How to Make Miniature Cherry Pies for Your Dollhouse

Dollhouses are awesome toys that people of all ages can enjoy. It is fun to play with dollhouses, but it is even more fun to create your own personal dollhouse accessories. Polymer clay is a great medium for creating dollhouse miniatures. This article will teach you how to make a cherry pie using polymer clay.

For this craft project you will need beige clay, red clay, a scissor, paint, and a bottle cap. Start by making the pie crust. Use a bottle to roll out the beige clay, and if you are having problems with the clay sticking use baby powder on the surface that you are rolling the clay out on. Cut a circle slightly bigger than the bottle cap, and press it into the bottle cap.

Fold the crust over around the edges, and pinch them together to create a crust. Use the dull edge of the scissors to create a pattern on the crust by pressing down, skipping a space, and pressing down again. Continue around the crust until it is complete. Save the rest of the rolled out beige clay for the top of the crust.

To create the cherry filling roll a ball of red clay that will fit inside the bottle cap crust. Push the ball into the pie crust and flatten it down so that it s not much higher than the bottle cap. Next create a long strand of red clay and cut it into little pieces. Roll these little pieces into tiny balls to simulate cherries. Cover the top of the pie with the red balls. Press these balls into the top so that they stay, but remember to not let them lose their round shape.

Next using the scissors cut long strips of the rolled out beige clay. The strips must be long enough to cover the pie. Now starting at the one side of the pie lay a strip across and pinch the ends into the crust. Skip a space, and add another strip; continue with this until the pie covered with strips and spaces all the way across. Next you must start crisscrossing the next strips so that the pie is completely covered in a cross hatch pattern.

After this is done, and all the pie crust strips have been firmly attached; you can bake the pie in the oven for about 10 minutes. When the pie is cool you can paint the bottom of the bottle cap to match your dollhouse kitchenware.

How to Make Polymer Clay Daisy Pendants

Polymer clay is one of my favorite materials to use for everything. It is cheap, easy to use, and it bakes hard right in your oven in no time. There are so many fun things you can make with polymer clay, and this article will describe how to make a daisy flower pendant using polymer clay and a little imagination.

The simplest flower pendant you can make using polymer clay is a daisy. To make this flower you will need white, yellow, and green clay; you will also need a wooden skewer or knitting needle, a pin, and a knife. This project is easy, and children of many ages can complete it with adult supervision.

Now start by making a small orange ball for the inside of the flower. Now make several small white balls that are about the same size of the orange ball. Now roll those balls into tube like shapes, and press them slightly flat. Pinch one end of these white petals and press them onto the orange base. When all the petals are attached use the pin to poke some small holes into the orange ball; this will give the flower a more realistic look.

Use a small tube of green clay to make a circle around the skewer. Next take one or two small green balls and press them slightly flat. Now pinch both sides of the green shapes so they resemble leaves or a diamond shape. Using the knife cut an indented line down the middle of each leaf, and push them onto the green circle.

Next use the knife to cut some light lines in the green ring where you will be attaching the flower head. If you have some liquid sculpt you should add some to the lines you have made. Press the flower head gently on these lines until it sticks. Bake in the oven at the specified degrees for about 15 minutes. Make sure to check the flower so it does not cook to long.

Remove the flower and let cool for about half an hour before you remove the skewer. Be gentle because you do not want to break the base. Simply string the pendant on some ribbon or a nice chain, and it is ready to wear.

If you would like to add some special details to this pendant you can use acrylic paint after the pendant has been baked and cooled. To add some pretty color to the petals brush a little paint onto the inside of the petals and brush a little pigment powder on the centers after the paint is almost dry. You can also add some glitter to the edges for fun. These pendants are a lot of fun to make, and they can be personalized to suit anyone's tastes.

How to Make a Princess Fairy Crown

Every little girl wants to be a princess at some point, and most little girls love fairies. I have a three-year-old niece, and she loves to play dress up. I am always trying to figure out new fun projects that she will enjoy. For her third birthday she was having a pink flower party, so I made her a pink princess fairy flower crown. This article will teach you how to make one.

First you will need some pipe cleaners; you can use all different colors, but I used pink because it was the party theme. You will also need a hot glue gun, one or two hot glue sticks, and ribbon. To add some fun decorations you can also add fake flowers, glitter, and fake gemstones to this crown.

The first step to making this crown requires that you make a base for it. This can be done by simply using several pipe cleaners. Start by making a loop at the end of one pipe cleaner. Wrap the end of the pipe cleaner tight so the loop stays, and then you can twist another pipe cleaner around the first one to elongate the base. Make a loop at the other end the same way you made the first. This is the perfect base for a crown.

Now you will use some other pipe cleaners to add height to the crown. I like to start by finding the middle of the base. You can figure this out by folding the base in half. Now find the middle of another pipe cleaner and twist the two middles together. Now make loops on either side of the middle using the ends of the pipe cleaners. These loops will make an M shape on the base of the crown.

Next using another pipe cleaner you can add even more height, and this will make the crown even more detailed. Start by twisting the ends of the new pipe cleaner to the far right and left sides of the M shape; next twist the top of the pipe cleaner you have just attached so that it has a loop. Now you can add other pipe cleaners to the base to create more intricate designs, or you can leave the base the way it is.

Now using your ribbon and hot glue gun, glue one end of the ribbon to the far side of the M shape. Wrap the ribbon around the crown until you reach the loop and glue the ribbon to the end before the loop. Now tie some more ribbon through the loop by folding it in half and pushing the ribbon loop through the pipe cleaner loop. Now pull the ribbon ends though the ribbon loop, and pull it tightly. Repeat this on the other side, and you will use these ribbons to tie the crown around your head.

I like to add fake flowers and gem stones to the crown to make it really stand out and sparkle; I will use the glue gun to add these special details. This crown is a beautiful creation for any little girl, and it is a fun project to help inspire their imagination.

How to Make a Miniature Clay Fruit Bowl for Dollhouses

I love making miniatures, and I have a lot of fun with it. I make miniatures for my own dollhouse, and I sell some miniatures on my art site to other dollhouse enthusiasts. These little treats are fun and easy to make. Here are some detailed instructions on how to make your own fruit bowl.

First you will need to get your clay together. You will need a medium size ball of yellow clay, a little ball of red clay, a little ball of orange clay, a medium size ball of purple or green clay, a small ball of black clay, and a small ball of white clay. Next you will need a sewing needle; I like to have a pointy needle and a dull needle handy. A kitchen knife is also very useful; it does not have to be very sharp.

Each fruit is very simple to make and can be made with very few steps. Here is a simple walk through on fruit making.

Bananas are a lot of fun , and you can make one or a whole bunch. First roll your yellow out into a tube, and cut equal sections about 3/4ths and inch long. Press the tube lightly on a hard surface to give it 4 edges. Now bend the tube into the crescent shape of a banana and pinch the ends so that the banana tapers. You can now add a little black blob to the end to make a stalk, and you can push several bananas together to create a bunch.

To make an apple you must pinch one end of the red ball of clay. Now set the ball on a hard surface with the narrower end down. You can then press the round end of the needle into the top creating a little hole; also make sure to push down around the hole so it resembles an apple with a dip in the top. Now use a little black to make a stem and push it into the hole. Use the flat part of the needle to give the bottom rounded edges. This can be accomplished by pressing the needle flat across the bottom 2 or 3 times.

The make an orange simply poke several holes into the orange ball of clay. Make sure to poke one hole slightly bigger than the other holes. You can fill that with a little bit of black as well.

Finally my favorite fruit to make is the grapes. Make a small ball out of 1/3rd of the purple or green clay. Next make many smaller balls and attach them to the bigger ball in any playful form you want.

How to Make a Floral Tiara for a Spring Wedding

You can make your own floral tiara for your spring wedding. Floral accessories are a must for spring weddings, and a tiara is perfect for the bride's big day. This article will provide you with detailed instructions on creating the perfect floral tiara for your special day in spring.

When creating a vine tiara you will need a few thin vines, a bowl of water, string, scissors, and wire. Start by bending and wrapping a few vines together into an appropriate length for the tiara. Then bend the length of vines to make a U shape. Only bend the vines as far as they will go, and tie the string around the other end of the vines. This will keep the bended shape in the tiara.

Soak the vines in the bowl overnight. If the vines need to be bended more to make the correct shape, you can undo one end of the string, bend it more, and reattach the string. After the vines have dried wrap the second side in wire, trim the ends, and remove the string. The crown will keep its shape; you can add combs to the sides of the tiara using hot glue if you would like more stability.

Adding floral accents to your crown is important for spring weddings. Springs leaves for several appropriate flower choices such as daisies, anemones, apple blossoms, and lilies are all perfect spring flowers for a bride, and there are plenty of colorful flowers to add detail and beauty to tiaras. Begonias, cherry blossoms, and dahlias are bright flowers that will stand out in a crown.

Using a hot glue gun to add items is the best option, and there are many other items that look great in a spring wedding tiara. Adding pine cones, leaves, and acorns are a fun idea for these floral tiaras, and curly bits of vines, shells, feathers, and dried berry clusters add accent to these pieces. Adding beads, wire, gems, feathers, and glitter pigment will make your tiara sparkle. Jewelry findings, iridescent marbles, and pearls also add shine to your spring wedding crown.

Making a floral tiara for your spring wedding is inexpensive and easy. The tiara is a focal point of any outfit, and a handmade crown will make you really stand out this spring.

How to Make a Rose Pendant Using Polymer Clay

Roses are also fun flower pendants that look lovely when worn. They are also easy and fun to make, and all you will need for this pendant is a large ball of red clay, a medium ball of green clay, a skewer and a knife.

Wrap a small cylinder of green clay around the skewer. Next take two small green balls and press them slightly flat. To create a leaf shape, pinch both sides of the green shapes so they look like a diamond. Use the knife to cut a line down the middle of each leaf, but make sure to not push so hard because you are only adding detail; you are not cutting the leaf in half.

When you are making the leaves for this flower you can add some detail to make it look more like a rose. Use the knife to add a pointy edge to the leaves. This can be achieved by simply pushing the edge of the knife into the edge of the leaf. Skip a spot and repeat all the way around the edge. Attach the leaves to the green ring.

To make the rose you will need to roll the red clay out into a long tube. Next use your knife to cut the tube into sections; when doing this part start by cutting a small section, and slowly increase the size of the section. You should end up with about six petals depending on how big your rose is going to be. Roll these sections into balls, and using your thumb press the ball flat.

Start making your rose by rolling the small its petal into a spiral like shape. Next use your second smallest petal to wrap half way around the spiral; use the third smallest petal to slightly overlap the second petal and slowly move around the base petal. Keep wrapping petals around until you run out of petals. Finally bend some of the petals out from the middle to make the rose look like it is blooming. If you want to make it look like a rose bud leave the petals the way they are.

Flatten the bottom of the rose by holding the sides and pressing it against a table or other flat surface. Now use the knife to make some cross hatched marks in the flat part of the rose. Make similar marks at the part of the green circle that you are going to attach the flower to. Push these two pieces together. If you have some liquid clay you can brush some onto the hatch marks before you push them together.

Bake the pendant in the oven for about 15 minutes, and allow to cool before removing the skewer. When the pendant is done string it on some ribbon, and you will love wearing this polymer clay rose pendant.

Flag Day Crafts to Make with Preschool Kids

Flag Day commemorates the acceptance of the flag in the United States, and it as a fun holiday for making patriotic crafts with preschool kids. These fun crafts are easy for young children, and they help develop motor skills , coordination, and creativity. This article provides instructions on creating Flag Day crafts with your preschool kids.

Star Hangers

Stars hangers are a pretty item to decorate your door, and preschool kids will enjoy this easy craft. You will need red, white, and blue construction paper, scissors, a pencil, glue, and a paper plate. You will also need ribbon or string to hang the craft.

Start by helping kids draw star shapes using the pencil. Then supervise as children cut the stars out of the paper. Then the children can cut several strips from the colored construction paper. Help kids decorate the entire paper plate with the strips. Then glue the star to the center. Finally glue a loop of ribbon to the back of the flag craft so it can be hung up.

Patriotic Wind Sock

Another easy craft is a patriotic wind sock. Red, white, and blue tissue paper, scissors, tape, pipe cleaners, and ribbon are required for this project. Help children cut several long strips from the tissue paper. The strips should be about a foot long. Help kids lay the strips out flat on a table.

Overlap the strips and add tape to attach them to each other. Then assist as kids tape a pipe cleaner to the top length of the strips. Repeat the process to the bottom of the tissue paper using another pipe cleaner. Leave about an inch of pipe cleaner hanging off the end of the tissue paper collage.

Help kids bend the pipe cleaners into a circle. This will make the tube part of the wind sock. Secure the circle by twisting the pipe cleaner ends to each other. Then help children attach more strips of tissue paper to the bottom of the sock. To finish this project and make it hangable, cut a piece of ribbon about 6 inches long. Tape one side of ribbon to the inside of the top of the wind sock. Then tape the other end on the opposite side of the inside of the wind sock.

Stars and Stripes Garland

Another easy craft for preschool kids to create for Flag Day is a stars and stripes themed garland. For this craft you will need red, white, and blue construction paper, tape, scissors, and pencils. Help preschool kids draw several stars on the pieces of white paper. Then help kids cut out the stars.

Next assist as preschoolers cut strips off of the shorter side of the red and blue construction paper. Preschoolers should then make a chain using the strips. This is done by bending a strip into a circle and taping it shut. Then thread another strip through the circle, bend it into a circle, and tape it shut. After kids have made a long enough chain they can glue the stars on at various intervals.

These Flag Day crafts are a fun way for preschool kids to practice shapes, improve their dexterity, and learn about historical events in the United States. Try creating fun Flag Day crafts with preschoolers, and you can use them again for the Fourth of July holiday.

How to Make a Mermaid Wedding Crown or Tiara

 

You can learn how to make a mermaid wedding tiara or crown with these detailed instructions. Mermaid and beach themed weddings are always popular and fun. Making a homemade wedding crown is a great addition to your wedding. This article will supply you with the details needed in order to make a mermaid wedding crown for your wedding.

To make a mermaid wedding crown you will need vines, wire, sea shells, clear or iridescent marbles, blue sequins, scissors, blue glass beads, sparkle powder or dust, a hot glue gun, hot glue sticks, and pearls. The first step to making a mermaid wedding crown is making the base.

If you are going to make it a full crown you will need to start by wrapping the vines into a circle. If they need extra support you can secure the mermaid crown with wire. If you are making a have crown or tiara the process is a little more time consuming. You will also need string and a bowl full of water.

Start by cutting the vines the length you will need for your crown or tiara. Then wrap or twist them together to form a solid bundle. Secure the ends together by wrapping the wire around it several times. Remember to pull the wire tight and twist in between wraps.

Next tie the string around the end of the bundle in a tight knot. Then bend the bundle to make a U shape of a crown. Tie the string around the other side of the bundle in a tight bow. Remember if you can not bend the bundle the entire way it is alright. Bend it until it starts to feel like it might break and tie the bow.

Place the crown or tiara in the bowl of water and leave it for an hour. Then untie the bow and bend the crown more. Continue with this process until the perfect tiara shape is made. When you have reached this point let the tiara soak another hour. After an hour you can remove it from the water. Allow the crown to dry completely before adding the details.

Now add the special mermaid details to this crown by starting with the sea shells. Glue 3 large shells to the front of the crown to create height. Then add beads, more smaller shells, pearls, and marbles to the mermaid crown. Next take a sequin and glue it to the center of the middle seashell. After it has dried add a marble on top of the sequin. Add the sparkles to the crown at the end to fill in areas and cover up glue that is already in place.

This homemade mermaid wedding crown is a special touch that you deserve for your wedding. It is one of a kind and a beautiful addition to your wardrobe.

How to Make a Wire Wrapped Flower Bracelet

 

You can learn how to make a wire wrapped flower bracelet that is perfect for summer. Wire wrapped jewelry is unique and interesting. Adding flowers to your wire wrapped bracelet is a fun way to incorporate a feminine aspect in your wire wrapped jewelry. This article will provide you with detailed instructions on creating a wire wrapped flower bracelet.

For this bracelet you will need wire, wire cutters, beads, pliers, a needle, and fake flowers. Start by measuring the size of your wrist or the bracelet you are going to make. Then cut a piece of wire that is twice as long as the desire bracelet length. You should also add an extra 2 inches to the length of the wire to allow for bending. For example if your wrist is 6 inches you want to cut a piece of wire that is 14 inches long.

Then fold the wire in half and leave an open loop where the wire has been folded. Twist the ends together to secure the size of the loop. Then add a bead to doubled strands of wire. Find the middle of the bracelet by lightly folding it in half. Mark the center with a slight bend or a marker.

Add more beads and continue twisting until you get to the center of the bracelet. This is where you will add the flower accent. Start by pulling the flower bud off of the stem. You may need to add glue to hold the petals in place. Then press the needle into the plastic base of the flower bud. Push the needle all of the way through.

Then string the wire through the hole in the bottom of the flower. Only one wire will fit, but this is fine. Twist the wire and add beads so the other side is similar to the first side you made. When you reach the end of the wire wrapped bracelet add a bead that will fit through the loop on the other end. Use the pliers to twist the end of the wire into a loop or knot to secure the bead from slipping off.

Bend the wire wrapped flower bracelet into a circle that fits comfortably on your wrist and your craft is complete. Now that you know the basics of creating a wire wrapped flower bracelet you can experiment by adding multiple flowers. This wire craft is a great gift, and wire wrapped bracelets are perfect for summer kids crafts.

How to Make a Princess Crown with Flowers

 

You can make a princess crown with flowers. This crown can be made with kids easily and inexpensively. It is also a great project for adults who want to add a whimsical touch to their style. This article will provide detailed instructions for making a princess crown out of flowers and other natural materials.

For this craft you will need to start with a base. The base of the crown can be made using vines, bendable tree or shrub branches, and flexible tall grass. Start by collecting the materials you wish to use for the base into a pile. You will also need wire or floss and scissors.

Start crafting your princess crown base by gathering a few pieces of the natural material of your choice into your hand. Tie the wire or floss around the end of the bundle tightly. Then bend the rest of the bunch into a circle and tie the ends together when the crown is the right size for your head.

If you are using materials that vary in length you may have to twist the items around each other before you can combine the ends into a circle. Wrapping the vines or grass may seem complicated. It is beneficial to go with the natural movement or twists of the material in order to form a circle. If the vines are particularly tough soak them in warm water for an hour or 2 before bending. You may also add wire to train materials and remove them before you are done.

After you have completed the base of the crown you must make it princess worthy. You will need dried or fake flowers, a hot glue gun, beads, hot glue sticks, and more of the material you made the base with. You can also add sequins, dried or fake leaves, and sparkles.

To add the princess aspect you want to make a pretty design in the front of your crown. You can do so by adding more of the base material to the front of the crown. This can be done using glue or wire. Adding height and peaks to the front of the crown will give it a princess look.

Next add the flowers by pulling the buds off the stem first. Then add a little glue to the bottom of the flower bud and the crown base. Press the flower bud into the crown gently. You can add real flowers to this crown by threading wire or floss through the stem of the flowers and sewing them into the crown. Remember the flowers will wither though and will probably have to be removed.

Add any other decorations you like using the glue gun, and your flower crown is ready for a princess.

How to Make a Miniature Polymer Clay Sandwich for a Dollhouse

by Sarah Ganly @ sarahganly.blogspot.com

Dollhouses are a lot of fun; especially when you can make your own accessories for them. I love to sculpt and make mini items out of polymer clay. It is so easy to use, and it bakes hard in 10 minutes. For those of you out there who love making things from polymer clay and love doll houses here is a step by step guide on how to make a miniature sandwich.

First you will need a small piece of white or off white clay, a medium piece of tan clay, and small piece of red clay, green clay, and yellow clay. Make sure all of your clay is pretty warm and soft. You can make this happen by rolling it around and playing it with it for a little while. The warmth from your hands will warm up the clay and make it easy to work with.

The next step is to shape the bread. Take the tan clay and separate it evenly into 2 balls. Flatten them and make them square shape. Next you will pinch them slightly on both sides about 2 thirds of the way up the sides. This will give the bead the look of a muffin top. That is the fresh baked out of the oven look you want.

Next it is time to assemble the ingredients for your sandwich. Use the green to make lettuce leaves; this part is very fun and simple. All you have to do is pinch and rip the clay until it resembles chopped lettuce. Next separate the ball of red into 2 or 3 littler balls. Now flatten those balls, and you have yourself some tomatoes.

All sandwiches are not complete until you add some meat and cheese; so take the white clay and flatten it into an organic shape. Think of the turkey you would buy at the store. This process is similar to making the lettuce leafs. You can also add a bit of beige to the white for detail. Now shape the yellow into flat squares, and don't worry if you can't get perfect edges. You can always use a knife or scissors to make the edges of the cheese straighter.

Now that you have all of your ingredients you can assemble your sandwich. Stack all of these little treats inside the bread and remember to make sure the edges are overlapped and viewable from the outside. Now put your sandwich in the fridge or the freezer for a couple of minutes. This will harden the clay right up, and when you remove it you can cut it in half with a regular house hold knife.

Bake this treat at the recommended temperature for about 10 minutes, and when it is cool have fun!

Homemade Wedding Decorations: Spring Butterflies

Spring is a lovely season for weddings, and this season should be incorporated into wedding decorations. Butterflies first make their appearance during the spring, and they are the perfect theme for spring wedding. This article will provide you with detailed instructions on creating three homemade wedding decorations with spring butterflies as the theme.

Many of these projects use a butterfly template. Please check this post for a bunch of free buttterfly templates.

Garland

A butterfly garland is a lovely spring wedding decoration, and this homemade spring craft can be made easily and quickly. For this homemade spring wedding decoration you will need coffee filters, watercolor paints, a paintbrush, water, pipe cleaners, scissors, and ribbon.

Start this homemade spring wedding decoration by wetting all of the coffee filters and the paint. Add some drops of paint to the filters and the colors will swirl together. Allow the coffee filters to dry completely.

Then fold a pipe cleaner in half and pinch the coffee filter in the middle. Place the folded end of the pipe cleaner on top of the pinched section of the coffee filter and pull the ends through. Wrap the pipe cleaner around itself until you reach the other side of coffee filter and curl the ends of the pipe cleaner to make the butterflies antennae. Cut a long piece of ribbon and hook the butterflies on to the ribbon by their antennae. This homemade spring wedding decoration is easy to complete and it will look lovely on your big day.

Centerpiece

Butterflies make a beautiful spring wedding centerpiece; for this homemade decoration you will need a butterfly template, cardstock in various spring patterns, scissors, glue, fishing line, a clear vase, flowers, and a tree branch. You can use fake flowers for this craft if you like.

Start this homemade wedding decoration by tracing the butterfly template onto the cardstock. You can make a butterfly template easily by finding an image of a butterfly and cutting it out of cardboard. Next cut out several butterflies and glue pieces of fishing line to the backs of the butterflies.

After the glue has dried tie the butterflies to the tree branch so they dangle nicely and fill the vase with flowers. Place the branch across or on top of the vase, and add a little glue to secure it if you like. This homemade spring butterfly decoration will look lovely as a wedding centerpiece.

Place Card Holder

You can make beautiful butterfly place card holders for your homemade wedding decorations. For this wedding craft you will need a butterfly template, scissors, patterned cardstock, a pencil, glue, and a black marker. Start this craft by tracing the template onto the cardstock, cut the butterflies out, and color the bodies and antennae black.

Next lightly bend the butterflies in the middle so the wings are closer together. Add a line of glue halfway up the body of the butterflies and attach two butterflies together. Make sure to leave a space in between the butterflies on top to place the name card. This spring wedding decoration uses butterflies in a creative and fun way.

Spring is a wonderful season for weddings, and it is a lot of fun to incorporate butterflies into your homemade wedding decorations. These homemade wedding decorations feature spring butterflies, and they will make your wedding unique and lovely.