Salt Dough Flowers

I'd like to have an honest conversation with you. We live in a world of expendable objects. We collectively make and manufacture items that give us satisfaction for only a brief time. The very essence of manufacturing in this day and age is to make items that last for only a brief period of time in order to drive the consumer to purchase more. We have found ourselves in a place of overwhelming waste. This is a philosophical problem rooted in our cultural belief of self gratification, otherwise known as greed. This is heavy. I ask you to continue with me for a bit longer.

Within the kids' crafting world, there is an immense amount of waste. Creating, however, is inherently valuable. Therefore we must create mindfully. We can teach the same creative lessons; provide insight into the mind and drive critical thinking while using sustainable materials. In fact, I will argue there is a much, much greater lesson to be taught (and learned) with slow crafting and low to zero waste crafting.

Teaching our children that creating takes time is extremely beneficial to their developing minds. Not only are we teaching our children that creativity is complex but also meaningful. Let us teach our children patience through slow crafting. Let us teach our children mindfulness in the lengthier processes. Let's teach our children to create with greater purpose by creating something of greater value.

Materials such as leaves, sticks, flowers, recycled cardboard and salt dough, all work extremely well for crafting with children. These objects do not add to the detriment of the environment or ultimately produce more waste. These items allow for creative exploration, and the subsequent value in the process without adding to the disastrous waste of mindless consumerism.

Finally (and thanks for sticking with me), I beg of you to consider reducing your plastic consumption, think of ways to reduce or completely eliminate waste and teach your children the value in #slowcrafting. Will you join me?

Let's get on with it, shall we?

Gather:

*Salt dough

*Egg carton

*Cookie sheet

*Acrylic paint

*Sticks

*Hot glue/gun

*Paint brushes

Create:

1. Mix 2 cups of flour with 1 cup of salt, 1 cup of warm water. Stir until a play dough like consistency develops. Add more water or flour as needed. The dough should not stick to your fingers.

2. Turn oven on to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Place egg carton upside down on cookie sheet. Roll about a quarter size bit of dough into a ball. Flatten it like a pancake.

4. Hold the edges of the disc and gently insert into the well of the egg carton, folding the sides up a bit.

5. Repeat filling the egg carton. Be sure to do multiple sizes. use your paintbrush end to poke through the large base pieces or all of them if you intend to do a single flower petal per stick.

6. Bake for 3-4 hours. The pieces will pop out when ready.

7. Glue smaller petals into the larger ones.

8. Paint to your desired color!