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Let's give a warm welcome to this chilly tutorial from guest contributor Robert Mahar. If you haven't had the good fortune to attend one of Robert's in-person classes, this is the next best thing. We're so excited to have him demonstrate how to craft these Snow Folk Ornaments from Benzie supplies. Welcome, Robert!
Is it an ornament? Is it an essential oil diffuser? I love when a project is dual purpose! These sweet Snow Folk assemble quickly and are highly customizable. And truly, wool felt balls are excellent diffusers for your favorite essential oil. Hang from your review mirror for a fresh scent on the go, or use as ornaments to enhance that fresh tree smell.
Skill Level: Beginner
Time: 30 minutes
Additional Supplies:
Black Glass Seed Beads, Size 6/0 (4.0mm) or similar
Small White Buttons, 10mm or similar
Low-pile Pom Poms
Essential Oil with Dropper Applicator
Mini Knit Hats - optional
Directions:
Eyes and Smile
1. Create the “coal” eyes and smile with Black glass seed beads stitched onto one large felt ball. Position two pins as place markers for the eyes, approximately 1/2” apart. Thread a double length of Black thread onto an embroidery needle and double knot the tail ends. Insert the needle at the underside of the head and emerge at one of the head pin locations. Thread one seed bead, reinsert the needle close to where the thread emerged and then re-emerge near the original point of entry on the underside of the head. Repeat this sequence to attach the second eye.
The smile is created from three seed beads. Position a head pin at the center of the eyes and approximately 1/2” inch down. As with the eyes, insert the needle at the underside of the head and emerge at the head pin location to attach the center bead of the smile. Attach the two additional seed beads on either side of the center bead, positioned slightly higher to create a smile.
Rosy Cheeks
2. Rub a round cotton swab onto Red Tint pan pastel, and then apply it lightly to the cheeks.
Nose
3. Cut a small triangle nose from felt, approximately 1/2” in length. Apply a thin bead of tacky glue along one edge, using a toothpick if needed. Position the nose on the face, between the eyes, and hold in place for a moment. Set aside to dry for a couple of minutes.
Ear Muffs - To opt for a mini hat instead of ear muffs, see Step 8!
4. Cut a 1/2” x 9” piece of wool blend felt. Cut a 2” long piece from the end of this strip to form the head band of the ear muffs. Set the remaining length aside to use as the scarf. A rotary cutter, ruler and cutting mat are helpful for this step.
Apply a thin bead of tacky glue along the center of the 2” long strip of felt and position it along the top of the head, as if it extends from ear to ear.
Thread a double length of White thread onto an embroidery needle and double knot the tail ends. Insert the needle through a low-pile pom pom and into one end of the adhered felt strip, emerging through the other end of the felt strip (on the opposite side of the head) and then through a second pom pom. Cut the needle from the thread and firmly tie the two tail ends together. Trim the tail ends of the thread away from each of the pom poms.
Buttons
5. If desired, add “coal” buttons to a second large felt ball. Attach seed beads in same manner as the eyes and smile, sewing from the button positions to the top of the felt ball - where the ends will be disguised when the body is assembled.
Body Assembly
6. Thread an arms length of White thread through the holes of a small White button, then thread the tail ends through a darner needle. Insert the needle through one large felt ball and emerge on the exact opposite side.
Next thread the needle through a second large felt ball (or the mid-section ball with the “coal” buttons.) Finally, thread the needle through the head, emerging through the center of the ear muff band. Cut the needle from the thread and firmly tie, and double knot, the two tail ends together. Tie the tail ends of the thread together, creating a 3-4” hanging loop.
Scarf
7. Use the remaining 1/2” x 7” piece of felt from Step 4 as a scarf. Tie around the neckline and fringe the ends with sharp scissors.
Knit Hat - A mini hat can be used in place of ear muffs in Step 4.
8. When assembling the body and threading the needle through the head, emerge at the top center of the head. Cut away the darning needle and double knot the thread at the top of the head. Re-thread the tail ends back into the darning needle, insert it through the inside of the mini knit hat and emerge through the center of the pom pom on the top of the hat. Tie a double knot at the hat’s pom pom and then tie the tail ends of the thread together, creating a 3-4” hanging loop.
Adding Essential Oil
9. Using a dropper applicator, apply three drops of essential oil to the back of the head or body. The oil will slightly discolor the felt ball, so consider applying it discretely between the felt balls. Over time as the scent begins to dissipate, three additional drops of essential oil can be reapplied.
There are so many essential oils to choose from! Some holiday favorites are peppermint, sweet orange and lemongrass. You can also enhance the smell of a fresh cut or artificial holiday tree by utilizing pine or cedar wood.
Of course, if you’re sensitive to smell, skip the diffuser aspect of the project and infuse these cold cuties with extra personality! Felt scarves embellished with embroidery, tree limb arms crafted from brown chenille stems, and tiny felt top hats are just a few of the options at your disposal.
Thanks to Robert for designing and writing this tutorial! You can follow him on Instagram @robert_mahar or visit his website. Stay tuned for more tutorials!
