DIY

How to Make Terracotta Christmas Bells

Money is tight for families all over the country. Many parents are looking for crafts their children can make to give as gifts this year. Teach them how to make terracotta Christmas bells to give to aunts and uncles or grandparents. Those receiving the bells will love that the children made the gift themselves.

It seems every year you can find wind chimes made from new and different materials. Some may be made from aluminum, others from copper tubes or wood. Some are even made from sea shells. This craft is easy enough for young children to do with minimal adult supervision.

To make these terracotta Christmas bells you’ll need a few supplies:

* Two 3-inch terracotta pots
* Acrylic paint (gold, silver, red, white or green are good choices)
* Soft-bristled paintbrush
* Heavy cord
* Large wooden beads
* Water-based polyurethane

Start out by washing and drying the pots. This will ensure there isn’t any loose clay or dirt on them. Paint the terracotta pots in Christmas colors. They don’t have to be the same base color. You can also paint holly leaves, candy canes, elves or other Christmas images on the pots. Allow them to dry completely before assembly.

Heavy cord is the best choice for this craft because you want something that will be sturdy. It may have to stay together during some strong winds, so make sure it’s heavy but not too big to fit through the hole in the bottom of the pot.

Tie a knot in one end of the cord. Make sure the knot is tight. Then string a large bead onto the cord. Tie a knot a little higher on the cord and then string another bead onto it. Next you’ll put the cord through the drainage hole in the pot. Put a third bead onto the string and tie a knot. This will hide the drainage hole. Create a loop to hang the bell and then cut off the remaining cord.

If you’d like, you can layer two terracotta pots. Complete the project to the part where you’d put the third bead on the cord. Instead, tie the knot directly over the pot. Move a couple of inches up the cord and tie another knot and finish the project as before. By doing this you’ll have the clacker (bead hanging down), a knot to hold the pot in place, and then another knot to hold the second pot in place. Complete it with the final bead on top to cover the drainage hole.

Except for cutting the cord to the correct length, this is a project children can make without Mom or Dad watching too closely. When they learn how to make terracotta Christmas bells, they may decide to learn about other crafts using terracotta pots. Encourage their creativity and you may not have to buy Christmas presents this year.

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