by Nancy F Morgan

Created on: October 27, 2009

Who loves Thanksgiving crafts? Just about everyone from the smallest tot to the oldest senior. Crafting while sipping on a warm cup of cider or cocoa is a wonderful way to add some fun to those cool Autumn days. Here are some ideas for crafting with seniors that will bring a smile to their faces and warmth to their hearts.

*Please note: It is important to remember that some nursing home residents are afflicted with arthritic joints in their hands. They may need help with some of the more detailed parts of these crafts. It may be a good idea to consult with nursing home staff ahead of time. If the majority of residents attending the craft session have problems with arthritis, you may want to have these parts done ahead of time. The residents will then be given a project they can assemble mostly on their own.

Ornamental Corn Brooch

Supplies needed per craft:

Thirty 10mm tri-beads in translucent colors. Each craft will require ten each of yellow, red and orange

Three 8mm faceted beads in translucent yellow

One 6x4 inch square of light weight brown craft paper

One 12x2 inch strip of light weight brown craft paper

One 12 inch length of white jewelry cord

One plain badge pin finding

Bottle of super strength or heavy bonding, clear quick-dry craft glue

Pencil for tracing

Begin by cutting jewelry cord into three equal lengths of four inches each. Apply a small amount of glue to end of each cord. While glue is still wet, push glued end of cord into hole of one faceted bead. This will be the bottom of the "ear of corn". Allow glue to dry then thread ten tri-beads onto each cord alternating colors and making sure that the beads are "stacked" one on top of the other. After all three cords are beaded, gather the tops of the three cords and tie together. Trim excess and set aside.

Next, cut the 12x2 inch strips of craft paper into tiny strips approximately one-eighth inch wide. Set these aside for now. Lay the three beaded cords centered on the bottom half of the 6x4 inch piece of craft paper with faceted bead at the bottom edge of paper. Using a pencil, trace an outline of the whole piece as well as between the individual "ears of corn". Now take the craft paper and fold in half width wise with the traced pattern on outside to be used as a cutting guideline. Next, cut through both top and bottom portions of craft paper making sure to leave about one and one-half inch to two inches of folded part intact. At this point, you will glue the paper backing to the three beaded

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