Craft Gossip

Independent craft blog since 2007

Tutorial Saturday – A Twist from Soda Lime Times

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Diane from Soda Lime Timessent a twistie tutorial by Kris Schaible so I’m sharing it with all of you. This could be for bead makers or fusers. I love making component parts for either. What I like about this tutorial is that she takes yet another approach to making a twistie. It seems there is no end to the ways you can do a twistie. If you’re happy with the outcome you’re doing it right.Kris’ method uses metal disk punties to add the glass to. The gather that is created ends up being wider than if you just built up on the glass rod then twisted it out. And since both sides are punties you can get a nice even, consistent twist. Good job…nice twist.

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Plan This Fun Lego Challenge for a Group of Kids or Just One

With summer coming on in the Northern Hemisphere, I feel like we all need some fun activities we can do with one kid at home or a bunch in a classroom when it’s too hot to go outside (I guess you can say the same for if it’s too cold to go out in the Southern Hemisphere, too). 

This disaster island Lego challenge from Lego Librarian was designed to be done with a Lego club, but you can do it in a classroom if you have bricks handy, or at home with one or two kids. 

The idea is that first the kids each design their own island, with a given amount of time where that is the only prompt.

Then each person draws a disaster card. You can use the ones from Lego Librarian or make up your own. These are things like there’s a storm coming so you need to build a strong shelter, or there’s a rescue plane so you need to build something so they will see you. 

There’s a whole bunch of ideas, which should get kids thinking creatively about ways to alter their islands for whatever situations you throw at them. 

If you’re doing this with just one or two kids, the idea is the same, or you could have them draw several cards over a session if they want to keep the fun going. 

This is a great low prep STEM activity for kids that should get them thinking creatively about how to solve problems. It’s a great idea to have the kids explain what they did to solve their particular problem, too, and why they think that will help. 

Even though it won’t be a surprise what’s going to happen after the first time you play it, this is one you can do again and again because the kids will probably draw different cards. 

Get all the details and a printable list of challenge prompts at Lego Librarian. 

[Photo: Lego Librarian]