A crafty Easter: DIY string eggs and papier mache nest

Add your own personalized touch to your Easter celebrations with these easy DIYs from Shoana Jensen.

Add your own personalized touch to your Easter celebrations with these easy DIYs from Shoana Jensen.

DIY string eggs

Tools & materials:

  • Sugar
  • Water
  • Embroidery string (or any other type of string you like)
  • Balloons of different sizes
  • A bowl

Method:

  1. Make a stiffener mixture: Combine 1 cup of sugar mixed with 1 cup of water in a pot and heat until the sugar is dissolved. (If you have a kettle that gets really hot, you could use that instead of the pot.) Cool the sugar mixture so you don’t burn your fingers when you dip the thread.
  2. Start with the colour of your choice and add the string carefully to the mixture. If you just throw it in there it will get tangled. I suggest coiling your string into the mixture and gently pressing it into the liquid.
  3. Blow up a balloon and wrap the sticky string around the balloon. Make sure you wipe off the excess liquid and let it fall back into the bowl; it doesn’t need to be drippy.
  4. Let dry for several hours. Once it dries, pop the balloon. If balloon pieces stick to the string, just pull them off with a pin or tweezers.

DIY papier-mâché nest

Tools & materials:

  • Small bowl
  • Plastic wrap
  • Wax paper
  • Water
  • Clear glue
  • Shredded paper
Method:
  1. Tightly cover a small bowl with plastic wrap, then flip the bowl upside down on wax paper. In another container, mix equal parts water and clear glue.
  2. Dip handfuls of shredded paper into the glue mixture, then immediately lay them on the bowl until it’s covered.
  3. Lightly press dry paper strips along the outside to create a “nesty” look.
  4. Let dry for 12 hours; carefully pull the wrap off the bowl and away from the nest.

Courtesy Shoana Jensen

www.shoanajensen.com

@shoanaj