Holiday Craft Gift Ideas

I love using my hands and being creative. I was an art major, a youth minister and have dreams of being an art teacher one day. When Hopsy at Monograms and Manicures encouraged us to be crafty this week and share our Do It Yourself (DIY) skills for gifts this season I jumped right onto the glitter train. I had just read my December Martha Stewart Living magazine and saw a star that would be perfect for my mother-in-law. It's Oh Holy Night in living color. These are the before photos of our Breezeway pre-Glitterama Star making began.

As a side note, I found these darling succulents at Home Depot for $3.00. I've been trying to stage this room for months and think it finally looks right. I think putting a small plant in a unique container also makes a great hostess gift. You can NOT kill these little guys either which is great for the green thumb challenged.

I bought this container for $1.00 at a garage sale, had the succulent vines growing in my garden and the larger succulent was also just $3.00 at Home Depot. Pretty cute for $4.00 don't you think?

It was wonderful having a few days off for Thanksgiving. Sunday we went to Annapolis and stopped into Michael's to get my DIY supplies. My husband didn't break out into hives either! He was so supportive and made sure we got the 40% off coupon. I'm crafty. He's thrifty.

I bought these enameled trays at least 14 years ago from Martha Stewart. It was one of the best purchases ever. I have four and use them for everything. Our turkey rested on them and they are also great for craft projects. I found a few fun other things and hope to make these snow globes soon as gifts. Once you open the crafty flood gates there is no stopping the flow of creativity.

Okay so for the Star of Bethlehem Star begin with a square sheet of card stock or watercolor paper.

The directions for this craft can be found here on Martha Stewart's site. It called for 20 inch stars made with watercolor paper. You can find this paper at craft stores and specialty art supply stores and have them cut it for you. I bought pre-cut sheets that were 12 inches only. 20 inch stars would make a dramatic difference. I'm just not sure where I would put such a beauty. So my foot long star will have to do.

Skip below to see the step-by-step directions. The next few photos are of the folds. You have to make sure that the points match up.

Once I got to this detail I had to punt. The height of the triangle was six inches. I made a mark at the three inch line and scored it to the skinny point of the triangle. (I hope that makes sense.)

Cut along the line and you will have one of your four point stars.

I recycled our old Christmas cards for the supports of the star. I cut them a bit differently but I think they will still work. You should bend them first to fit snug on the underside of the star.

This is the part where I should have used Kraft paper underneath the glitter action. I highly suggest you use Kraft paper underneath as a backup glitter catch that is easy to bend. The Solo cup is a great way to save the left over glitter. Worked like a charm.  

Spray your star (away from your body, clothes, sofas, etc.) with spray adhesive. Do not spray on top of your tray. Big mistake. :) 

I used Martha Stewart Crafts glitter in sterling. It's super pretty.

Let dry and repeat until all the points are covered on both stars.

The finished product will look like this. Hot glue gun both stars together and hang with a thick ribbon. 

Hot glitter mess! Stuck to the tray. How funny is that?

It was a messy but fun and fast little craft. I'm sure making a ton of little small stars would look so pretty on a tree or even hanging on a large wall. Definitely pick up some spray sealant as well. The glitter will go everywhere if you don't! You can give this as a gift to friends and match their tree decor. I think a creamy white with bronze ribbon would be gorgeous in my mother's home. My mother-in-law may get a pink star. The options are endless and Michael's has so many pretty glitter options. We are lucky that we live so close to the Maryland College Institute of Art (MICA) as there are a ton of art supply stores within a mile of Stone Hill!!!

For another craft I love doing every year, check out this Christmas Card Ball made with old cards. 

Hoping everyone gets a chance to use their hands this season to create something! I'm going to learn how to knit by the end of December! And I have even signed up for a sewing class that I hope happens. I do love to use my hands and see the start and finish of a project. Thanks again Hopsy for the fun idea. Can't wait to see what your other readers share!