Craft Parts Blog

First lets start with defining exactly what a darning egg is and exactly what it is used for. Being 29 years old Im sad to say I had never heard of a darning egg. After learning from customers and then reasearching the wonderful world of Google, I have found that the darning egg has a strong value of history.

There was a time when every family owned a darning egg. A small wood tool with a smooth surface that made mending holes in socks and other garments much eaisier. Today you may only find these sitting on the shelves of antique stores but changes in American culture have brought new light to a timeless tool.

The basic concept of a darning egg is to hold a sock or garment tightly to focus on creating tight and long lasting stiches. Repair a comfortable sweater or add longevity to that favorite pair of socks. Either way the art of darning does save money by prolonging the life of textiles. With Americas retreat of a disposible society, the darning egg has a new life not only for repairing clothing, but also creating a chance for a parent-child to create something special by hand and enjoy good old fashioned conversation.

To make a darning egg is quite simple. Using high quality Craft Parts, you need a wooden egg and some form of handle. From Craftparts.com we used stock numbers FFE200 (Hen Egg) and HP1BIR (Shaker Peg) for the handle. With a small drill we made a hole at the top of the egg, inserted the peg and within minutes created something historic! Have fun with this project.

Making a Wooden Fish

A great idea for a craft during vacation Bible school is a wooden fish. An Ichthys is a Greek word for fish. The symbol of a fish may have been used as a secret symbol of Christianity in the early years. The symbol is now vastly known as “Jesus’ fish”.
Before you make a wooden Ichthys you should be familiar with the history behind the fish. Here is a brief background history about the symbol widely used to depict Christianity. When Jesus chose His disciples He chose several that were fishermen. These were ordinary guys who knew a lot about their trade- fishing. Jesus did not pick priests or royalty to be His closest comrades rather he chose those who were just like everybody else. Jesus tells His disciples that He was going to make them “fishers of men,” meaning they were to be the ones to lay the foundation for bringing others to Christ.

As Christians, one way of sharing their faith is through the symbol of a fish. The Ichthys are a symbolic symbol that dates back many, many years and is profound as a symbol.

A wooden fish is fairly easy to make if you have the right tools. Here are some things to have handy before you begin:
1. Scissors
2. Wooden Fish Cutout
3. Markers or crayons (anything to decorate with)
4. Craft Wire

Now that you have the supplies needed you can have your children begin their project. To save time you might want to trace the outline of a fish on to your wood product. Help the younger ones cut out their design and ask them to wait until everyone is finished.

Once everyone has finished cutting out their fish they can decorate it however they would like.

When the children are finished with their project ask them where they can hang their fish so others can see it. Tell them they can hang it on the car’s rear view mirror, in their window of their room, on their refrigerator, their Christmas tree, etc.

How To Make A Necklace!

For younger children, a wooden necklace is a great craft to make, during vacation Bible school or even at home. If you are looking for vacation Bible school crafts, you have come to the right place! In this article you will learn how to make a simple craft like a necklace and will be able to instill valuable life lessons in your children.

Before you begin this craft you should have several items handy. Those items are:
1. String (or yarn)
2.Wooden beads, these can be found online or at your local craft store)
3. Paint or anything to decorate your beads with
4. Paper plates- give one of these to your kids individually with the exact number of beads they will need.
5. Craft paper to cover your work space with so it will not get messy.
6. Craft Wire if you want a simple necklace of too had jewels or other ornaments.

Now that you have the above items you can begin helping your children assemble their necklaces.
As they walk in to the classroom, have them sit around the table. Explain to them the craft that they will be making today and give them a short speech on the importance of sharing. You can incorporate a Biblical message into your craft, or if at home you can make a list of all the people you would like to make a special necklace for. Making crafts with kids can be a tremendous amount of fun not only for them but for you too.
Explain the craft to them and pass out the paper plates to each child gathered around the table. Tell them to paint their beads or color them with assorted markers or crayons. Once your children have finished decorating their beads you can set aside the paper plates so they can have time to dry (if you used paints or glue). Allow at least 20 minutes and while you are waiting you can get the class involved in a Bible story or family time. Get them to use their imaginations and brainstorm about what they think kids did for fun thousands of years ago.
When your beads are dry, you can begin making your necklace. Ask the children to string one wooden bead at a time and encourage them to make patterns. When they are finished stringing their beads, help them tie the loose ends.
If you want more ideas for crafts with wooden beads, look online to find other beads made out of Christian symbols. You might be able to find things like hearts, crosses, stars, etc.
This project is great and simple for children 6 and up.

Chances are that at this Summer’s vacation Bible school, there will be plenty of hands on crafts for your children partake on. But if you are struggling for ideas for fun and valuable lesson crafts we have an idea for you.
A wood picture frame is a simple craft that is great for children ages 6 and up and we have Christian lessons that can be learned from making this special craft. There are several things teachers should have ready before their children can begin making their crafts and they are:
1. Glue
2. Polaroid camera and film
3. Markers, crayons, or anything to decorate your frame with
4. Oval/ Square Frame

Now that you have the above supplies you can begin brainstorming on how you would like your children’s picture frames to look. Using a thin wood compound like wood pulp, you can trace the design of yourframe and cut it out using an ordinary pair of scissors. If your children are old enough you can have them cut out your pre-drawn creations themselves. When you make your frame you obviously want to leave a hole large enough for your Polaroid picture be displayed. You can make ovals, squares, triangles, crosses, pretty much anything for the window of your frame. You also have the freedom to make whatever design you would like for the frame. Get creative and make frames that are not alike. Let the children choose which frame they like the most.
Now that you have your plain frame ready to go you can help your children decorate their personal project. While they are working, teach them the importance of sharing- this is a valuable lesson that can lead in to your conversation about Christ. Christ put others before Himself and as Christians we are called to care about others more than ourselves. You can tell your children that they can apply this by asking their friends if they can help, or let them use their favorite crayon. If your children are having a hard time sharing ask them what they would tell Jesus if He were sitting right besides them. It is important to praise your children when they show signs of sharing and helping their friends. Let them know when they are doing a great job of being “Christ like”.
When your child has finished their frames you can set them aside to dry and spend some time taking pictures of the children in your class. You may do this as the children first walk in to your craft station as well- whichever is more convenient for you. The pictures that you take will be used in the frames that your child just decorated. A great verse that can be inscribed on your picture frame can be found in Matthew 9:14, “Let the children come unto me…” In this passage we learn that Christ asks us to have faith like a child and that there is a special place in God’s heart for children and those with childlike faith. Children tend to believe in God without reservations, hindrances or doubt and if we were to all come to God like that then it would be easier to believe in Christ’s message to the world.

Wooden Cross

If you are leading a group at this Summer’s Vacation Bible School but are short on ideas for crafts, we have an idea that has significant value and is fun to make!
A wooden cross, is a simple project for children ages 6 and up and involves little supplies. When your child’s project is finished they will walk away with a better understanding of what the cross really symbolizes.
A cross, in the early centuries of Christianity was a gruesome method for executing criminals. After Jesus was hung on the cross it became a symbol for grace and forgiveness. There are many different cross designs such as the Latin cross (what we see most today), the Greek cross, the cross of Calvary, the Celtic cross, the Russian Orthodox cross, the papal cross, the baptismal cross, the budded cross, the victor’s cross, the triumphant cross with orb, and the cross of St. Peter.
Depending on what message you are trying to convey to your vacation Bible school children you can choose which cross is right for you. Spend some time researching the different meanings of each of the crosses listed above and determine which one will help portray the message you are trying to instill in your children.
Once you have decided what cross you want your children to make you can start making cut outs for your children to decorate. Using a paper template as a guide, trace your cross design on your choice of wood. Depending on how experienced you are using a jigsaw you can get as intricate as you like. However if you are not very experienced with power tools, we recommend you use a permanent marker to draw your design on your cross.
Make sure that you make enough crosses so each of your children will have an opportunity to take one home. Before you kids begin their craft, make sure they understand the importance of the cross and while they are decorating their cross let them participate by asking them questions about the significance of the cross to them.
There is a simpler way to making a cross from wood if you are looking to let your children cut out their own designs. Using a wood pulp, you can have your children draw the shape of the cross and cut it out themselves. Always keep a close watch over children using scissors and make sure that they use the tools in an appropriate manner. This is a project that when finished your children will walk away with a better understanding of what the cross is and what it means to us as Christians. Because we used hands on crafts that encourage children to use their minds, the message is more likely to “stick”. Whenever you are trying to teach a valuable lesson to children it is important to incorporate a “hands on” activity that allows them to think independently and creatively.
For more ideas or tips about making wooden crosses and Vacation Bible School craft ideas, visit us at http://www.craftparts.com

Making a puzzle out of wood

Your child probably has plenty of toys of their own but how many of their toys have been hand crafted by you? A bright and vibrant wooden puzzle is a simple project for those who may not be as crafty as others.
There are only a few supplies needed before you begin this project. Here below, we listed out the materials that you need to have on hand.
1. A jigsaw- This is important as it will be the easiest way to cut your wood.
2. Stencils- You can use this to trace your design on the wood before you cut it.
3. Paint
4. Screw and Nails
5. Wire cutters & accessories
6. Pieces of wood
7. Super glue
8. Hinges and Brass

Now that you have the supplies listed above you can begin creating your puzzle. The first thing you want to do is figure out what design you want on your puzzle. You can use stencils to trace your design and color them in with paint.
Depending on the age of the child you are making the puzzle for, you can do a variety of different designs. For example, pick a farm theme for a younger child. Choose something that uses a lot of different bright colors so you can captivate your child’s interest.
Once you have finished painting your design and it has completely dried, you can begin cutting. Imagine what a puzzle looks like and begin cutting whatever shapes and designs you want. Be sure to keep in mind the child that you are making this for. You do not want to make something too complicated for younger children.
Once your puzzle has been cut, you are ready to place the screws or nails on the individual pieces. Cut the needle point out of the thumbtack so all you are left with is a smooth end. Glue a thumb tack to each puzzle piece. This will make it easier for children to pick up the pieces. Make sure you use super glue and you can use a rubber band to hold the thumb tack to the puzzle while it dries.
Once your project has completely dried you can make a frame for the finished puzzle. Use a flat piece of wood that is slightly larger than your puzzle and cut four pieces of wood to frame it with. This will serve as a cradle for your puzzle. If you would like, you can even outline the different cuts on the stationary piece of wood to make it easier for your child to put the puzzle back together.
Once you have finished your project completely you are ready to give it to your child. This gift will be something that your child will grow to cherish. Keep it around and give it to the future generations. A handmade puzzle is certainly an heirloom and something to enjoy for many years!

* (ages 8 and up)

Once your child has picked out her favorite box she can decorate it however she wants. This is a great project because it involves minimal adult supervision. It is always a good idea to keep a watch over your child especially if you are using hot glue guns, or sharp objects like scissors. Have your child glue things to her jewelry box like multicolored jewels, glitter, foam cut outs, etc. The possibilities truly are endless when it comes to designing your own jewelry box.

Have your child paint her jewelry box and personalize it by writing the names of her friends on each one. Your child will love handing out these wooden presents to her close friends!

Boys do not have to feel left out either! They can paint their own tiny boxes and use them to store things like money or tiny treasures collected from outside.

Another neat idea is to glue seashells to the top of the box, store things found from a family vacation to the beach.

If you would like to turn your jewelry box into a modern “piggy bank” have an adult cut a slit on the lid of the jewelry box. If you are going to use your box as a bank, make sure you get a box that is deep enough to hold several coins.

Children can also glue beads or buttons to the tops of their boxes, this is a simple project that most children will love. The target age group for this project will most likely be between the ages of 8 and up. Make sure you keep an eye on smaller children and see to it that they do not eat the tiny pieces used for decoration.

Whatever you choose to do with your wooden jewelry box one thing is for certain, your child will be left with a product that they absolutely adore! For more nifty wooden craft ideas look online. The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to finding projects that are enjoyed by all ages!

* (ages 6 and up)

Have your children put on a puppet show with puppets that they created and designed themselves! What could be more entertaining than watching your children design a puppet show from start to finish?

There are several materials that you will need before you begin to assemble your puppets. Below we listed several items to have handy before you begin.

1. Fabric to cover the head

2. Craft eyes

3. Yarn for hair

4. Felt for clothing

5. Foam balls (for the head)

6. Large wooden dowel rod

Before you begin make sure that you have a large enough work space for you and your children. Also make sure you are working in an area that can get messy. Try working outside if the weather is nice or work in a garage if you are weary of making a mess.

The first step is to place the dowel rod inside of the middle of the foam ball. This will be the head and body of your puppet.

Next, take another dowel rod, not as long as the one used for the body and place it horizontally about 5 inches below the foam ball- this will be the arms of your puppet. Glue it in place and secure it by tying it with string.

The next step is to cut some felt in the shape of a shirt, make two of these identical and glue them together around the body of the puppet. You can also make some mittens out of felt and slip them over the hands of the puppet. The arms are stationary so if you want the arms to move, do not use the dowel rod and use a string instead. The children can pull the strings downward together to cause some movement in the arms.

Cover the head of the pupped with neutral colored fabric. Pull tightly and tuck into the felt shirt. You can also cover the foam ball with clay if you want a to make skin that is more form fitting. Next you can attach the eyes, and a mouth. Let your children decide what they want the face of their puppet to look like, this will be the most fun for them. Attach some yarn for the hair, felt for a smile, and some craft eyes.

Once your child has finished their puppet, have them cover two chairs with a blanket and hide behind them. This will be their stage and they can have fun giving their puppets whatever personality they choose.

Your children will enjoy playing and making their puppets come to life! Picture your child spending more time using their imagination than watching television. This simple craft will have them entertained for hours!

This project works best with children between the ages of 5 and 10. The steps to creating their puppet are not too difficult for older children and would be most enjoyed by children a little older.

For more ideas on how to keep your children entertained, there are plenty of craft ideas out there suitable for all ages.