Painting Valentine's Day and African Inspired Pasta Necklaces

Alright, this post's title is completely wackadoo, but hear me out.  Chuck and I painted pasta necklaces to wear on Valentine's Day.  But after painting a bunch of pasta pretty pastel colors, my eyes yearned for primary colors.  So while Chuck slept, I peeked online and found some really beautiful beaded African necklaces.  And then this mama went to town and painted her own pasta pieces with African inspired colors and designs.

Keep reading to see how we painted them!


Materials:

• Craft paint
• Paint brushes
• Pasta 
• Painter's tape
• Yarn
• Tape
• Scissors
• Scrap paper
• Wax paper 
• Cup for water
• Disposable plate or palette to hold paint

Directions:
1.  Cover your work area.

2.  Paint your pasta!  (Optional- place painter's tape on some pasta to prevent areas from being painted.)

3.  Place your pasta on a waxy surface to dry.  (I'm not sure if this was needed, but I just worried that my pasta would stick to my brown paper bags as paint dried.)

4.  Once your pasta dries, it's time to string your necklaces.  Cut out a strand of yarn.  (Make sure your finished necklace will be long enough to go over your head.)  Place a tab of tape on one end to prevent your noodles from slipping.  Wrap the other end in tape to make it sturdier and less flimsy).  Now it will be easier for little hands to string your necklaces.

5.  Once you're satisfied with your design, tie both ends together and trim off your taped ends.

Now you've got yourself some African inspired pasta necklaces....

and some pretty ones for Valentine's day too!

Happy kid crafting!

Do you have older children who'd enjoy making cool DIY jewelery too?  Check out these links!

• Melted Perler Bead Bracelets
• Eggshell Mosaic Necklaces
• String Art Milk Jug Necklaces
• Mosaic Bean Pendants
• Milk Jug Rings
• Tribal Popsicle Stick Bracelets