Have you ever heard of Suminagashi? Let us introduce you! An ancient Japanese technique that’s been around for ages, Suminagashi has recently become a hit in the world of jewelry making. You can now find absolutely gorgeous Suminagashi necklaces that make for perfect fashion accessories!  These necklaces are made by floating ink on water and transferring the mesmerizing patterns onto paper or fabric. The result is a stunning effect of swirling colors that makes every piece of Suminagashi jewelry truly unique. Time to add some charm, elegance, and creativity to your wardrobe by making you ..read more

Ready to feel the rhythm of Cinco de Mayo? As the lively celebrations approach, let’s dive into a colorful world of music, history, and creativity with a spotlight on maracas. These iconic percussion instruments have a rich cultural heritage, making them a fun and meaningful addition to any gathering, team-building activity, or children’s party. History in Every Shake Maracas have deep roots in Latin American culture, particularly among Indigenous peoples. Originally crafted from hollow gourds filled with seeds or pebbles, maracas were used in ceremonial rituals and celebrations, a ..read more

I never really contemplated a formal definition of a kite but since we’re broaching the subject here it is: A kite is a tethered heavier-than-air craft with wing surfaces that react against the air to create lift and drag. A kite consists of wings, tethers and anchors. Kites often have a bridle and tail to guide the face of the kite so the wind can lift it. Huh. Well, yes I suppose it is that. It’s also a crazy lot of fun and excitement for people young and old! You don’t even have to be the one flying the kite to enjoy it. Think about the last time you were driving along and saw a kite in th ..read more

From generation to generation, holidays have always called for the one thing we know best – crafting! I specifically remember visiting my grandmother’s house during spring and being mesmerized by these glistening, handmade sequin eggs hanging from an ornamental wire tree she used to display her thematic creations. As she put up her various Easter decorations, either in decorative bowls or dangling in thoughtful places about the house, she’d share stories of making them with all of her children and grandchildren. I didn’t know then that these sparkly eggs were memories and heirlooms I’d cheri ..read more

“Friends. Sisters. Mothers. Professors. When women affirm women, it unlocks our power. It gives us permission to shine brighter.” Elaine Welteroth   Hello, friends! Stacee Gillelen, founder of Dragonfly Designs here to highlight a few of the women who inspire me, in honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day! Margot After spending 22 years in both sales and marketing and in the investment and travel industries, Margot’s dream of starting her own company, Journeys Unparalleled, came true in 2014. She’s shaken up the traditional travel agency model, and rather than just b ..read more

This project is always a hit in our mommy-and-me classes, so we trust it will be a hit for you and your mom (no matter the ages) as well… Bonus: Check out how Agnes walks the team at ABC 7 through this project in the video below. Materials for a Berry Bracelet: An assortment of beads: seed beads, pearls, glass, turquoise Bead assortment trays Spacer beads to frame the focal beads in this piece Bead cups An assortment of clasps: toggle, lobster claw, and extension chain Beading wire: this is a special wire made for jewelry making; we like .014 19 or 49 strands or similar Crimping pliers and/o ..read more

Beads are great for making jewelry but can also be used to create beaded flowers, just in time for spring! This crafting activity is the perfect project to engage the whole family. There are countless options for beaded flowers, and making very ornate beaded flowers with just a few items is possible. However, for this project, we decided to focus on two of the most accessible beaded flower patterns so that those just starting with beading and kids could join the fun. The steps below detail how to make the rounded and straight petal flowers shown in the images. We recommend starting with a sin ..read more

We love paper roses as a Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day gift for moms, aunts, and grandmothers—and as home decor. Paper roses are easy to make and are much more chic than the simple instructions suggest. They require limited supplies—just some craft paper, a pen, scissors, and glue! This is also an excellent project for kids (and adults!) because it doesn’t require perfection. In fact, some variation in the size and shape of the roses gives them a more natural look. We created a garland with our roses by hot gluing them on small gauge wire, but for younger kids, tape or craft glue can be use ..read more

Jewelry making is a fun and creative activities for children and adults. If you are just starting out this is the perfect project for you. With a few materials, including recycled materials from around the house, you can create unique beads and learn the fun of jewelry making. In this tutorial we walk through the process to create paper beads. These beads used recycled material such as newspaper, magazines or recycled printer paper to create something entirely different from its original use. These paper beads can then be combined with other beads to create beautiful and unique bracelets! Dow ..read more

Get Creative with Our 2024 Interactive Calendar Welcome to 2024! A new year is like turning to the first page in a blank journal – filled with all sorts of possibilities. We have a useful tool to inspire you to get things off to a great start…our 2024 Printable Coloring Calendar, with fun coloring pages and motivational quotes for each month. Click this link to receive your 2024 calendar right in your email inbox! We hope you’ll get your family involved and come up with both individual and group goals for the entire year. In addition to those normal daily commitments, plan out fun activities e ..read more