Darcy
11-08-2007, 01:37 PM
We are rowing La Girafe the next two weeks and I came up with an extremely simple craft idea after reading a non-fiction library book about giraffes. The library book had a small section on hunting and how native hunters use every part of the giraffe (reminded me of stories about the respect Native Americans gave the animals they hunted...using every portion and letting nothing go to waste). In the library book it was said that giraffe tails are often made into bracelets or good luck charms (similar to a rabbit's foot).
Using brown wool felt, we made a faux giraffe tail bracelet for my daughter and a good luck charm for my son (he didn't want "jewelry" lol). I remember learning to braid in kindergarten so today I taught the kids the skill of braiding. I cut a long length of brown felt about 3 inches wide. I then slit it into 3 strips, leaving a portion at the top un-slit so the original 3" piece remained in tact. I tacked it to the wall and had the kids braid the 3 one inch pieces and secured each end of the main strip with a rubber band. DS kept his long and we used another rubber band to bend DD's around her wrist and to secure it.
The book also mentioned the wire-like consistency of the tail's tassle and said that was used to string bead necklaces...that might be another idea/application.
We are a hunting family, so it worked out well for us to discuss how often modern hunters are wasteful in comparison to hunters of old. I would imagine the craft idea could be done without broaching the subject of hunting.
Blessings,
Darcy
Here's a pic...nothing fancy that's for sure...but the kids enjoyed it.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/dlittle4570/Image0022-1.jpg
Using brown wool felt, we made a faux giraffe tail bracelet for my daughter and a good luck charm for my son (he didn't want "jewelry" lol). I remember learning to braid in kindergarten so today I taught the kids the skill of braiding. I cut a long length of brown felt about 3 inches wide. I then slit it into 3 strips, leaving a portion at the top un-slit so the original 3" piece remained in tact. I tacked it to the wall and had the kids braid the 3 one inch pieces and secured each end of the main strip with a rubber band. DS kept his long and we used another rubber band to bend DD's around her wrist and to secure it.
The book also mentioned the wire-like consistency of the tail's tassle and said that was used to string bead necklaces...that might be another idea/application.
We are a hunting family, so it worked out well for us to discuss how often modern hunters are wasteful in comparison to hunters of old. I would imagine the craft idea could be done without broaching the subject of hunting.
Blessings,
Darcy
Here's a pic...nothing fancy that's for sure...but the kids enjoyed it.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d113/dlittle4570/Image0022-1.jpg