Pasta Jewelry

I found this project in a Family Fun magazine - my almost 3 year old LOVED it!  This is the project that has perhaps kept her attention longer than any other we've done!

Making jewelry from pasta!

All you need is:
a box/bag of larger, easy to string pasta (we used rigatoni)
vinegar
food coloring
zip-top bags (or other sealable containers)
yarn/string
a twist tie
cookie sheets and paper towels

First, dye your pasta.  Since we had the standard, 4 color food coloring box, we did 4 colors.  So, I got 4 ziplock bags, and divided the pasta among the bags.  Then C poured a few teaspoons of vinegar and several drops of food coloring into each bag.  I sealed the bags, and let her shake and squish away!

Line some baking sheets/pans with paper towels, and dump the pasta out.  Spread evenly and allow to dry.

Isn't it pretty?

Cut lengths of string to make necklaces or bracelets (make sure they are big enough to pull over your head for necklaces; she insisted on bracelets, but we could only fit 3 or 4 "beads" per length and I didn't particularly enjoy these).  Twist one end of a twist tie around one end of the string, and straighten out the rest to make a "needle".  Loosely tie one pasta bead to the other end.  Let kiddos string away!  Once they fill a length of string, untie the pasta piece and securely tie the ends together - voila!