I learned at an early age that both adults and children alike loved receiving valentines that are homemade. From a hand drawn card to something cut, glued, tarred and feathered with glitter, lace and doilies. When your child hands you that 20 lb card you feel L-O-V-E.
Almost a year later I am still hearing from my daughter’s class-mates about last years paper rose valentines. This year we decided on making charms for each of the girls in my daughter class so they could have more than a card but something they could keep and wear. The charms are tied with ribbon so they can put them on right after opening them up.
This is what you will need:
- 18 gauge Copper silver coated wire in a 9′ roll (you can use more expensive wire but it is not necessary)
- Wire cutters
- Round nosed pliers
- Small beads in reds, pinks and purples
- Pink or red 1/8″ ribbon
- Pink card stock
- Valentine stickers (not shown) bigger stickers work better
- Scissors
- A Pencil
- Small silver ‘O’ rings (optional)
Steps 1-5
FOR THE CHARM
Step One: Cut a 4″ piece of wire
Step Two: Bend the wire in two to make a ‘V’ clamp the point with pliers to make the point
Step Three: Curl the one end of the ‘V’ to make a loop with the round nosed pliers by clamping down on the end and wrapping the wire around the pliers. Now hold the loop flat with the pliers and wrap the wire around the loop a couple of times to make a spiral.
Step Four: Add about ten beads to the other side. This is a great way to personalize each heart for each child receiving one by choosing different colors or patterns for each.
Step Five: Curl the other side of the heart. Add and ‘O” ring if you like then loop a 28″ piece of ribbon (this may vary with the age and size of the child) through the ring or top of the heart.
Valentine open, front and back
FOR THE ENVELOPE:
Step One: Cut out a heart from the card stock that is about 6″wide x 4″ high from point to point.
Step Two: Fold the bottom point up 2″. Now fold the heart sides down to make a triangle type shape.
Step Three: Place the charm in the middle with the ribbon coming out of the top of the heart and sign the valentine. Now fold the heart back around the charm side first and point last.
Step Four: Wrap the ribbon coming out of the top over the back and up the front once and then down the back again. Secure the ribbon with a sticker on the back then tie in a bow at the bottom.
Step Five: Secure the ribbon in the front with a sticker and have the child write “To:” on the front or back.
The look on my daughter’s face when she opened the little envelope to reveal the charm in a heart was priceless. I did the wire work and my eight-year-old did the bead-work. Working with wire and pliers is a bit easier for children fifth grade and up.
Now don’t you worry. I have a doozy of a Valentine for the boys next week!
Are you and your kids making valentines this year or selling out for the box ‘o valentines?
Questions? Just Ask Holly!
Supplies available at AC Moore and Michael’s
These are beautiful and such a special valentine!