I’m a big fan of Margot Potter’s creative work, and she recently published a tutorial for an adorable candy vial necklace charm.  I thought the idea was so cute that I wanted to make my own version.  Rather than a wearable piece, I designed mine to be a cute little gift, or even a party favor.

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How are your little ones feeling about the return to school? Whether they’re excited or dreading it, school supplies are more fun to use when they have something a little special about them! These pom pom monsters are quick and easy to make and definitely add some fun factor to writing utensils. Make them like I did or maintain your ability to use the eraser by attaching a slip-on eraser to the end of the pencil before attaching the monster – that way the monster can just pop off if you need to erase. These would also look great on pens!

Project estimate:

• Pencils, on hand or $1
• 1 inch pom poms, on hand or about $1
• Googly eyes, on hand or $1
• Pipe cleaners, on hand or $1
• Hot glue gun and glue, on hand
• Removable pencil erasers (optional), on hand or $1

Total: Free and up!

Step 1: Gather your supplies and cut 2 pieces of pipe cleaner about 1.5 inches long each.

Step 2: Curl the ends of the pipe cleaner with your fingers or a pair of pliers.

Step 3: Use hot glue to attach pipe cleaners to top of pom as antennae, googly eyes to front of pom and assembled monster to the top of the pencil.

Play around with different color poms and different sizes of googly eyes to get different looks!

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Spring will be here before you know it, which means we’re also on the verge of wedding season! To celebrate, Angie at The Country Chic Cottage is hosting a whole week of DIY wedding ideas, and we couldn’t resist joining in on the fun. After being inspired by some silly, oversized “diamond” rings in the Valentine’s Day offerings at Dollar Tree, I came up with a cute favor idea. I think they would look adorable worked into luncheon place settings or scattered on a buffet table or down a table runner!

Project estimate:

• Oversized “diamond” rings, $1 each
• Ribbon, $1 and up
• Hang tags, on hand or $1
• Letter stickers, on hand or $1

Total: $2 and up

It all started when I came across these big rings. They are too big to wear on a finger, so I figured they had to have a decorative use. And of course, I immediately thought of weddings!

Then I found some thin, wire-edged ribbon that says “with love” on it and I knew it was just what I needed to turn the rings into something more.

Cut the ribbon into segments; I cut mine so that the “with love” sentiment would show on both sides when the ribbon is folded in half. Fold the ribbon around the ring, then twist to secure it in place.

Adding the tag is where you can really go crazy personalizing this project! I used letter stickers to make a simple monogram, but you could also add a love sentiment or an image. Try writing each guest’s name on a tag and use them as place cards!

Finish the favors by attaching a tag to each ring and you’re done! Now on to the next wedding project…. Make sure you stop by The Country Chic Cottage this week for lots more great wedding craft ideas!

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While perusing the aisles of my local dollar store recently, I came across a package of 8 tiny bottles of glitter in the nail art section. My initial thought was that they would be perfect for adding some sparkle to small projects. Thinking about it further, I realized they would be perfect to turn into pixie dust necklaces. Give these as gifts or as party favors for kids and teens. You can even make them into less-girly “wizard amulets” by using dark or neutral colored glitter (like copper), a black ribbon and silver or black beads – perfect even for boys.

Project estimate:

• Nail art glitter bottles, package of 8 for $1
• Ribbon, on hand or $0.50 and up
• Beads, on hand
• One head pin for jewelry, on hand
• Pliers, on hand

Total: $1 and up

The bottles of glitter used for these necklaces can be found in the nail care/nail art section of Dollar Tree in a package of 8 (seen below)

Please note: These bottle are very small so they are not appropriate to give to children who still put things in their mouths. You may also want to consider gluing the lids onto the bottles depending on the age and activity level of the recipient.

Step 1: Make the charm

Select beads that coordinate with the glitter and ribbon you will be using. String the bead(s) onto the head pin. Make a loop to attach the charm to the necklace as follows:

• Leaving some space above the top bead, bend the head pin down with pliers. (now is a great time to go ahead and loop it around the ribbon instead of threading the ribbon through later)
• Grasp the top of the bend with your pliers.
• Using your hand or a second set of pliers, wrap the end of the head pin around the top of your charm.
• Clip off the excess and use pliers to press against loop.

(disclaimer: I am a super novice jewelry maker. If you have more experience or a technique that works better, by all means, do that!)

Step 2: Add the glitter

String your favorite bottle of glitter onto the ribbon with your charm.

Step 3: Make the necklace adjustable

I chose to make my necklaces long enough to easily slip over the wearer’s head. You can finish your necklace with a bead to make it adjustable by threading both ends of the ribbon through a snug fitting bead (mine is an “E bead”) before tying a knot. This will let the wearer slide the bead to  adjust the length of the necklace if desired.

That’s it! Making these necklaces is quick and fun. You can coordinate your glitter color based on the occasion (just empty the bottles and refill with your glitter of choice):  Make pink and red necklaces as valentine’s gifts. Use green for St. Patrick’s day. Or create an assortment for a pixie party and let each child pick their favorite color.

Here are some more examples of ways to make your necklaces:

The post Tutorial: Make a Pixie Dust Necklace appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

If you’re hosting this year’s Thanksgiving get together, why not treat is like any other party?  That means, of course, you’ll need party favors!  Your guests will go nuts over these trail mix filled turkey favors by Marie at Make and Takes.  Add one to each place setting at your holiday table as a little gift for your guests; you could even tie small tags to them to make them pull double duty as place cards too!  [how to make turkey table favors]

Project estimate:

• Tulle, $1 and up
• Pipe cleaners, on hand or $1
• Trail mix, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  $1 and up

The post Thanksgiving Craft: Make Turkey Table Favors appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Whether you are hosting a Halloween party for adults or for children, this is a fun idea that guests of all ages will enjoy!  Nat and Holly from My Sister’s Suitcase came up with a way for everyone to customize their own drinks, turning them into Jack-o-lanterns that can be consumed at the party, or sent home as favors.  They used orange soda to create their pumpkin bottles, but you could also use orange juice or any other appropriately-colored beverage.  [how to make Jack-o-lantern soda bottles]

Project estimate:

• Soda or juice, $1 and up
• Dry erase markers, on hand or $1 and up
• Ribbon, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  $1 and up

The post Make Jack-O-Lantern Soda Bottles appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Fondue parties have been making a comeback!  I actually own one of those vintage 70s fondue pots that looks like a regular cooking pot with an electrical cord.  The color?  Burnt orange, of course.  I’m thinking if I were to thrown a fondue party these days I would be more likely to do an updated version, inspired by these mini fondue favors by Victoria from A Subtle Revelry.  It makes a fun, interactive trinket that your guests will certainly enjoy and remember.  You don’t even have to throw a full-blown fondue party for an excuse to make them; I think they would be just as fun at a bridal shower or birthday party too!  [how to make mini fondue party favors]

Project estimate:

• Candle bowl, $1
• Tea light candle, on hand or $1
• Chocolates, on hand or $1
• Matches, on hand or $1
• Ribbon, on hand or$1

Total:  $1 and up

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It’s always so hard to wait for it to get dark on the Fourth of July (especially where I live! In Oregon, it doesn’t get dark until 10pm in the summer!). How about some fun daylight 4th of July favors for the little’uns? They’re cheap to make, and I have designed the printable hangtags for you so they couldn’t be easier. You only need a few goodies you can pick up at the dollar store. Throw in some sketch pads or coloring books (also available at the dollar store), and you have yourself a coloring party going on! Or, just stick with sidewalk chalk and no additional accessories are required.

My local Dollar Tree has sidewalk chalk in boxes of 20 (you will be able to make 10 of these sets with one box of chalk), and boxes of 24 or more crayons.

Project Materials:

• Clear treat bags, $1
• Sidewalk chalk or crayons, $1 per box
• Paper and printer, on hand
• Stapler and staples, on hand
• Free printable, download below

Total: $2

To Make:

1. Print out tags and trim with scissors or paper trimmer. Fold in half along the line.

2. Fill clear treat bags with sidewalk chalk or crayons.

3. Fold hang tag over the top of bag, and staple to secure.

Download the printable header tags below:
Patriotic Fold Tags

The post Printable: Red, Write, and Blue Party Favors appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Do you have extra wrapping paper laying around?  I always end up with partial rolls left over after buying them to wrap one gift; a friend’s wedding, a coworker’s baby shower, or some other occasion comes and goes and my wrapping paper collection grows and grows.  Short of wrapping everything in sight, how do you use up some of that stash that’s lurking at the back of your closet?  Rena from The Cheese Thief used long, skinny strips of wrapping paper to fold origami stars that she filled with treats, making fun and super-duper cheap party favors.  Even if you have to go out and buy paper, you can make dozens of these in any theme for just a few bucks!  [how to make extra large star party favors]

Project estimate:

• Wrapping paper, on hand or $1
• Treats, $1 and up

Total:  $1 and up

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These are actually the exact same dress-shaped favor boxes that I used for my wedding.  However, the ones that The Crafting Rebel fancied up over at Crafting Rebellion are far more fabulous!  By adding some pretty scrapbook paper and a few embellishments, she transformed them from nondescript, wedding-specific favors into flashy treat holders worthy of any girly occasion.  I think my favorite part is the tiny wire hangers!  [how to give dollar store favor boxes a fancy makeover]

Project estimate:

• Wedding dress favor boxes, $1
• Paper, on hand
• Wire, on hand or $1
• Ribbon, on hand
• Embellishments, on hand
• Glue, on hand

Total:  $1 and up

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