Sunday, May 31, 2009

PAINTING ON FURNACE FILTERS


I am always looking for new arts and craft things to try so I have tried painting on a furnace filter. I do not know if others have tried this strange canvas? If you have email me and let me know your experience. I used spray paint and craft paint with a small bush. It was fun to play with shapes and lines. I am going to do some more experimenting, but I find it like painting on air and hard to do any detail. Click on the picture for a closer look!

WOOD MADE WALL RACK FOR PAPER PLATES

This simple and unique paper plate rack is made with wooden kitchen spoons I got at the Dollar Store. Made for 9" plates adjust sizes for larger plates.
Materials:
2 wooden spoon sets from Dollar Store
2 strips of 1/4" x 3/4" x 10" pine
2 strips of 1/4" x 3/4" x 8" pine
20 small nails 5/8" long (brass looks nice)
Wood glue, finish or paint
Tools:
Hammer, saw, and sander or sand paper
Steps:
1. Cut and sand the 8" & 10" pine strips
2. Cut the handle ends off one set of spoons, cut 3" off the 2 outside spoons & 2.5" off the 2 inside spoons(see second photo below) and sand all the cut ends(save the removed pieces)
3. Use a small piece of plywood to make a layout jig(see first photo below). Lay out 4 perpendicular line from one straight edge of the plywood. Space the first 2 lines 8" apart, draw 2 more lines 1" either side of the first 2 lines. Lay out one more line parallel to, and up 4" from the straight edge of the plywood.
4. Nail one 10" long piece of pine on the upper side of the parallel line with the ends of the piece even with the 2 out side perpendicular line(see first photo).
5. Nail one of the 8" long pieces of pine along the bottom edge of the plywood with the ends even with the 2 inside perpendicular line(see first photo).
6. Attach the uncut set of spoons to the pine pieces with wood glue and the small nails as in the first photo, the ends of the 2 outside spoons should hang over the bottom piece of pine by about 3/4" and the nail to attach them should be 1 3/8" in from each end top & bottom. Attach the 2 inside spoons evenly spaced between the out side spoons and letting the ends of the handles lap over onto the bottom piece of pine by 1/2".
7. Repeat steps 4 & 5 with the second set of pine strips.
8. Attach the cut set of spoons as in step 6, but allow the handle ends of the spoons to all hang over the bottom pine piece by 1 1/4"(see second photo).
9. Cut all 4 of the piece, that were cut off the spoons in step 2, to 2.5" long and sand the cut edges. Make a center mark in the ends of all 4 pieces with an ice pick or nail.
10. With wood glue and the rest of the nails attach the handle pieces to both assemblies you make above(see the last photo). Apply finish or paint as desired. I used a spray poly finish, but if painting you might want to paint each assembly section before final assembly.
















Friday, May 29, 2009

RECYCLED DECORATIVE BOTTLES

These decorative bottles were made from empty soda bottles.
Materials
2 soda bottles 24oz
1 soda bottle 1 liter
1 wine cork
1 piece of 1" dowel
1 wooden cabinet knob
2 cups of colored stones
4 colors of craft paint
artificial flowers, wood screw, stain, and finish
Tools:
heat gun, saw, screw driver
Steps:
1. For the bottle on the left I cut off the threaded part of a 24oz soda bottle, applied heat with my heat gun and continued to wave it around the bottle while pressing down on the top causing it to twist. I continued this procedure until desired shape was achieved.
2. Filled the bottle with a layer of popcorn, black eyed peas, dried green peas, and finished off with couscous pasta then sealed with a wine bottle cork.
3. The same procedure was followed with the larger bottle in the photo, but the plug was made with a wooden cabinet knob with a tapered 1" dowel attached to the bottom, stained and finished. The bottle is filled with homemade bath salts, IE Epsom salts colored with 4 drops of food coloring(put salts in covered container with food coloring and shake) and put in the bottle in layers(makes a nice gift)
4. The bottle on the right is also a 24oz soda bottle, but the top was cut off just below the ring that is at the bottom of the threads. Then 5 wedge shaped sections were cut at the top of remaining bottle leaving leaf shaped sections. These sections were folded down around the out side of the bottle and the fold creased. The bottle was then heated with the heat gun causing the leaf shaped sections to shrink and curl and twist(see second photo).
When cool the leaf sections were painted on the under side with different colored craft paints giving a hand painted glass look.
5. The bottle was filled with color stones and artificial flowers were pushed down into the rocks.





Thursday, May 28, 2009

ENVELOPE GIFT BAG

How to make a gift bag from an envelope

This was made with a large white envelope.
First measure an equal distance on the two sides and the bottom
for this one I measured 2”.
Fold the three sides, and then open the folded areas and crease.
For the bottom you will have a point on each side these will be folded down and taped or glued to the bottom of what is now your bag.
Use scissors and cut the envelope flap off, decorative shears will make a nice top.

Note the size of the envelope will determine the size of the bag.



















Wednesday, May 27, 2009

GRANNY'S POT HOLDER/HOT PAD











Granny’s Pot Holder / Hot Pad and Pot Holder for the Microwave.
This is by no means an original pattern, Granny use to make them.
I used the pattern, and adapted it for use with the microwave. Thumb fits in one pocket fingers fit in the opposite side pocket.
This crochet pattern uses a size G hook and Peaches & Cream cotton.

Ch 30
Sc. in back loop of each stitch along chain, 3sc in end st.
You will now be on the opposite side of the chain. Sc in back loop of each st. to the beginning again, continue to sc in each stitch in back loop, round and round, the ends will start to curl you want them to. When they meet together to make a folded square the crocheting is done. For the regular potholder tie off end leaving a tail long enough to sew edges together with a whip stitch. This is your double thickness pot holder or hot pad.
For the microwave pot holder tie off ends cut and weave in. This makes for the open sides where you put your thumb and finger tips.

Monday, May 25, 2009

PURSE STITCH SCARF PATTERN


A very light lacey pattern with a unique tecture.
This is made with worsted Weight yarn and a size ten knitting needle.
CO. 20 sts.
K1, * yo p2 tog; repeat from*, end K1.
Repeat this row to desired length.

TURKISH SCARF PATTERN


A very easy, but very nice scarf pattern.
This is made with Worsted Weight yarn and a size ten knitting needle
CO. 20 sts.
K1, * yo K2 tog; repeat from*, end K1.
Repeat this row to desired length.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

RUSTIC WOOD MADE TAPE DESPENSER

This is a natural recycling project! My neighbor took down some old dead pine trees, so I ask him for some of the dried branches and made some novel items, this is one.
Materials:
1 Section of pine branch 3" dia. x 5" long
1 Section of pine branch 3/4" dia. x 7" long
1 Section of pine branch ½” dia. x 1 5/8” long
1 Section of pine branch ½” dia. x 1” long
1 Wood dowel ¼” dia. x 1 ¼” long
1 Wood dowel 1” dia. x 5/8” long
1 Strip of serrated metal edge 1” long(from aluminum foil box)
Wood Glue and Finish
Tools:
Saw, drill & bits, hatchet, pocket knife, hack saw, and router
Steps:
1. Cut 5" piece of 3" dia. pine branch, and shave off the bark leaving traces of inter bark.
2. Split the 5" piece into 2 equal pieces with hatchet and sand the flat side of one piece(smooth with jointer if available). Cut both ends with several tapered cuts for more rustic effect.
3. Drill two 1/2" holes 1" in from one end, and 1 ½” apart in 5" piece(center the hole on rounded area and make 1/2" deep, see drawing).
4. Cut the 7" x 3/4" piece into two 3.5" pieces and remove bark, shave one end to fit 1/2" holes in base.
5. Router a 1/4" wide x 5/16" deep x 1" long groove in the center of one side of the 2 pieces(from the top as in drawing), if you don't have a router you can drill a series of holes and use a chisel.
6. Cut ¼” dowel 1 ¼” long, cut 1” dowel 5/8” long, drill ¼” hole through center of 1” dowel, insert ¼” dowel into 1” dowel and center(this assembly will hold tape roll)
6. Dry fit the 2 post into the 1/2" holes in the base and try the dowel assembly for fit into the 2 grooves(if the assembly is to tight sand all sections to fit).
7. Cut two ½” pieces, 1” and 1 5/8” long, shave the ends of longer piece and drill hole and cut slot(use hack saw to cut slot for metal strip) in shorter piece as in drawing. Assemble the 2 pieces dry, as shown.
8. Drill one 3/8” hole in the opposite end of 5” base piece(see drawing), insert the assembly of ½” pieces into hole.
9. When all fit and line up then remove and disassemble all pieces, sand lightly(leave looking rustic), glue the pieces all together as in the top picture.
10. Add a finish to the dispenser to suit your taste, put peel and stick felt pads on bottom.

Friday, May 22, 2009

RUSTIC WOOD MADE BUSINESS CARD HOLDER


This is the ultimate recycled wood project! My neighbor took down some old dead pine trees, so I ask him for some of the dried branches and made some novel items, this is one.
Materials:
1 Section of pine branch 3" dia. x 6" long
1 Section of pine branch 1" dia. x 8" long
Wood Glue and Finish

Tools:
Saw, drill & bits, hatchet, pocket knife, and router
Steps:
1. Cut 6" piece of 3" dia. pine branch, and shave off the bark leaving traces of inter bark.
2. Split the 6" piece into 2 equal pieces with hatchet and sand the flat side of one piece(smooth with jointer if available).
3. Drill a 3/4" hole 1" in from each end of 6" piece(center the hole on rounded area and make 5/8" deep, see drawing).
4. Cut the 8" x 1" piece into two 4" pieces and remove bark, shave one end to fit 3/4" holes in base.
5. Router a 3/8" wide x 1/4" deep x 2 1/4" long groove in the center of one side of the 2 pieces(from the top as in drawing), if you don't have a router you can drill a series of holes and use a chisel.
6. Dry fit the 2 post into the 3/4" holes in the base and try a business card for fit into the 2 grooves(if the card is to tight router the groove deeper).
7. Lightly sand all pieces, but leave rough for more rustic look.
8. Glue the 2 post into the holes in the base with the grooves facing each other.
9. Add a finish to the card holder to suit your taste, put peel and stick felt pads on bottom.


SMALL TENT SCARF PATTERN

Row 1: ( Wrong side ) K2, * p5, k3, repeat from *, end p5, k2.
Row 2: K2 * sl 5 wyif, k3, repeat from *, end sl 5wyif, k2.
Row 3: Repeat row 1.
Row 4: K 4, * insert needle under loose strand and knit next st, bringing st out under strand; k7, repeat from *, end last repeat k4.

Repeat Rows 1-4 till scarf measures approximately 52”.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

QUILT SQUARE BASKET


This is a cute sewing project that I got from my sister in law Bonnie Towne many years ago.
Materials:
3 Pre cut quilt squares
Quilt innerface
Ribbon
Sewing machine

Steps:
Fold one square in half back side showing, stitch along open edge.
Then turn right side out, press flat, (this will make your handle)
Layer quilt squares, inner facing, and handle together,
one square face up, inner face, handle in center, last
square face down. Sew together on three sides.
Turn right side out, press flat.
Cut four pieces of matching color ribbon about 17” long, lay on top of square centered in a tic tac toe pattern pin in place, Sew with a decorative stitch directly on top of the ribbon.
Fold in open edge tuck handle inside the fold, stitch edge closed.
Lay face down take the two corner ribbons bring up tie in a bow. Do this on all four sides you will now have a decorative basket.




Wednesday, May 20, 2009

KITCHEN BASKET GIFT

Kitchen Basket, great gift idea that is quick and eazy to make.
Materials:
1 pot scrubber your choice
1 magic eraser
1 pair rubber gloves
3 dish rags
Ribbon, decorative cording
Ribbon flowers, needle and thread.

Steps:
1. Roll the dish rags from corner to corner this will make 3 tubes.
2. Lay these tubes side by side, on top of these place the magic eraser the scrubber and the gloves.
3. Grab the ends of the dish cloths bring up the front and back sides tie together.
4. Cut ribbons about 2 or 3 pieces 18” long, wrap around the cloth and tie in a bow.
5. Add ribbon flowers at the center of the front.
6. Cut a piece of the cording attach at the sides near the ribbon. You can do this by sewing it or tie it if you want. Attach the card with verse or make up a verse of your own.
Verse:
A Tisket A Basket,
I'm a handy Kitchen Basket.
I've a cloth for dishes and pans,
gloves to save your hands.
an eraser that removes scuff marks and stains,
you continue to use till nothing remains.

Monday, May 18, 2009

RECYCLED THREE TIER CANDY DISH

This project utilizes 3 desert dishes you would throw away.
Materials:
1 Betty Crocker microwave cake bowl, 2.4 oz size(4" dia.)
1 Betty Crocker microwave cake bowl, 3.6 oz size(6" dia.)
1 Schwan's Apple Blue Berry cobbler bowl, 4 oz size(3" dia)
3 pieces of 3/4" dowel(see drawing for lenths)
1 wood disc 6 1/4" dia. x 3/8" thick, from Walmart ($1.12)
2 dowel screws 3/16" dia(available at hardware)
1 round head #10 x 1" screw
1 cabinet drawer knob with internal screw(see drawing)
Dark walnut stain and clear lacquer
Tools:
Drill, 1/8" & 3/8" drill bits, and screw driver
Steps:
1. Cut 3 pieces of 3/4" dowel(see drawing for lengths), sand, stain, and apply finish
2. Drill 1/8" hole about 1" deep in all ends of the dowels
3. Drill 1/8" hole in center of 6" wood disc. and counter sink(on bottom side) with 3/8" bit, sand, stain, and finish
4. Drill 1/8" hole in the center of the bottom in all 3 bowls
5. Assemble all pieces by screwing together as shown in the drawing below







Sunday, May 17, 2009

VERTICAL WEAVE SCARF

This is a nice scarf pattern it gives a slight texture and design, with an easy repetitive pattern. Something designed for the beginning knitter.
Materials:
Worsted Weight yarn
Size 9 (5.50) knitting needles.
Cast on 28 sts.
Row 1: (Right side) K1, P1, K1, K2, * slip 1 as if to purl, K1, YO PSSO both the knit st and the yo, K2; repeat from*
across to last 3sts. K1, P1, K1.
Row 2: K1, P1, K1, P across to last three sts. K1, P1, K1.
Repeat rows 1 & 2 for pattern till scarf measures desired length.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

PAPER ROLL NOTE BOARD










This simple wood craft project is a practical item that will be useful in any home. It utilizes an adding machine roll for a continuous supply of note paper.
Materials
1 roll of adding machine paper
1 piece of plywood 3/8" x 3" x 9 1/2"
2 pieces of pine 1/4" x 1 1/8" x 2 1/2"
2 pieces of 5/16" dowel 1/4" long
1 piece of 5/16" dowel 4 1/4" long
1 wooden ball 7/8" diameter
1 serrated metal strip from aluminum foil box
2 #4 x 1/2" brass round head screws
wood glue, stain, and finish
Tools
saw(hand saw or power saw), cordless drill, several small drill bits(see drawing), clamps, and screw driver
Steps
1. Cut piece of 3/8" plywood to measurements on drawing, sand and round corners
2. Cut 2 pine side pieces to drawing specs, sand and round 2 corners
3. Cut 3 pieces of 5/16" dowel and round end of longer piece(see drawing)
4. Drill all holes in plywood, pine, dowels, and 7/8" ball as shown on drawing
5. Assemble plywood piece and pine pieces(as in photo above), glue pine pieces to plywood and clamp
6. Glue long 5/16" dowel into the hole drilled in wooden ball.
7. Sand all assemblies and stain and finish(including 2 small dowels)
8, Attach the serrated metal strip at the bottom of the plywood piece with the 2 dowel spacers under the strip and 2 brass screws through the metal strip and the spacers, tighten down
9. Set the paper roll between the side pieces and push the ball and dowel assembly through the sides and paper roll
10. Feed paper off the roll and under the metal strip.
Hang up your new board and writes note as in the first photo.














Wednesday, May 13, 2009

RECYCLED DRESSER TOP ORGANIZER








We eat the frozen entrees often and I noticed what nice little trays were thrown out after the meal. I decided I should make something with one so I found some scrap pieces of MDF and made this dresser top organizer.
Materials:
1 empty entrée tray
2 pieces of MDF(medium density fiberboard) ¾” x 7.5” x 10”
4 small brass nails
2 pieces of felt cut to fit tray sections
Wood glue, walnut stain, and amber shellac
Tools:
Saber saw
Cordless drill
Sandpaper (power sander if you have)
4 wood clamps or heavy weight
Steps:
Cut two pieces of ¾” MDF to 7.5” x 10”
Lay out pattern on MDF pieces as shown in attached drawing, this is done by centering the entrée tray upside down on one pieces of MDF. Trace around the tray, then measure in ¼” from traced line at points A,B,C,D,E,F,G, and H as on drawing, then connect the points using the edge of the tray. To form the rounded edges make dots by hand and then connect dots. This forms the inside pattern to be cut out with saber saw.
Lay out the corners of the MDF by making a mark 2 “ from each corn and connect the points using the rounded corner of the tray.
Drill a hole next to the inside pattern and cut out the inner area with saber saw.
Use first piece to mark the cut out on the second MDF piece.
Cut the rounded corners on both MDF pieces.
Glue the 2 MDF pieces together and clamp or place weight on them to clamp.
Sand the new single piece until smooth and edges are rounded off on the top side of the piece.
Stain the MDF piece let dry, shellac the piece(or what ever finish you desire)
Fit and cut out pieces of felt and glue into bottom of tray sections
Place tray into cut out area of MDF piece and attach with 4 brass nails.
Many versions of this can be made with many different tray shapes and sizes, so go ahead and experiment and have fun! Email us and let us know what you come up with.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

BOTTLE CAP PIN CUSHION

Bottle Cap Pin Cushion

Materials & Tools
Bottle cap
Thread & needle
Hot glue gun
Pre made yoyo or
Round piece of scrap material
3” piece of elastic
Stuffing
Drill with sm. Bit.

1. Drill two small holes in top of bottle cap,
this will be the bottom when you are done.
2. Thread the elastic through the holes and tie
a knot inside the cap after measuring your
Finger to make sure it is a snug fit. Pull the elastic so
it fits snug in the cap.
3. Stuff the yoyo or thread a needle and baste
stitch around a round piece of material, then stuff
with batting (some people use saw dust if they have
it). Tighten and secure thread.
4. Glue bottom of the cushion inside the bottom of
the cap.
5. A piece of decorative trim glued around the cap
makes for a niece finish. I left this one pink for a reason.

You could glue the elastic to the sides of the cap
But I find the holes work much better.













There is another finger pin cushion pattern on another site.
Dontlooknow.typepad.com















TEDDY BEER COZY


Teddy Beer Cozy
Materials:
1 beer bottle cozy
1 stuffed Teddy Bear
Both items were bought at Dollar Tree.

1. measure up about 2 ¼ “ cut the feet off
the bear remove the stuffing.
2. undo the stitches that make up the legs
sew them to make a tube .
3. remove the stitches across the top of
head of the bear.
4. Cut down the back of the bear for the zipper
opening of the cozy(see photo below). Remove half the stuffing
from the head.
5. Carefully insert the cozy into the bear opening
Stitch along the edges to match the top and back openings
Then stitch around the bottom attaching the feet evenly
Spaced at the front of the bear.

The bottom has no fur just the bottom of the cozy
This helps in standing.

SUCTION CUP NOTE HOLDER



This is a fun and practical project that is very low cost.
Two of these note holders have a weighted bases and
2 of them have suction cup bases.
Materials(see 2nd photo)
Stems = dowel, straws, and section of a plastic coat hanger
Bases = 2 bottle covers and 2 suction cups
Clips = small plastic clothespin and 3 small wooden clothespins
Ornaments = 2 flowers from craft shop, 1 football from craft shop, 1 crocheted butterfly
Hot glue and Mighty Putty
Steps for weighted base holders
Drill hole in bottle caps to suit stem
Insert stem into hole in cap and fill cap with Mighty Putty(or similar product)
Hot glue one side of clothespin to stem(with straw stems fill the end with glue, insert one half of clothespin).
Hot glue ornament to stem and clothespin.
Steps for suction cup base holder
Hot glue stem into end of suction cup
Hot glue one side of clothespin to stem
Hot glue ornament to stem and clothespin.
The added value of the suction cup base is that it can be stuck to any hard smooth surface.








Sunday, May 10, 2009

CROCHETED FISHERMAN SCARF

This is a crochet pattern I came up with from a portion of an afgan pattern.
Cast on 31 sts.
ROW 1: * K 3, sl. next st. onto cable needle and hold in back if work K 1, K 1 from cable needle, sl. next st. onto cable needle hold in front of work K 1, K 1 from cable needle; repeat from *three times K 3.

ROW 2: Purl across.
ROW 3: P3; * sl. next st. onto cable needle and hold in front of work K 1, K 1 from cable needle, sl. next st. onto cable needle and hold in back of work K 1, K 1 from cable needle; P 3; repeat from * three more times.
ROW 4: Purl across.
Repeat rows 1-4 to desired length then repeat rows 1-3 bind off.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

STYROFOAM ART

Everyone is probably aware that when working with styrofoam you never want to spray paint your work because the propellants in spray paint melt the styrofoam. But I kind of like the effect that is created when the spray paint etches into the styrofoam leaving holes and cradders that are colored and kind of crystalline in appearance(click on the attached photo and have a look). So I have been experimenting and here is one result. I thought I would through it out there to everyone as something you might enjoy. There are a couple of things that I have noticed, different brand paints etch deeper and the more dense the styrofoam the less effect the spray paint has. I am going to continue to experiment and will keep everyone posted if I discover any other fun stuff from this craft.

SOCK BANKS


This is a cute place for you to sock away your money.
You will need just a few items: A medium size tube sock, ribbon to hang it with, a recycled dessert bowl, or a canning lid set, and a short piece of heavy wire.(see 2nd photo)


For the bowl style you will:
1. drill or punch two small holes near the edge of the bowl thread a piece of ribbon through the holes tie in a knot with the knot on the inside of the bowl.
2. Cut an opening on the wall of the bowl for a coin slot.
3. Print out a picture of your choice (I used the butterfly) on cardstock slightly larger than the bottom of the bowl. Cut it out and glue it to the bottom of the bowl.
4. Stretch the sock over the opening of the bowl the lip of the bowl keeps the sock in place.
For the canning jar lid you will:
1. Drill two small holes in the edge of the jar ring for the bail to hang it with.
2. Cut an opening in the lid insert for the coin slot.
3. Attach the sock to the ring insert by the very edge then put it into the ring lid.
The wire bail helps keep the lid and sock in place.

I had Mark Mathis from the Great Smokey Mountain Flee Market, in Sevierville, TN. do the air brush painting on these socks for me. You can paint them yourself or give your kids blow paint and they can decorate their own. Or stamp or embroider etc.


Friday, May 8, 2009

TRASH BAG RACK WOOD MADE

This is a wood project that is practical and eazy! I think we all use our plastic bags from the store to put trash into, and this little rack is a handy holder for the bag while filling with trash.
Materials
10 ft. of 1/2" x 1 1/2" pine
5ft. of 5/8" wood dowel
4ft. of 1/2" wood dowel
1ft. of 5/16" wood dowel
2 bolts 3/16" x 1 1/4" with nuts
Tools
compass(for drawing circles)
hand saw(power saw if you have)
corless drill with 5/8", 1/2", 5/16" and 3/16" drill bits
1. Cut the 1/2" x 1 1/2" pine into four 24" pcs, and two 11" pcs.
2. Cut 5/8" dowel into two 10 5/8" pcs, two 9 9/16" pcs, one 8 1/2" pc, & two 4 1/2" pcs.
3. Cut 1/2" dowel into five 8 1/2" pcs.
4. Cut 5/16" dowel into four 1 1/2" pcs.
5. Drill all required holes in flat pcs. and dowels as shown on attached drawing.
6. Assemble section labeled Assembly A on the drawing.
7. Asemble section labeled Assembly B on the drawing.
8. Fit the Assemblies A & B together as on drawing and incert 3/16" bolt as shown.
Note how the rack folds up for eazy storage. (highlight & print drawing)







Thursday, May 7, 2009

AWAJI-MUSBI LUCKY KNOT HAIR CLIPS

Awaji-Musubi or Lucky Knot

This isn’t an original idea by any means.
What I have done is used larger decorative cording
Instead of mizuhiki cords which makes for a much
larger knot design that fits well on hair clips and pins,
photo below. (actual size is about 4" wide & 2" high)














Wednesday, May 6, 2009

CANDY DISH/BANK


Here is a novel project for the home or office. This candy dish resembles a gum ball machine and has candy on top and a bank for coins on the bottom. If you keep a candy dish on your desk at work and everyone eats but never donates to refill, this might encourage them. You can also use it at home to teach children to save up to replace the candy when the dish is empty. The attached photos show the assembled item and the individual items used for the project.

Materials:
1 plant pot.(4" high, 2 1/2" bottom dia. and 4 1/4" top dia)
1 plant pot saucer.(6 1/4" dia. saucer)
1 candy dish (97cents at Walmart)
1 3" x 1/4" wood disc or jar cover same size.
1 3/4" diameter wooden ball
1 2" piece of a paint stir stick.
1 round head wood screw #6 x 3/4"
(All shown in photo below)


Preparation of the various pieces involves painting the saucer black, the plant pot red, and the assembled top red. The top is assemble by drilling a pilot hole in the 3" disc ( or jar top) and in the 3/4" ball, then attach the ball to the disc with a round head wood screw #6 x 3/4". The coin slot is a 2" strip of a paint stirring stick with a 1/8" by 1" slot cut in the center and painted silver. The coin slot in the plant pot is made by placing the paint stick piece on the pot ,as in first photo, then trace the slot onto the pot. Using a dremel with a small grinding stone attachment carefully cut the slot in the pot(make sure to wear saftey glasses). Super glue the the wooden slot section over the slot formed in the pot. After painting the saucer cut and glue a piece of felt to the area that will be covered by the plant pot, to cushion the droping of the coins through the slot. To assemble put a thin layer of museum gel on the open end of the plant pot and place onto the saucer as in top photo, this allows the bottom saucer to be removed to get the coins. Next attach the glass candy dish to the closed end of the plant pot with mighty putty or similar product. Place the assembled top into the candy dish opening. Your Candy Bank is ready for action!