Duct Tape Bows

Difficulty: Easy

 This is the first craft I've put on here that doesn't really go back for hundreds of years. But it still has some history!
It came about during World War Two, when there was a need for a strong, durable, waterproof tape that could repair broken windows, seal canisters, and help the war effort in general. Soon, a new kind of tape was invented. Polycoat adhesives helped the tape stick to just about anything, and polyethylene coating allowed them to laminate it to a cloth backing which made it tougher but easier to rip. After the war, it was used to, (you guessed it!), repair ducts. That's where it got its name. But a few years ago, duct tape increased in popularity. It was made with many different colors and patterns and is now used not only for taping ducts and doing other repair work, but for making crafts. One of the easiest is a duct tape bow.

YOU WILL NEED:

• Duct tape
• Scissors
• A bobby pin or barrette (optional)

 First, cut off a piece of duct tape that is about 2 1/2 inches long.

Next, cut off another, slightly bigger piece. This is just so that you can trim it without making it too small.

Stick the two pieces together. Don't worry if it's uneven, you'll fix that next.

Now trim off the sticky bits that are hanging off the edge. Make sure that your rectangle isn't too lopsided.

Fold it in half.

Now grab it as close to the middle as you can, like it shows in the picture.

Fold out the two ends, like so.

 Then fold them down and pinch them there, just in the middle.

Finally, use a narrow strip to keep the ends down. You can use a bobby pin or barrette and stick it through between the strip and bow, or tape it there with another strip, so you can put it in your hair.

Origami Rose

Difficulty: Easy

The Japanese word "Origami" itself is a compound of two smaller Japanese words: "oru", meaning to fold, and "kami", meaning paper. Japanese origami began sometime after Buddhist monks carried paper to Japan during the 6th century. The first Japanese origami is dated from this period and was used for religious ceremonial purposes only, due to the high price of paper. Samurai warriors are known to have exchanged gifts adorned with noshi, a sort of good luck token made of folded strips of paper. Some origami can be very complicated, but right now, I'll show you how to make a pretty easy one: a rose.


YOU WILL NEED:

• One square piece of paper (any size)

That's all!

 First, fold the paper in half, then in half again, so it's like a mini version of what you started out with.

 Now, unfold it. You should have a + shape in the middle of the paper. This will help you with the next step.

Now, fold in one corner. The sides of the corner should fit in perfectly with one square in the fold.

Do the same thing with the other four corners.

All right, now we have to do the same thing. With the four corners in this square, fold them into the middle.

Last time, I promise! With those corners folded in, fold in these corners!

Fold out the corners this time. See those four points in the middle? Fold those out, like it shows in the picture. These are the outer petals.

Fold out the four corners that you've uncovered in the last step. These are the middle petals. There's just one layer left!

Finally, fold out the last petals, and you have an origami rose! You can make them with colored paper, patterned paper, big paper, small paper... just go to a nearby craft store and pick up lots of cool square paper! Have fun!

Ojos de Dios/ God's Eyes

Difficulty: Medium

Ojos de Dios, meaning God's Eyes in Mexican, are yarn and stick creations traditionally made by the Huichoi Indians, who live in the southern mountains of Mexico's Sierra Madre Occidental Range. The design, created by yarn wrapped around the intersections of sticks at two right angles, forms the shape of a cross that is meant to symbolize the four elements: earth, air, water, and fire. When a child is born, the father makes an Ojos de Dios, and on the child's birthday, another one is made, until the child reaches the age of five. The creations are bound together and kept throughout that person's life as a good luck charm.

But enough about the history, let's make one!

YOU WILL NEED:

• A ball of yarn
• A gluestick, tape, or hot glue gun
• Two popsicle sticks, toothpicks, or any two sticks of the same size

First, you'll need to put the two sticks, (I prefer popsicle sticks), together at right angles from each other, and glue/tape them together. A gluestick or hot glue gun works best, but tape works in a pinch. Now, if you're using glue, wait until it is fully dry before going on, or else your finished product may be crooked.

Next, pull about 5-8 feet of yarn, (depending on the size of the sticks), from the ball and tie it across the corners, like so. Don't cut the yarn yet, you may need more. You can cut it at the end.

Now, bring your longer piece of yarn under the top popsicle stick, then around, so that you can see one band around it, then under again.

 Do the same thing with the next one. From where you left off, bring the yarn under, around, under.

Keep going! Do the next one. And the next. Remember, under, around, under!

Keep going.

 Annnd... going.

 And going... (it's getting bigger!)

 And when it seems big enough, you can stop.

Now, flip it over. Doesn't it look cool? You can keep it whichever way you like it. Now, cut the yarn, leaving a few inches to tie around the last popsicle stick. If you want to make it into a Christmas tree ornament, simply leave a longer string at the end and tie a loop. Or you can just cut off the extra string and give it to someone as a present. Also, you can make them tiny, with toothpicks, or huge, with broom handles, (although that takes a while.) There are so many possibilities!