DIY Hair Accessories using the glue gun!

Hair accessories, too many, no way! My Little Chefs are always on the lookout for something new. With 4, possibly 5 girls we have a need for many different sizes, types and styles. I love shopping the clearance deals at craft stores! I love it even more when all the clearance is an additional 90% off! That is exactly what recently happened. I went into the store not expecting to find a lot, but secretly hoping there still are some good things there. It is SUPER hard to actually browse any store with crazy Little Chefs in tow. Not to mention, I just had to go the week I decided to potty train which is always an adventure in itself. What luck when I did find some fun odds and ends…between bathroom trips!

For $0.10 each I found these cute crochet shapes. I thought I bet there is something we could do with these….hair accessories!

Little Chef D has been DYING to use my big hot glue gun (yes I have two) so with two older Little Chefs in school and one younger Little Chef amazingly taking a nap it was just the two of us. I figured this is a great time to teach her how to safely use a hot glue gun and to allow her to do it all by herself.

Ingredients:

• barrettes or alligator clips, your choice
• various crochet shapes
• button
• hot glue gun

Directions:

1. We decided to use this type of plastic barrette because they stay in my Little Chefs hair so much better then alligator clips. Hair accessories have a fun time sneaking out of their very fine hair. Normally I would line the barrette or clip with a piece of ribbon, but we measured and you will not be able to see the barrette so we skipped this step this time. That usually is the step where I burn my fingers which is another reason to skip it with Little Chef D’s first experience using hot glue alone. 
2. Next I verbally instructed Little Chef D to apply the glue to the barrette. I asked if she wanted me to show her how to do it, but she said “No I understand. I want to do it.” After one try she figured out she needed to constantly hold the trigger to get a complete line of glue. 
3. She then took the cupcake and placed it on top of the glue and very carefully and gently pressed down to make sure it was going to stay.  One hair accessory completed! She followed the same steps for the flower and the heart.
4. Then she looked in my big bowl of buttons and found a yellow one to put in the center of the flower because there was a hole and that just didn’t look right. I’m not sure I like it with just the button, but she is VERY proud of her work. That is it! Super simple and easy. I already had the barrettes from a previous clearance sale so these cost $0.30 for all 3!

When Little Chefs A and C got home they were promptly told by Little Chef D that she was able to use the BIG hot glue gun ALL BY HERSELF and make some hair clips. It was a very proud moment for her. She has already decided what outfit would go best with each hair clip! She is going to LOVE wearing these hair accessories even more now because SHE made them.