About This Project

A 15–30 minutes craft for ages 6–12, using supplies you likely already have — Beads, Buttons, and Pipe Cleaners.

GlueStick supports kids from setup to cleanup. After they choose a project, we guide them through gathering the supplies, making it, and cleaning up when they're done. We'll even help them share it safely with trusted family and friends.

Ad-free and kid-safe library — designed by a mom who wants kids to explore and create independently.

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  1. 1

    Find Supplies

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    Create a free GlueStick account to track supplies and see if you have what you need at a glance. Leave your kids tips about where supplies are stored in your household so they can set up and clean up their creative spaces independently.
    00:00
    A cartoon of Beads
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Buttons
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Pipe Cleaners
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
  2. 2

    Make Button Angel Ornament

    Your creative buddy says:
    "Are you as excited to make this as I am?"

    Step 1: Select your buttons

    Sort your buttons by size. You'll need 4-6 of them of different sizes, from large to small. You will want 2-hole or 4-hole buttons. Shank buttons do not work well for this project.

    Step 2: String the largest button

    Fold your pipe cleaner in half and string the largest button on it. If your button has two holes, push one half of the pipe cleaner through each. If your button has four holes, just use two of them. This will become the bottom of your angel's dress.

    Step 3: String your remaining buttons

    String the rest of your buttons from largest to smallest until it is about one inch tall. Push them tightly together. Twist your pipe cleaner together to hold them snugly in place.

    Step 4: Make the wings

    May need grown-up help
    To make the wings, bend each half of your pipe cleaner into an oval and give it a twist. This can be a little tricky. Ask a help if you need it. Use one half of your pipe cleaner to twist the two wings together. Leave the other half long.

    Step 5: Add the head

    Add a large bead for your angel's head. We used a sparkly, peach colored bead. You could also use a large wooden bead and paint a face on it.

    Step 6: Add the halo

    May need grown-up help
    Use the rest of your long pipe cleaner to make the halo. Bend it into a circle, and give it a twist to secure it in place. Ask an adult for help if needed.

    Step 7: Hang it on the tree

    Add an ornament hook and hang your angel on the tree! We put our ornament hook in her halo, but you could also try to tuck it up in the twisted pipe cleaner around her wings.
  3. 3

    Clean up

    Put things away so your space is tidy for next time.

    Tidy up our space

    Put away our supplies

    Check off each supply when it is put away — and any clean-up tips underneath are done too. You might find a fun surprise!

    • A cartoon of Beads
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Buttons
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Pipe Cleaners
      Where they belong:

    Update what we have left

    Did we run out of anything while making this project? Update our supply cupboard so that we know exactly what we have for next time.

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  4. 4

    Save

    Your creative buddy says:
    "What a fabulous project!"

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