For each bracelet, you will need a piece of rawhide lace or some other material, about 10 inches long, and pony beads, one each--gold or yellow; black, red, white, and green.

About 4 inches from one end, tie a knot in the rawhide. String the pony beads on the rawhide in the order given above. After the last bead, tie another knot. The bracelet can be tied on the child's wrist using a square knot. See picture of finished bracelet.

See The Story of the Wordless Book for an explanation of the colors of the beads.

Note: A brown bead may be added to the bracelet if desired, to represent the wood of the cross that Jesus was crucified on. Also, a blue bead may be added if desired, to represent water (baptism after salvation) or the sky (where Jesus ascended back to heaven (Acts 1) and where we wait for Him to return (I Thessalonians 4)).

Candle Holder

Materials Needed:

1 clean tuna can (6-oz. size)
Decorative ribbon* to cover outside of can
i/2 of a 3-inch styrofoam ball
1 8-inch taper candle
4 or 5 artificial flowers, with stems
cut to about 1 1/2 inch in length
OR Christmas greenery
Tacky glue

*Note: Contact paper or wallpaper samples cut to the proper size also work well.

Instructions:

(1) Glue ribbon around can. Let dry. (2) Glue styrofoam ball half inside can, flat side down. (3) Use a thimble to make an indentation in the top center of the styrofoam ball (make it deep enough to hold the candle securely). (4) Insert stems of artificial flowers into the styrofoam, surrounding the hole for the candle. (5) Insert candle into the hole in the styrofoam.

I recommend using these candles for decorative purposes only, since the flowers would be extremely flammable.



Another Candle Holder

Materials needed:

Tuna can (6-oz. size)
dried beans, various colors
white glue
8" candle
Ribbon or contact paper

Instructions:

(1) Glue ribbon around can or cut a strip of contact paper to fit and stick on the outside of the can. (2) Fill the can with dried beans. (3) Stick the candle down into the beans so that it stands straight up. (4) Pour white glue evenly over the beans until they are just covered (leave candle in place). (5) Let dry thoroughly, until glue is clear.







Cottony Lambs

Materials Needed:

Paper Plate
Yarn or Ribbon for Hanging
Black construction Paper
Cotton Balls
White Chalk

Instructions:

(1) Have the children trace their hands on the black paper with white chalk. (2) Cut these out, and glue onto the paper plate, placing the "hands" upside down so that the four fingers are the legs and the thumb is the head. (3) Have the kids glue cotton balls to the "body." (4) Use chalk or snips of construction paper to make eyes or glue on small plastic "googly" eyes. (5) Punch hole in top of paper plate and tie on a yarn or ribbon loop for hanging.

Variation: Cut the handprint out of poster board and decorate both sides as above. Punch a hole in the top and attach a piece of yarn or ribbon. Hang as a mobile where it will turn and show both sides







Pine Cone Bird Feeder

Materials Needed:

Pine Cone
Peanut Butter (crunchy or smooth)
Margarine (optional)
Yarn or Wire
Bird Seed

Instructions:

Tie or twist the yarn or wire onto the pine cone for the hanger. Mix 1 part peanut butter to one part margarine. Spread the peanut butter and margarine mixture onto the pine cone. Pour some bird seed onto a plate or shallow dish and roll the pine cone in it. Place the seed-covered pine cone in the freezer for about an hour or until set. Hang it outside!







"I-L-Y" (I Love You) Sign

Materials needed:

paper plate (white or colored)
construction paper
glue
markers

Trace around hand (with fingers spread) on construction paper and cut out. Glue in the middle of the paper plate. Leave middle and ring fingers unglued. Bend middle two fingers down and glue fingertips to palm of hand. Decorate the paper plate around the hand shape with markers (write "I Love You" or "God is Love," etc.) and, if desired, glue on small heart shapes or flower shapes cut from scraps of construction paper. Punch a hole at the top of the paper plate and tie on a ribbon or piece of yarn for hanging.

This hand shape represents the letters I, L, and Y of the manual alphabet for the deaf, all put together, and is used to say "I Love You."