mom’s day diy: drawn wood brooches

Pins? Brooches? I guess it depends on how fancy you’re feeling! I’m always on the lookout for easy ways to inspire Birdie to create things: something open-ended and approachable. In this case something that is gift-able as well. Because, as much as I like macaroni necklaces, it’s a little hard to wear them regularly.

This quick project fits the bill nicely. Birdie and I sat down together, and she chose all the colors and coloring ideas on her own – which makes me so proud! Don’t you just love that she chose to make 2 pins super simple, and made one with a portrait of herself? She said that’s so I can remember her the next time I’m with my friends on a plane without her (a fairly regular topic since I flew to Alt Summit in January!).

This is one of those easy-peasy projects that hardly needs an explanation, and has lots of opportunities for your own embellishments, customization, and improvements! So send this to the husbands in your life and see if maybe they can convince your littles to make a couple brooches for you. And of course, share the wealth with the grandmothers, sisters, and other mothers in your lives!

What you need:

• plain wooden discs – available in the wood section of any craft store.
• pin backs – available in the jewelry section of any craft store.
• paint pens – I had a variety of brands, but have discovered Sharpie paint pens hold up the best. (unfortunately, the color variety is a little lacking) This would also work just fine with regular Crayola markers, but the paint pens are more vivid.
• glue (we used your average craft glue, but I’m wondering if hot glue or super glue would be sturdier? So far so good …)

What you do:

• This is the easy part. Give the wood discs and pens to your kidlets, and let them go crazy!

Birdie chose to color the sides and back of her brooches. She even added a rainbow and pot of gold to the back of  her portrait brooch, a little hidden message for me that is so extra special. Kids can glue the pin backs on themselves, or get your help as needed.
Voila! Happy Mother’s Day!