Leafy Gold Jewelry

Create unique gold jewelry with nature's finest leaves. Add Crayola® Model Magic® and gold Premier Tempera for a striking keepsake or gift.

• 1.

  With an adult supervisor, collect tiny fallen leaves of various shapes and textures. Choose only those that are safe to handle. Wash your hands when you come indoors.

• 2.

  Choose one leaf. Flatten a small piece of Crayola Model Magic. Shape it to fit the form of your leaf. Cover your art area with newspaper.

• 3.

  <B>To make a pin:</B> Paint the back of your leaf with gold Crayola Premier Tempera and Paint Brushes. Firmly press or roll it into the Model Magic. Carefully peel the leaf away. Dry overnight. On the back, attach a jewelry pin or safety pin with Crayola School Glue. Dry before wearing.

• 4.

  <B>To make a pendant:</B> Place a dab of glue on the back of your leaf. Press it firmly into your Model Magic. Brush a light coat of gold tempera on top of the leaf and around the edges. Dry. Punch a hole in the pendant. Thread ribbon through the opening and tie before wearing. For younger students, attach ends together with clear adhesive tape.

Benefits

• Students discover that trees are vital to the world's ecology because of their roles in photosynthesis, as homes for animals, and as food sources.
• Students recognize the importance of leaves to the environment, both on and off the tree.
• Students distinguish between various species of leaves and realize that all leaves contain interesting and intricate designs and patterns.
• Students design jewelry containing an imprint of a leaf or the leaf itself.

Adaptations

• Create a leaf-print necklace or pin using other colors of Crayola Tempera.
• Use gold Crayola Premier Tempera to imprint larger leaves on paper. Create personalized wrapping paper and cards.
• To create book covers, use Crayola Tempera and various sizes and shapes of leaves. Print on plain paper or paper grocery bags.