YOu Did it

Jewelry-Box Treasures .1

'II always trea-
sure the
Michigan State
University earrings
my mother bought
for me when
was a teen ager.
With a sister
Megan Swoyer
Special
attending MSU
to
and my younger
The AppleTrees
brother and I mak-
ing plans to some-
day walk in Spartan shoes, I wore
the Big S earrings with pride, espe-
cially on football-game days.
University jewelry, pillows, mugs,
shirts, chairs, key rings, bumper
stickers ard more are everywhere,
especially during this time of year.
If you're a Michiganian, you prob-
ably are devoted to either the
University of Michigan or
Michigan State. Wherever your
loyalties lie, girls can show sup-
port for their favorite school by
sporting a university-themed bar-
rette.
I haven't seen one of these in
shops yet, but I bet it won't be long
until someone designs yet another
university doodad. Until then, why
not bake one? Here's how:
Buy green, white, blue and gold
polymer clay at your local craft
store. Not in the team spirit? Look
for other colors to complement a
favorite shirt or dress. You'll also
need a rolling pin, wax paper, a
plain metal barrette and craft glue.
To begin, roll out a quarter-inch
slab of clay (any color but white
works well) on wax paper. Cut the
clay into a rectangular shape just a
bit bigger than your barrette.
Roll out other clay colors and cut
out freeform school logo shapes, or
just a large M or S. Or you can cut
out balls, dots, stars or any geomet-
ric shape in your favorite school col-

10/24
1997

76

Decorate pumpkin seeds and clay
to create unusual picture frames,
necklaces and bracelets.

ors and place them on the rectangu-
lar piece.
Bend the rectangle to match the
shape of the barrette. Mom or Dad
should help younger children bake
the clay according to package
directions. When cool, glue your
clay creation to the back of the bar-
rette.

In addition to football, another
favorite autumn activity is preparing
for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Historians credit Native Americans
with introducing to the pilgrims a lot
of the traditional Thanksgiving food,
including pumpkins for making
pumpkin pie. The beautiful golden
melons have many uses beyond

pies, though, and after that last
slice is eaten, you can treasure
Thanksgiving throughout the year
with a long-lasting pumpkin-seed
necklace or bracelet.
First, you'll need to gather up the
leftover seeds from the pumpkin
after it's been scooped out for pies.
Let the seeds dry overnight, then
use a large needle to carefully
pierce a hole in each seed.
Younger jewelry makers will need
help with the needle step.
Color each seed with felt-tip pens.
Here's another opportunity to show
off your school team spirit. If you
are so inclined, choose colors to
match your favorite school. Don't
have one? Green and white always
looks best. Color one side of the
seeds and let dry for at least an
hour. Then color the other sides.
Thread the seeds on hat elastic
(available at fabric shops) until your
creation is long enough for a
bracelet or a necklace. Tie a tight
knot to complete the circle and then
hide the knot by covering it with
seeds.
Other jewelry-making activities
abound at a variety of metro-area
stores. With the return of the tie-dye
look comes a handy $20-kit avail-
able at the World Bead Co. at
Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi,
Somerset Collection in Troy and in
Ann Arbor. The kit features 58 tie-
dyed letters and hemp on which to
string them.
Or you can go the "Pop 'n' Fresh"
route with the slice-and-bake clay
rolls available at Adventures in Toys
on Maple Road in Birmingham. The
$3.25 Fimo Designer Clay slice 'n'
bake rolls make beautiful beads,
and the rolls also can be used to
create buttons and photo frames.
I wonder if they have green and
white ones. ❑