How to Make a Dandelion Craft

More than just pests in the garden, dandelions can serve in craft projects.

Dandelions are weeds and, considering the near constant effort to eliminate them from our gardens and lawns, it is hard to imagine them serving much of a purpose. However, dandelions can actually come in quite handy for various craft projects. Whether fashioning a necklace or crown, creating floral artwork or making your very own paper dandelions, they not only assist in projects, they can be the project themselves.

Instructions

Dandelion Jewelry

1. Pick as many dandelions as you wish, ensuring that you pick the entire length of the stem as well. The number of dandelions you need will depend on what type of jewelry you wish to make. A few ideas for jewelry include a necklace, bracelet or crown.

2. Tie the stem of one dandelion around the stem of another, with your knot as close to the flower as possible. If you can, do a double knot to ensure a better hold.

3. Continue to tie one dandelion to the last one you attached until you have the size you want.

4. Tie the ends of the last dandelion and the first dandelion together to create a circle.

5. Cut the extra stems off. Don't cut too close to the knot; leave a bit of space in case the knot loosens.

Dandelion Seed Art

1. Draw dandelions on a black piece of construction paper using oil pastels. Include the stem, leaves and flower head if you wish.

2. Place a large drop of glue where the dandelion head is (or would be if you chose not to draw it in).

3. Blow the seeds of an old, "fluffy" dandelion onto the glue.

4. Continue to decorate your picture with the pastels. If you want to have clouds in your picture, try the same method of blowing the old dandelion onto glue that is in the shape of a cloud.

Paper Bouquet

1. Paint wooden skewers green. If you want some contrast in your bouquet, use different shades of green on the skewers.

2. Cut strips of yellow paper approximately 23 cm wide. You can use construction paper or card stock for the flower head.

3. Cut multiple slits into the entire length of the strip of paper. Do not cut all the way through the paper.

4. Wrap the paper around the wooden skewer and glue. Wrap the paper so that the cut parts are facing up.

5. Push the cut portions down so that it resembles the petals of a dandelion. Wait until the glue is dry so that the paper doesn't pull off the skewer.

References

• Free Kid Crafts: Summer Craft Ideas
• 5 Orange Potatoes: Dandelion Seed Activity
• Craft Ideas Mother's Day Craft for Kids: Paper Flower Bouquet