Charm Bags

These rustic-looking pouches are inspired by those used by Native Americans to carry good-luck trinkets. (They make great carriers for portable music players too!)

Check out our other Art Camp craft projects and ideas, too.

CRAFT MATERIALS:
	Shrink art (available at craft stores)
	Colored pencils
	Hole punch
	4- by 11-inch piece of felt
	Embroidery floss and needle
	Small stick, about the size of a pencil
	Decorative beads (optional)
	1 yard of twine
Time needed: About 1 to 2 Hours

1. With colored pencils and following the directions on the package, help your child design a piece of shrink art that will be roughly 1 1/2 inches wide after it's baked down to size. Before baking, punch 4 holes in it.

2. Form the pouch by folding up the bottom 4 inches of the felt. Sew the sides together.

3. Lay the stick where the flap folds over the pouch and sew the stick in place.

4. If you like, string a few beads on the twine and tie off the ends. Tie the twine onto the stick as shown.

5. Sew the shrink art onto the flap or the front of the pouch.

Tips:
Instead of using shrink art, you can decorate the bag with beads or buttons.