As Easter quickly approaches, I’ve impulsively invited our new neighbors over for Easter brunch. With that in mind, I need some simple crafts for Easter table decorating. When I think of Easter, I think of two things: jelly beans and white lace. These materials are perfect for some simple crafts for Easter.

Decoupage Lace Jelly Bean Jars

Delicate lace and colorful jelly bean candies go together beautifully in these simple crafts for Easter. Find some small glass jars, such as baby food jars, and remove any labels (soaking in warm water with a touch of lemon juice makes this easier). Pick up lace paper doilies from your local thrift or dollar store for these simple crafts for Easter. You can also crochet lace doilies for a variation

Materials:

• Doily: paper doilies or homemade crochet doilies in white
• Scissors
• Small, empty mason jar (baby food jar)
• For Paper Doily: decoupage median like Mod Podge
• For Crochet Doily: Fabric Stiffener (Store-Bought or Homemade, recipe follows)
• For Crochet Doily: Plastic Wrap
• Jelly Beans
• Foam Sheet
• Wooden Skewer
• Tape
• Rectangular Labels
• Pen

Instructions

Decoupage lace jars make for simple crafts for Easter. Cut the paper doily into small squares or use a craft punch to cut out lace shapes. Using a small paint brush, cover the mason jar with Mod Podge. Smooth the doily pieces onto the mason jar and cover with another layer of Mod Podge.  If using squares or strips, you can cover the jar entirely.  If using punched lace shapes, you can just apply a few shapes sporadically over the jar.

Let dry for about 1/2 hour. Once dry, cut a circular piece of foam to fit in the bottom of the jar. Fill with jelly beans. Cut a wooden skewer so that the height is just above the mason jar. Write your guest’s name on the rectangular label and tape to the skewer. Stick the skewer into the foam. Voila!

Crochet Doilies

If you want to make the doilies, use white lace-weight yarn and a small crochet hook. Make the doily only as big as needed to wrap around the mason jar. Here are some patterns for doilies:

• Doily Dishcloth– This doily is the perfect size for this project and very pretty!
• Pretty Doily– This open-work doily might be harder to stiffen later in the project, but will show more of the colorful jelly beans if you like that look.
• My First Doily

Once you’ve finished your doily, gather you other supplies. If you do not own a fabric stiffener product, make your own by mixing together equal parts white glue and water (the same recipe used in papier mache). You can also use wallpaper paste for a harder result.  Invert your mason jar and wrap a layer of plastic wrap around the bottom, stretching over into the inside of the jar.

Dunk your lace doily in the mixture, making sure to saturate the yarn. Use your fingers to wring excess glue from the doily. Wrap the doily around the inverted mason jar, smoothing down with your fingers. Secure with a rubber band and let dry overnight. Once dry, carefully remove the band, bowl and plastic wrap, in that order. Fill lace bowl with jelly bean candies.

For more ideas for low-stress home decorating and entertaining this Easter , see 18 Simple Crafts for Easter.