We are often invited to attend at residences for seniors in the Toronto area to help them make beautiful jewelry. We love these workshops and always leave with a smile on our face knowing that we have brightened somebody's day, made new friends and the residents are so proud of their creations!

Jewelry making is an amazing tool to help with fine motor skills for seniors, but many seniors do have limitations and so we have come up with a few tips to make beading easier and more fun. More information on developmental benefits of beading with seniors.

Tips for beading with seniors:

1)  Bring a sample of what they are making.  Seniors are very visual, and it is easier for them to pick their colours and style of beads once they see a completed version of what they will be creating.

2.  Use beads with large holes.  Some seniors may struggle with their eye sight and eye and hand coordination and beads with large holes make things easier.

3.  Use brightly coloured beads.  Seniors love beads with bold and bright colours, they are also easier for them to see, so therefore easier for them to pattern and design with.

4.  Use a string that is easy for them to use.  Our favourite string is tiger tail, because it is stiff, it is easy for them to string beads onto.

5.  Use a clasp on their project that they can open and close themselves.  The first time we ever did a workshop with seniors we used lobster clasps.  At our next session the seniors told us they were not able to wear what they made because they could not put it on, of course we switched all the clasps to toggle claps and to this day, that is the only clasp that we use with seniors.

Click here for more information on our workshops with seniors.

We have noticed that many moms booking Beading Buds jewellery making birthday parties often go with a tea party theme.  One of our favourite tea party themes is a Fancy Nancy tea party, because you can go so over the top with this theme.

Invite
Make the invite as fancy as possible using stickers, sticker gems, ribbons and glitter.  There are many websites with Fancy Nancy printables.  The official Fancy Nancy website also has lots of printables for you to use at the party as part of the party entertainment.

Party Decor
Fancy Nancy is all about being fabulous!  So this is your chance for a super girly and fancy party.  Decorate the chairs and tables with pink feather boas, tiaras, big floppy hats, fancy sunglasses and pearl necklaces (this can also double as a party loot bag). 

Hang up big bunches of gold, silver, black and pink balloons and streamers.

Cake
Do a pink cake or cupcake and decorate with pink feather boas, tiaras, big floppy hats, fancy sunglasses and pearl necklaces or any combination of these items.

Party Activities
Go to the Fancy Nancy website to get lots of great printables for the guests to use.  You can provide a box of dressup clothes and have the girls do a fashion show.  This is a great chance for you to get some great photos of the girls.  A Beading Buds jewelry making kit is also a great option, the girls can make beautiful fancy jewelry.

There are so many other great ideas for a Fancy Nancy Party.  Check out our Fancy Nancy pinterest page for more party inspiration.