Tag Archives: surprise ball

DIY Beaded Necklace Kit Gift

15 Wednesday May 2013

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My kids love stringing beads and making necklaces.  These pony beads are large enough for little fingers to grasp, and are a good exercise for fine motor skill development.  I originally put sets of beads and leather cord inside our Easter surprise balls this year.  The leather cord can be knotted on one end when stringing and then simply tied when necklace is complete.  We decided to make this set as a gift for a friend.  These kits would also make great party favors.  To make your own Beaded Necklace Gift Kit you will need:

*Variety of Pony Beads, Sequins and Other Beads with Large Openings

*Leather Cord to Fit Bead Openings

*Small Clear Plastic Envelopes

*Wooden Box

1. Open large packages of beads, place a few into plastic envelopes and seal.  We organizing our beads by color and shape.

2. Measure and cut lengths of leather cord and wind into circle.  Be sure cord is long enough to fit over child’s head when the ends are tied.  (Or you could also make bracelets).  Put into envelope and seal.

3. Place plastic envelopes into wooden box.

4. Wrap up the Necklace Kit or place into party favor bags.

5. Have fun beading!

A Beautiful Surprise Ball

18 Monday Mar 2013

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We have been thinking about Easter around here and I was reminded of the beautiful surprise ball our friends gave us last year.  The swan-shaped ball was made by the insanely talented paper artist Anandamayi Arnold.  Arnold sells her pieces at Tail of the Yak in Berkeley, CA.  Anthology Magazine had a lovely article about Arnold last year.  Our swan sat on our mantel for a couple of days before Ada could no longer stand the temptation.  She had almost as much fun unwrapping as I did watching her.  I was inspired to make our own Easter Egg Surprise Ball for Ada’s basket last year and I am busy gathering contents for this year’s versions…
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Beautiful Thing

03 Thursday May 2012

Posted by in Likes, Party!, Projects, Vintage

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Early Mother’s Day Gift for me from Ada. She has been talking about Mother’s Day for two weeks now and I was sure she was only excited about the prospect of eating cake to celebrate.  She used some of the contents of the surprise ball I gave her for Easter to make this sculpture.  This is the exact thing I would have wished for when I was three.  And she gave it to me.  Totally made me cry.

Easter Egg Surprise Ball

04 Wednesday Apr 2012

Posted by in Likes, Party!, Projects, Shop, Vintage

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I have been wanting to make a surprise ball since I spotted one at Kiosk a few years ago.  And then this week our friends brought us an amazing swan version from Tail of the Yak in Berkeley.  (More on that beautiful surprise ball in a later post).   Ada had so much fun unwrapping the swan that I decided to make her an Easter version for her basket.  This is an easy project that can be customized for any recipient.  You will need:

*Crepe Paper Streamers (at least 3 colors)

*Tiny Goodies (We wrapped: a vintage bracelet, stickers, vintage buttons, temporary tattoos, a dollar coin, a tiny rubber stamp, a bag of glitter, tin bird pins)

*Felt (or stickers or rubber stamps to decorate)

*Glue stick

*Scotch Tape

*Pinking Shears or Scissors

1. Wrap crepe paper around the first treasure and form a rough egg shape.  Remember this will be the last to be unwrapped so make it a good one!

2. Continue wrapping until first object is completely covered.

3. Cut crepe paper with pinking shears and use masking tape to attach a new color.

4. Insert the next goody and continue to wrap.  Be sure to gently pull the crepe paper taught as you go.

5. Repeat, changing the streamer color with every new object.  Position objects to create a rounded egg shape.

6. Once all objects are inside, use the glue stick to stick down streamer end and apply felt circles or stickers for decoration.

7. Let the fun begin!