Crafts Using Soybeans
The protein-rich soybean comes in many edible forms, from raw edamame to silky tofu bean curd. When dried, soybeans can be used in soups and stews or roasted and eaten out of hand, or they can be used for simple craft projects. Dried soybeans can be found in most supermarkets and health food stores.
-
Jewelry
-
Make soybean beads by spraying them with shellac or spray paint, then threading the soybeans on a string, using a thick needle to make the holes. Larger holes can be made with a small power drill. Use soybean beads to make bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Treated or untreated soybeans without holes can be glued to pieces of leather or cardboard to make beaded chokers or cuff bracelets.
Instruments and Noisemakers
-
Put handfuls of dry soybeans into soda cans or dry gourds and seal the openings for homemade maracas that can be decorated with paint or decoupage. For an even simpler noisemaker, fill one-third of a paper or plastic cup with dry soybeans and place a second paper cup on top so that the tops meet. Tape around the middle and decorate as desired.
-
Bean Bag Toys
-
Use soybeans to fill bean bags made from scraps of fabric or socks to use for bean bag toss games. Turn an old sock into a bean-filled toy by filling and sewing or tying the open end shut. Glue on googly eyes and other embellishments, or paint features and designs with fabric paint. For a more grown-up craft, use dry soybeans to fill a U-shaped pillow that fits around the back of your neck.
Mosaics
-
Use light and dark soybeans to create mosaic designs, or paint the soybeans in different colors. To make a mosaic, roll out a slab of clay and press the soybeans into the surface in the desired pattern. Allow the clay to air dry, and reinforce any loose soybeans with craft glue. Younger crafters can make simple mosaics by gluing the soybeans to a sheet of construction paper.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit yellow beans-grains image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
