I took my grandson to the annual butterfly show, and it inspired me to get crafty. We were in a greenhouse surrounded by colorful butterflies from around the world. When an attendant used her net to catch a stray butterfly that followed us to the exit, it reminded me of when I used to make my own butterfly nets.
The attendant giggled when I explained how I made a frame from a hanger and a net from an empty bread bag. My butterfly nets were a bit funny back then, but they were also crafty and green, which meant I was ahead of my time. Thinking about them inspired me to create these kid’s butterfly crafts,
Girl’s Butterfly Necklace
It’s easy to make a colorful polymer clay butterfly necklace. With a little help from mom, a young child can do the work in about 45 minutes plus baking time. Each necklace costs around a dollar to make.
Materials
1 package of polymer clay – choose colors or purchase white clay and add painted details.
2 feet of ribbon or cord
Glue
Card stock or stiff paper
One 2 inch piece of uncoated copper wire (optional)
Craft paint and brushes (optional)
Tools
Pliers
Round nose pliers
Scissors
Create a Butterfly Pattern
Cut a 2 by 2 inch square of card stock. (1 by 1 inch for a smaller butterfly.)
Fold square in half.
Draw half of a butterfly with the center at the fold.
Cut out your butterfly pattern.
Cut out your clay butterfly.
Soften a block of polymer clay by warming it in your hands.
Break off 1/3 of the block and roll into a ball.
Roll it flat with a rolling pin, canned good or heavy glass jar.
Press butterfly pattern into the clay.
Cut out the clay butterfly with a small pair of scissors.
Use a small nail or the point of a pen to poke a hole in each wing.
Create a butterfly body and antenna by rolling a 1 inch tube of clay around the bottom half of a folded 2 inch piece of copper wire.
Curl the antenna with round nosed pliers and press the body into place.
Bake according to package instructions.
Add painted details after it cools.
Tie 1 foot of ribbon or cord to each side and glue the ends into place.
Make a Butterfly Net
Your children will love studying butterflies up close, and when they’re done, they can let them go. If your son thinks butterflies are too girly, he can use his net to round up fireflies after dark.
Supplies
Wire hanger – try to find a lightweight, flexible one.
Cardboard tube from a dry cleaner’s wire pants hanger.
A 2 foot by 2 foot piece of white tulle fabric.
Thread and needle or sewing machine.
Duct tape.
Ribbon for trim.
Tools
Sturdy pliers.
Large coffee can.
Create Your Frame
Straighten a wire hanger.
At the 2 feet mark, bend the wire to a right angle.
Curve the 2 foot section the opposite direction around a large coffee can to form a circle (see illustration).
Wrap the remaining wire into place just below the circle.
Your finished frame will resemble a lollipop.
Add Your Net
Fold tulle in half.
Sew a stitch across the bottom.
Sew the side. Leave the top 1 inch un-stitched.
Pull the thread at the bottom to gather the fabric. Tie and knot it.
Turn the net right side out.
Fold the top edge of the net up and over the wire loop.
Pin into place, then machine or hand stitch.
Find the spot on the wire handle 16 inches from the bottom of the circle.
Bend your wire handle at that spot.
Slip the cardboard tube over the handle. The bend at the bottom will help hold it in place (see illustration).
Starting from just below the circle, wrap your handle with duct tape.
Add decorative ribbon if you choose.
More Butterfly Fun
If you’d like to create a fun polymer clay butterfly of your own, make a small one and glue on a pin back to wear it as a quirky, fun brooch.
If these crafts put you in a butterfly mood, check out “How to Make Butterflies for Your Garden Themed Wedding” and “Create Glittery Headbands that Dazzle.
Instead of tulle for your butterfly net, recycle a bath pouf. Remove the rope binder and you’ll have a long tube of colorful mesh fabric. Cut a 2 foot piece, tie a ribbon at one end and attach it to your frame.
