Clothespin Flake

It must be that time of year and everyone has the same idea to make snowflakes from the same material; or wooden clothespins have a seasonal life.  I went to four different stores and there were no clothespins to be found. Perhaps held for summer months where we can hang clothes outdoors on the line.

The most gorgeous snowflakes not cut out of paper that had an old world charm was on this site: http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2013/11/easy-holiday-ornament-ideas.html.  Who knew that snowflakes could not so-o-o beautiful!

In preparation for this craft, we read about Snowflake Bentley, a farmer/scientist who had had an interest in snow storms and snowflakes all his life.  After the reading, we began to construct our snowflakes.

Children love taking things apart, so this was actually fun!  We bagged those metal pieces because I found out that one can make jewelry from them.

        

This young man is putting his name on his snowflake.

What a beautiful collection just as is!  They could have been stained for an old-fashion flare.

Since we learned how to mix colors a month or so back, the children wanted to paint their snowflakes a cool color.

The last item was to sprinkle the snowflake with glitter.  And there you go--glitter goes with everything!

Supplies:
1. wooden clothespins
2. wood glue
3. hot glue gun
4. paint
5. glitter
6. sealer

Directions:
1.  take clothespins apart separating them from metal connector (use 8 clothespins for one snowflake)
2.  glue the backs of the clothespins together (equals eight pairs)
3.  hot glue angled heads of clothespins together forming a cross, or north, south, east, west design
4.  insert the other four pairs in between the formed angles
5. sprinkle glitter
6. spray on sealer (regardless, glitter gets on EVERYTHING!!)