Tutorial: Michael’s Sword Napkin Holders for Michaelmas
Can you feel it in the air? Michaelmas is coming!
This craft project is one that I created for the Autumn Equinox and Michaelmas Festival E-Book published by Little Acorn Learning. I’m posting it here courtesy of Little Acorn Learning. Please take a moment to look at all the fun projects and crafts and celebration ideas offered in our e-book. It provides so many wonderful, Waldorf-inspired ideas for enjoying this early fall season.
Michael’s Sword Napkin Holders
This simple craft project is one that the kids can do mostly on their own, with a little supervision. The napkin holders are a perfect special touch for your holiday table and a special Michaelmas meal.
Materials
- toilet paper rolls (each makes two napkin holders)
- masking tape
- wide popsicle sticks
- narrow half-size popsicle sticks
- heavy-duty scissors
- sandpaper
- blue acrylic paint (or your preferred color)
- yellow watercolor paint
- paintbrushes
- mod podge
- gold glitter (optional)
- low temperature glue gun and glue stick
Tutorial
Cut your toilet paper holders into halves. Try not to squish them too much. Wrap each ring with masking tape. It can be smooth or bumpy.
With your blue acrylic paint, paint the tape covered rings thoroughly and let them dry.
With heavy-duty scissors, cut one end of a wide popsicle stick to a point. If your stick splits, discard it and try another.
With sandpaper, sand the pointed end so that it’s smooth and without splinters. This is the sword blade.
Paint all of the sword blades and the same number of short popsicle sticks with a wash of golden watercolor paint. Let the pieces dry. When the blue rings are completely dry, coat them with a coat of mod podge. Paint it on just like paint. Let them dry again.
With a little mod podge, you can add just a little gold glitter to your blue rings. Less is more for this step, or simply skip this part, if you prefer. Let the rings dry completely.
Meanwhile, arrange your sword blades and cross pieces. Be sure all the wood pieces are completely dry before attempting to glue them. Apply a small dot of hot glue to the sword blade, add the cross piece, and press firmly. Repeat this for all the swords. (Supervise the kiddos during this stage. The little swords may be VERY exciting!)
Add a little wavy line of hot glue to your dry blue ring.
Quickly add a sword and press it down firmly.
Let them set. Store the napkin rings someplace safe until the Michaelmas festival arrives.
For your special Michaelmas meal, ask the children to pull a pretty napkin through each Michael sword napkin ring and set the table.
Check out the other ideas for a special Michaelmas meal in the Autumn Equinox and Michaelmas Festival E-Book published by Little Acorn Learning. Here is a teaser of all the sweet projects you’ll find in the e-book. Click on the link or the mosaic picture. Eileen Straiton and I would be honored if you would share. xo
133 PAGES of verses, fingerplays, poems, song, crafts, meditations, book recommendations, circle times, recipes, and much more to guide you in celebrating the Autumn Equinox and Michaelmas
- Needle Felt a Beautiful Apple Mother Doll
- Go on an Apple Picking Field Trip and Learn
About Different Varieties of Apples - Design a Breathtaking Early Autumn Nature Table
- Read Books with the Children Celebrating
Autumn and Michaelmas - Make Your Own Apple Stamps
- Enjoy Homemade Applesauce Together
- Crochet an Apple for Your Nature Table or Play Kitchen
- Create a Beautiful Autumn Candle Holder Centerpiece
- Make an Archangel Michael Mobile
- Harvest Natural Dye Materials from Outdoors and
Make Capes of Light Playsilks - Hold a Michaelmas Family Feast
- Create Dragons out of Nature Items
- Bake Dragon Bread with the Children
- Make a Dragon Tree Block Checker Set
- Sculpt Dragons out of Modeling Material
- Cut Out Paper Flying Dragons to Display on Your Wall
- Make a Michaelmas Felt Play Set
- Paint an Autumn Leaf Stencil Painting with Watercolors
- Crochet Beautiful Autumn Leaves for Your Nature Table
- Paint Your Own Interpretation of Michael and the Dragon
- Look Inward and Face Your Own Dragons with our Caregiver Meditation
- Share Verses and Songs About Autumn and Michaelmas
- Meditate on Quotes from Steiner and Other Inspirational Individuals
- Enjoy Pinecone Weaving
- Share Circle Time Together
- Make Michael Sword Napkin Holders
- Sculpt Michaelmas Worry Beads
- Craft an Autumn Equinox Wreath
So, if you’re wondering how to make this time of year feel magical, this e-book may be just what you need. Thanks for peeking!
Authors:
~ Eileen Straiton, Little Acorn Learning
~ Sara Wilson, Love in the Suburbs
With Guest Contribution from Jennifer Tan, Syrendell
