STYROFOAM brand foam crafts

Peppermint Bear Ornament

Festive red-and-white peppermints are so much more fun made up into little Christmas bears for the tree. Ornaments make a sweet gift for teachers and other special helpers.
   Completion Time - 
1-2 hours
   Designer - 
Kathleen George

Materials

STYROFOAM Brand Foam
  • Balls: one 2"; six 1-1/2"
  • Disc, 4" x 1"
Other Materials
  • Red acrylic paint
  • Red/white striped grosgrain ribbon, 1/2" x 1/2 yd.
  • Red/white wire twist ties, two
  • Black half-round beads, 5mm, two
  • Clear cellophane
  • Pink chalk or cosmetic blush

Tools

  • Serrated knife
  • Candle stub or paraffin
  • Pencil
  • Ruler
  • Wooden items: round toothpicks; skewers
  • Paintbrushes: small, stiff round; liner
  • Disposable palette
  • Water basin
  • Paper towels
  • Scissors
  • Low-temp glue gun and glue sticks
  • Thick, white craft glue

Instructions

  • 1. Wax serrated knife with candle stub or paraffin. Cut thinslices from bottom and front of 2" foam ball for head. Cut thin slicefrom one side of four 1-1/2" foam balls for arms and legs.
  • 2. Cut remaining 1-1/2" foam balls in half. Twist onehalf-ball against flat front of head until snug; use glue gunto glue muzzle to head. Cut and discard one-third from bottomof two half-balls to create ears; glue ears to head withrounded side toward back. Discard remaining half-ball or setaside for future project.
  • 3. Transfer pattern to both sides of foam disc. Use stiffbrush to paint center motif on front of disc red; let dry.Paint back of disc; let dry.
  • 4. Push skewers into arms and legs. Holding skewer, paint eachball red; place skewers in heavy glass or jar until dry. Painta red half-circle onto front of each ear. Use liner brush topaint nose and mouth. Let dry completely.
  • 5. Wrap peppermint in square of cellophane; secure ends withtwist ties.
  • 6. Cut three toothpicks in half. Push one half-toothpick intocut side of each arm and leg and one into bottom of head,leaving 1/2" of toothpick exposed. Apply hot glue to end ofeach toothpick and push into peppermint disc as shown.
  • 7. Glue beads to head for eyes. Blush cheeks with chalk usingsmall brush.
  • 8. For hanger, cut 8" ribbon length and knot ends; glue knotto top of head. Tie remaining ribbon into bow and glue to neckIf you enjoyed this project, look here for more inspiring ideas:Peppermint WreathPeppermint Snow AngelPeppermint Ski Snowman