Howdy! So nice to see you today!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98DudNFnjXypquZfUI1t1xNNq7mXOdC6lkTxJskBnCfgz8DzBVWkib8CzTlfV9NFokDYSZbtArHy7c3Yd4YUKzTnY2ywuxm5axy9eYuzxsdjQRp3Vw7GgjITgQBcycMS5hKXC1VypbsE/s400/HWBookstore3.jpg)
This week, I'm taking you on a shopping trip
to the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe
in New York City.
I can spend many hours here to savor a snack
and browse through the shelves.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6ZDtxNlzzpjWrX2MM4qDeIJucCVT5bIdwh42IlB1ODhHH5xctW0VWAYsV0VS6LY3NZbJLgVa888AsVGv6R7XspD02dHM5q6yfrILs6JJFDD4B4IiXn0lV1awuoXySOLervo9FquntMc/s400/HWBookstore1c.jpg)
This is what I bought -- I'm trying out the crafts
with my blah to TADA! touch.
On Page 37, the author has a recipe
for clay jewelry.
Here's what we'll need:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJjZv5piqExuwoK5hVePcUlTN9EA8DqdyUEOStz3-AZTUgF3I8FzyH3c72L_HUopv3hSYGmkEEvZbl1kbnNc5zWk2kvXMRzL8YakJFuAJANKkbXAWKvAgzedmzE7J8P65Q-q94iUoxVQ/s400/HWBookstore3b.jpg)
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup salt
1 tbsp warm water or as needed {I used 8 tablespoons}
liquid tempera paint & paint brush
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIWYMjvgWp1VCk1FB2AHQLlWn38UXy07nqk4vNU7tnYoL7FqtNH16TsUVPO6NXtyHQVhkelUb9BQRnS4nPyArnEsEgAp4B6_fban5uPS-98schoqoUWcL3Du8LdIRKb2V7zd_q3ukL94/s400/HWBookstore3c.jpg)
Mix together the flour, cornstarch & salt.
Add water gradually until the mixture
forms a soft dough.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXNqGC42hvXbU-XmQytUDjFhjciWPLmUk4zNN3yhOwacA8Fvn9hkYGKTvZ-tLjNC2stSD-vsDG_gIQe7U2FDPZivR-6FPeUp-tU_5SaethWwMVfBqM4zNAsEw07DUU7HzwwrZS8r-shc/s400/HWBookstore3d.jpg)
Roll the mixture into balls to make beads.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdMRsyut8Khe1XqG75GtrdJHLAGLvKopwWw0UiiRBi0hqlW-UmXZc2-i_lpO-YquS-mzV01zmISzXTL1aolR3GYrUnoAxtgp7LdvUkXjkWH0px9SI7KUjMdUoZ6wR9w-dgoPpKU9oKoY/s400/HWBookstore3e.jpg)
Allow the beads to dry for a few hours,
then poke a hole using a skewer.
Allow to dry.
The smaller the beads,
the faster the drying time.
{It took me about a week to get
the beads to fully dry & harden.}
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8cI_CseR9ekYJiPX3WSLyJj_r2ucs7q3UfgjuiAoQBRHtM-rIsmdkcq1K6BoyJOKzFwVZBCwRUv8FkgMOYR1oBRx68ixnfUxZJDJ0q_68zZO_S-oQG6JCDO1no461o3tcnF9qvzCVOk/s400/HWBookstore3f.jpg)
Here's what they look like.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1423AygcA-6Hby_mJILOxubjuT1cVyPuexJwEeqmQgc0C3L8TARe7fiXobTLaUSxvYmHJvRmz0W5NIu0lBPNtWGeE4AwDDPlnxb6xU7n0akxTDRrGMUEr7AwChwsPpoocHrSRtdcbeQE/s400/HWBookstore3g.jpg)
Now, it's time to paint!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLxif4-w2QmJeroTU_XajYKYvL2kBw5GtH3UEETAmVMSzndbLkb9GYN5ajErr_p6n_Kp0dsyOOjpkYE2V_alm7MtWkWtqmxD5xT0JU6vVU1r4Oj3ayoLiXSDFVj5xnK85Xbcbwk5LD5U/s400/HWBookstore3h.jpg)
To quickly get paint all over the bead, use this
trick of putting each bead on a skewer.
You'll need two to three coats of paint.
Make sure to paint the bottom hole too,
once the bead is removed from the skewer.
Let this dry for a few hours.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbT8h9CDWte_alFb7ZX_0i5uK1hMzA7fc0cGYCAFG6YdjbaKDWc_p3MYx_Dr19vql_FB0-6pt_hvx78zHUH1D2vbDh_lFU_CI7hy0yplLEUF1vpm07XB6P_92vlFh2up17WyZjcODvKk/s400/HWBookstore3i.jpg)
TADA! Your very own handmade beads!
String them on thread (regular or elastic).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzcCyjHBx_Y1zYaBlYxo9JlK8SpG8oUPSuUW_YPDiHXbrscFOLpUoV8iTyjyd-vrCkh98aP9OnIMpVfB9q1KhmGbPZF7Awy2LiH9tR7BHoSH3d8DbE8lDyzKJO83OTPfXeOTealwMtv4/s400/HWBookstore3j.jpg)
And make your own jewelry like a necklace or bracelet!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWMvf-rrlfo5jUzqiCwmvojxMnpTC-QgRHUEpomSJlyhM_akR1jNGu_QuqvNxUMIu7JfRzbQG7cjglsN4CdOcnfdya0zHH3F9rCulvfNtf6cdOU3fZ9M4z_hWnN5RZBvOYdUnakn-c8U/s400/HWBookstore3k.jpg)
This is a fun summer activity for kids
that they can proudly wear.