Colorful rocks can be used in a variety of craft projects.
You’ve just come back from a weekend of camping or your vacation at the beach and your amateur geologist has brought back a backpack full of rocks. Rather than let them sit in a box in the corner gathering dust, use these found treasures for some creative projects. These crafts can combine your child’s love of rocks with the fun of creating their own artwork.
Tumbled Rock Jewelry
Beach rocks or pebbles are usually quite smooth due to the action of the waves constantly turning them and rubbing them against each other. Rocks also tend to be more colorful when they are wet. One way to get that "wet" look for rocks of any origin is to polish them in a rock tumbler. Tumbling rocks does require patience, since each step takes about a week and there are usually at least three required cycles. At the end, you will have a handful of colorful, shiny rocks suitable for making jewelry or other gifts. There are starter tumbler kits made for children that have the necessary grit and polish included. Some of the tumbler starter kits also come with inexpensive jewelry pieces to mount the stones in. If you are planning several craft projects, you might consider buying an adult tumbler that can handle more rocks.
Rock Mosaics
Brightly colored rocks, such as pink quartz, green serpentine or red jasper, are perfect materials for mosaics. Obsidian, which is usually found in black, brown or shades of gray, is also a good choice. Help your child break up larger rocks by putting them in a towel or dishcloth and striking them with a hammer. You may want to tumble the rocks before using them, since it brings out the colors and takes away sharp edges. Once you have your rocks ready, take a piece of cardboard and draw your design. Glue the rocks on to the cardboard. Your mosaic can be completely made of rocks, or you can mix the materials, perhaps adding small pieces of driftwood or shells.
Rock Mice
Take some smooth rocks and make a family of rock mice. Stones that are oval or egg-shaped work best. Glue four tiny pebbles on the bottom of the mouse for legs and let them dry. Take some googly eyes, the ones that move, and glue them to one end of the rock. If you have an egg-shaped rock, put the eyes on the pointed end. Cut out a tail and two ears out of felt and glue them on your mouse. Use a felt pen to draw a nose and some whiskers on the rock. Now give each of your mice its own identity. Make tiny glasses out of wire, hats or bow ties out of paper or fabric scraps or even little clothes out of felt. Take an empty egg carton, paint or color it and make a "mouse house" for your new friends.
Tags: craft projects, glue them, Take some, them rock