Rice Jewelry

You will need: regular rice, food coloring, small plastic bowls, white glue, plastic wrap, poppy seeds, and cardboard.

To dye rice, mix 1 tablespoon water and 1/4 teaspoon food coloring for each color you wish to make. Stir 4 tablespoons rice in mixture until rice is desired color (takes only a few minutes). Remove rice from bowl with slotted spoon and spread out on paper towels to remove moisture. Place each color of rice in separate container until ready to use.

Trace design you choose onto a piece of paper. Place design on cardboard beneath a piece of plastic wrap. Cover entire design with thin layer of glue and press dyed rice into place. Add poppy seeds for markings on the strawberry, watermelon, and banana.

Next, coat entire design with thick layer of white glue. Let dry overnight. Peel off plastic wrap and cut off excess glue around edge of design.

For added durability, paint with clear varnish, nail polish, or plastic spray.

Bracelet

To make bracelet, soak wooden tongue depressor in warm water overnight so it is flexible. Bend tongue depressor into ring and place it inside edge of an inverted drinking glass 2 1/4″ in diameter. Let dry overnight.

Remove bracelet from glass and paint or stain. Glue on dyed rice design.

Necklace

For a pendant necklace, form a loop of wire and glue to back of rice design. Attach small connecting ring through loop and insert necklace chain through ring.

Earrings and Pins

For earrings and lapel pins, glue dyed rice designs to earrings and pins that can be purchased at a jewelry craft store.

Illustrated by Shauna Mooney