How to make quick and colorful aquarium gravel earrings

Make these aquarium gravel earrings, then just sit back and enjoy the compliments!  You can make an inexpensive jewelry gift this Christmas using unusual supplies. The results are super unique and definitely won’t break the bank!

Use clear dimensional glue and various colored aquarium gravel to make a pair of elegant aquarium gravel earrings in any color you desire.  I used sterling silver jewelry findings readily available in the craft stores but you can substitute nickel free versions if you desire.  Be ready for everyone to ooh and aah and be amazed at how you created them!  Who says jewelry has to be ordinary?  These aquarium gravel earrings are the perfect gift teens and that unique adult on your gift list.

Handmade gifts are always a hit since you are giving not only a personalized Christmas present, but are also gifting from the heart.

Materials:

Aquarium gravel in any color or combination of colors you desire

Clear dimensional glue (I used dimensional magic)

Tacky craft glue

Tweezer

Small bottle cap bevels

Jump rings

Fish hook ear wires

Needle nosed pliers

Instructions:

1.     First, gather all your supplies.  Add a bit of tacky craft glue in the center of your bevel.  Use tweezers to pick up and add the small colored gravel pieces in the glue and let it set for a few minutes.

2.     Next, slowly add some of the dimensional glue on top of the glued gravel.  Do not shake the dimensional glue so you don’t get any bubbles.  Fill the bevel to the edges.  Set aside to dry. (I like to give it at least 24 hours)

3.     Now that your dimensional glue has dried, you will need to add the jewelry findings. 

4.     First using the needle nosed pliers, twist to open a jump ring.  Add to the bevel.  Then add another jump ring if necessary to assure that when the fish hook ear wires are added they are facing the correct direction.

5.     Add the ear wires and close the jump ring with the same twisting motion.

6.    That's it!  Wasn't that super easy?  You can purchase earring cards at the craft store for a professional look.

Make a quick and easy sleepover breakfast party favor

You will surely be the hit of the party when you make a sleepover breakfast party favor for each of your child’s guests. For one thing, breakfast is on the table in a flash and the best part is the surprise detachable hair bow with each treat.

School will soon be back in session and with it comes sleepovers. After they play till the wee hour who wants to get up and fix a big breakfast? Adults and kid’s especially love cereal. In fact,  you can get a different one for each taste and dietary needs. I used the round tubs but you can easily substitute the little rectangular boxes instead.

Make a sleepover breakfast party favor for each girl in all the same color or change it up to match each one’s fave. Then, after the party each guest will get to take home a lasting memento. And you will have less clean up and more fun.

Lets make a sleepover breakfast party favor

Materials:

            Individual Cold or hot cereals
            Plastic spoon for each sleepover breakfast party favor
            7/8” grosgrain ribbon in desired color
            Hot glue and hot glue sticks
            Mini Bowdabra bow maker with hair bow tool
            Bowdabra bow wire
            Rhinestone, cabochons, button or other bling for the center of bow
            Alligator hair clip

1.    First, gather your supplies. To start, measure how much ribbon you will need to wrap around the cereal container.

2.    Starting at the bottom, add some hot glue to the center. Attach the end of the ribbon and begin to wrap around adding more hot glue as you go. Continue to wrap up the sides and across the top. Don’t add any glue to the top center since that is where you will insert your spoon.

3.    Then, continue gluing and attaching ribbon down the other side till you meet at the other end. Check to see that the spoon will easily fit under the ribbon on the top. Set aside.

Make the hair bow for the top of the cereal

4.    Next make the bow. First, cut a piece of Bowdabra bow wire 18” long, fold in half and insert into the Bowdabra. You will have a loop on one side and two loose wires on the other.

5.    Now, cut a 15” piece of 7/8” wide grosgrain ribbon, then fold in half to find the center and insert into the Bowdabra.

6.    Then you make a loop with one end, bring it around and insert the end under and into the Bowdabra.

7.    Now, Bring the other end across the first loop, bring it under and insert the end into the Bowdabra. To clarify, it will look like an X.

8.    Now, to finish the bow, push the first loop into the Bowdabra, then push the second (top loop) into the Bowdabra and you will form the bow.

9.    Scrunch down with the Bowdabra wand.  Insert the two loose wires through the loop and pull tight while the bow is still in the Bowdabra. Remove the bow, turn to the back and tie a knot. Tie a second knot and then arrange the bow if necessary.  Finally, using the hot glue gun attach an alligator clip to the back of the bow. Cut off any extra wire. You may optionally add a small charm, rhinestone or ornament to the center of the bow with some more hot glue because you can never have too much bling!  Lastly, attach the removable hair bow to the spoon on the top of the sleepover breakfast party favor.

You can find Bowdabra bow maker at just about every craft store and Walmart!