I'm always trying to think of creative things Anne can make for family and friends. Figuring out crafty gifts for men always seems to be challenge. Recently, we came up with this man-ly, bark-covered pencil/pen holder. We made several for Christmas gifts. (It's never to early to start stockpiling handmade gifts for the holidays.)
One word of warning, it does involve a hot glue gun, so adult supervision is needed.
Supplies:
- One empty, clean soup can
- Spray paint (optional--but I spray painted our can bronze to kind of match the bark)
- Hot glue gun (regular white glue just won't hold)
- Gardening gloves
- Bark (We gathered bark from fallen trees on one of our camping trips.)
Step One: If you are going to spray paint the can, do this first. Let completely dry.
Step Two: Break/cut bark in pieces and play around with they to see how they will fit on the can. Remember, that the bark should be flesh with the bottom of the can so that it will sit evenly on a table.
Step Three: Put on gloves to protect hands from hot glue.
Step Four: Adult squeezes hot glue on a small portion of the can. Child attaches and presses the bark to the glue until it cools a bit. Repeat until the entire can is covered.
Step Five: (optional): Sharpen some pencils to include in the holder.
I got mind for Fathers Day! I love it on my desk and put it right to work.
Thank you ANNE, Love PaPa
Posted by: Kelvin Perrien | July 15, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Hi,
we are definitely going to make one of these for a Christmas present. I'd love you to share it on Friday's Nature Table on my blog today... pop over and post it.
Blessings and magic.
Posted by: The Magic Onions | September 18, 2009 at 08:22 AM
These are great! Did you do anything to dry the bark or kill any bugs? I'm thinking some time in a low oven might do the trick?
Posted by: frantically heidi | September 18, 2009 at 07:22 PM