Making your own stickers

Stickers

Stickers are so much fun to play with. But they do tend to get expensive. The small packages that can be found in stores around Winona never seem to be enough when a child is designing a page. The more stickers there are to choose from the better the art project.
Making your own stickers can be fun too. There are no limits to the shapes, colors and designs that can be created. Now they won’t be like the professional ones found. These will be unique because your children used their imaginations to the fullest.
Items needed:

• Magazines
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Small paint brush
• Construction paper or poster board
• Cookie cutters
• Stencils
• Crafting templates
• Sheet of waxed paper

Glue to use right away:

• 1 envelope of unflavored gelatin
• ½ cup of hot water
• ½ teaspoon of flavored extract or 2 drops of flavored organic oil

Directions:

1. Turn the tap on and allow the water to get very hot. Fill the measuring cup to the ½ cup mark.
2. Pour the unflavored gelatin into the hot water. Allow gelatin to dissolve. Stir until all the lumps are removed.
3. If the water cooled down too much; place the cup into the microwave for a few seconds until the gelatin completely dissolved.
4. Add the flavored extract or oil to the cup and stir.

Glue to use now and later:

• 1 package of unflavored gelatin
• 1 teaspoon of light corn syrup
• 4 tablespoons of boiling water
• ½ teaspoon of a flavored extract

Directions:

1. In a small bowl mix all ingredients together.
2. Stir until the entire gelatin powder is completely dissolved. Use the microwave for a few seconds if there are still limps in the bowl.

(When this project is complete this glue can be stored in an air tight container out of reach of children.)
How to make homemade stickers:

1. Gather up old magazines that have been read and are ready for the recycle pile. Allow your child to pull out pages with pictures that appeal to them.
2. With the use of scissors let them cut out the pictures that they like.
3. If your child is using templates, stencils or cookie cutters have them outline the shape with a pencil to cut out later.
4. Once all the pictures, shapes and pieces are cut out they are ready to apply the sticker glue.
5. Have them dip the small paint brush into the glue bowl and spread it out on the backs of the magazine cut outs.
6. Allow the homemade stickers to dry with the glue side up on a sheet of waxed paper.
7. Once the glue is dry they are ready to be licked and pressed onto a piece of construction paper or poster board.
8. Now it is time for all that creativity to flow.
9. Have fun!

Suggestions:

• Do not use these glues to make stickers on paper other than the glossy sheets that are found in all magazines. The glue won’t soak through as it would on construction paper. With construction paper the dyes will be released, the paper will curl too much and be difficult to work with.
• The stickers can be made one day and saved for another day’s use. Make sure they are completely dry before storing in a container or box. When the stickers are needed just pull the box out, lick the backs and press on the paper to make a new and interesting picture.
• The second glue recipe can be saved for future use. Store in an air tight container; this will keep moisture and dust out. Keep out of reach of small children. When more stickers need to be made, just place the container in the microwave. Heat for a few seconds, but do not keep container covered. Do this every few seconds until the mixture liquefies again. Do not over heat.
• Looking for flavored extracts or organic oils to use for this or any other project. 

NON-TOXIC STICKER GLUE

Instructions:

If you are looking for a craft during the long winter months, this is for you..

Now you can create stickers from any picture. On a computer, print out many colored clipart designs, such as flowers, sailboats, holiday designs, cars and trucks or use magazine pictures or photos. Personalize your designs by writing your name just above or below. Print onto heavier paper and trim. Decorate holiday cards or create personalized stationary and envelopes.

4 unflavored gelatin

8 tablespoon vinegar

1 tablespoon peppermint or lemon extract

Small glass jar (baby food jars work well for this)


In a small saucepan, bring vinegar to a boil. Add gelatin. Reduce to low heat and stir until gelatin is completely dissolved. Add extract and mix well. Allow to cool. Brush a small amount of glue on the reverse side of art. Let dry. Paper may curl but will straighten when the sticker is applied. To soften glue after storage, lower jar into a pan of boiling water until glue dissolves. Warm one hour before use. Moisten the paper to activate glue and apply as stickers. Yields: 1/2 cup...

Have Fun!!