Fun Crystallized Hearts Tutorial

I recently saw Martha make crystallized snowflakes and thought it would fun to make some hearts for Valentine's Day decorations.

Here are the supplies you will need:

Large glass with wide opening (I used a small wide vase) (about 1 quart)
Popsicle sticks
Yarn or wire
Red Pipe Cleaners
Borax laundry booster (found in laundry detergent aisle)
Water
Measuring cup and measuring spoon
Coffee filter or Paper towel

I had never heard of Borax so I took a picture for those of you like me.

Directions:
1.  Measure 3 to 4 cups of water.  You'll want enough water to cover your heart completely in your glass dish. You don't want your heart to touch the bottom or it will get stuck as the mixture starts solidifying.
2.  Put your dish in microwave and boil the water. 
3.  Measure out 9 tablespoons of Borax and put it in your glass container. 

4. While the water is heating up, grab two pipe cleaners or however many will fit in your glass.  You don't want them to touch at all.
5.  Fold your pipe cleaner in half and separate to make a V.

6.  Bring both ends together and twist a few times.

7.  Mold the heart to your desired shape.

8.  Wrap a piece of yarn or wire through the twisted part as an anchor to your heart.  Make sure it is the color you want as you can't remove it later.
9.  Cut the yarn to a fairly long length (8 to 10 inches).  Tie it to your popsicle stick.

10.  Pour your boiling water into your glass container.  Stir well and allow the Borax to fully dissolve.
11.  Wrap the yarn around your popsicle stick so that it is at a good length in your glass container.  Once again make sure your heart doesn't touch the bottom (lesson I learned).  It should be floating.  It can touch the sides, but it will definitely solidify at the bottom.  I could fit two hearts in my vase.

12.  Cover with a coffee filter or paper towel.  This will keep any dust or other items from falling in. 

13.  Place in an area where it will not be touched, moved or messed with.  It needs to sit overnight.
14.  The next morning you should have a heart that is covered in crystals.  Pull each out and allow to dry on your counter.  You can use the water mixture again if you wish.  Just re-heat the water in the microwave and dissolve any crystal build-up.
15.  Once your heart has dried, hang it from your yarn or wire wherever you like.  You can now cut the wire or yarn to the size you need it.

This would be a fun craft to do with your kids.  You can tell them that magic occurs overnight and creates the crystals. 

You can find pipe cleaners in a variety of colors.  If you purchase white, you can color the crystals by adding food coloring to the water.  Play around with different shapes and colors.  Most of all, have fun crafting!