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Here in Australia we have little lizards we call geckos they have sticky feet and walk around on the walls and ceilings and eat mosquitoes, flies and other annoying insects so we feel very lucky when they choose to live in our home with us they are very cute to look at and make a tiny clicking sound.

Because we think they are lucky I have made a beaded earring pattern of them so I can have the good luck wherever I go. If you would like to share my good luck just follow the instructions below.

You may use any size beads depending

On what size gecko you would like, for these earrings

I used 1mm barrel beads

(42) Body colour

(12) Feet colour

(2) Eyes

(1) Nose

(2) Earring wires or

(1) Lanyard hook (necklace)

(2 x 18’’ (48mm) strong twine for earring use around 48"

(122mm) For larger beads.

Ruler

Scissors

Glue

Instructions

Apply glue to each end of the twine, twist to a point , allow to dry.

Fold twine in half push fold through ring of earring wire, thread loose ends through loop pull tight.

(You may also just thread the twine through earring wire and secure with a crimp.)

Step one thread the nose bead onto one side of twine then thread the other end through opposite side of bead and pull tight until it is snug against the earring wire.

Second row thread 2 body beads onto one side of twine and then thread the other end through opposite sides of beads pull tight up to nose bead.

Third row use one eye one body one eye and thread onto twine the same as before.

Fourth row two body beads.

Fifth row thread 2 body beads 3 foot beads bring the same twine up thread through the two body beads pull tight so leg and foot are tight against body, repeat on other side.

Using all body color beads for next 6 rows

1) 3 beads

2) 4 beads

3) 4 beads

4) 4 beads

5) 3 beads

6) 6 2 beads

Next repeat as for feet

Then 1 row of 2 beads and 7 rows of one bead for tail.

Tie a knot and put a little glue on the knot leave to dry trim off ends.

May you enjoy much luck wearing your lucky Gecko earrings.

About the Author

Sandra Hedditch is an ex-primary School craft teacher and now loves making things with her

Grandchildren, and also sells many of her creations at the local markets.

Here Imagine Craft brings to you a simple puppet theatre for your children to have lots

of fun with, this is easy to make and you can use your imagination to make it for your

child’s favorite characters.

Cotton Fabric 5cm longer than the height of your door frame and 4 cm wider.

Two oblong pieces 34cm by 62 for center curtain, plus a few scraps of contrasting Fabric for decoration.

Seven large buttons

1.60m of 2.5cm webbing

55cm length of dowelling

Velcro sew n stick the width of door frame

Sewing thread (pinking shears optional)

Wooden spoons scrap material and comic or magazines.

Sew a small seam all around the long fabric to neaten edges, then sew Velcro ½ cm from the top

The other half will be stuck to the top of your door frame to hang the curtain on.

Cut a window at a comfortable height for your child to work behind.

Using the oblong piece of fabric for the curtains sew to top of window and using contrasting color fabric sew to the sides for decoration here you may also sew the buttons on for extra effect. As shown.

Here is an example of the puppets to give you an idea of how to make them.

With a bit of imagination you could make

Bat man, The Simpsons, Winnie the Pooh.

Or maybe a pop star or favorite actor.

You can use scraps of material for the clothing and paint on the faces, if you are not good at painting you may find the faces you want in a magazine or comic to cut out and stick on.

Here is a guide of how to make the cloths

Cut out two of the tunic pieces as shown

Sew seams together stuff a little wadding in sleeves for arms and tuck the hands into end of sleeve and sew in place.

To make the pants for the boy just cut two oblong pieces of fabric sew and stuff with a little wadding then sew to bottom of tunic.

I am sure you will be able to come up with your own wonderful costumes for your puppets.

This is a great entertainment for small children’s parties to while away an hour or so.

Another project bought to you by Imagine Craft

Salt dough is a cheap and fun way of making all kind of great decorations for yourself and friends.

To get your imagination going here are a list of things you could make.

1) Photo frame

2) Medals

3) Hanging plaques

4) Ginger bread type people for child’s room

5) Door hangers.

I am sure you will be able to think of many more once you get in the creative flow.

Mix the flour and salt in a bowl then mix in the oil and water

Knead the ingredients by hand, sprinkling water into mixture

As you go, until the dough forms a ball.

Remove from the bowl and continue to knead for about 10 minutes

Until smooth and feels slightly warm.

Now here I am going to tell you how to make a hanging basket to give you an idea of what can be achieved.

On a slightly floured board roll out the dough until it is about 1cm thick,

Cut into 2cm wide strips, lay one dough strip on the baking tray and lay a second over it to form a cross shape, lay a third strip over the second parallel to the first.

Fold back the first strip lay a forth underneath, parallel to the second strip lay strip one back

You can see this forms the basket woven effect.

Continue to lay your strips this way until there are seven vertical strips and four horizontal strips.

Make the basket shape by curving the outer vertical strips inwards at the bottom and fix with a little water, trim of excess dough.

Roll out two finger-thick sausage shapes and fix to sides of the basket with a little water.

To make the base of the basket roll out two more sausage shapes the same thickness and lay those next to each other starting in the middle gently twist them together to form a rope look, with a little water attach the rope to the base of your basket.

Now make another rope in the same way for the handle and another for the top trim again fix with water.

Using a skewer make a hole on either side of the basket near the top this will be to attach a ribbon later.

Here you may use the egg glaze BUT if you wish to paint your basket then do not glaze.

With the rolling pin roll out remaining dough and cut out some leaves and also roll some dough into little cherry shape balls then arrange them at top of basket to appear it is full again attaching with water.

When you are happy with your arrangement place in your oven at 145c/ 290f/ Gas 1½

for 2½ to 3 hours, when done leave to totally cool.

Now you are ready to paint your basket, water paints are fine as long as you do not make the basket too wet. I find acrylic paint is better as you do not need to use water.

When you have finished painting and it is dry you will need to cover in a clear varnish at least two coats, making sure the first coat is dry before applying the next

VERY IMPORTANT, do make sure the whole of your work is totally varnished as uncovered dough will go moldy and will disintegrate.

To make meddles is easy and fun for children roll out the dough on a board and using cookie cutters to make the shapes make a hole in the top and bake the same as for the basket.

Once your children have painted them it is a good idea if you do the varnishing for them

Then when dry you can thread a cord of your choice through the hole to make a necklace.

About the Author

Sandra Hedditch is an ex-primary School craft teacher and now loves making things with her

Grandchildren, and also sells many of her creations at the local markets.

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