Try One of These Pampering Gift Ideas
A few ideas for your next women’s ministry event from Lara Krupicka’s book Pampering Gifts: Crafting a Ministry of Treating People Well For Less (Guardian Books)
Beaded Bookmark in Organza Bag
assorted beads (we used blue, brown, and clear colored)
18 to 24” of either size 6 beading thread of 3/8” wide double-faced satin ribbon
scissors
clear nail polish
3” x “4 organza drawstring pouch
Cut your cord or ribbon to either 18” for a 10” high book, or 24” for a 12-14” high book.
Tie a knot 1” from the end of the cord/ribbon. Slide beads from the opposite end of the ribbon up to the knot. Bead for 1 ½”. Tie a know on the other side of the beads to hold in place.
Measure 10 inches (or 12-14” for larger book) from the inside knot and tie another knot. Bead for 3” and slide up to the knot. Tie another knot against the last bead. Trim the cord ends. Set end knots with nail polish. Place completed bookmark in organza pouch and tighten up drawstring.
To hold beads firmly in place once they’ve been strung, form a loose knot next to the last bead you strung. Slip a straight pin into the loop of the knot and use the pin to guide the knot along the string snugly against the beads. Remove the pin and tighten.
Garden Ornament
18” 20-gauge wire
5 to 6 - ¼” to ½” beads, any color or shape (we used clear, silver and turquoise)
2 - ½” square glass mirrors
large hanging crystal
Feed wire through beads and wrap around one side to hold in place, spacing approximately one-and-a-half inches apart. Thread three beads, and then attach mirrors by applying glue to the back of each before sandwiching wire between. Allow to dry. Thread three remaining beads in same fashion as first three. Tie the crystal bottom end of wire. At top, wind wire around a pencil or pen into a tight circle. Remove pen/pencil. Use this loop for hanging.
Fall Treat Bag
5” wide X 6 ¾” tall non-sealing clear plastic bag
Shredded kraft paper
bite-sized caramels
cinnamon stick
2 tiny faux gourds/squash approx. 1-2” high
orange or burgundy raffia
die cut corrugated paper leaf in brown, orange, or burgundy
packet of hot cider mix (optional)
Assembling this pampering gift requires simply putting the caramels, cinnamon stick, and a tiny gourd into the bag and filling the gaps with a small amount of the craft paper, leaving empty space at the top of the bag. To close bag, fold top down one inch and punch two holes ¼” from fold line and two inches in from each side (this leaves about ½” between the two holes). Next, punch a hole in your leaf die cut; thread the raffia through the holes in bag and leaf. Tie in knot leaving leaf dangling on front side (folded flap goes on back). We also attached a packet of hot cider mix to the outside of the bag.
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