The Adventures of Dot and Mae

Okay, ok, we know it’s a bad pun - but you know how silly Dot and Mae are! They can’t help saying silly things! Yesterday, they had so much fun telling you about fossils, they thought you might like to know some more about rocks and see some fun craft ideas. So forgive them for being silly and asking if you want to ‘ROCK ON!” (Those little girls are so crazy!) Here they are laughing about their silly joke!

Okay, first they would like to show you an easy necklace you can make if you find a really nice rock that you want to wear - or make one for your mom or grandma or sister or aunt or best friend or teacher or . . . ok, ok you get the idea!

Cut a 1 yard piece of twine, string, or sturdy yarn. Attach the twine to the back of the rock with a glue gun (ask your parents for help with that if you aren’t allowed to use it by yourself). Once the glue is pretty dry (that should take a few minutes). wrap the twine several times around rock, securing as necessary with glue. Then take the two loose ends and tie them together to form a necklace. Easy peasy isn’t it? And you will look so lovely in your handmade necklace!

Another fun craft to make with rocks is rock animals! You can make any kind of animal you like - even dragons, or ligers, or some animals you just made up! You will love this craft, Dot and Mae know it!

Here are a few pictures to get some good ideas from. These rock animals can be made into other things too. You can use them on a desk for a paper weight, or set them in front of a door to hold it open, or glue a magnet on the back to hold up your drawings on the fridge, or just make them to decorate your bedroom and make you feel happy.

Glue rocks together before painting them, attaching small stone features such as eyes, feet, or beaks to body parts before joining larger parts; attach whiskers and tails after painting. Cement glue makes the strongest bond but should be used only by parents working in a well-ventilated area. (Kid-friendly glues are less durable and are best for rock crafts that will sit on shelves.)

Use little cushions of nondrying clay to support parts while the glue sets; bread clay works especially well. For example, the alligator’s hungry mouth is partly supported by his pink tongue. Cut-up coffee stirrers are glued to the fellow’s underside for stability and painted gray. Use your imagination and we know you will make some fantastic things!

 

Inspiration and photos from Martha Stewart