Artworks: Craft Stick Bracelets

It's been a while since we posted an artsy project. We've just really been on a "get out of the house" kick lately. So mom owes a huge thanks to Where the Watermelons Grow for their popsicle stick bracelet post! They posted their fun idea at just the right time: when we were faced with coming up with a project to do for both of our school classes during a teacher appreciation lunch. This project works great with any age. My class used markers and foam stickers (glued on by the parents with fast-drying tacky glue) to make bracelets and watches (the watches were a BIG hit -- just glue a circle of foam on the middle and draw in the watch face). Kane's used markers and self-adhesive gems (the gems were a BIG draw for the 3 and 4 year-old little ladies). And we finished the rest up at home with paint.

We followed WWG's directions and soaked the large craft sticks in water for 24 hours. They could've used a longer time to soak, but we didn't have it. Mom's since spotted a few tutorials that boil the craft sticks first for 15 - 20 minutes and we think that would be a big help -- next time! Once the sticks were sufficiently saturated, mom very slowly bent them inside small mason jars (that was the size that worked best for little wrists). Another 24 hours of drying time and we took them out. Again, they could've used some more time drying, but we didn't have it. So we rubberbanded a few that needed it the most and that worked out just fine. Can't beat a great project with such minimal supplies!