3-D Arts and Crafts Projects
By Kimberly Archer
Photos and Graphics by Catherine Cameron
- Length of Program
- Program Description
- Developmental Needs and Assets
- Preparation
- Books to Display
- Books to Share and Booktalk
- Promotion
- Bulletin Board
- Refreshments
- Games and Activities:
- Guest Speakers
- Web Sites
- Professional Resources
- Program Materials and Examples
Length of Program
60 to 90 minutes.
Program Description
This program will engage teens in three dimensional arts and crafts projects. Teens will learn about design, spatial relationships, balance, and proportion. Teens don’t have to be naturally creative in order to complete these projects, and some projects are much simpler than others.
Developmental Needs and Assets
This program provides teens with the opportunity to engage in activities that address the developmental assets of interpersonal competence, creative activities, planning, and decision-making. They also engage teens in creating a positive identity and self-esteem and a sense of purpose and personal power. Creative endeavors require thought and planning, and teens will make decisions about design, layout, format, materials, color, and embellishment when creating books, journals, scrapbooks and greeting cards. In addition, by learning about journal writing, poetry writing and other forms of written creative expression, teens will gain insight into their own personal identity, explore their self-esteem and discover a sense of purpose and empowerment.
Preparation
This section includes a variety of activities that can be incorporated into one program or spread out over the summer for a series of programs. Each of the suggested activities involves similar preparation and will require similar supplies. In advance, purchase a variety of arts and crafts materials that can be re-used for each activity. Buying in bulk will save money. If low-cost bulk supplies are not available locally, they can be purchased online from discount vendors such as Dick Blick Art Materials, www.dickblick.com, or Nasco Arts and Crafts Supplies, www.enasco.com/artsandcrafts/. Make sure to look for the AP symbol on arts and crafts supplies, indicating the item conforms to ASTM D 3246 non-toxic specifications. This is especially important for glue, inks and paints.
Volunteers can help with preparations. Before the arts and crafts programs, cover tables with newspaper or butcher paper to save time on clean up, especially if you are using glue, ink, or paint, and set out the supplies.
At the beginning of the program, take a few minutes to go over directions with the teens before they begin their projects. If possible, provide a written list of supplies and instructions so that teens can recreate the project at home on their own.
Books to Display
Dazzling Bead and Wire Crafts by Mickey Baskett.
Famous Aircraft in Origami by Jose Maria Chaquet Ulldemolins.
Fun and Easy Paper Airplanes by Andrew Dewar.
Origami Boxes by Florence Temko.
Paper in Three Dimensions: Origami, Pop-ups, Sculpture, Baskets, Boxes and More by Diane Maurer-Mathison.
Picture Perfect Origami: All You Need to Know to Make Fantastic Origami Creations Shown in Step-by-Step Photos by Nick Robinson.
Simple Origami Airplanes: Fold ‘Em and Fly ‘Em by Andrew Dewar.
Totally Cool Polymer Clay Projects by Marie Browning.
Books to Share and Booktalk
One Thousand Paper Cranes: The Story of Sadako and the Children’s Peace Statue by Ishii Takayuki.
Runaway Girl: The Artist Louise Bourgeois by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan.
Promotion
Prepare posters or flyers for the programs. An example of a poster advertising the Paper Airplane Contest and an example of a series of recycled craft programs are provided here. Hang the posters around the library but also distribute flyers at local teen hangouts and the craft stores in the community.
Find Promotional Poster Example #1 and Promotional Poster Example #2 at the end of this chapter.
Bulletin Board
Go Green Craft Projects!
Use old wrapping paper for the background of the bulletin board and old CDs for the border. Affix examples of completed crafts or pictures of them. Staple an old gift bag or box on the bulletin board next to a re-decorated gift bag or box. Add six to ten CD jewel case picture frames, created following the instructions in this program, with pictures of your teens.
3-D Craft Projects!
Affix white butcher paper to the bulletin board for the background. Make different kinds of airplanes and staple them to the bulletin board. Put examples of clay and beaded pieces in plastic shadow boxes and mount them on the bulletin board. All of the items should be three-dimensional and stick out from the board.
Refreshments
Refreshments aren’t necessary for arts and crafts programs, but food is always a great attraction for teens. Limit snacks to dry and non-greasy foods such as cookies or pretzels since sticky, greasy fingers can ruin paper crafts. Also provide beverages with lids, such as bottled water or juice packs, rather than in cups to limit the possibility of spills that will also ruin paper crafts. If desired, provide a variety of “raw materials” and let the teens craft their own snacks. For example, provide icing, candies, licorice lace, and other treats to use in crafting a cupcake.
Games and Activities:
CD Sun Catchers: A CD Recycling Project!
Materials
- CDs
- Glue dots
- String
- Markers
- Suction cup with hook
- An assortment of permanent markers
Directions
Each teen will need two CDs, four glue dots, one 24” piece of string, markers, one suction cup, and an assortment of permanent markers. They will follow these instructions to create their CD Sun Catcher.
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CD Jewel Case Picture Frames!
Materials
- Old CD jewel cases
- Pre-cut cardstock in various colors, size 4 7/8” x 5”
- A variety of scrapbooking and colored craft papers
- Glue dots, photo mounts, and scrapbooking glue
- A variety of markers and gel pens
- Ribbon, embroidery floss, recycled gift-wrapping materials
- Copies of personal pictures that can be cut
- Adhesive magnet tape (available in rolls that are 1/2” x 10’)
Directions
Teens will take one 4 7/8” x 5” piece of cardstock and decorate it to their liking, using a small picture (or pictures), scrapbook paper, ribbon and markers. To make a standing picture frame, the teens will take wrapping paper and carefully wrap the back portion of the jewel case, tape side in. Alternatively, if they wish to make a magnetic picture frame, leave the back plain and affix a strip of adhesive magnetic tape on the back. Insert the decorated cardstock, picture side out, into the jewel case. Finally, using ribbon tie, glue or tape ribbon around the jewel case, so that it holds the jewel case open when it is placed standing up.
Recycled Gift Bags
Materials
- A variety of old gift bags or other types of shopping bags with handles
- A variety of decorative papers, including handmade papers, scrapbooking papers, wrapping paper, construction paper, and old greeting cards
- Markers and gel pens
- Glitter glue or glitter pens
- Scissors
- Glue sticks, glue dots and photo mounts
- Ribbon
- Rulers
Directions
Have the teens start by measuring the front, back, sides, and bottom of their gift bag. Next, teens can either wrap their gift bag with wrapping paper or they can decorate individual sheets of paper. Teens should treat each piece of paper they will affix to the bag much like a page in a scrapbook, adding decorative elements, pictures, graphics, parts of old greeting cards, and ribbon. Once the teens have finished decorating their paper, they glue dots of craft glue or use double sided tape to attach each decorated piece to the recycled bag. Finally, they let it dry and use it for their next gift.
Decorate Your Device: Create Beaded Critter Charms!
Materials
- Large decorative beads
- Small seed beads in various colors
- 10” pieces of 26 gauge craft wire
- Small split ring
- Cell phone lanyards
- Wire cutters
Directions
In advance, purchase enough cell phone lanyards for each teen to have at least one. These are available from local craft supply stores or online from Hobby Lobby, http://shop.hobbylobby.com/. Give each teen two large beads, five ten inch pieces of 26 gauge craft wire, a small split ring, a cell phone lanyard, and wire cutters. Provide seed beads in various colors.
Follow these steps to create your critter charm.
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Model Magic Fun! Two Clay Projects for Anyone!
Both of these projects are great for all ages, including tweens and teens, and both projects allow teens to express their imagination in 3-D format. Crayola Model Magic is a non-sticky, non-greasy modeling clay that comes in a variety of colors, including red, blue, yellow, white, and assorted natural colors and assorted neon colors. The great thing about Crayola Model Magic is that you can mix colors to create new colors. For example, by mixing red and blue, you get purple, or by mixing blue and yellow, you get green, and by mixing yellow and red make orange. Mixing colors involves kneading the two colors together until the new color is smooth. For a marbled effect, knead the colors just a little bit, leaving the clay slightly unmixed. Model Magic is non-toxic and non-staining, making it an ideal medium for the library setting.
Critters, Pinch Pots, Vessels and Plaques
Materials
- 1 class pack of assorted colors Crayola Model Magic self-drying clay
- 1 bucket of assorted neon colors Crayola Model Magic self-drying clay
Directions
Start by showing teens how to create new colors by mixing two or more colors together. Teens can make nameplates or plaques for their bedroom door or locker, flowers, or cute little critters like the frog and bugs pictured here. Simply mold and model the clay into the desired shapes. Two pieces can be attached to each other by firmly sticking them together. Once teens have created their piece of art, they can take it home. The clay will dry completely within 24 hours. Once it is dry, teens can draw or paint directly on the clay for additional color and decoration using markers or watercolor and acrylic paints.
Beads and Medallions!
Materials
- 1 class pack of assorted colors Crayola Model Magic self-drying clay
- 1 bucket of assorted neon colors Crayola Model Magic self-drying clay
- Plastic knives
- Toothpicks or styluses
- Fishing wire or jewelry wire
- Leather cord or ribbon
Directions
Using Crayola Model Magic clay the teens can use several techniques to create beads and medallions for handmade jewelry projects, charms, or embellishments for other projects. Teens begin by rolling a piece of colored clay into a ball and then flattening the ball like a pancake. Repeat with several colors. Once two or more flat sheets of clay have been prepared, layer the variously colored sheets on top of each other. Use a plastic knife to cut the clay into 1/4” pieces. Use a toothpick to poke a hole in each bead. Once the beads are dry, string them using fishing line or jewelry wire. Either twist the wire to secure the bracelet or necklace or adhere appropriate jewelry fixings.
For a different type of bead, roll small pieces of the clay into a ball, or hand shape them into squares or other shapes. Use the toothpick to poke a hole in each bead. String the beads together on fishing wire or jewelry wire.
Make larger medallions by forming pieces of clay into shapes, such as hearts, circles, squares, diamonds, or triangles. Add words or a name to the shapes with bits of Model Magic or by using a toothpick or stylus to carve out the words, if desired. Punch two holes next to each other at the top of the medallion. After the beads have dried, thread a length of leather cord or ribbon through the holes to make a necklace.
Make Your Own Gift Boxes
Materials
- 12” x 12” cardstock in a variety of colors
- A variety of decorative papers, including handmade papers, scrapbooking papers, wrapping paper, construction paper and old greeting cards
- A variety of markers and gel pens
- Glitter glue or glitter pens
- Scissors
- Glue sticks, glue dots and photo mounts
- Ribbon
Directions
Making gift boxes is a simple project requiring mostly folding, gluing, and embellishment. Find a simple gift box pattern at the end of this program, from one of the books on making gift boxes or use the template from Family Crafts, http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/coloringpages/l/blbox template.htm, or Package Tech.com, http://www.packagetech.com/printable-boxes-and-seals.html. Print the pattern directly on the cardstock so that teens can cut and fold it, or print the pattern on regular paper and use it as a template. When using a template, teens will trace their box pattern onto a sheet of paper, cut around the outline, then fold and glue the tabs. Teens will then decorate and embellish the boxes using a variety of materials. Make several examples using different materials to give teens some ideas.
Paper Airplanes Contest
Materials
- 8 ½” x 11 copier papers in a variety of colors
- Markers and gel pens
Directions
Find several templates for paper airplanes and make multiple copies of them. In addition to templates in Microsoft Publisher 2007, templates are available online from Fun Paper Airplanes, http://www.funpaperairplanes.com/Plane%20Downloads.html and Games Ideas for Kids, http://www.gameideasforkids.com/paper_airplane_games.htm. Teens can also “free style” their plane by folding the paper without using a pattern. Use the markers and gel pens to decorate or embellish the planes. Once the teens have completed their airplanes, hold a series of contests, awarding a small prize, such as books on origami or gift cards to a local coffee shop, for each winner. Contest categories might include:
Which airplane flies the farthest?
Which airplane flies the worst?
Which airplane has the best decoration?
Guest Speakers
Contact local arts and crafts stores such as Hobby Lobby, Michaels, or Texas Art Supply and ask if they have any instructors who will volunteer to present demonstrations or teach a class at the library. They may teach classes for free or offer discounts to non-profit organizations. In smaller communities or rural areas, contact art instructors at local schools and colleges to ask if there are teachers or students who will volunteer their time. Even many smaller towns have a craft business or artists who will work with the teens.
Web Sites
Creativity Portal -- Mobiles
www.creativity-portal.com/howto/artscrafts/mobile.html
This site offers links to a variety of projects to create mobiles.
Origami
www.origami.com
Diagrams, models, and more about origami are provided at this web site.
Professional Resources
The Hipster Librarian’s Guide to Teen Craft Projects by Tina Coleman and Peggy Llanes.
Re-Creative: 50 Projects for Turning Found Items into Contemporary Design by Steve Dodds.
Super Crafty: Over Amazing How-to Projects! by Susan Beal, Torie Nguyen, Rachel O’Rourke and Cathy Pitters.
A Look at Which Crafts are Better for Young Teens: 19 Articles
http://www.helium.com/knowledge/90996-a-look-at-which-crafts-are-better-for-young-teens
The articles on this site offer a look at how teens benefit from crafts and why some are more popular than others.
Program Materials and Examples
Promotional Poster Example #1
Printer Friendly PDF Version (714 KB)
Promotional Poster Example #2
Printer Friendly PDF Version (501 KB)
Gift Box Pattern
Printer Friendly PDF Version (21 KB)
