How to make a fun Halloween spider hairband the easy way

Do you want to celebrate Halloween but can’t wear an entire costume?  Why not make this fun Halloween spider hairband and you are guaranteed smiles aplenty. 

The Halloween spider hairband is so easy to make with the help of Bowdabra bow maker so you will want to make few for gifts as well.  Wouldn’t it be great to give as a favor at a Halloween party?  Kids, as well as adults, will just love this little spider! 

Halloween spider hair band 

 Materials:

Black hairband

18 inches 1 ½” sheer black ribbon

18 inches Bowdabra bow wire

Black stiffened felt

Black felt (regular)

Black chenille stems

Glue gun and glue sticks

Mini Bowdabra bow maker

Two Halloween wiggle eyes

Compass with white pencil (To write on black felt)

Scissors

Pinking shears

Instructions:

1.   First, use the compass and white colored pencil to mark 2 ½” diameter circles on both the stiffened black felt and the regular felt. Then, cut out.

2.   Next, cut the black chenille stems into four 4 ½” pieces.  Use the glue gun to attach them to the stiffened felt circle spoke style all around.  Glue the regular felt circle on top to cover and press down. 

3.   To make the legs-- use the pinking shears to cut down the center of each section all around for a total of 8 sections.  After you have cut the leg sections trim them to long rectangles following the lines of the chenille stems.

4.    Now, glue the Felt legs/body onto the hair band.  Bend the legs as desired.  Cut a piece of black felt into a 2-inch circle and glue to the underside of the hair band.

5.    To finish, make the Bowdabra bow spider head.  Cut an 18-inch piece of Bowdabra bow wire fold in half and place in the Bowdabra bow maker.  You will have a loop at one end and two pieces of wire at the other end.

6.    Cut an 18-inch piece of 2 ½” wide sheer ribbon and insert directly into the Mini Bow maker from the top.  The ribbon piles up like an accordion.  Scrunch the ribbon until you reach the end.

7.    Use the wand to push down the ribbon tightly.

8.    Thread the two loose ends through the loop end of the bow wire and pull tightly.  Remove from the Bowmaker, tie a knot on the back and fluff the bow into a rosette shape.

9.   Finally, use the glue gun to attach the Bowdabra rosette to the center of the spider on the hair band. Glue two Halloween wiggle eyes on the front of the rosette at the base.  Then bend the legs as desired.

How to make simple duct tape earrings for Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  You can whip up these simple duct tape earrings to show your support.  You can also use this technique to make other awareness earrings using the appropriate color duct tape. 

I’ve used a pink camo duct tape to make mine for Breast Cancer Awareness, but you can alternately use a solid color pink for the same effect.

Materials:

Pink camp duct tape

Self-healing cutting mat

X-acto or craft knife

Ruler

Headpins

Small pink heart beads

Pink size E seed beads

Medium silver bead

Fish hook ear wires

Needle-nosed pliers

Hot Glue gun and hot glue sticks

Instructions:

1.     Cut two pieces of duct tape 1” x 4” using the cutting mat, ruler, and craft knife.

2.     Fold the duct tape in half together.  Repeat for the second piece of duct tape.  Now fold the duct tape into ribbon shape and use the glue gun to attach so it stays together.

3.     Next, thread onto a 2 ½” head pin in this order:  Seed bead, pink heart, silver bead.  Now poke through the top of the ribbon.  Add another seed bead.

4.     Then, using the needle-nosed pliers, bend the top of the head pin to the right.  Next, add the fishhook ear wire making sure it faces in the correct direction, and bend the wire closed. 

Light-up Pumpkin Mason jar tutorial

I always decorate for every holiday in my entry foyer. When I pulled out my fall décor I thought how nice it would be to have a seasonal light up item with a timer that would double as a nightlight. So for inspiration I took a trip to the local craft store and while there I found a cute orange mason jar. I picked up an battery powered LED timer light string at the discount store and started to make the Light-up pumpkin Mason jar.  It’s so easy you will want to make one for all the holidays as well!

Supplies:

• Orange Mason jar (If you can’t find an orange one you can spray paint a clear one.)
• Battery powered LED light string with a timer
• Black enamel acrylic paint
• Small paintbrush
• All purpose computer paper
• Tape
• Pencil or pen
• Scissors
• Green felt
• Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
• Extra large green pipe cleaner
• (Orange spray paint for clear Mason jar)

Instructions:

1.     Gather your supplies.  If you are using a clear mason jar, set aside the top and spray paint the jar orange.

2.     Draw a pumpkin face on a piece of all-purpose paper.  Cut the paper with the face to a size that will fit inside the jar.  Tape to the inside of the jar to use as a pattern.

3.     Use a small paintbrush and black enamel acrylic paint to outline and fill in the pumpkin features on the outside of the jar.  Let the paint dry completely.

4.     Meanwhile Place the control box for the light string on the green felt and outline the outside. Cut out the marked felt, make another mark where the switch on the box is and cut out a small rectangle. This will allow you to turn the light on and off.  Attach to the top of the box with the hot glue gun.  (Do not glue to the bottom where you insert the batteries)

5.     Cover the sides with green felt strips that you have cut to size attaching with more hot glue.

6.     Using some hot glue attach an extra large green pipe cleaner around the top rim of the jar.  (You will not need to use the lid)

7.     Fill the jar with the LED lights and run the end of the string with the felt covered switch box behind the jar. Set the light timer.