Discover an amazingly easy way to make delicate filigree-style ornaments. Hang one in a window, wear it as a pendant, or give it as a memorable gift!

• 1.

  Fabric lace and metal filigree (delicate metalwork that looks like lace) have been made by artisans for centuries. Research the origins of both and you’ll discover ancient civilizations. Each art form can create delicate and beautiful works of art from tiny amounts of material.

• 2.

  To create your own lacy ornament or pendant, mix a Ping-Pong ball amount of Crayola Air-Dry Clay with a small amount of water in a plastic sandwich bag. Close the bag and knead until the slurry is about the consistency of thick pudding. With Crayola Scissors, cut a tiny corner off the bag. Squeeze out the clay mix on waxed paper.

• 3.

  Be sure to overlap the strands of clay as you create your ornament. Leave space to thread a ribbon! If you forgot, just put the clay back in the bag and start again. Air-dry the ornament for a day or two.

• 4.

  Cover your art area with newspaper. If you like, paint your lace with Crayola Premier™ Tempera, which also comes in gold and silver for special effects. Air-dry the paint.

• 5.

  Decorate your ornament with Crayola Glitter Glue if you wish. Air-dry the glitter.

• 6.

  Tie on a beautiful ribbon to hang or wear your creation.

Standards

• LA: Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.
• LA: Read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, at the high end of grade level text's complexity band independently and proficiently.
• LA: Conduct short research projects that use several sources to build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
• LA: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade level topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
• SS: Describe ways in which language, stories, folktales, music, and artistic creations serve as expressions of culture and influence behavior of people living in a particular culture.
• VA: Intentionally take advantage of the qualities and characteristics of art media, techniques, and processes to enhance communication of experiences and ideas.
• VA: Select and use the qualities of structures and functions of art to improve communication of ideas.
• VA: Use subjects, themes, and symbols that demonstrate knowledge of contexts, values, and aesthetics that communicate intended meaning in artworks.
• VA: Describe and place a variety of art objects in historical and cultural contexts.

Adaptations

• Students research the history of metal filigree ornaments. Organize research into an electronic format and include photographs of ornaments from the time period.
• Students create larger original designs for wall plaques. Encourage students to leave an open space In the middle of the plaque to create a picture frame.