Our Cambridge Wetlands
Every year, February 2 is World Wetlands Day. Read more about Cambridge wetlands and some of the animals that live in our wetlands in our city.
Celebrate our wetland habitat by making a bracelet, badge, or pendant decorated with local animal charms.
Making animal charms
If you received one of our bracelet or pendant kits, you already have one or more charms. If you want to make more charms, here's how.
Find an old magazine that has pictures of local wetland animal (See examples here). Or, use a Green Cambridge wildlife trading card. Cut out the animal image in a circle, with scissors (you could use a milk bottle cap to trace the circle before cutting. OR, Cut a small circle from a blank piece of paper or cardboard, and draw one of the animals within a circle. Now, mix equal parts of white Elmer's glue and water (a tablespoon of each is probably enough). Put the circle with the animal's image on a surface that will protect the table, like an old newspaper or a piece of paper that isn't needed. Paint the front of the circle of paper with a thin coat of the glue and water mixture. Let it dry, then paint it with a second coat. Make sure your coats of the mixture are very thin! After the second coat is dry, turn over the charm and paint two coats on that side, allowing the first coat to dry in between. You can make a third or even a fourth coat to make the charm more sturdy, in the same way. Now take a hole punch or a sewing needle and punch a hole at the top of the animal image. There's your charm!
Find an old magazine that has pictures of local wetland animal (See examples here). Or, use a Green Cambridge wildlife trading card. Cut out the animal image in a circle, with scissors (you could use a milk bottle cap to trace the circle before cutting. OR, Cut a small circle from a blank piece of paper or cardboard, and draw one of the animals within a circle. Now, mix equal parts of white Elmer's glue and water (a tablespoon of each is probably enough). Put the circle with the animal's image on a surface that will protect the table, like an old newspaper or a piece of paper that isn't needed. Paint the front of the circle of paper with a thin coat of the glue and water mixture. Let it dry, then paint it with a second coat. Make sure your coats of the mixture are very thin! After the second coat is dry, turn over the charm and paint two coats on that side, allowing the first coat to dry in between. You can make a third or even a fourth coat to make the charm more sturdy, in the same way. Now take a hole punch or a sewing needle and punch a hole at the top of the animal image. There's your charm!
Making an animal charm bracelet
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1. Cut a piece of embroidery floss about 3 inches long. Thread it through one of the holes in the band, near the middle, then bring it up through another hole. This will be the top of your bracelet.
2. Tie a knot. 3. Loop one end through the hole in the charm. 4. Tie the two loose ends in a double knot. 5. Trim the ends but be careful not to cut too close to the knot. |
6. All that's left is joining the ends of the band together by sewing or weaving. You can do this on someone else's wrist, or have someone do it on your wrist. Keep it loose enough to be able to slip it off whenever you want, like a bangle. You can also put it over something like a jar or water bottle while you sew. You'll need to start by making a knot big enough so that it won't slip through the hole. Then just weave or sew in and out of holes, tie and end knot, and trim.
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Variation: Making an Animal Cuff Bracelet
This is a great way to recycle an old sock or cuff of a sweater that no longer fits or is torn. Cut a cuff about one inch wide that will slip over your wrist like a bangle. Sew on the charm or charms in the same way.
Friendship Bracelets with Animal Charms
Friendship bracelets are a great way to display animal charms.
Youtube video for bracelet requiring two colors (no ads!):
http://piddix.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-to-prevent-smudges-and-bleeding.html
Youtube video for bracelet requiring two colors (no ads!):
http://piddix.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-to-prevent-smudges-and-bleeding.html
Dragonflies and Damselflies
Animals of Cambridge Wetlands
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Muskrat Coloring Page
Belted Kingfisher Coloring Page
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