How to make polymer clay bow earrings for a perfect gift this Mother's Day

If you are looking for a quick and beautiful gift for mom this Mother's Day look no further.  These earrings are easy to make and require very few supplies.  A gift from the heart, made with love, is so much better than store bought flowers that will wilt in a few days.  Mom will be wearing these earrings for years to come!

Make some extra pairs because these earrings make perfect gifts for teachers, grads and more!

Updated May 2018

Polymer clay bow earrings

You will need:

Polymer clay

Clay tools, (roller, pointed tool, craft knife, clay blade)

Waxed paper to cover work surface

Earring posts and backs

Gloss glaze for polymer clay

Ruler

Aluminum foil to cover cookie sheet and home oven pre-heated to 275 degrees

E6000 glue

Masking tape to hold bows while applying the glaze

1.     Roll out your clay thinly.  Use the clay blade to cut two strips of clay 1/8” wide by 1 ½” long.  

2.     Fold one end into the center and press lightly to make a loop.  Fold the opposite end to the center to meet the first loop.  Press in the center with the pointed clay tool.

3.     Cut two more strips of the thinly rolled out clay 1/8” wide by ½” long.  Fold at an angle.  (See photo) Place the bow loops you just made on top of this piece and press to adhere. (Bow tails made)

4.     Make the center knot by attaching a tiny strip of clay at the top center and bring around to the bottom using the pointed clay tool.  Press lightly to attach a knot to each bow.

5.     Cover a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.  Preheat your oven to 275 degrees and bake for 20 minutes.  Do not over bake.  Do not use a microwave.  Let cool.

6.     Attach a piece of masking tape, sticky side up and place the baked bows on to hold while you brush on a coat of clay glaze and let dry.

7.     Add some E6000 glue to the back of your post earring findings and attach a bow.  Repeat for the second earring. Let dry completely. (E6000 glue is available in craft stores and discount department stores everywhere and works best)

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Make an easy rose pen for a Mother's Day surprise

Did you know that you recycle a simple brown paper bag into an adorable rose pen for a fun Mother’s Day surprise?  Follow the simple steps and you can make an entire bouquet for Mom’s desk in no time, with very little cost! 

This project is easy enough for older kids with a little help.  Your Mom will love her new rose pen and use it often! 

Flower pattern

Recycled paper bag rose pen

Supplies:

Stick pen

Brown paper bag

Flower pattern

Thin cardboard

Tacky craft glue

Scissors

Ruler

Small paintbrush

Acrylic paint in choice of color

Marker in a similar color

Small piece of packaging tape (stronger than regular tape)

Green floral tape

Instructions:

1.     Download the flower pattern and trace onto a piece of thin cardboard.  Cut open a brown paper bag and lay it flat onto your work surface.  Use the cardboard pattern to trace three flowers and cut them out.

2.     Using the acrylic paint apply a coat of paint onto each flower.  Let dry, turn over and apply a coat of paint on the opposite side.  Let dry.

3.     Use a ruler and coordinating marker to mark spoke like lines from the petals (See photo) do this on each flower.

4.     Cut one section to the center of one flower.  On the second flower cut out one petal.  On the third flower cut out two petals.  Save the cut out single and double petals, they will be the center of the rose.

5.     On the first flower add some glue to the petal adjacent to the cut line and fold and attach the petal next to it.  (See photo)  It will look like a bowl.  Repeat this step on the second and third flower folding the petals together.  Let the glue dry.

6.     Use the scissors to cut a small curved opening at the bottom of each flower (This is where the pen will be inserted)

7.     Using the cut pieces of petal use the pen or a pencil to fold around and glue together.  Cut the uneven end straight.

8.     Insert the pen through the smallest center petal and slide up to the top leaving some extra at the end.  Cut a small piece of packaging tape and secure this center petal onto the pen.  Working from the bottom (pen point end) slide on the next sized center petal all the way to the first one.  It will fit tightly.  Use the small paintbrush to curl the petal down.

9.     Continue adding each flower from smallest to largest and curling the individual petals with the paintbrush until you have added them all.  Cut a small piece of tape and secure the last flower onto the pen. 

10. Begin at the bottom of the flower with floral tape, twisting around the pen and down.  Floral tape sticks to itself.  Cover the entire pen up to the end. 

How to make a Mother's Day birthstone bracelet for Mom

Mother’s Day is almost here and this year instead of the usual flowers or candy why not give mom a personalized gift she will treasure forever.  You can make this birthstone bracelet for mom quickly and easily with no special skills required.  Use the colors of stones for the birthdays of all her children or grandchildren. 

Your mom will want to wear her birthstone bracelet all the time! 

Materials

14-gauge silver-plated wire (available at all craft stores)

Needle nosed pliers

Wire cutters

Beads in the colors using the birthstone color chart for your birthstones

Small spacer beads in silver

Colors for Birthstones

January – Garnet (deep red)

February – Amethyst  (dark purple)

March – Aquamarine (Lt. blue)

April – Diamond (Clear glass)

May – Emerald (Green)

June – Pearl (pearl)

July – Ruby (Red)

August – Peridot (Olive green)

September – Sapphire (dark blue)

October – Opal/Pink tourmaline (pearlescent or pink)

November – Topaz (yellow)

December – Tanzanite (violet blue)

1.     Using wire cutters cut a piece of wire so that it fits around your wrist twice.  If your wire comes in a ring (Which many do) it is already the perfect shape for a bracelet.  If not, bend it to a circle shape using a can or any tubular shaped item as a mold to create the round shape.

2.     Using the needle nosed pliers curl one end of the wire.  Start to add the beads on the uncurled end of wire. Thread two small spacer beads on the wire.  The curled end will keep the beads from falling off as you work.  

3.      Next thread on your birthstone bead.  Follow with two spacer beads and continue with as many birthstone colors as you desire with two spacer beads in between each one.

4.     Curl the second end of the wire in the opposite direction as the first one.

I like to use glass beads or Swarovski crystal beads but you can substitute any beads you like.