AG Crafts

[Felicity_Fan85]

I have no clue if this has been done in the past, but what some crafts you like to make for (or with) your AGs? This could be a fun thread where we can share ideas and if some people ever want to have a swap or something, they can send small things to other peoples' AGs or soemthing. Just an idea.

I like to mkae jewelry for my AGs. Felicity and Susie Mae made Kirsten a beaded pin. I also want to make more outfits for my girls sometime and maybe mini scrapbooks, memory books, or journals. If I come up with more ideas I'll post them.

[3castles]

WELL.....we had a AG slumber party for my DD's recent birthday and did nothing but AG crafts.
We made a girl bracelet and a matching doll bracelet, a slumber sack and other things. I have designed some swaps for each of the historical dolls as well as some for the girls of today.

For those of you who don't know S.W.A.P.S. stand for:
Special Whatchamacallits Affectionally Pinned Somewhere

This tradition is used widely by Girl Scouts and other clubs/groups today but, started by the American Indians as part of the Potlach ceremony.

What is a Potlatch? - A ceremonial feast among certain Native American peoples of the Northwest Pacific coast . . . at which the host distributes gifts requiring
reciprocation. From the Chinook (Nootka patshatl), meaning, "to give".

Potlashes were social celebrations given by coastal tribes to celebrate important events such as the ascension of a new chief, rites of passage for girls and boys, birth, marriage and death. Members of the local tribes were invited for common potlatches, while elite's invited guests from many tribes. Depending upon the tribe, the potlash took on many forms, but most lasted for several days and included singing, dancing, games and eating. A host could easily find himself bankrupt from throwing a single potlatch, but because of the prestige for himself and his clan, it was considered well worth the price and all of the effort. During the potlash, there were ceremonial exchanges of gifts between those in attendance. They included canoes, blankets, food, equipment and jewelry, as well as household items.

The custom stems from the legend explaining why birds have colored feathers. As the story goes, two Indian girls plucked feathers of a magic bird and distributed the multi-colored plumage to the colorless birds living in the forest. From that time on, birds have had brightly colored feathers and those gifts were remembered at potlatch ceremonies.


Most SWAPS are very inexpensive and fun to make!
Our girls (and me!) love to display our SWAPS on special SWAP hats. This is just a hat that has various Swaps pinned on it. You can also collect your SWAPS in a box or pin them onto a banner made of inexpensive felt.

I have comprised a complete list of AMERICAN GIRL themed swaps and am working on the instructions for them.

ie, mini hats representing each girl, each girl's pet, their favorite book, their favorite toys/pastimes etc.

We just started our American Girl club and will be doing these at every meeting more than likely.

Just the idea of SWAPS themselves are something that maybe Kaya might have done!

I have been thinking about writing a craft book of ideas and information, but haven't had much time to get to it lately.

If anyone would like me to gather up some info, I will try to do so.

Happy Crafting!!

[agcollector293110]

I mostly like making items for my displays. I have made a wooden bed, shelves, bedding, matresses(sp?), pillows, a bulliten board, and clothing. I am currently in the midsts of making felicity a new dress. The pattern came with a cloak and a muff which are just too adorable to not make. I also like to make jewlery and other small items when I don't have the time to indulge into a larger project. I LOVE the idea of a craft thread and am very interested in what other people have to say!

[Felicity_Fan85]

My mom has a swap hat. I have some swaps at home that I made at a Girl Scout Camporee.

[heidiabigail]

i make a lot of crocheted things, like christmas stockings, for my dolls. I also make food for them out of sculpy.

[cami713]

I also enjoy making jewelry. It's incredibly easy, and my mom and I used to make a lot of beaded things when I was little so I have a large supply, and even restocking on the clasps and other things isn't very expensive. I've come to enjoy the fact that I can make matching jewelry to pretty much any AG outfit for free/very cheap.

[Felicity_Fan85]

just bumping this up for anyone who hasn't seen it yet.

[Bean Bunny]

I crochet a lot, I just got a lot of crocheted things done today.

Man ... we need to organize a swap!

[marisol05]

3castles, I'd love to see what you've done and the info too. It's great that you started a club. Sadly we only know two other children that have AG and they are not into it like we are. [img]frown.gif[/img]

[Felicity_Fan85]

A swap would be so much fun! A friend tried to teach me to crochet last year, but I got stuck and sorta gave up. I never undid what little bit I started, so maybe I'll try again sometime. I would love to make a blanket for my "girls" even if it is a patchwork one.