Summer Beaded Necklace

I am finding my summers are a bit different than they have been in the past, now having 2 little busy bodies. With planning, and a little more organization, we have had a blast. We have had get-a-ways, family parties, vacations planned, lots of fun play dates, and water park adventures as I am sure you all have as well.

Here is an idea for your cute little girls to do for a play date. I also think this is the perfect activity to do on a family vacation or family reunion when there is down time and the adults are chatting.

Super simple and darling.

I'm sure at some point we have all made these great beaded necklaces.  To make them, I found everything that I needed at Walmart; some type of durable string (mine is 1.8mm stretchy elastic), plastic beads, flowers, buttons, and hot glue.

There are so many fun summer activities to do with kids. Emily did a fabulous post here with some great sites to go look at. Also, don't forget to check out One Pretty Thing for all the great kid craft roundups. 

I hope everyone is enjoying there great summer plans!

Fabric Beaded Necklace- Perfect Gift For Mothers Day

Are you looking for something to make your Mom, sister, or friend for Mothers Day? Here is a fun necklace that any lady is sure to enjoy!

For One Necklace You Will Need:

Ribbon 2- 1.5"X10" pieces
Hemp 1 - 20" long piece
Small Pearl Beads - 25
Fabric Strips Dig in your scrap pile and see what you can find! My strips were 3/8 inch wide.
Handmade Beads- I used 1 large bead and 4 small beads. (See recipe below. You will be able to make 8 necklaces from this recipe if your beads are the same size as mine.)

1. Make Your Beads

1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt

3/4 cup water

Roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. I looked for household items to use as circle cookie cutter shapes (toys, cups, glue stick lid, etc.). You'll need two different sized circles for the beads: one shape for the outer circle, and one for the inner circle. Cut your beads and place on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Bake for 45 minutes at 400 degrees. Let cool for 5 minutes.

2. Cover Your Beads

Take your fabric strips wrap them around the beads. If the strip isn't long enough to cover the bead than use a little hot glue and end it and pick up with another strip where you left off. Once the bead is completely covered, use a little hot glue at the end of the fabric so that it doesn't unwind.

3. String Beads on Hemp

Take a long piece of hemp and string 25 small pearl beads on it. You will be cutting it but you don't waste much when you start with a long piece and then cut it close to the finished knot.

4. Tie Beads Together

Use the hemp pieces to link the fabric wrapped beads together. Each hemp tie should have 3 pearl beads in it. Don't tie your hemp to tight because you want your fabric beads to be able to move around and make a U shape.

5. Make a Loop on Both Ends

Make a 3 inch loop from the fabric bead to the knot (You'll need a 6 " length for the loop.) Do this to both sides of your necklace. These loops will have 5 pearl beads instead of 3.

6. Connect Ribbon to Hemp

Take your two 10" ribbon pieces and machine sew each to the hemp loops. Trim off any extra hemp length that extends past the stitches. Repeat on the other side.

7. Knot the Ends

To hide your stiching, tie a french knot covering the spot where hemp and ribbon are joined. Repeat this on the other side.

8. Cut and Burn Ribbon

Cut your ribbon end at a diagonal and then burn with a flame to ensure it won't unravel.

You are finished!

This would be just perfect gift for your Mom, paired with a cute skirt or shirt. How about for someone that has been a good role model for you or your kids (like a relative or friend)? To wrap, place the necklace in a cellophane bag with a bow and a thank you card. A message that you appreciate her example as a Mother would be welcomed by anyone. This gift would be a great way to make any "Mother" feel special!