the profits supporting community environmental programs, education and initiatives.  Garage sales are often another good source for fabric and supplies.  Re-using items allows us to enjoy the act of creating and reduce what potentially goes into the landfill.  Have you re-imagined something?  We’d love for you to share it with us.

Materials

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

  • Cardstock
  • Craft glue or Modge Podge
  • Paint brush
  • Tissue paper (yellow & orange)
  • Pencil/eraser
  • Lace (We recommend a magnetic detachable clasp for younger children for safety)
  • Hole punch
  • Beads
  • Permanent black marker
  • Whiteout pen (To be used with adult supervision)
  • Craft tray
  • Smock
  • Laminating supplies or clear contact paper.

Directions

  • Sketch out the shape of a butterfly.  Cut your butterfly out.

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

  • Don your smock. Tear and cover your butterfly with pieces of tissue paper, using both a layer of glue underneath and over top of the tissue paper.  Be sure to wash your paintbrush immediately after.

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

  • Allow to dry overnight in your craft tray.  Trim the excess tissue paper.
  • Repeat the process on the other side.  Allow to dry and trim.
  • Using your black pen pen, colour the butterfly’s antennae, body and wing pattern.

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

  • With adult supervision, colour in the white areas of the wing pattern with a white out pen. We did this before applying the permanent marker, but suggest the reverse as it may be easier for some children.
  • Cover your butterfly with clear contact paper (sandwiching it in between the sticky sides) or have an adult laminate it.
  • Punch two holes into your butterfly.

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

  • Lace your beads and your butterfly to create a necklace.  We used the ends to form a loop and sewed them (as seen below), hiding the excess into the bead.

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

  • Enjoy!

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

Monarch Butterfly Necklace from make-it-your-own.com (Art, crafts & activities for kids)

Purpose

  • Learning a bit about the monarch butterfly’s behaviour in Fall.
  • Cutting different materials.
  • Lacing beads etc. is a great way to develop one’s fine motor skills.

Safety Notes

  • Exercise caution when using scissors
  • Use twine, string etc. with adult supervision as it may be a strangulation hazard.
  • Remove your necklace for play (e.g., on the playground) to avoid strangulation.
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2 Responses

  1. Katie

    Wow! What an adorable idea – and lovely photos (thanks to your perfect model!)

    Reply

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