Work on this simple art project with your children in preparation for Easter!
Working on mixed media art projects around the holidays is a lot of fun, particularly when these projects can be put on display or given away as gifts. Easter is no exception to this with its bounty of opportunities for altering objects, mixing things up, and making something out of nothing. In this case, altered eggs are on the agenda.
Materials:
- Plastic Easter eggs
- Empty egg container
- Heavy-duty craft glue
- Paintbrushes
- Small containers of water
- Beads
- Sequins
- Paper plates
- Mixed paper scraps
- No-stick glitter glue
- Newspapers or cardboard
Instructions:
- Lay out the newspaper or cardboard to protect your work surface. Put some beads and some sequins into their own paper plates (you can also mix some up, as well). Set out the plastic Easter eggs, glue, paintbrushes, and mixed paper in an area where everyone working on this project can reach.
- Begin by squirting some glue on the outside of the egg, and then spreading it around using the paintbrush. Then, add a layer of mixed paper so the majority of the egg is covered. Avoid covering the entire egg so some of its original color shows through.
- Add another layer of glue, and then roll the egg into the sequins. Again, do not completely cover the egg. Set the egg aside in the empty egg container to dry so the sequins don’t fall off.
- Once the egg is dry, add another layer of glue and then roll it into the beads. Again, set the egg aside to dry in the egg container so the beads don’t fall off.
- Once the beads have dried on to the egg, swirl on some glitter glue while it is still in the egg container (that way, it does not have to be handled too much). Allow the Easter egg to dry completely for 24 hours.
Tips:
- Poke some paper clips that have been opened up through the bottom of the empty egg container to set the eggs on to – that way; they won’t dry to the sides of the container when placed inside.
- Rather than brushing on the glue and rolling the Easter egg into the sequins, consider adding them on individually using dots of glue.
Variations:
- Rather than using mixed paper, use pre-packaged Easter themed die-cuts.
- Rather than using mixed paper, use Easter themed stickers.
- Rather than using no-stick glitter glue, consider using iridescent or pastel colored acrylic paint.
- Add a loop of ribbon to the top of the egg so it can be hung.
- Add Easter themed charms or other scrapbook elements using a hot glue gun.
Warnings:
- If you don’t use enough glue, beads and sequins will fall off. Don’t be surprised if you’re reattaching these items throughout this art project.
- Avoid putting too many layers of mixed paper on to the egg or else it will distort the shape too much when the rest of the layers are added throughout the project.
When these Easter eggs have completely dried, consider placing them on display in a traditional styled Easter basket. You could also create a tablescape display using clear glass bowls filled with these eggs, and clear glass vases filled with lilies.
The copyright of the article Alter Plastic Easter Eggs in Altered Objects is owned by Jenn Greenleaf. Permission to republish Alter Plastic Easter Eggs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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