Dolittle Bean Mosaics
An eco-friendly and engaging way to create beautiful mosaics using dried beans, perfect for all ages and skill levels.
Ingredients
Mosaic Materials
- Variety of cups dried beans (e.g., black beans, kidney beans, lentils, etc.) Any dried beans will workâconsider using a mix for added color.
- 1 piece large cardboard or canvas This will be the base for your mosaic.
- 1 bottle glue (craft or school glue) For securing the beans.
- 1 sheet brown paper or other colored paper For the background.
- 1 piece scissors For cutting paper if needed.
- 1 piece pencil For sketching designs.
- Optional tweezers For precision when placing beans.
Instructions
Preparation
- Create a clean, flat surface for your mosaic project. Lay down newspapers or a plastic sheet to catch any spills.
- Use your pencil to sketch a simple design on the cardboard or canvas, considering shapes like flowers, animals, or abstract designs for variety.
- Separate different types of beans by color and size to enjoy the visual appeal of their diverse shapes and shades.
Assembly
- Carefully apply glue to a section of your design, working in small areas to prevent the glue from drying out.
- Begin placing your beans onto the glued section of your design, feeling the textures and listening to the sound of beans clinking.
- Repeat the process with remaining sections of your design until complete and allow the glue to dry completely (usually a few hours).
Notes
Consider changing bean colors for different designs or incorporating other natural materials like seeds or small pebbles for added texture. You can seal your mosaic with a clear coat of varnish for durability. Create smaller projects like greeting cards or larger wall hangings for variety.