Elf in a Jar Kit

Did you get an Elf in a Jar Kit? 

 

We're glad to see you here! 

We went to some effort to make sure that you would not need glue, needles, or even super sharp scissors to make this craft. 

Before you begin, make sure you have a good, clear workspace. You might want to ask Mom for a cookie sheet or tray to contain your supplies. 

Here's what you will find in your jar

• Pre-cut Pipecleaners in 3 sizes
  
• Wooden beads in several sizes
  
• Embroidery floss for "hair." 
  
• Yarn and fabric flowers, leaves, or fabric scraps

Here's what you need to find around the house

• Scissors for cutting thread
• A fine-tip permanent marker like a Sharpie or Identipen
  

And here's how to make your elf

 Or, if you want more detail...

1. Lay your pipe cleaners out by size. (I'm going to call them wires from here on.) Pick a middle sized wire. This will make your legs.
Fold it in half. On each half, string a medium bead, a small bead, and another medium bead. Loop the extra pipe cleaner at each end to make a nice, big foot. 

2. Now find the largest pipe cleaner.  This will be your torso and arms. Fold it in a "u" shape around the center of your legs. Give it a couple of twists to make it secure. 

4. Let's add the skirt. Find a large flower petal. If you have extra, use two of them Thread them over your torso wires. 

4. Find your biggest bead. Thread it carefully over both ends of your torso wire. 

5. Now, fold the ends of your torso wires out to make arms. Thread on two small beads, then use the left over wire to loop into hands. 

6. Time to make the head and neck! Take the smallest pipe cleaner. Don't fold it in half like the others: just loop the end of it around the two torso wires just at the top of the big bead. Secure it well. 

7. Thread on a second flower (small or large, you decide) for the blouse, then a tiny bead (neck) and the second largest bead (head.) There should be quite a lot of wire left over sticking out. 

8. Here's where you will need those thread scissors. Grab your hank or spool of embroidery floss. Find an end, and start looping it around the four fingers of your left hand (assuming you are right handed. Otherwise, use the right!) When you run out of thread, take your scissors and carefully cut through the loops in the center (for long hair) or at both ends (for shorter, thick hair.) You will end up with a nice bundle of hair. 

9. Loop the pipe cleaner at the top of the head around your bundle of hair a couple of times. Arrange it neatly. If you would like to add a flower or leaf hat for your elf, thread it on before you run out of pipe cleaner. 

10. Your elf is nearly done: all that's left is decorating it!
Use the yarn to tie your elf's "blouse" into place by criss-crossing it over the shoulders several times.

You may also have extra bits and pieces of yarn, flowers, feathers, or leaves. This is where you get to be extra creative. No rules here: just figure out what you'd like to do with them and add them on! 

11. Last but not least, give your elf a face! You might want to ask Mom for help on this step.
Here's a tip: look at a real person and notice that her eyes are actually about half way down her head, not right at the top. Try drawing your elf's eyes right in the middle of the head. Then add a nose and a cute smile. 

Congratulations! 

Now that you've made your first elf, what would you like to do differently with the second? Should she be taller, or shorter? Would you like to make her hair a little longer? Maybe this elf is actually a boy! Improvising pants and a tunic might not be easy, but I'll bet you could do it! What do you have around the house that could help? (Be sure to ask Mom before "borrowing" any fake flowers, fabric scraps, or the like!) 

When your elves are done, here are some more fun things to think about

Where do your elves live? Do they have a house out in your garden? What is it made out of? Where do they sleep? What keeps them warm at night?
What do they eat and drink? Do they have dishes? Do they get along with the other inhabitants of your yard?

Would you like to keep making elves after the first two? Here is another set of instructions for making an elf (or fairy) out of just one pipe cleaner with no beads. It's a little easier, and requires fewer supplies.