Crafting for a Crowd: Holy Water Fonts
With Our Lady's month of May just around the corner, this seemed a perfect time to revisit a project that has been a hit with our local group for almost ten years: holy water fonts. We have made them many different ways, but this method was the first and favorite. Plain wooden plaques from the craft store in a variety of appealing shapes, sturdy plastic shot glasses from the party store, beads, snow white crucifixes, and holy cards make up these simple crafts, perfect for a crowd of all ages. Paints would add a great deal to the look of the project, but I decided to spare the children's clothes in an effort to maintain my friendship with the local moms.
When preparing a craft for a large group of children, it helps to do a bit of prep work. I hot-glued the shot glasses to the plaques in advance:
Patrick wants you to know that this is the one he glued on for Mommy. (Thank you, Pat!)
Thanks to this beautiful group of crafters (not to mention another table full) . . .
. . . those plain plaques were transformed into something glorious and well worth cherishing:
The best projects for a crowd are the ones that all look unique in the end!
Another way to use these would be by putting fresh flowers in the cups with a bit of water.
"Queen of Cute" Kelli B. shows her creation:
An afternoon of crafting works up a thirst, as you can see. Maureen's "crocs" come in handy as she goes full toe to reach the water fountain.
And a good time was had by all!
Holy water fonts, cost per project: under $2 (99 cents for plaques, plus decorations and cups; shot glasses come in packages of 50 for about $3.50, but consider improvising with film canisters, deep bottle caps, or plastic Easter egg halves)
Hi Alice,
I love this idea! The holy water fonts are all one of a kind and fun! I think this would be great for a child to make and put in their bedroom by the door so everytime they enter or leave their bedroom they could bless themselves. God bless!
Lee
Posted by: Lee | April 25, 2008 at 12:58 AM
Beautiful. Just beautiful!
Posted by: Eileen | April 25, 2008 at 06:59 AM
Very cool project Alice! We might need to do these for our May Mary unit...
Posted by: Mary G. | April 25, 2008 at 08:44 AM
What a neat idea! And, I love coming to your place, Alice, and reading things like, "I hot-glued the shot glasses to the plaques ...." :-)
I think we'll do this next week!
Posted by: Karen Edmisten | April 25, 2008 at 10:20 AM
What a super cute craft!! You always have the best ideas!! Thank you so much for sharing! God Bless!
Posted by: Jessica | April 25, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Lovely! I'm linking this one from First Heralds :).
Posted by: Kathryn | April 25, 2008 at 04:45 PM
Once again, thank you for being such a great resource for us Catholic homeschooling families! I always get a wonderful idea--that I know is only for good purpose--whenever I check on your site. You're a blessing to a greater community than just your own cottage!
Posted by: Laura | April 25, 2008 at 05:52 PM
Karen E. writes:
>And, I love coming to your place, Alice, >and reading things like, "I hot-glued the >shot glasses to the plaques ...." :-)
Oh, I love all these comments, but this one has me laughing my head off!!!!!
Wiping away tears of laughter!
BTW girls, I have twenty shotglasses left over from this craft if anyone is interested in an impromptu party at the cottage!
Posted by: Alice Gunther | April 25, 2008 at 08:40 PM
If I'm going to have a shot of anything it may as well be Holy water! Ahhhh, a visit to the Cottage is so sobering, indeed!
Lovely, Alice!!!
Posted by: Mary | April 25, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Beautiful! What a perfect idea for the children's bedrooms.
Posted by: Jennifer | April 25, 2008 at 11:08 PM
This is such a wonderful idea! I've been searching for the "perfect" holy water font for the kitchen. Now we can actually just make one and we could even change things out to suit the season.
You are just too crafty Alice!
Posted by: PaulaB52 | April 26, 2008 at 10:32 AM
I love these! What a great idea. I love that the kids get involved.
Posted by: Stina | April 26, 2008 at 03:46 PM
What a beautiful idea!! I'm not one do take on crafts that often, unless they are simply adorable AND needed. Or else we end up with lots of clutter type crafts. We're making these next week!! Thanks for posting!
Posted by: Lillian | April 28, 2008 at 11:16 AM
They're beautiful!
Posted by: Cheryl | April 28, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Alice as always, genius abounds :))) Thank you for sharing these just in time for Our Lady's Month!! You are a godsend!
Posted by: Meredith | April 28, 2008 at 04:57 PM
those are wonderful, Alice!
can't wait to make them with our coop!
Posted by: Martha | April 30, 2008 at 10:05 AM
I think it is so great that these kids are doing this, and seem to love it too!
I especially love the St. Therese & St. Joseph creations..really beautiful, and a very cool kid arts n crafts creation..what a great idea..wish i was a kid again to make one myself!
This blog is like a breath of fresh air..Heaven Sent kind!
Brian
Posted by: Brian | May 02, 2008 at 01:16 AM
They are so beautiful - you are so generous with your group. They are lucky families indeed.
Anyway, I had thought of doing somthing like this at one time for a Lourdes craft but wondered if the cups would stick sufficiently to hold water or would it be too heavy. I don't have good luck with hot glue holding - so please share your specific techniques. Thanks.
Posted by: Mary M | May 02, 2008 at 04:42 AM
What a beautiful craft! I think I will "steal" this idea for our Little flower group next year!
Posted by: ma goose | May 02, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Baeutiful, Alice!!
Posted by: Donna | May 04, 2008 at 01:04 PM
That all looks wonderful Alice and don't shot glasses come in handy!
Posted by: aussieannie | May 05, 2008 at 07:18 AM
Alice, I loved this idea - so I borrowed it! This is what you inspired!
http://mydomesticchurch.blogspot.com/2008/05/holy-water-fonts.html
Posted by: Elena | May 09, 2008 at 07:27 PM