Many of you know that in addition to running my business, I also work part-time as a Children’s Librarian. It’s something that I just love. Spending time with the kids each day lights up my soul, and being surrounded by books every day and being lucky enough to work with them is just so relaxing.
One of the things that I am responsible for is programming for the kids. So much fun! I am constantly being brought back to my childhood and days when I was in the Girl Scouts or worked with the Girl Scouts to come up with programs. One of my favorite parts is testing out the programs that I want to do. Yesterday afternoon I made rain sticks out of paper towel tubes. 🙂 On the inside, we had a piece of cardboard that we cut all these triangles and folded them up, so when the little beads fall, they fall slower.
My project this week with the kids is Perler Beads. 🙂 Some of you may remember these from when you were young.
This is my first attempt! Of course… orange kitty. The bottom right is the pattern I followed, and on the left is how he came out. I was experimenting with levels of ironing and if I liked him smooth or able to see the beads.
The point of all of this is to let you know how much fun I’ve been having making all the various crafts. It’s something that all of us enjoy in the children’s library, which is the time to create. It’s part of why I always tell you to spend time in the arts. It gives you time to relax and to connect with yourself. It’s important to make time to play. I find that sometimes the arts and crafts that are meant for kids are the most fun.
Remember that while the crafts you see here are geared towards the kids in the library, it wouldn’t take much to make them useful in your practice. You could decorate that rain stick with stars, the moon, and other magickal symbols, or add things like beads and feathers, and use it in ritual or meditation. With Perler beads, you can make an Amulet to wear around your neck, an altar tile, or something to make the space you live in more magickal. How many of you have made dream catchers before, like the one in the picture above? That’s another one I’m planning on doing a class for. For those of you who are interested in wood burning, you can create your own set of runes. There are so many different ways to craft and get creative, and when you add your energy to your practice, it helps the energy that you are trying to work with. Have fun with it!
Have an amazingly magickal day!
Much Love and Many Blessings,
Jasmeine Moonsong