DID YOU KNOWthat there are a lot of crafts you can do right out of your own backyard this summer?

One of my favorite things to do is to take a walk through my yard to find various things to make beads out of. Some of the strangest things make for the best beads. One day I happened upon a small little branch and when I looked at this branch further I found it to be what is known as Bird's Eye Maple. It was a beautiful piece of wood that I took to my shop and started to take the bark off to expose the delicate and black pocked markings of the grain. I let the branch dry for about a week and then started to sand it down. As soon as it was all smooth I took it and cut it into small one inch pieces. Once those pieces were cut I drilled a hole through them with a 1/4 inch drill bit.

When the beads started to take form I took a small piece of sandpaper and rubbed it on the ends of each piece to make sure they were smooth after I had cut them. Once I had completed this task the beads were ready to be strung. I like to use 100 per cent natural hemp cording for all of my necklaces because I like to keep everything a natural as possible.

There are other mediums you can use for beading in your back yard as well. You can use pine cones (when they are brown), small stones, seeds, or even bones that you might find.

The thing is saftey first. Be sure to ask your mom or dad if it is ok before you cut anything or, you can even ask them to help you while you are cutting these items. You are also going to need to wear clear goggles so that while cutting you do not get any splinters or pieces of the items you are cutting in your eyes. If you are sanding items like wood or bone it is a great idea to make sure you wear a face mask. You can get a face mask from any hardware store. A face mask

will protect your lungs and breathing from dust. Also, it is a good idea to first find out from your parents if you are allergic to dust before you start sanding. This way you have covered all of your bases.

Once your beads are crafted now is the time to get creative. You can paint your beads any color you want. You can also take your beads and roll them in clay to add a bit of flair to them.

Once they are rolled in clay you have to have your mom or dad bake the piece for you. Usually, it takes about thirty minutes in the oven at 350 degrees for the clay to harden. Once you take the pieces out of the oven you should let them cool for about an hour.

You can color on your wood and bone beads with permanent markers or even draw designs on them. This is a super cool way to add your own individuality to each piece. Be sure you use permanent markers because if not once you string them and wear them you end up getting the marker on your skin or on your cloths because it is not permanent.

This summer will be a lot of fund and that fun will be in your hands. Be creative and have fun.